Rugby League News

First topic message reminder :

The dates and venues of the 4 nation's have been announced. They are -

Fri 28th Oct - Scotland v Australia - Craven park Hull.

Sun 30th Oct - England v New Zealand - John Smiths stadium Huddersfield.

Sat 5th Nov - England v Scotland & Australia v New Zealand - Ricoh Arena Coventry.

Fri 11th Nov - Scotland v New Zealand - Derwent Park Workington.

Sun 13th Nov - England v Australia - Olympic Park London.

Sun 20th Nov - final at Anfield Liverpool.

Tim Sheens is announced as new Head coach at Widnes. Bit of a surprise?

The Beast wrote:Tim Sheens is announced as new Head coach at Widnes.  Bit of a surprise?

It is, more because of the measures the clubs in like being pt etc. The club itself is a big club in the sport and a name so that's less of a suprise.

Ryan Carr leaves his posts as Featherstone Head Coach and Assistant at Leeds to return to Australia. Reports suggest James Webster who recently left Hull KR will take on the Featherstone role.

The Beast wrote:Jackson Hastings wins this years Steve Prescott, Man of Steel award.  Can't argue with that, perhaps Blake Austin but for me Friday's win at Wigan would be the clincher.

Well earned in my opinion

Next season Championship & League 1 will adopt the Golden Point rule. HOWEVER in the event scores are level after 80 minutes, both teams will get 1 competition point and the overtime winner receive a 2nd. Not wild about this but better than the SL winner takes all version.

The Beast wrote:Next season Championship & League 1 will adopt the Golden Point rule.  HOWEVER in the event scores are level after 80 minutes, both teams will get 1 competition point and the overtime winner receive a 2nd.  Not wild about this but better than the SL winner takes all version.

Not sure about this, but time will tell.
Lets give it a try and see how it pans out

Reports suggest a press conference will be held tomorrow (3rd Feb) to announce that Shaun Wane will be named as England coach.

Shaun Wane now confirmed as England Coach. Personally I think a good appointment, not being racist but England/GB really should have an English/GB coach and I cannot see after the NZ tour nightmare how Bennett could continue.

Incredibly tough start, Australia at the end of the season, World Cup next year. Good luck to Shaun nonetheless, hopefully he can lead the team to some significant improvement from last year.

The Beast wrote:Shaun Wane now confirmed as England Coach.  Personally I think a good appointment, not being racist but England/GB really should have an English/GB coach and I cannot see after the NZ tour nightmare how Bennett could continue.

Incredibly tough start, Australia at the end of the season, World Cup next year.  Good luck to Shaun nonetheless, hopefully he can lead the team to some significant improvement from last year.

Probably wont be much exciting Rugby with Shaun at the helm, but he will make us very hard to beat and as long as we beat the Aussies i don't mind

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Shaun Wane now confirmed as England Coach.  Personally I think a good appointment, not being racist but England/GB really should have an English/GB coach and I cannot see after the NZ tour nightmare how Bennett could continue.

Incredibly tough start, Australia at the end of the season, World Cup next year.  Good luck to Shaun nonetheless, hopefully he can lead the team to some significant improvement from last year.

Probably wont be much exciting Rugby with Shaun at the helm, but he will make us very hard to beat and as long as we beat the Aussies i don't mind

Perhaps not no but it can't be much worse that the style served up in the GB tour which for me was not just that they lost but numbingly dull.

The Beast wrote:

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Shaun Wane now confirmed as England Coach.  Personally I think a good appointment, not being racist but England/GB really should have an English/GB coach and I cannot see after the NZ tour nightmare how Bennett could continue.

Incredibly tough start, Australia at the end of the season, World Cup next year.  Good luck to Shaun nonetheless, hopefully he can lead the team to some significant improvement from last year.

Probably wont be much exciting Rugby with Shaun at the helm, but he will make us very hard to beat and as long as we beat the Aussies i don't mind

Perhaps not no but it can't be much worse that the style served up in the GB tour which for me was not just that they lost but numbingly dull.

Agreed and for me its all about beating the Aussies

Wigan pair go to the TWP on a months loan
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/51646377

Joe Greenwood goes on loan to Leeds
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/51627904

Lee Radford is sacked/let go from Hull FC after last night's latest defeat.

