31st October 2025 - Today's Top 5 News Updates
- Super League Raw
- Oct 31
- 7 min read
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen leaves the Melbourne Storm
The Storm have granted full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen a release from the final year of his contract, effective immediately. Speculation continues to link him with R360.
Papenhuyzen played 113 games for Melbourne, and was the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner when the club took the premiership.
He cited a desire to “take a break” from the game and consider his future.
This move opens speculation about where he might go next — potentially overseas, or even switching codes.
Why it matters: Losing a high-profile player (especially a decorated full-back) is a big deal for the club and the competition; his future direction will attract attention.
2. Shaun Wane makes sweeping changes to the England national rugby league team ahead of Test No.2 vs. Australia national rugby league team
England’s coach has confirmed several changes for the second Ashes Test, including a new half-back pairing.
Harry Smith will start at half-back, displacing Mikey Lewis who may in turn knock try scoring Daryl Clark out of the starting 17 with Jez Litten expected to play more minutes.
In the match-day 19 selection, Jack Welsby, John Bateman and Ethan Havard are omitted.
Additionally, AJ Brimson is in line to make his England debut after switching allegiances from Australia earlier this year.
3. Matt Dufty – departure rumblings at Warrington Wolves
Key points:
The club informed Dufty during the end-of-season reviews that he is free to explore other options.
The disciplinary incident: Dufty was reportedly dropped after being late for training, which signalled discontent.
Trompered form and shifting roles: He ended the 2025 season playing in the centres rather than his traditional full-back slot.
Dufty joined the Wolves in mid-2022 after his NRL stint in Australia. Over his time with the club:
He became one of the more exciting attacking options, known for his pace and ability to open up play.
In 2024, he signed a contract extension until the end of 2026.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the team under-performed in 2025, finishing 8th in the Super League and missing the playoffs.
There appear to be several inter-linked reasons why the club might be steering away from retaining Dufty:
• Performance & role shift
While Dufty has undeniable attacking attributes, his consistency and defensive output have been questioned. The move from full-back to a centre in his most recent appearances suggests the coaching staff were exploring alternatives or changing strategy.
• Discipline & culture concerns
As mentioned, Dufty was dropped for being late to training. That kind of off-field issue may have weighed against him in the club’s assessment of squad culture and professionalism.
• Squad rebuild & quota management
Warrington are reported to be planning a rebuild for 2026. New signings, particularly overseas quota players, are being lined up. The club may need to free up a quota slot or salary space.
• Strategic fit
Coach Sam Burgess appears to be laying the foundation for a different spine and look to the squad.
For Warrington this is significant as they are committing to change. Declaring a player of Dufty’s profile surplus sends a clear message of resetting standards and expectations with Cai Taylor-Wray expected to be announced today as the new Number 1 for 2026.
4. Ryan Carr has arrived at the Castleford Tigers ahead of pre-season
When Castleford Tigers announced the appointment of Ryan Carr as their head coach for the 2026 season, Carr’s first public comments set the tone of his arrival:
“It’s an exciting opportunity, it’s a proud, historic club and I’m aware of where the club’s been, where it came from and where it’s going. I feel a lot of excitement on the direction that the club is heading in the near future. It deserves to be better than where it is, and that’s where we need to take it. I feel the opportunity, and the room for growth is really fast at the club — I’m excited to get started.”
From that interview we can pick out a few key themes:
Respect for history, but also a readiness to move forward: Carr spoke of the club’s past and future equally.
Ambition and growth: He emphasised that the club “deserves to be better than where it is” and the “room for growth is really fast at the club.”
Personal excitement and readiness: He plainly stated “I’m excited to get started.”
For Castleford fans, this is an encouraging start: the incoming coach seems aware of the challenge ahead, respectful of the club’s heritage, and motivated to instigate change.
Career to Date
Early Life & Playing Background
Carr was born on 3 August 1988 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
He played junior rugby league with the Engadine Dragons and attended Endeavour Sports High School, where he won the NRL Schoolboy Cup in 2006.
His playing career included time with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks’ Jersey Flegg Cup side (2006–07), North Queensland Cowboys in the Toyota Cup (2008, as captain) and then stints with Balmain Tigers (NSW Cup), Redcliffe Dolphins (Queensland Cup) and South Sydney Rabbitohs among others before retiring.
