Jahrome Hughes has no plans to leave Storm amid rumours of Titans move

Multiple reports this week claimed Hughes wanted to move to Titans so his wife could be closer to her family in Queensland. 

Veteran Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has been subject to many rumours this week. Most reports say the 29-year-old is ready to make a move to Gold Coast Titans  to be closer to his wife’s hometown of Queensland. Hughes addressed these rumours head-on this week, saying that they were wide of the mark.  

Hughes denies Gold Coast rumours 

Jahrome Hughes spoke to the media on Monday ahead of Melbourne Storm’s Round 8 matchup against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday night at AAMI Park. During this press conference, the halfback threw cold water on the rumours linking him to Gold Coast Titans.  
 
“That’s just rumours. I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Hughes revealed before further going into why the story was incorrect. “I haven’t seen the story or anything, but a few boys have said something to me, and I don’t know what they’re talking about,” he said.  
 
While obviously not true, Hughes admitted there is some logic behind the rumours linking him to the Titans. “I was up there before I started my NRL career and played for the Gold Coast Titans,” he said, adding, “but I think they’re just trying to make a story out of it at the moment.” 

Wife reportedly behind move 

Besides the fact that the Titans desperately need a halfback, almost every report cited Hughes’ wife as a reason why the Kiwi star could move to Gold Coast. NRL legend Corey Parker kicked off these rumours.  
 
“I’m hearing rumblings that one superstar in the game wants to come home to Queensland and be with the family,” Parker said on SENQ Mornings. “That player is Jahrome Hughes. Whether that’s at the end of his contract or not, that remains to be seen.” 
 
According to Hughes, not only are these rumours of “rumblings” false, but also he and his wife are happy in Melbourne.  

“(Melbourne) feels like home now. This is my home at the moment,” he said on Monday. “My wife is from Queensland, but she’s loving it down here. This is home for us.” 

Hughes to sign new contract 

What players say to the media isn’t always 100% accurate, but in this case, there’s a pretty good chance Hughes isn’t fibbing.  
 
The Melbourne Storm have reportedly opened talks to sign Hughes down to a new, long-term contract. The halfback’s current deal expires in 2026. Reports say he is keen to sign a new deal after his sensational start to the 2024 NRL season. 

The Storm are in second place heading into Round 8. The betting sites have them as big favourites to beat second-from-bottom Rabbitohs on Thursday. After that, Melbourne head to Queensland to face the club Hughes has been linked to, Gold Coast Titans.