Luke wrote:Lee Radford is sacked/let go from Hull FC after last night's latest defeat.

Having seen the game, it was an horrendous performance from Hull who were perhaps fortunate that Warrington were not great particularly for the first 50 minutes otherwise it could have been 70.

I understand the decision to let Radford go and perhaps it is the right decision however the manner of the announcement 10 minutes after the final whistle Live on TV was IMO crass.

Possibly the least surprising news for some time SL & RFL games are suspended until 3rd April.

To my mind a return on 3rd April sounds.........ambitious unless games are played behind closed doors.

The Beast wrote:Possibly the least surprising news for some time SL & RFL games are suspended until 3rd April.  

To my mind a return on 3rd April sounds.........ambitious unless games are played behind closed doors.

Someone I was talking to on the train, spoke to a couple of high ups in Rovers. And they were saying it could be a minimum of 2 months. With the season then going to 22 games losing the loop fixtures.

Luke wrote:

The Beast wrote:Possibly the least surprising news for some time SL & RFL games are suspended until 3rd April.  

To my mind a return on 3rd April sounds.........ambitious unless games are played behind closed doors.

Someone I was talking to on the train, spoke to a couple of high ups in Rovers. And they were saying it could be a minimum of 2 months. With the season then going to 22 games losing the loop fixtures.

Some clubs will fold without any gate receipts for 2 months unless players defer their wages or take a pay cut.

Reports that SL are looking to re-start the season in Mid-August behind closed doors with a view to limited attendance from 1st October. Plans being drawn to play the Grand Final on 28th Nov, 12 Dec or mid January 2021. I would have thought the latter two in particular would make it tricky in relation to player contracts that to the best of my knowledge often run to 30 Nov.

No word on Championship/League 1 who have been in discussions but not much released.

The Beast wrote:Reports that SL are looking to re-start the season in Mid-August behind closed doors with a view to limited attendance from 1st October.  Plans being drawn to play the Grand Final on 28th Nov, 12 Dec or mid January 2021.  I would have thought the latter two in particular would make it tricky in relation to player contracts that to the best of my knowledge often run to 30 Nov.

No word on Championship/League 1 who have been in discussions but not much released.

Still looking like Mid August, and providing everything is fine i would hope so

Announcement made that there will be no relegation from SL in 2020.

Championship and League 1 teams will not complete their respective seasons, there will however be a separate competition with a prize of £250k on offer. Who will enter that is as yet unclear as several clubs have indicating that they simply cannot afford to play behind closed doors.

Expected unfortunately.

Though I do like the idea of a separate competition across both divisions. I can't see it happening, as you say the need for crowds especially lower down will impact, plus the lack of anything to really play for.

SL announce that Toronto will need to "re-negotiate" a deal to re-join SL in 2021. This must put more doubt into their participation in the UK Leagues.

Up to 6 Hull FC players have tested positive for Covid 19.

Luke wrote:Up to 6 Hull FC players have tested positive for Covid 19.

sorry, it's 6 players and two coaches tested positive after Sundays game. Salford (who played Hull), are waiting for the results of there tests. As I would imagine alot of other teams given that they are only using one stadium.

Luke wrote:

Luke wrote:Up to 6 Hull FC players have tested positive for Covid 19.

sorry, it's 6 players and two coaches tested positive after Sundays game. Salford (who played Hull), are waiting for the results of there tests. As I would imagine alot of other teams given that they are only using one stadium.

Not good news is an understatment

David Fifita (Wakefield) has been "stood down" for the "foreseeable future", apparently refusing to wear a GPS tracker. What, why?????????

No real surprise however the RFL confirm that the Autumn competition for Championship/League 1 sides has been cancelled. This is on the basis only 4 sides had entered.

They are looking at altering the 1895 cup early to include winter Boxing Day fixtures in a regional format. Probably more news to follow on that part, difficult in honesty to get excited.

Basically season over, wait until 2021.

SL.
Have confirmed that the final positions will be determined by a points percentage format.
This is because they feel most clubs won't be able to complete there full fixtures. Given the pandemic. With a Wigan player the latest to test positive after there defeat to Hull KR.

Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford has left the club with immediate effect.

