International

The start of the New Year in the Antipodes has been as predictable as ever. Enter Mr Glenn ‘Bumper’ Dwyer, the indefatigable publicity and marketing man for Newtown Jets (formerly the Bluebags). Now, Bumper is no man’s fool. He understands the working of newspapers in the so-called silly season, where Rugby League stories are at a premium. So each and ... Read More »

Johnathan Thurston has become only the third man to win Rugby League World’s coveted Gold Boot on two occasions. The Australia and North Queensland Cowboys stand-off edged out England forward Sam Burgess to follow up his success in 2011. Thurston caught the attention of the 13-man voting panel with his man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup final win over New ... Read More »

Scotland Player of the Year Luke Douglas is hoping to be able to carry play again for the Bravehearts at the end of the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Douglas, as was reported in last week’s League Express, was chosen as the Scottish Player of the Year by the team’s coaching staff, and he has confirmed to League Express that he ... Read More »

Huddersfield Giants skipper Danny Brough and centre Leroy Cudjoe have made a quick start to pre-season, after joining back up with the rest of the squad last week. Both players played major roles in the World Cup, for Scotland and England respectively. Brough was instrumental in leading the Bravehearts to the quarter-final with New Zealand, whilst Cudjoe played in every ... Read More »

Just four months since retiring, after a final stint with Catalan Dragons, Steve Menzies has become the latest veteran who wants to play in the Auckland Nines. Former Australian Test captain Brad Fittler led the charge – announcing he was going to sign with the Sydney Roosters on a $1 contract so he could have one last hurrah in the ... Read More »

Rugby League Ireland (RLI) has been recognised as a National Governing Body by the Irish Sports Council. The recognition allows the RLI to be able to apply for funding and to further develop the sport throughout Ireland. They are now also free to engage with the National Sports Campus Development Authority, the Federation of Irish Sports, local sports partnerships, and ... Read More »

Former Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos centre Richie Blackmore is the latest big name to seek the role as the Kiwis’ next Test coach. The job became vacant after New Zealand’s big loss to Australia in the final of the recent World Cup. Current coach Stephen Kearney wants to continue in the job. And David Kidwell, the former Warrington Wolves ... Read More »

Malcolm Andrews reacts to a story that Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler will come out of retirement to play for Sydney Roosters in next month’s NRL Nines in Auckland… A happy New Year to all our devoted readers, although from reports filtering in from Old Blighty it has been a grim opening to 2014 – and I am not talking about your ... Read More »

SUPER LEAGUE Player of the year Danny Brough 52.5% Sam Tomkins 19% Jamie Peacock 15% Stefan Ratchford 7.5% Danny Kirmond 6% Young Player of the year Liam Sutcliffe 22% Adam Swift 21% Ben Currie 21% Jamie Shaul 20% Theo Fages 16% Mature Player of the year Jamie Peacock 50.5% Mickey Higham 31.5% Francis Meli 8% Jon Clarke 5% Ali Lauititi ... Read More »

Last year’s brilliant World Cup left everybody with a hunger for more, much more, international Rugby League. Aligned with the several million pounds of profit generated by the tournament, a more solid international programme was forecast and the establishment of a permanent staff for the Rugby League International Federation. In the last few weeks very little has happened apart from ... Read More »