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What a great appointment this is, could be transformational not just for the club but for Wales RL if he can harness the development pathways in Wales. http://www.totalrl.com/west-wales-appoint-australian-kim-williams-as-new-coach-for-2019/ West Wales Raiders have appointed the former Melbourne Storm high performance manager Kim Williams as their new head coach starting from the 2019 season. Williams has built a strong reputation in Australia and is recognised as being one the best head coaches outside of the NRL, according to the Raiders. Born in Shellharbour in New South Wales, he began as a development officer in 1998 in Adelaide. He then had seven years as the development manager for the Western Australia Rugby League in Perth. He joined the Storm in 2009 and was responsible for the management of the Victorian Rugby League representative programmes as well as the Melbourne Storm Academy, who he coached to the NRL Under 18 Grand Final in his first season where they lost out to Canterbury Bulldogs. He moved to the Queensland Cup – the second best rugby league competition in Australia – in 2013, when he replaced former South Wales Scorpions coach Anthony Seibold to take charge of Mackay Cutters, leading them to finish top of the league table and to win the Grand Final in his first season. He remained there until the end of the 2015 season. He has spent the last three years as head coach of another Queensland Cup side, the Rockhampton-based Central Queensland Capras, a feeder side to NRL club Brisbane Broncos. Williams’ grandfather, Griffin Williams, was born in Swansea, emigrating to Australia with his family after he served in the Royal Navy in World War 2. This has given him extra incentive to coach West Wales Raiders, the Llanelli-based club being based less than an hour away from his family’s roots. Williams said: “I want to help establish West Wales Raiders as the premier rugby league club in Wales by building the foundations for sustained success. “I will be bringing a high level of professionalism and knowledge into the club to develop strong and clear pathways for our junior and local players, and I want to create a culture at the club that meets the expectation of our supporters and stakeholders. “I am very proud of my Welsh heritage and see a great opportunity to help develop our great game in Wales. I’m impressed with the passion and professionalism shown by Andrew Thorne and the board of the Raiders and I’m excited to be a part of their plans moving forward.”

There's nothing in the announcement to suggest that Although I think it would be hard to argue that an 'influx' of perhaps a couple of seasoned and experienced Australian players would both improve the team whilst they are developing players, and also introduce a level of professionalism and 'culture' hitherto unknown. It doesn't have to be 'either-or' for West Wales. Yes, they are following the path of using home-grown players. A couple of Aussies in a squad of 25, providing this guy can bring in the right people (not simply here for a holiday) would benefit them. Perhaps they could be employed in the community, working with local school etc.

It could be that Welsh kids can learn a thing or two from experience, instead of being 1st pick in a team light in quality and squad depth. Lets hope this Australian guy can stimulate more interest in the Club, get some systems in place to build from. Some great talent has come out of Wales and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how it all goes there.

Can I used your quote to the remainers on the "Position in the EU" thread, the non-tory voters on the "Those nice Tories" thread and nearly everyone on the "POTUS" thread?

It shouldn’t just be a run out. It should be a full blooded test against the French

Ha! - I appreciate that England RL's core support (- namely the town of Leigh, pop. 43,000) are beneficiaries of this enlightened decision and locked (for good or bad) into attending - But this boy lives in West Yorkshire, works all weekdays 'til 7pm each evening, loves his international rugby league and dreams of any excuse to escape to the south of France to indulge his passion for the game (regardless of score), cheap (good) red wine, toulouse sausages and/or a decent steak and pretty girls with a french accent - hence my dismay. Should the game be guaranteed to be a dispiriting (for the purist) one sided, 50+ point drubbing - i say if it must be played in England, let the good (and hopefully impressionable) people of Newcastle, Coventry, Bristol or London lap it up ....on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

I’m glad you typed carefully

Apart from injuring his arm while running. Obviously did something wrong then. ?

We’ve bought haven for £27.40 and going to use them as our feeder club?

I slipped and stubbed my toe, what opportunities will this open up for Kabbadi in Ukraine?

