WIGAN executive director Kris Radlinski has confirmed Canberra were deep into negotiations to sign Ireland hooker Michael McIlorum as a temporary replacement for Josh Hodgson.
Speaking in the Wigan Observer, Radlinski says it was in this environment that the 29-year-old’s agent approached the club about the possibility of a release.
But the Raiders weren’t willing to shell out enough money, allowing Catalans to swoop.
“Initially, Canberra wanted him so we were in talks with them but they weren’t prepared to pay a bit salary for someone to play eight months until Josh Hodgson was fit again,” Radlinski was quoted as saying.
“From their point of view they were willing to give him a chance to establish himself and then try and get another NRL club for 2019.
“But then he got an attractive contract from Catalans and went with that.”
Radlinski denied McIlorum has been forced out, as he hinted in a recent interview.
“We didn’t instigate it,” he said. “His agent approached us during the World Cup and said Micky wants him to look in the NRL, even before Josh Hodgson was injured.
“We knew he wanted a (better) contract, we knew he had genuine interest, and we also knew our own position, in terms of the salary cap and what players we had.”
