NRL 2022: English Super League star Will Pryce on Canberra Raiders’ radar

The Raiders have had great success with English imports in recent seasons and the club has earmarked one of the Super League’s rising stars as their next possible target.

English stars who could make it in the NRL.

Canberra has become the first NRL club to reveal an interest in rising English star Will Pryce.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Raiders have kickstarted interest by making contact with Pryce’s father, former English rugby league star, Leon.

After reading a Daily Telegraph report about Super League players being showcased in the end-of-year World Cup, Canberra is planning to take a group of officials and coaches to England on a fact-finding journey to monitor the playing talent.

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Pryce, just 19, has become the young gun of Super League, playing five-eighth or fullback for Huddersfield Giants. His father Leon is a former Great Britain international.

It is understood Pryce has two more years remaining on his Huddersfield contract but Canberra would be prepared to pay a transfer fee to secure the young England Knights international.

Huddersfield Giants young gun Will Pryce is in the Raiders’ radar.

Pryce was included in a list compiled by The Daily Telegraph revealing the finest English players to compete at the World Cup.

English agents confirmed overnight that Canberra had contacted Leon Pryce about his son, although Raiders CEO Don Furner was reluctant to confirm any approach.

“We are always interested in good, young players,” Furner said.

Canberra has established a strong relationship with England in recent years, having signed Brits George Williams, Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton.

English player agents are urging NRL clubs to watch their talent compete at the World Cup, which starts on October 15. This, British player agents claim, will be a huge chance for English stars to secure fat contracts in Australia.

Canberra completed a successful fact-finding tour of America several years ago and may now head to England. It was during their US journey that the club discovered and implemented the now-famous Viking Clap.

The Raiders will watch World Cup games while also planning to visit Premier League football clubs and perhaps the Irish rugby union set up. Canberra management would also talk with local player agents.

“We have a desire to go over to England,” Furner said. “We try to go overseas every four or five years to freshen up the staff and coaches.

“There hasn’t been much international travel over the past few years but this would be an opportunity to take over some coaching and marketing staff.

The Raiders have great success with English imports in recent seasons, including Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“We would check out the World Cup, scout for young players and also see what is happening over there in the world of sport. We don’t go every year.

“We’d also like to see the facilities around soccer and rugby union. That would be really good for Rick (Stuart) and his staff to keep fresh.

“There are also things you pick up in marketing as well as football. It sounds like England is ready to open up.”

The Daily Telegraph revealed the English players are aware the World Cup will be their ‘shop front window’ moment. And with the Dolphins to enter the NRL from next year, English players will be in demand.

Due to an inflated player market, NRL clubs are discussing whether to delay signing players until determining whether there could be cheaper options at the World Cup.

Some Super League players have signed short-term deals to ensure being free agents within a year of the World Cup concluding.

Cut-price Poms on NRL club radars

By Dean Ritchie

English Super League stars have been told the looming World Cup could become their only genuine crack at Australian NRL glory – and a multimillion-dollar payday.

And with an inflated player market, NRL clubs may now hold off signing players until they determine whether there could be cheaper options at the World Cup.

Leading British player agents are currently discussing one issue – having their clients ready for a booming World Cup in front of NRL coaches and recruitment managers.

News Corp has been told English players are abundantly aware the World Cup will be their ‘shop front window’ moment.

And with the Dolphins to enter in 2023 – and the NRL’s player talent pool stretched – English players will be in demand.

Some English players even signed short-term deals to ensure being free agents within a year of the World Cup concluding.

“A lot of clubs will use the World Cup as a smorgasbord,” said one NRL recruitment manager.

Alex Walmsley brings grunt up front.

Regan Grace is an exciting talent.

“I’ve spoken to some agents over there and this is all they want to talk about – having a look at their players at the World Cup.

“There will be a real push from the agents over there, they want you watching the World Cup, I’m telling you. I’d be shocked if a fair bit of stuff doesn’t come out of the World Cup. If the Dolphins can’t get the players, they’ll go to England.”

