London Broncos man Jack Hughes has called on IMG and the RFL to “make the right call” after a spirited performance in defeat against Leeds Rhinos this weekend.
The home side had a shock early lead in the summer heat, and also had a chance to lead when Ethan Natoli’s try put them level, before Oli Leyland’s kick hit the post.
It was further agony in extra-time, as Campagnolo’s 45m effort hit the crossbar before Brodie Croft’s attempt meant deja vu, and denied them from victory in their final Super League game in SW19.
They could have beaten Hull FC early in the season if not for conceding in the last minute, and with the two games against Leeds, they could have gone either way the Broncos could very easily have been on 12 points – equalling Castleford’s total from last season which kept them in Super League.
London Broncos man makes plea over IMG status after tight defeat to Leeds Rhinos
Credit: John Clifton/SWpix.com
Late last year, the IMG indicative grading was released, placing the Broncos in 24th, with almost zero hope of making it into the top 12 for 2025.
Therefore, it’s clear that recruitment would have been incredibly difficult for the Broncos compared to other sides in the league, as they were unable to offer long deals to Super League-quality players – as they were consigned to the second division – and the financial differences in that division – for 2025.
Despite this, the team are in with a shout of moving off the bottom of the table – and they would have been if golden point extra-time hadn’t been reintroduced, as they would have had two extra points for draws against Leeds.
After the game, forward Jack Hughes took to social media, and said: “There’s your chance @IMG @TheRFL, do you want us or not? It’s in your hands – make the right call. Far better team today @LondonBroncosRL against the most recognised RL team in the UK.”
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john weldrick
September 2, 2024 at 6:12 pm
if Queen Elizabeth had been my mum I would have been royalty and I wouldn’t have to go to work each day, get over it London, you have a terrible fan base , nobody wants to travel to London,stop whining get back where you belong and let Wakefield take your place
James
September 2, 2024 at 6:27 pm
Forget it. Only the early season internal turmoil and massive injury list at Hull FC is making the Broncos look good.
We are talking about a team who, according to the commentator on the last match, only have a handful of players signed for 2025.
They may or may not have secured a permanent ground for 2025, have the poorest home attendance of any Super League team – and away support is similar.
For that we are being asked to kick out a team with a Grade A IMG rating, an average home attendance over 10,000 – even with the current abysmal results – and an away following comparable with the Broncos home crowd.
No bias here – I’m a red and white through and through.