Plans For The 2024 Super League Season Continue As Clubs Shake Up Their Squads

Thursday turned into a bit of a busy day again for fans of Super League Rugby sides, and with the 2023 season in full flow, and now almost at an end as we head towards the end of September, sides are already making decisions about what the make up of their squads might look like when Super League action returns.

For those who like a flutter, there are games left and you can Play Here, and then it is all about predictions for next season.

One of the sides to make moves this week were Leeds Rhinos, and they have now put pen to paper on contract extensions for back rower James Bentley and winger David Fusitu’a to keep them both at the club following the closure of the current campaign.

New Zealand and Tonga flier, 28 year old Fusitu’a, has now racked up 92 tries in 162 matches across both hemispheres for his clubs, the New Zealand Warriors, Redcliffe Dolphins and latterly Leeds themselves, whereas 25 year old Ireland international Bentley, has clocked up 49 tries in 147 games for Bradford, St Helens and now the Rhinos.

Speaking to the media to announce the extensions of both players, boss Rohan Smith explained at his press conference on Thursday.

“We’re excited to have James around for a while. His performances in the last little while particularly have coincided with the work he’s done off the field, and he’s really heading on the right track. ‘Fus’ is a really talented player and there would have been other options on the table for him, but he chose to stay here. The chemistry and support him and Sam Lisone have given each other has been really good and it’s something we want to build on for the future.”

Bentley has signed a new two year deal, whilst ‘Fus’ has agreed a 12 month extension.

They were not the only deals announced as this week came to a close, fellow Super League side Warrington Wolves also confirmed that they had secured the capture of centre Wesley Bruines from rivals St Helens, with his new deal kicking in at the start of the 2024 season – the deal inked is initially a 12 month agreement.

The 20 year old is actually yet to feature for the Saints following on from his move earlier this year from Australian side, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, as he made the move to England from their development squad, so he is very much potential for the future.

A big pull for the lad seems to be in the fact that he will now reunite with former Souths coach Sam Burgess, who has already agreed to take charge of Warrington in 2024. He explained.

“Sam explained his vision of what he wants to do. He also told me how he wants to develop me as a player. It’s going to be a big pre-season for me and hopefully I can put my name out there to compete for a starting shirt.”

Whilst he didn’t feature for the Saints, he was part of a number of their matchday squads and built up further experience whilst out on loan to Swinton and North Wales. It could well be a match made in heaven now as Burgess is already on record as praising Bruines ‘great work ethic, skill and youth’.

It will be interesting to follow his development, even if you are not a Wolves fan.