Below is a round-up of all the latest news from the world of rugby league over the last 24 hours.
Super League Squad News
The Super League action returns this week after the minor break for the Challenge Cup however Thursday’s game is a repeat of Saturday’s quarter final with Saints facing an injured Hull FC. As for Friday we could finally see Luke Gale as Hull KR head to Wakefield, whilst Warrington visit the Jungle following their cup loss on Sunday. Friday’s key fixture sees Huddersfield face Leeds with both coaches potentially feeling the heat, which could explain the bold call that sees one major name left out.
Super League star on NRL radar
Lachlan Lam has been of the best players so far this season with the PNG international performing brilliantly for Leigh Leopards. That’s caught the attention of NRL sides with reports suggesting three teams may be in for him, rather than the initial report of just Canberra who are aiming to replace Jack Wighton. It’s also been reported that Lam is considering the move, one that would obviously take him away from his father who coaches the Leopards.
Smith has support of Hetherington
Rohan Smith has been reported as being under pressure of late but he clarified in today’s press conference how he and Gary Hetherington communicate regularly, with his belief being that he has the full backing. He also spoke on recruitment for 2024 saying that “some of our recruitment has already been done”.
Huge bans handed out
Leigh Leopards had two men at the disciplinary process on Tuesday evening and that saw Kai O’Donnell cop a six match ban for his spear tackle against York. Another Leigh man appealed but was unsuccessful in doing so was Zak Hardaker. It’s been explained why his appeal wasn’t frivolous as well. The other man facing a ban was Hull FC’s Josh Griffin and he also learnt his fate, being handed a major ban. Social media reacted in typical fashion with some viewing one case as “extremely lenient”. One peculiar story that came from Griffin’s ban was that Hull FC fans have started a Go Fund Me to pay off the second-rower’s fine.
Potential chance for Josh McGuire
Josh McGuire’s Warrington Wolves’ career is over after parting ways with the club following his monster 12 game ban, that had come months after a 7 game ban for the same offence of unacceptable language. Despite his return to Australia it seems there could be an opportunity outside of the NRL for him. Find out where here. Warrington have also responded to the allegations aimed at them by McGuire’s father, with the elder McGuire claiming his son was mistreated.
City “committed” to Magic
There’s the suggestion that loop fixtures and therefore Magic Weekend could be canned by IMG but that’s not stopped one local council’s appetite to host the event. It’s reported that one city’s council is “fully committed” to hosting the event for 2024, meaning it’s possible that IMG retain the event.
Coote’s career on the line
Lachlan Coote has already announced that he’s set to retire at the end of the season but after suffering yet another HIA there’s been speculation that the Scotland international could call it a day early. Hull KR head coach Willie Peters announced that the full-back was to undergo a meeting with a specialist yesterday, and therefore any news regarding retirement could follow.
Wire clarify minimum wage controversy
In a government document over 200 employers have been named that have failed to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage. On that list Warrington Wolves appeared having failed to pay 34 workers a total of almost £8,000. The Wire released a further statement explaining why it would appear that a number of employee’s wage was below minimum, but that it had never been the case.
Saints star suffers racial abuse
St Helens and England Women’s player Chantelle Crowl has explained how she was racially abused whilst on holiday in Spain. The 2021 treble winner has taken to social media and later explained the incident that happened at the hotel she was staying at in Spain.
Championship club central funding cuts
Many rugby league clubs survive based on the contributions of central funding and cuts to funding have seen some clubs fail to survive, let alone prosper. Championship side Whitehaven have now announced the huge cuts they’ve faced on funding in a statement they have released and it’s a shocking percentage drop.
Championship side sign Super League man with another released
It was announced earlier today that Wakefield Trinity were releasing winger Jorge Taufua and just hours later Bradford Bulls confirmed that they had signed Taufua. That was the second acquisition of the Bulls in a week, with Lee Gaskell the other also having been released from Trinity. It was a positive for Bradford who had earlier announced one star player had returned to New Zealand on compassionate grounds. Another Super League man who has been released is Castleford’s Callum McLelland with the shock announcement he’s to leave the sport immediately.
Maroons secure Origin
State of Origin is one of the best spectacles in our sport and game two of the series got underway today and it saw Queensland Maroons win convincingly and tie up the series with a 2-0 lead. That’s the second series Billy Slater has coached the Maroons to and they did so in fashion in Brisbane.
Wolfpack back in action
Toronto Wolfpack perhaps came into rugby league at the wrong time given the pandemic effectively ended any hopes of their survival, particularly given the huge operating costs the club were running. Since departing Super League they’ve re-established themselves in their native Canada and they’re now just three weeks away from a new competition they’re to partake in.