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/toronto-wolfpack-to-host-make-a-wish-game-day-on-july-7-686587261.html TORONTO, June 26, 2018 /CNW/ - Listen up, rugby fans! The Toronto Wolfpack will proudly host Make-A-Wish® Game Day on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Lamport Stadium in support of Make-A-Wish® Canada. Game Day will raise funds through a variety of on-site initiatives to help Make-A-Wish continue its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the country. As part of this special day, the Wolfpack will welcome six wish children and their families to Lamport Stadium to take part in the ultimate VIP experience, including a chance to explore the team's dressing room, meet the athletes and carry out the ball before watching an exciting game between the Toronto Wolfpack and Sheffield Eagles. "This season, the excitement and buzz that the Wolfpack has brought to the City of Toronto with its profile-building performances, have sports fans across Canada on their toes," says Reni Maitua, rugby operations manager, Toronto Wolfpack. "We are very excited for the opportunity to give these wish kids and their families an unforgettable experience during Game Day. The entire team is thrilled to help brighten the spirits of these amazing children and create lasting memories with them." With every July 7 ticket purchase, $2 will be donated to Make-A-Wish. Money will also be raised through Game Day program sales within the stadium. For each program sold, $3 will help grant wishes. "We look forward to Make-A-Wish Game Day and our incredible partnership with the Toronto Wolfpack," says Chris Pon, vice-president, national corporate alliances, Make-A-Wish Canada. "We are excited to have the opportunity to engage fans and spread awareness of our wish-granting mission. On behalf of our courageous wish children and their families, we thank the Wolfpack and its dedicated fans for their support in raising money to help grant the wishes of children living with critical illnesses in Canada." Fans are also encouraged to arrive early on Game Day and visit the Toronto Wolfpack shop, located at 139 Jefferson Ave. in Liberty Village, to make a donation and fill out a wish star for a chance to win an official Toronto Wolfpack jersey and hat. The team's goal is to cover the storefront window with wish stars to show the local and international community the collective power of people coming together to make a difference in the lives of these children who are faced with uncertainty, fear and anxiety as they fight their illnesses. "We encourage everyone to come on down to the shop for 2:30 p.m. and make a generous donation to help cover the shop window in wish stars," says Scott Lidbury, general manager, commercial, Toronto Wolfpack. "We have high hopes for a big turnout from all ages. The Wolfpack is working to create a fantastic experience for these kids and we are excited that our supporters can be part of this special day

No, that's not what they said. What they said was that if brexit resulted in a disruption to their JIT supply chain then they'd have no real choice than to move their production out of the UK. No threats, no drama, just stating the facts as they are.

I don’t think it should be equalised but I think a more even distribution would help. You don’t want too much of a gap for those competing to get into SL

This game could see a team of: Ratchford McGillvary Connor Hall Johnstone Widdopp Gale Graham Clark Hill G Burgess Whitehead S Burgess Hodgson T Burgess Taylor Watts That is based on Saints and Wigan making the Grand Final and their players being rested. This could be a very stroing team and deserves to be on show at a peak time in an appropriate venue. If anybody believes Leigh on a Wednesday night is appropriate they want their bumps testing. I do wonder if grounds belonging to SL clubs have been ruled out with the recent dispute.

I have no idea what that means but I am going to steal it as it sounds brilliant.

To add a bit more to the announcement.......... Raiders’ director Andrew Thorne said: “The board and I are over the moon to have secured the full time services of a quality coach like Kim Williams. “Over the past 12 months the club has been working hard to establish the grass roots and player pathways from juniors to under 19s all linking to the first team, and as a result we have taken a bit of a hammering both on the pitch and on social media for it. “However we kept the course and now have a fantastic coach who will help develop the next phase of our strategy and that is to build a squad that the supporters and the sport can be proud of. “Kim brings a wealth of experience and has coached at some of the most well-known clubs in Australia with the latest being Central Queensland Capras. “I’m sure that Kim will have a completely different outlook on how the club can move forward and we are all excited to take things on. “I know that the current player base are excited and are ready to turn things around both on and off the pitch. “There are some exciting times in the club ahead and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop Rugby league in South Wales.”

Surely better to believe the reports from across the media, all outlets seem to be reporting the same omnishambles in broadly speaking similar terms. Better that than blind faith that the government have some greater plan that presumably includes arguing amongst themselves, no two ministers taking the same position on anything and constant petulance and bickering from the liars that got us into the mess in the first place. Better to believe something with some actual evidence than some pie in the sky hopes for a magic wand that will give us everything we want even thugh no one's actually defined what we want yet, after only two years.

No, your assumptions are bizarre. You are leaving in kids and duplicate people, and people living in the same home. That is really basic stuff. Really basic. But you are ignoring it because it doesn't suit. A 50% conversion rate of people watching it free to then paying would be outstandingly successful. It is a bizarre assumption.

with the reds juniors and reds in the communiy it would be great if town could get some kind of youth set up. youth football and rugby games as curtain raiser. maybe had the odd day when both teams play on the same day and offer a double header ticket etc

I hope no channel shows the game. England v France in front of 5,000 people in Leigh on a Wednesday night would be an absolutely horrific look for RL on live TV.

Well it's obviously going to be tough for the Bears against Bradford but there's also been an improve in performance from the Bears over the last couple of weeks. I'd like to see the Bears compete well and score some tries. Regardless of the result its set to be a massive day for the Bears. There is stuff going on all day and there's set to be a bumper crowd. There is a Try Tag tournament, Juniors festival, barbeques and craft beers, and also 4 live music acts playing before and after the game. I personally can't wait for what is going to be a great day in the sun. We've done a special preview episode of the game including interviews with The Game Caller and Mark Wilson amongst others. Details in this thread.

Why is this game not being held in London? None of the three tests will be in the Capital, so why not think big and go all out for a London venue?

East Stand at York taking shape.

next up its a massive game away against york this sunday 3pm kick off, with living in york this game is on my doorstep, can't wait, will be very tough, york are a very very good side, it's a massive game for us if we want to finish in the top 5 at the end of the season, strongest possible 17 has to play this game, need 100 percent concentration otherwise york will well and truly punish us, looking forward to sunday cant wait! come on thunder!!

