WARRINGTON Wolves and Rhyse Martin, a second-rower for Leeds Rhinos, are rumoured to have discussed a move for 2025.

But there’s fierce competition for the Papua New Guinean’s signature, and things become a little murky when other internal considerations are included.

The Wire is in the running to sign goal-kicking edge forward Martin, who is in his final year at Headingley and thus free to talk a move elsewhere with rival clubs, as Jenna Brooks of Sky Sports revealed prior to the team’s matchup with Salford Red Devils on Friday night.

The Rhinos have put in a bid to retain Martin at the team, while Rugby League Live revealed last week that Leigh Leopards had also shown interest in the 31-year-old, who has excelled since joining the Super League in 2019.

The Warrington Guardian is aware that, despite Wolves’ continued optimism for victory, it is acknowledged that Leigh is now in the driver’s seat.

Warrington has had to alter their recruitment plans as they get ready to live without Matty Nicholson, who is scheduled to join the Canberra Raiders of the NRL at the end of the season.

Luke Yates, the captain of the Huddersfield Giants, was supposed to be the sole new player they signed for 2025, but since Nicholson decided to give Australia a shot, they’ve had to hunt for a back-rower to take his place.

Martin would occupy one of Wire’s seven overseas quota spaces. Yates will occupy the spot when he arrives for preseason, but Josh Drinkwater’s contract is about to expire, so if he leaves, that would provide an opening.

They do, however, want to find a method to balance having players of the appropriate calibre in their roster with providing opportunities for several younger players that the club has high hopes for.

There are those who believe that Adam Holroyd, who has made 11 first-team appearances this season as part of a consistent breakthrough, can eventually take Nicholson’s place.

Nolan Tupaea, who made his senior debut for the club against Wigan Warriors earlier this month, is also making great progress, while several back-row players in the age groups are reportedly attracting attention.

In short, Warrington would like to sign Martin, but there are a lot of other considerations.

The three Warrington Wolves players chosen for the England Academy game next month have received praise from Sam Burgess.

While prop Tom McKinney has frequently practiced with the starting squad, two of those players—outside back Arron Lindop and full-back Cai Taylor-Wray—have made Super League appearances for The Wire this season.

All three are eligible to play for their nation on home soil when they take on the France under-19s on Tuesday, July 2, at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Burgess stated, “It’s a good reward for them.”

“They’re all excellent players, and having three boys in there is beneficial to the team.”

“Tom McKinney is a promising young player who has spent some time with us even if he hasn’t yet played in the first grade.

“I’m happy for them because they’re all excellent guys as well.

“I think Cai is a valuable player, and we’re trying to get him more involved. Aaron trains with us every day.”

Warrington-born Lindop, who was linked to a long-term contract throughout the preseason, has shown promise in his three Super League games thus far.

In Round One’s loss to Catalans Dragons, he made his senior debut by scoring the game’s first try from the right wing. In Round 10, against Hull FC, he rejoined the team on the opposite flank.

Then, as a member of a significantly altered Wire team that lost to Wigan Warriors in Super League earlier this month, he turned in a brilliant, try-scoring performance in his favoured centre position.

Burgess remarked, “Arron’s coming on. I threw him in at the deep end, but nothing really fazes him as a confident young man.”

“He received a couple beatings, but it didn’t phase him. Since then, he’s played a few games and hasn’t let me down.

He’s my kind of guy; he doesn’t bother me and is low maintenance.

I believe that he is more of a left centre than anything else; he has played both left and right wings for us, so he is quite versatile. He’s a useful addition.

Against Wigan, Taylor-Wray also made his senior debut. McKinney has been a mainstay for the team’s reserve squad, but he hasn’t played for the first team yet.

Burgess was questioned about the possibility of loaning away young players like Lindop, Taylor-Wray, and others until he had more senior game action.

But he added a word of caution to that.

Since they are still young guys, it is important for their development that they remain in our system. He stated, “We train to a high standard.

“I’d like to bring them out eventually, but it’s simpler for the younger forwards who are a little bit more developed and mature physically.

You have to be a little more cautious when it comes to developing the younger outside backs.

“I’m a little more selective about what I do with them because it’s not good for them to go out and get bashed every week.”

The Warringtons will try to recover from the heartbreak they suffered against the Salford Red Devils this Friday night.
This Friday, June 14, at 8 p.m. KO, The Wire will play their Super League home opener against the Red Devils at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

We are two points behind the leaders going into the second half of the league season for Sam Burgess’ team.

The visitors on Friday have eight league victories thus far in 2024, which puts them in the final sixth play-off berth.

SQUAD PRESS
Both Jordy Crowther (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (back) were injured during the Challenge Cup Final and had to miss play.

Warrington Wolves’ 21-man roster: Toby King, Arron Lindop, Matty Nicholson, Zane Musgrove, Matty Ashton, Joe Bullock, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Matt Dufty, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd,

The game on Friday will air on Sky Sports Arena.

The match will take place 48 hours later, with the game accessible on SuperLeague+.

Monday’s complete match replay will be accessible on WireTV, and following full-time, match highlights will be posted on our YouTube channel.

Tickets can still be purchased from the club store, online, and by calling 01925 248888.

Only the West and South Stands have select cash turnstiles, and the North Stand’s ticket office windows are open until 5:00 p.m.

The Friday night game’s turnstiles will open at 6.30 p.m., while the hospitality area will open at 5:45 p.m.

We will have our official club store open from 9 a.m. till kickoff.

Salford’s star player is Marc Sneyd, who is presently atop the Man of Steel standings. This season, he is just behind Niall Evalds of Hull KR with 14 try assists.

The only player in the competition with more metres made than Nene MacDonald is our very own Matt Dufty.

Loghan Lewis, who signed with the Canberra Raiders last week, may make his Salford debut.