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That kid must have had one hell of a paper round.

I've just seen yesterday's draw results and found out the jackpot was finally won, for the first time I believe. Congratulations to R. Moss! Well done! I lovely pick up for Christmas £5,225!

Adolf Littler?

Hopefully he will spend it on beer and not waste it

Any IMG points up for grabs if they both make the final!

He is a former Great Britain Rugby League captain, Great Britain team manager for 5 years and has a sports science degree. I can understand if people don't like his style of punditry but I can't see how he could be described as lacking knowledge of the sport.

If he was Bill would call him mum.

Wont be his year

Merry Christmas to all Town fans from this Rochdale Hornets fan. Look forward to our battles in the new season. Always enjoyed my trips ‘up north’…even when we have got belted!

IMG/RFL: "are these attendance figures genuine?" Club: "yes" IMG/RFL: "great, thanks"

Hello there gang, I won his playing shirt from Wembley, unfortunately it's a wee bit tight on me rather than let it go to rack and ruin and never be seen again I have given it back to Dale to help raise funds for him and also a team signed rugby ball I won on coach number 1 on the Wembley trip, I dare say in time we will hear more about his funding during the year..

I'm with the crowd on McDermott and O'Connor, they need to go. They embarrass us all. What I find odd is that only ragingbull has mentioned Jones Buchanan. He can't even speak, never mind speak nonsense. I have to leave the room when he comes on, it's like he's got someone else's teeth in. I've no idea how he got the gig in the first place, but he can't possibly continue if the sport is having a bit of a clear out. One obvious prerequisite is speak clearly, isn't it?

A one darter! Was he throwing a hedgehog?

Top marks to Haven and Oldham so far. Outstanding from both clubs.

I’ve lost track of what in fashion and what isn’t. I do know whatever the fashion is, it’s not as good as when I was young. Same with music.

It did its job in preventing any actually useful public transport being commissioned.

He is still only young, and as others have said, staying at Saints is still better than going to a terrible NRL club like the Dragons.

Our young un moved houses over a year a go and i still have some of his stuff in my spare bedroom.I don't know why as he moved from a two bed to a five.Yesterday tidying up for Christmas i found a DVD Retro Rovers Vintage Video The Paul Newlove tries 122 in 150 games for Rovers.10 caps while at Fev 8 for G.B.It is signed on the back cover by Paul.I will watch it sometime over Christmas.The legend John Hill describes him with the words Power Pace and Perpetual Motion.It will bring back some memories.

That's my match.com profile sorted!

And on the other flank powerful ex-NRL winger Etu Uisale, having as always in those days "fought off significant SL interest", what could go wrong? Too soon to write off those 2014 signings anyway, I hear Liam Walmsley's almost ready to resume training.

Simplified, do you mean Guessing?

That is good news. Have also seen that Sean Rutgerson (the USA coach) is holding a session with select Utah and Pacific Coast players at the start of January. Hopefully that means the muted NRL-weekend USA v Canada game is on in Vegas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queueing_theory?wprov=sfla1

I second that amen. Not only did we do all that ourselves, we did it without a penny of Supergreed's Danegeld, while Trinity spaffed a quarter century's worth of sky money up the wall, with so little to show for it they eventually had to bounce the council and it's partners into re-building them a ground. No doubt the cost of this will eventually be passed on quietly to the unsuspecting council tax payers of Wakey and the Five Towns. They should be ashamed.

This Sporting Life now showing on Greek TV Cinema 1. One of the best RL films ever made. Trinity will get back there Best not ask how I'm watching it.........

I don't see why they'd send players to a RU school. FFS. Ostracising actual RL players/clubs doesn't reflect well on the project, whether it's about money or not. These things are inter-linked. The photo-op could have been at the RL club and local players had a light shone on them. A small thing perhaps, but it would have showed pride and connection - rather than just rolling in without a care.

Can you guys take the personal stuff to the DMs before you get this thread locked

Good, wouldn't want to get my Christmas slippers mucky.

Already started on their own forum: Two weeks ago, top of this thread he was a top end Championship prop worth a £15000-£20000 transfer fee. Now he's gone...well, he was rubbish anyway, hardly played last season etc etc. They can be very fickle up in Corkickle.

