JUST IN: ‘Lewis who?’ – NRL players respond to reports of Lewis Dodd signing.
Over the weekend, claims surfaced that St Helens star Lewis Dodd will join the NRL at the end of the season, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs signing the playmaker on a long-term contract.
The Daily Telegraph first reported that South Sydney’s football manager, Mark Ellison, would travel to England to seal the acquisition.
Ellison is expected to land in England at some point this week with Dodd’s signing looking set to become confirmed imminently, something that former Saints man James Graham has claimed is a huge signing.
Graham went so far as to say that if Dodd succeeds in the NRL, he will be remembered as “one of England’s greatest,” while other members of the Australian media have described the 22-year-old as “the best seven in Super League.”
Dodd has not appeared in either of St Helens’ last two games, with the Red Vee obliged to shift Jack Welsby to the halves alongside Jonny Lomax.
“Don’t know too much about him”: Souths stars react to reports of Lewis Dodd joining
Despite that, a number of Dodd’s potential teammates are uncertain of who he is. That’s been reported by The Daily Telegraph who were asked about Dodd on Sunday.
Souths prop Jai Arrow’s reaction to questions about Dodd saw him respond: “Nah, sorry to be honest I don’t really know anything about him.”
Incredibly, Arrow was even unsure on Dodd’s name, adding: “I just know he’s a young kid in the Super League. He must be doing some good things if he’s caught the eye of the club … I don’t really know anything about … Lewis Dodd, is it, sorry?”
Another member of Souths’ pack had a similar reaction, albeit they were far more enthusiastic about welcoming the 22-year-old to the Sydney club.
Keaon Koloamatangi, a State of Origin debutant in 2023 and emerging star, responded: “I saw that, but I don’t know anything about him. Any new signing is a wonderful thing because it demonstrates that people over there want to join our club.
“When he comes we’ll welcome him with open arms.”
Dodd may have to be a rescue for Souths, who are now at the bottom of the NRL league following a disastrous start that has seen them maintain their terrible record into 2023.
Souths have won just one of their seven games, putting pressure on head coach Jason Demetriou, while Sam Burgess has been forced to deny reports that he could return to his previous side.
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