Promoted Toronto Wolfpack have released three of their high-profile players, including new signing Dave Taylor, with the new Betfred Championship season just around the corner.
Taylor, a former Australia Test forward who was signed from Canberra Raiders, has left without playing a game for the club, along with ex-Parramatta and Leigh prop Fuifui Moimoi and ex-Leeds front rower Ryan Bailey.
The bombshell announcement came as the 2017 League 1 champions prepared to return to their Manchester base from their week-long warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
The club have not divulged their reasons for axing the players but it is a blow, just a fortnight before the start of the new season.
A statement from Toronto said: “Fuifui Moimoi, Ryan Bailey and Dave Taylor have left Toronto Wolfpack by mutual agreement.
“The club thank the players for their efforts and we wish them well in their future careers.”
The loss of the experienced pack trio leaves Toronto short of numbers as they prepare for their opening league game against Leigh on February 4 but director of rugby Brian Noble insists there will be no panic buying.
“We have an outstanding squad but we are always looking to add to it if the right players become available,” Noble said.
At the age of 38, Moimoi is unlikely to find a new club and is almost certain to retire while Taylor, 29, and Bailey, 33, are facing uncertain futures.
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