RL News: IMG grading criteria amended, key man out for three months and coach comments on “inconsistent” video referee

Below is a round-up of all the latest news from the world of rugby league over the last 24 hours.

RFL and IMG make Grading Criteria amendments

The RFL and IMG have today announced the changes that they have made to their proposed grading criteria, as we’re currently two weeks away from a club vote on it. Involved is the revelation that clubs can lose points for breaking minimum standards, whilst information on promotion and relegation has been clarified as well as why Championship and League One teams aren’t as disadvantaged as they previously were.

Almost 400 in lawsuit against RFL

The lawsuit against a number of sports governing bodies has gone to the High Court and there are a total of 378 names pursuing action. The decision to take legal action has prompted controversy, one former official has questioned it, whilst one current club chairman has slammed those involved. Meanwhile one of those involved, who is a former Super League player has explained his reasons.

Rovers signing makes loan move

Hull KR signing Yusuf Aydin has struggled to get game time this season but he’s now being sent out on loan where he will hopefully get plenty of minutes. One of Rovers’ star men has also explained what makes the derby so special explaining how the city becomes “divided”.

Player of the month nominees revealed

With March finishing it marks the second month of the Super League season being wrapped up and done. Within that there were some brilliant performances and a shortlist of six players has been compiled for who will be March’s Player of the Month, and follow Tex Hoy who won the award for February.

Sky pundit’s “perfect” pairing at half-back

Sky Sports pundit Jon Wells has made some huge comments surrounding Hull KR’s half-backs Jordan Abdull and Mikey Lewis, going as far to describe them as “perfect” for each other. Rovers head into Friday’s derby game on the back of a win and will hope that the pair can continue their impressive form.

Smith’s blunt response to Leeming’s exit

Kruise Leeming left Headingley for the NRL this past week after a short saga of where the hooker would go. He’s now found a new team but in his leaving statement implied that the move was at the request of the club, something Rohan Smith has now given a very blunt response to.

Star man out for three months

Huddersfield have had a mixed start to the season but one man who had been electric, and even keeping out the likes of Jermaine McGillvary, was Ashton Golding. It’s now been confirmed by Ian Watson that the versatile player will be out for an extended period of three months.

Coach comments on “inconsistent” video referee

Castleford Tigers lost out in a close game last week whilst in Perpignan and temporary head coach Andy Last has since questioned the issue of consistency with the video referees. He’s also explained how the French food created problems for his side that are still present.

Good Friday Team News

Good Friday sees two huge derby matches with the Hull derby being the pre-cursor to the self-titled Good Friday derby between St Helens and Wigan. The team news is in for all four squads with both Wigan and Saints seeing some key men return, whilst Hull FC miss one of their star players against a Rovers side being boosted by suspension and injury returns.

Rhinos injury blow softened by returning star

Rohan Smith has confirmed that winger David Fusitu’a will be out for a period of two months in a huge blow for the side. Fusitu’a went down in the game against Hull KR and the injury time scale has now been confirmed. Despite that loss he also explained that Ash Handley could be set to make a shock return, which would be a massive boost ahead of Huddersfield on Sunday.

Rivals Round Preview

Round eight of Super League has been branded as ‘Rivals Round’ and there’s a bumper week of rugby league to get into, including all six games on television. We’ve previewed all of the games and made predictions and looked at which of the week’s rivalries are most intense.

MP joins side in taking fight to IMG

The IMG proposals for grading criteria have been met with both positive and negative reactions, but there is one club that has been strongly in opposition and they’ve been very vocal about that. That is Championship side Keighley Cougars and their local MP has now joined their fight in writing to all 36 clubs highlighting the problems with the current IMG proposal.

Rhinos signing returns to former club on loan

Luke Hooley had a debut to forget for Leeds Rhinos last week as he was one of the victims of Jordan Abdull’s incredible kicking game. It was Hooley’s first game for the Rhinos following an injury late in pre-season, but he’s now been sent out on a loan deal that reunites him with his former club.

NRL side in kit controversy

It’s been a poor start to the season for Wests Tigers but the latest issue that’s prompted negative fan reaction is nothing to do with their on-field performance. Wests have released a special edition shirt for their Anzac day test, the day in which those soldiers who have served are honoured, and the shirt has been quickly pulled and forced into a re-design over a glaring error.

Two pull clear in Man of Steel race

The Man of Steel points for the recent round of fixtures have been confirmed and it’s led to a clear gap between the top two and the chasing pack. Two English stars lead the way after having been essential to their team’s successful starts, but will they both feature for England?