God forbid a club looks to generate revenue

My lot ain't got much right in recent years but after signing Franklin Pele from the Bulldogs, you can't fault their efforts in shifting T shirts in their club shops...

https://www.totalrl.com/rochdale-hornets-a-club-going-places-on-and-off-the-field/ Rochdale Hornets: A club going places on and off the field CALLUM WALKER 22/12/2023 WHILST most eyes are focused on the likes of Keighley Cougars and Oldham in League One, Rochdale Hornets are quietly going about their business. After a tough financial year in 2022 and failing to qualify for the third tier play-offs in 2023, the Hornets are now in a good, solid place to launch an assault up the table in 2024. Shrewd signings on the field have enabled head coach Gary Thornton to build a youthful and energetic squad whilst off the field the club continues to bring in increasing sponsorship deals and entice new fans. Most notable, after a difficult 2022, Rochdale posted a 14% growth in attendance in 2023 with Rochdale’s League One clash against Oldham bringing in 1,386 fans – the highest attendance posted last season. Rocdhale chairman Mazey said: “After a difficult year in 2022, it’s very encouraging and hopefully with squad improvements for 2024 we will see further growth and hit our target of exceeding 1000 fans for a League One average with sizeable crowds also expected for our Law Cup and 1895 local rival games against big spending Oldham and Championship side Halifax.” IMG’s provisional gradings were sent out to clubs two months ago with Rochdale sitting 28th with a score of 7.03 and thus a Grade C. With the club’s digital engagement growing and increased investment, the Hornets are a prime example of a club striving for more.

Not sure if he ever played darts on the pub scene, but should think there a few pubs round Warrington double checking there are no photos about of him drinking pints on their premises.

I had you pegged for a young at heart late 40 something.

Group stage followed by knock outs. Similar to the proposal for the Challenge Cup.

Please explain that Thomas, will they or won't they be competing in a league system in that they earn points on a ladder that will determine whether they finish in such a position that will see clubs Promoted or Relegated? You know that I have no interest in the round ball ball game therefore I do not look for any information relevant to it, but in this case with your answer to @MattSantoscould you please clarify for me is Promotion and Relegation to from the Championship based on financial grading? I suspect not.

Yep. There was a segment on the opening night showing the Wire players supporting Luke and wishing him luck. Warrington social media was also wishing him luck too.

Lancashire statement on the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjPFbVHAcps Lancastrian ex-SKY commentator now singing a different tune about the https://twitter.com/BumbleCricket/status/1736394288735420725

Yes very sad. Only 42.

Sam Burgess.

Tbh I think you guys are getting a better all round player, he's matured over the last couple seasons and will be a great asset for you. Personally gutted to see him leave but was always going to happen.

Boxing Day games are just there to enjoy getting back to RL and watching your team. the outcomes are almost impossible to predict and mostly immaterial. Just enjoy meeting up with your mates again, discussing the attributes of your squad and cheering them on in the cold and damp. I would expect a much bigger crowd than 1000, however, despite competing attractions. Have a Merry Christmas and get yourselves down to the game.

This thread must be one of the biggest storm in a teacup discussions on this forum and that is saying something. I don’t think the NRL ever claimed this event’s purpose is to grow the sport of RL in USA. There is one priority this event has which is light years beyond any other objective and that is to grow the NRL in the USA. I can’t believe this actually needed highlighting. As if the NRL should be apologising for this, heaven’s sakes. The NRL are coming to town. It’s not the job of the NRL to develop the game in the USA, but I am certain where they can assist the USARL, they will accomodate. I expect if any smaller organisation wants to gain an advantage off the coat tails of another larger related entity’s activities, then the endeavours of the smaller organisation to ensure they are heard and included as best as possible. The fact the NRL didn’t run an event at a RL club in Utah says more about USARL and Utah RL as far as I’m concerned.

Clarke is far better than some of the others, they've been named by others. I think he has looked unhappy with his role for a while and he seemed to get fewer appearances. I actually think Carney, Clarke and Wells were a decent trio.

I've always liked Phil Clarke, he picks up on game particulars that often elude the less educated on the panel/commentary team. He also doesn't over dominate discussion unlike some others, but makes pertinent points where required. I know he gets heavily criticised in some quarters, unfairly in my view. He has some wacky suggestions/predictions which no doubt Wilkin will take over the mantle for. Disappointed to see him go and not the likes of Barry, Terry and Bill Arthur who are the real dinosaurs

I'm pretty sure that's what the 'R' stands for in NRL.............

Have they ever said it's not about making money?

Hmm. Another way of looking at that is that Wakefield clung on to survival for 22 years, then the year they finally got relegated, the ground gets upgraded, a millionaire owner arrives, and a new formula for SL entry appears which heavily favours those clubs that have spent at least one in SL in the last three years, meaning they probably won't even have to win the Grand Final to make it back in 2025. If I were a Wakefield fan, I'd be thinking we must have a lucky charm, not a curse.