Luke wrote:Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford has left the club with immediate effect.

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/luke-robinson-takes-charge-of-huddersfield-following-simon-woolfords-departure/

Tim Sheens resigns as Head coach at Widnes. Rumours suggest this may coincide with Sean Long leaving RU and may come back to RL.

The Beast wrote:Tim Sheens resigns as Head coach at Widnes.  Rumours suggest this may coincide with Sean Long leaving RU and may come back to RL.

If the rumours are true. You would have thought a year learning under sheens wouldn't have been a bad thing.

Congratulations to Leeds who win the challenge cup after a good game v Salford.

Luke wrote:Congratulations to Leeds who win the challenge cup after a good game v Salford.

Just catching up on that, agreed a good game and advert.

The Beast wrote:Tim Sheens resigns as Head coach at Widnes.  Rumours suggest this may coincide with Sean Long leaving RU and may come back to RL.

Sean Long doesn't appear to stay anywhere very long, but that could be me.

This year's grand final will be played at the kcom stadium Hull, after old Trafford was ruled out. On Friday 27th Nov (could be wrong on the date).
Though the fact there will probably no fans there, doesn't really make a blind bit of difference where it will be played.

Luke wrote:This year's grand final will be played at the kcom stadium Hull, after old Trafford was ruled out. On Friday 27th Nov (could be wrong on the date).
Though the fact there will probably no fans there, doesn't really make a blind bit of difference where it will be played.

Correct. We all hope we can return to some sort of normanity next season

So much to talk about, I will start a separate thread......or two.

Ian Watson, after turning down Hull. Has surprisingly left as Salford Coach.

Luke wrote:Ian Watson, after turning down Hull. Has surprisingly left as Salford Coach.

Watson now confirmed as Huddersfield coach, Richard Marshall appointed as his replacement at Salford, a good replacement IMHO.

Halifax rlfc, after 1 attempt at a disastrous name change, have again changed there name. And will now be known as the Halifax Panthers, erm right.

Luke wrote:Halifax rlfc, after 1 attempt at a disastrous name change,  have again changed there name. And will now be known as the Halifax Panthers, erm right.

To be completely honest I saw that and passed it off as a joke. Don't mean to be insulting but that is a strange decision.

Newcastle will be the 12th club in the championship next year.

Robert Elstone has resigned from his position of SL Executive Chairman. I am sure he did a lot of good work internally however as an outsider looking in to be honest it is not obvious to me.

The Beast wrote:Robert Elstone has resigned from his position of SL Executive Chairman.  I am sure he did a lot of good work internally however as an outsider looking in to be honest it is not obvious to me.

You wouldn't be alone and rumors saying he was getting £400,000 a year.

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Robert Elstone has resigned from his position of SL Executive Chairman.  I am sure he did a lot of good work internally however as an outsider looking in to be honest it is not obvious to me.

You wouldn't be alone and rumors saying he was getting £400,000 a year.

if those rumours are even close a staggering salary. That and pretty well throwing away £750k at a non-starter Private equity scheme is money the game cannot afford.

The Beast wrote:

George Hotel1895 wrote:

The Beast wrote:Robert Elstone has resigned from his position of SL Executive Chairman.  I am sure he did a lot of good work internally however as an outsider looking in to be honest it is not obvious to me.

You wouldn't be alone and rumors saying he was getting £400,000 a year.

if those rumours are even close a staggering salary.  That and pretty well throwing away £750k at a non-starter Private equity scheme is money the game cannot afford.

And i hear he had his own staff as well they were obviously being paid
His tenure can only be described as an expensive failer, one we hope never happens again

Steve Price announces that he will leave Warrington at the end of the season. I would not be surprised if he goes before particularly if they have any type of bad run of form.

The Beast wrote:Steve Price announces that he will leave Warrington at the end of the season.  I would not be surprised if he goes before particularly if they have any type of bad run of form.

His contract runs out at the end of the season. So think it was more him getting in first.

Luke wrote:

The Beast wrote:Steve Price announces that he will leave Warrington at the end of the season.  I would not be surprised if he goes before particularly if they have any type of bad run of form.

His contract runs out at the end of the season. So think it was more him getting in first.

Jump before he was pushed in my opinion