Our pitch is looking brilliant at the moment, we've got a committee member who recently retired and he spends most days down on the Miners welfare ground looking after our little patch.

I just watched some of the England game, and actually fell asleep at the sight of two teams trying not to win. I woke up about 10 minutes ago, and now feel nicely rested and refreshed for Wigan v Leeds.

This year is a massive push towards kids and families coming down to the games. Planting the seeds in youth to take up RL.

You are allowed to follow more than one sport or team in a different sport marra.

lol no worries. Until we lost our heads we were pushing a top SL team in the cup so no worries. was good to get the whopping before the qualifiers...maybe that's what Leigh are after this weekend.

Last day sausage delivering today before my summer break. Lovely to meet up with Barnyia of this parish who treated me to a splendid lunch on the banks of the Canal du Midi. His RL coaching exploits are to be greatly admired and despite being from Wigan he really is a top bloke. A couple of months off now to try and get my ACL's fixed!!

What's the England game got to do with a rugby game, if there support the team ie Wigan or Leeds then they'll be going to the game or watching as why would you be bothered about a rubbish football game with diving overpaid pre madonnas when YOUR team are playing?

seriously? scrapping to make the top 4...hmm..let's see - top of the table.. a 7 point cushion.... with respect to the Challenge cup - if we hadn't lost the plot halfway thru the first 40 playing with 10 , 11 and 12 men etc etc..the Wire may still have prevailed but I think it would have been a lot closer...and if and when we make SL certainly it will be a battle and losses will be sustained but I think we will do a respectable job. All I can ask until we've been around for a few years.

With it only been a tenner i'm more tempted to make the trip up on sunday and we know like Sheff there will be hardly any away support so if it means more like myself make the trip up to the Mount on sunday because its only a tenner to get in and then spend a few quid in the bar and food and also buy some stash for Toronto trip surely that means everyone is a winner ( and even hoping we win as well) and a bigger crowd to boot... yes its a gamble from the club and there a lot of peeps on here who criticize the club for not been adventurous in enticing missing and new supporters to the club..

Just like town are superior to Haven haha

Thanks for recognizing the knights are a far superior animal???

Have no idea on ticket sales but I'd expect the club would be really happy to beat the record league attendance against Keighley. Record attendance was in pre-season against Leeds which was nearly 1500. I think the figure on Saturday will all depend on the walk up crowd. Based on all the entertainment on show hopefully it will be big.

Adrian Proszenko of the SMH has become a surprising cheer leader for Denver and the US experiment. At the bottom of one of his recent articles t did mention Jason Moore paid for him to fly out there. So whether they have built some sort of relationship previously i don't know, if not it seems a sensible thing for Moore to have done as he could be an invaluable ally going forward. Think Proszenko has had a new positive article regarding Denver most days this week. Latest one below. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/in-for-the-long-haul-taupau-s-travel-drama-shouldn-t-ground-us-test-20180627-p4zo4r.html

Translating it from Jingoism to English first might help There is still no consensus on what Brexit we want as as soon as there is some Brexit voters are going to be unhappy and shouting about betrayal of "their Brexit"

Well there will be no conflict of interest from me tonight...watch the first half of WC game then turnover for the really big game at 7 45...after all the England v Belgium will be no more than a training game with plenty of subs imo, they've both qualified so be an anti climax, will keep updated in 2nd half during pauses in Warriors v Rhinos game, of which there will be plenty of pauses, heat related... prediction is Wigan 2. Leeds 52....sunstroke and heat already affecting me!

I heard a report (so not direct but I'll jump start the outrage bus anyway) that big Sam had suggested England ought to try to come second in their group. Gareth Southgate said "Win all your games" I know which mentality I want in charge. Is it too early to call for Sir Gareth of Southgate?

Just read the Press, outside chance that JBF could return which would be a huge boost.

Is anyone else delighted that Big Sam got the boot, whether he deserved to or not?

Because they really don't give 2 hoots about the game or the fans & just bothered about filling their schedules. The attendance is gonna take a real hit. wigan by 10.

I feel for the French, not much respect shown to them with this half assed attempt.

Maybe England can't go to France because of the travel, the altitude, the heat, the food, the wine, etc, etc, etc?

I would also add that NZ dominance is offset by the competitiveness of the next 6-8 nations below them.

Bradford is hardly glamour capital of the world but I see houses being built on any spare bit of land (not social housing). Expensive houses too. So who the hell is buying them if everyone is skint? I couldn't afford one!!

Joachim Löw will be sacked, see the error of his ways and steer Germany RL to the 2025 World Cup in England after Jason Moore binned the US version due to NRL blocking tactics.

...er...none, I should think.

This is something to bear in mind next time you think about berating Australia for their lack of commitment to the international game. England treat the international game exactly the same, in proportion to their strength. Australia treat every nation below them with contempt and so do England.