Castleford Tigers target Queensland Cup Player of the Year after exceptional year
Castleford Tigers have set their sights on dynamic Papua New Guinean Judah Rimbu. Rugby League Live can reveal that the Super League side has tabled an offer to the Kumuls international after an exceptional campaign.
Rimbu, 22, has set the Queensland Cup alight this season and was crowned as the competition's best player earlier this week, receiving the Petero Civoniceva Medal for player of the year.
Primarily a hooker, Rimbu has scored an exceptional 16 tries in 23 games for the PNG Hunters this year, ending the season as the competition's third-highest try scorer despite playing at nine throughout the season.
With 69 appearances at Queensland Cup level, Rimbu also has three appearances for Papua New Guinea to his name after playing in the Pacific Championships last year, being used in rotation with one of Super League's current star hookers, Leigh Leopards' Edwin Ipape.
Rimbu's stats are impressive, ending the Queensland Cup campaign as the most prolific dummy half runner, while he also finished fifth for tackle breaks. He also finished fifth for tackles made, completing 726 tackles at an average of 31.5 per game. Rimbu played the full 80 minutes in over half of his appearances this season.
Earlier this year, Rimbu was a transfer target for Hull FC, who appeared set to complete a deal before pulling out at the eleventh hour.
However, a move to Castleford is now in the works, with Rimbu identified as a player who can act as something of a replacement for Paul McShane, given he is also capable of covering in the halves should the Tigers require options in the role.
The Tigers, who have completed a deal for Zac Cini and are on the verge of getting a deal for Daejarn Asi over the line, are still putting the final touches on their recruitment for next season. Rimbu's arrival would mean they have nine overseas players contracted for next season though there have been strong suggestions that Nixon Putt and Elie El-Zakhem will depart in the off-season.
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