British players will be playing for fat NRL contracts when the prestigious World Cup tournament kicks off on October 15 when England play Samoa at St James’ Park, Newcastle.

Some NRL coaches and multiple club recruitment officials are expected to jet into England for the month-long event, which culminates in the final on November 19 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

News Corp spoke to several NRL recruitment managers who identified six English players to monitor in the World Cup – Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Harry Newman (Leeds), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Will Pryce (Huddersfield), Jake Connor (Hull FC) and Regan Grace (St Helens).

“You’d want them in 2023 after the World Cup or in ‘24,” said another NRL recruitment manager, who cannot talk publicly under club policy.

“The Australian-based Englishmen in camp at the World Cup will also tell the Super League Poms how great the NRL is and how they should get over here and get the big money.

“Alex Walmsley, he’s probably the best front-rower in the world at the moment. Over there, he can win games single-handedly.

“The best 13 in the game over there is Morgan Knowles, he plays for St Helens. There is also a kid called Will Pryce, he’s the son of (former English star) Leon Pryce. He is outstanding.”

St Helens star Morgan Knowles is seen as the best No.13 in England.

The only concern about an English poaching raid for NRL clubs would be hefty transfer fees placed on players with existing Super League contracts.

Players from other nations will also see the World Cup as a journey into the NRL.

On Monday, Sky Sports in England was raving about Walmsley’s performance against Hull FC over the weekend.

“The prop was near-on unstoppable with the ball in hand,” the report read.

“Walmsley carried for 210 metres with an average gain of 14 metres, busting five tackles in the process. He also came up with 20 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.”

The World Cup was due to be played last year but was postponed after heavyweights Australia and New Zealand withdrew through Covid concerns.

BEST OF BRITAIN

Alex Walmsley (St Helens)

Age: 31

Position: Prop

Has made more metres than anyone other than Jai Field through the opening fortnight of the competition. The barnstorming front-rower has long been linked with a move to the NRL, ever since breaking through to the English team for the 2017 World Cup. But he has openly stated his desire to win a Challenge Cup with the Saints. That could change this year.

Jake Connor (Hull FC)

Age: 27

Position: Fullback/centre

One of the Super League’s most consistent performers, Connor’s value lies in his versatility, where he capably slots in at centre, five-eighth, or fullback, where he currently plays for Hull FC under coach Brett Hodgson.

Jake Connor’s main attractions are his consistency and versatility.

Harry Newman (Leeds)

Age: 22

Position: Centre/wing

Made a successful return to the game last year after spending 10 months recovering from a double leg fracture, and that was enough for some NRL clubs, and even rugby union, from having a cup of coffee with the Rhinos centre. He eventually re-signed with Leeds for another three years, but remains one to watch.

Morgan Knowles (St Helens)

Age: 25

Position: Lock/second row

Considered one of the best forwards in the Super League and the glue of the Saints’ three-peat, especially under Justin Holbrook, Knowles briefly considered a move to the NRL when he came off contract last year. And while he ultimately penned a mammoth four-year extension, he remains determined to eventually make the move in his prime.

Will Pryce (Huddersfield)

Age: 19

Position: Five-eighth/fullback

Rated arguably the most exciting youngster in the Super League, the son of England legend Leon Pryce has already garnered plenty of interest from Australia after scoring six tries in 13 games during his rookie season for the Giants last year. Has all the attributes of a box office star: Speed, athleticism and playmaking.

Regan Grace (St Helens)

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Two years after openly declaring a desire to join the Titans under Justin Holbrook, Grace is still scoring tries at will in the Super League. The Welsh international, whose lightning speed has been compared to Josh Addo-Carr, has racked up 83 tries in 132 games on the end of the Saints’ backline.

Originally published as NRL 2022: English Super League star Will Pryce on Canberra Raiders’ radar