Though his playing days did not reach extended first-grade NRL prominence, they did provide a solid underpinning of experience in Australia’s competitive rugby league system.
Coaching Journey
Carr moved into coaching relatively young after his playing career ended. He held assistant and youth coaching roles with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks.
In 2018, he became head coach of the Mount Pritchard Mounties (a feeder club to the Canberra Raiders) and led them to the finals in the NSW Cup.
His first major head coach job in the UK came in 2019 with Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship. In that season, he guided them to a 5th-place finish and into the promotion playoff (the “Million Pound Game”) where they lost to the Toronto Wolfpack.
After his return to Australia, he was head coach of the NSW Cup team at Parramatta Eels then promoted mid-2022 to assistant coach of their NRL side under Brad Arthur.
In September 2022, Carr joined St George Illawarra Dragons as an assistant coach under Anthony Griffin, and in 2023 he served as interim head coach of the Dragons.
Why He Was Chosen for Castleford
There were several factors in Carr’s favour:
His experience both in England (with Featherstone) and in the NRL system gives him a blend of Super League/UK and Australian-league knowledge.
He has a reputation for being detail-oriented, progressive, and strong on development. For example, the Director of Rugby at Castleford, Chris Chester, described him as “a highly thought about coach who has a great knowledge of the game and a great work ethic.”
Castleford were looking for a coach who can build and develop the club and bring attacking ideas. Carr fitted that profile.
The Challenge Ahead at Castleford
Carr is taking over a club that, according to reports, has under-performed. As one article noted: “Tigers are 10th in the Super League table after losing 17 of their 22 games this year.”
Key points for his task ahead:
Rebuilding culture and performance: The “deserves to be better” line in his first interview signals that he sees some underachievement to be corrected.
Squad and recruitment: In one interview Carr discussed that the club has “significant cap space” for 2026 and Carr has already been talking about what the squad should look like.
Expectations: Castleford have set a target of becoming a top-six team (as stated by Chester) with Carr’s arrival being an important element of that.
Adapting to Super League: Although Carr has UK experience, the Super League presents its own challenges (travel, different structures, salary caps etc) so adaptation will be vital.
Timing: He will join ahead of the 2026 season (he finishes his spell with the Dragons in Australia), so he has some time for planning and recruitment.
Final Thoughts
Ryan Carr’s appointment at Castleford represents a deliberate move by the club to bring in a young, driven coach with both UK and NRL experience, and the first interview shows he is keen to embrace the club’s heritage while pushing for growth and improvement. The next couple of years will be crucial: at 37 (as of the time of appointment) he is relatively young for a head coach, meaning his tenure could evolve into a long-term period if things go well.
The challenge is significant — but so is the potential.
5. Jack Sinfield is finally announced at Wakefield Trinity
Why the switch makes sense
Several factors suggest this move is strategically sound for Jack:
Opportunity for more game time: At Leeds Rhinos, with established halves ahead of him, starting opportunities have been limited. The move offers him a clearer pathway to becoming a regular starter.
Development stage: At 21 years old he is still at the phase of moving from promising youngster to full-fledged professional. A change of environment can catalyse that growth.
Club ambition and fit: For Wakefield Trinity, bringing in a player with Jack’s background signals investment in youth and playmaking talent — which could align well with their medium-term strategy.
Legacy & identity: Though Jack carries the Sinfield name, moving to a new club allows him to carve out his own identity rather than always being “the son of Kevin”. A fresh stage = fresh narrative.
Challenges & Considerations
The move is promising, but it comes with caveats:
Pressure & expectations: Being Kevin Sinfield’s son carries inherent expectations. At a new club the comparisons will continue, albeit perhaps in a different context.
Transition and adaptation: A new club environment, systems, and possible higher expectations of leadership can temper the transition.
Consistency and performance: To become a regular starter, Jack will need to deliver consistently — in both the highs and lows of Super League competition.
Club context: Wakefield’s team dynamics, coaching, and squad support will play a big role in how much he can flourish. The opportunity is there, but the environment must enable it.
Jack Sinfield’s switch from Leeds Rhinos to Wakefield Trinity marks a pivotal moment in his career. From youth standout and academy graduate at Leeds, to a young professional seeking regular first-team action, this move provides the platform he needs.
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