Can a 31 year old blake Austin hack it back in the nrl?
The Dolphins inability to recruit players in key positions out of the NRL is reportedly forcing them to look in a very new direction.
The latest target on inaugural coach
Wayne Bennett's radar is set to be former NRL star
Blake Austin.
The Dolphins have chased plenty of targets since their November 1 opening to negotiations, but have so far only managed to sign
Melbourne Storm second-rower
Felise Kaufusi,
Parramatta Eels workhorse
Ray Stone,
Brisbane Broncos outside back
Jamayne Isaako and little-known rugby union talent
Valynce Te Whare, as well as a pair of development players.
Wide World of Sports are reporting that
the Dolphins will now go after Austin as an experienced player to run their halves.
Halves are one position
the Dolphins haven't been heavily linked to thus far, although they were rumoured to be interested in
Cody Walker before he re-signed with the
South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2023 season.
Austin has now turned 30, but is a player who
Wayne Bennett could get the best out of.
A former Penrith Panther, Wests Tiger and Canberra Raider, Austin played his best football in the NRL during his time in lime green before switching to the English
Super League.
He has since become a mainstay at the
Warrington Wolves, playing 57 games and scoring 29 tries during his three seasons with the club. The former Great Britain representative will join the
Leeds Rhinos in 2022 on a one-year deal, meaning he is free to negotiate a new deal - and potential return to the NRL - in 2023.
Bennett has past history with Austin as coach of Great Britain when the 30-year-old half was selected for the nation.
Could this be the answer for the Dolphins?
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