The expected return of Gareth Widdop to Australia has hit a major roadblock. Or rather, has been stopped dead in its tracks.
The news comes as a big setback for the Canberra Raiders, who were thought to be chasing the playmaker. Widdop had been mooted to return to the NRL, but has now done a complete 180 and opted to stay in England.
Reports recently surfaced that the 32-year-old had been eyeing off a return to Australiaย as his family is based here, following a stint with the Warrington Wolves since leaving the NRL in 2019. However, The Australianโs Brent Read said on Triple M that Widdop is set to stay abroad.
โIt looks like heโs now going to stay in Englandโ Read told Triple M.
Related: Door open for Widdop return
โCanberra were the club that were moving for Gareth Widdop but theyโve basically been told [he] looks like he will stay in England now.
โItโs a bit of a backflip on Garethโs behalf because he had been shopped around the NRL for a long time now โ basically all season he's been shopped around the NRL and didnโt really get any bites.
โIt was only the past few weeks he started to get any interest and Canberra was one of those clubs, but it sounds like now heโs decided to stay in England. So you can put a line through him among those playmakers that were on the open market.โ
Itโs been reported that last month, Widdopโs former club St George Illawarra gave its blessing for him to return to the NRL with another club. He was released from his previous contract with the Dragons under the caveat that he would not return to the NRL to play for a rival.
See Also: Broncos lose patience with playmaker
Itโs thought that the Raiders had been the front runners for Widdopโs signature following the loss of George Williams mid-season.
The Raiders look set to retain the services of hooker Josh Hodgson in a boost. They had originally hoped to retain Hodgson and secure Widdop but will have to settle for the trusty Hodgson alone.
