Super League chief executive Robert Elstone clearly admires many things about the NRL, as we saw earlier this season when he introduced the golden point and shot-clocks to Super League, while making it obvious that he would like to go further by introducing the same refereeing system that operates in the NRL, with two referees. I don’t know whether two…
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League Express editor MARTYN SADLER reacts to the news that a new club in Ottawa now looks likely to enter the RFL’s competitions in 2021, rather than 2020. Anyone who gets the chance should view this week’s Rugby League Backchat programme on the Freesports TV channel this Thursday at 5.00pm. And if you can’t get access to Freesports, then you…
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July 19th marks the 80th anniversary of Harold Wagstaff’s untimely death. The Giants Supporters Association and Huddersfield Rugby League Heritage have put this piece together marking his anniversary, which we are delighted to reproduce. Harold Wagstaff, the ‘Prince of Centres’, died 80 years ago today on 19 July 1939, at the age of 48. Harold was born at Underbank on…
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Leigh Centurions have confirmed that Gareth Hock has announced his playing retirement with immediate effect. The former international forward announced his decision to the coaching staff and players last night at training. Gareth Hock said: “It’s been a hard, emotional couple of weeks, especially last night, telling the team, staff and my family that I’m retiring from Rugby League. “I’ve…
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Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that they have signed Papua New Guinean international second row Rhyse Martin, 26, from NRL side Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on a two and half year contract with immediate effect. Martin kicked 36 goals from 38 attempts in his debut season with the Bulldogs in 2018 for a 94.7% success rate. He played 14 matches last season, scoring…
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Wigan Warriors outlasted Leeds Rhinos tonight at Headingley, winning 14-23 with the help of a last-minute try by prop forward Tony Clubb. But the big news to come out of Headingley tonight is that Leeds captain Kallum Watkins will leave Headingley at the end of the month to join the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans on a long term contract, although…
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Coral Challenge Cup Bradford Bulls 24 Leeds Rhinos 22 Catalans Dragons 62 Doncaster 6 Salford Red Devils 18 Hull Kingston Rovers 32 Betfred League 1 Coventry Bears 41 Workington Town 30 London Skolars 19 North Wales Crusaders 18 NRL Telstra Premiership Canterbury Bulldogs 10 Newcastle Knights 22 New Zealand Warriors 26 St George Illawarra Dragons 18 Melbourne Storm 64 Parramatta…
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Former Halifax coach Richard Marshall has issued a statement, following his shock sacking by the club last night, which reveals that he would like to find a new role in Rugby League. Here is his statement in full. “It is with regret that my time at Halifax has come to an end. Both parties agree that it is time to…
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The RFL has issued several changes in the interpretation of the Laws of the Game as a response to concerns expressed by coaches about the issue of gamesmanship that has been creeping into games recently, with Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell shining a spotlight on what he felt was cheating by Catalans players to gain penalties during the game between…
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League Express editor MARTYN SADLER suggests one key reason why prospective Wigan coach Shaun Edwards may be having second thoughts about returning to the DW Stadium in 2020. Plenty of pundits and Wigan supporters have been scratching their heads to try to work out why Shaun Edwards, who was so enthusiastic about returning to Super League with the Warriors in…
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