Dec 23rd, 2018

Dec 23rd, 2018

Superstar Gareth Widdop is set to deliver the Dragons a crushing Christmas blow by signing a two-year deal with English club Warrington.

Widdop is on a long-term deal with the Dragons and will play for the club next season before moving to Wolves in 2020 on a rich contract.

The only good news for the Dragons is that Widdop, who turns 30 next March, may return to the NRL and the Big Red V after that.

Born in England but largely raised in Australia, Widdop has had a glittering career in the NRL but wants to make his mark on the English game before retiring.

He has family in the UK and wants to play in front of them while he is still at the peak of his game.

Widdop’s partnership with fellow Aussie Blake Austin will give Warrington one of the best halfback combinations in Super League.

His departure will leave a massive hole in the Dragons’ ranks but is one of the major reasons the club splurged out on Eels playmaker Corey Norman last week.

Gareth Widdop is set to join Super League club Warrington. (AAP)

NEW CASUALTY OF NRL REFS TURMOIL

The drama continues within the refereeing ranks with senior video ref Luke Patten walking away from the game last week.

Former Bulldogs and Dragons fullback Patten was one of the most experienced video refs in the game but decided he could no longer put up with criticism from both within and outside the refereeing ranks.

Former top grade ref Shayne Hayne, now a match day reviewer of referees’ performances, has also been moved to Queensland to help develop refs north of the border.

The referees are still an unhappy bunch, at odds with the leadership of Tony Archer and Bernard Sutton, and are currently in a stalemate with the NRL in talks over pay and conditions.

Luke Patten has walked away from his NRL video referee job. (AAP)

RABBITOHS JUGGLING GI, JENNINGS FUTURES

The future of out of contract Souths star Robert Jennings rests in the hands of superstar Greg Inglis.

Inglis will sit down with new Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett after the Christmas break and discuss where he is best suited to play in 2019.

If Inglis decides he can still handle the extra running involved at fullback, then Souths may well keep Jennings.

But if they decide Inglis is better suited at centre, then the club won’t make Jennings an offer.

The Tigers, Eels and Dragons are all believed to be ready to swoop.

Robert Jennings will have no shortage of takers if he leaves South Sydney. (AAP)

ARTHUR INTO CONTENTION FOR SHARKS JOB

Don’t be surprised if the Sharks add Brad Arthur to their coach wish list for next season.

Arthur needs a good year at the Eels after the club struggled this season but is still held in high regard by rival clubs.

Sharks players are pushing for assistant coach John Morris to replace the disgraced Shane Flanagan but I’m hearing Arthur’s management may offer his services to Cronulla.

A host of other contenders are in the hunt for the Sharks job, with Trent Barrett current favourite.