Rugby League News: Folau and Sandow new sides, alleged knife attacker linked with move, Solomona update & wealthy ex-owner to return?

Rugby League News – keeping you up to date with the latest news from the world of rugby league.

Here are some of the headline-grabbing stories from the last 24 hours.

Folau’s new club

Israel Folau has been sighted in his new club’s colours for the first time following his exit from the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast league. He spent 2020 with the Catalans Dragons after arriving under a cloud of smoke. Read more on his new move here.

Dudson move?

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Catalans Dragons’ Gil Dudson could be looking for a new club, with the prop forward out of contract at the end of 2021. But, who will chase?

Hull KR recruitment

The Hull Daily Mail has given the latest on the Hull KR recruitment with head coach Tony Smith giving his honest appraisal of his side so far.

Fifita points finger

David Fifita had not been given a first-choice 17 shirt number. Instead, the ‘Big Bopper’ was handed number 35 which surprised many people. However, he has pointed the finger at his haters in a defiant post. Read more here.

Graham’s sacrifice

Serious About Rugby League has reported on the sacrifice that was made by Super League and NRL great James Graham four years ago for his best mate. Graham retired at the end of 2020 with a Grand Final victory for St Helens under his belt.

Catalans make statement

Catalans Dragons have made a statement with the signing of NRL star Dylan Napa, with the club confirming on its website the news of the former Canterbury Bulldogs star signing a two-year deal. Read more here.

Solomona records

Serious About Rugby League has revealed an article on Super League records that will not be broken. Amongst them in Denny Solomona, who spent 2015 and 2016 at the Castleford Tigers and who is currently once more in the first-team at Sale Sharks after an extended period out.

Austin on contract

Blake Austin signed just a one-year deal at the Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2022 Super League season, but he has revealed to the Yorkshire Evening Post that it was his decision. Read more about why he made that choice here.

Radford on Powell

Lee Radford has told the Yorkshire Post about coming up against his predecessor Daryl Powell in round two does not faze him. “It’s just Warrington v Castleford,” Radford said.

Bizarre new career

A former Leigh Centurions and Toronto Wolfpack forward – as well as Hull KR – has had a bizarre change in career. Indeed, he hung up his boots at just 32 years of age to fulfil another passion. Read more here.

Hopoate on move and Hurrell

Will Hopoate has opened up on his move to St Helens and his friendship with Konrad Hurrell, Both Tongan internationals have been reunited with national coach Kristian Woolf. Read more on Hopoate’s view here.

Roberts career

Former Castleford Tigers star Ben Roberts also has a new career and he certainly seems to be thriving in a new environment. Roberts played almost five seasons for the Tigers between 2015 and 2019. Read more on his career change here.

Club chased Naiqama

It’s been revealed that another club has been chasing Kevin Naiqama as he looks certain to put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him out of retirement. The Fijian centre had touted possible retirement following the 2021 Super League Grand Final, according to the Daily Telegraph. Read more on the Naiqama chase here.

Watkins update

Kallum Watkins has given an update following a return to pre-season with the Salford Red Devils. The former England centre joined Salford midway through the 2020 season and played in the Challenge Cup defeat to former side Leeds Rhinos. Read more on the update here.

New signings in Trinity squad number

Wakefield Trinity have revealed their new squad numbers, with the club’s Twitter feed going through them one by one. There are a few surprises in there, but two new signings have first-choice 17 shirts. Read more here.

London’s future

The London Broncos owner David Hughes has given fans an update on the club’s current situation following the relegation from Super League two years ago as well as their stadium news on the club website. Read more on the future of London here.

Bulls in ex-SL appointments

Bradford Bulls have appointed two former Super League coaches to a new-look team as John Kear attempts to guide the Bulls to promotion in 2022, the club website revealed. Read more on the appointments here.

Warrington appoint three-time Challenge Cup winner

Warrington Wolves have appointed a three-time Challenge Cup winner to their staff with head coach Daryl Powell attempting to get the culture right from top to bottom at his new club, the club website confirmed. Read more on the appointment here.

Cas and RFL join Obama

Castleford Tigers and the RFL have joined forces with the likes of Barack Obama for a social media phenomenon which over 50,000 people have taken part in one night. Read more here.

Derbies ranked

Serious About Rugby League has ranked the top ten derbies in British rugby league. That means that the Catalans Dragons derby against Toulouse Olympique will not be counted.

Sandow in return?

Former Warrington Wolves star Chris Sandow could be set for a sensational return, according to Australian sources that have told Serious About Rugby League. The Daily Telegraph had reported in May that the diminutive halfback was looking for a return after five years out of professional sport.

Wakefield sign NRL forward

Wakefield Trinity have signed a former NRL forward as head coach Willie Poching looks to instil a new found energy about the West Yorkshire club following a disappointing few seasons, according to the Trinity website. Read more on the signing here.

Channel 4 news

Channel 4 will be airing ten Super League games over next season as the major broadcasting company signs a two-year deal with rugby league on its free-to-air service, the governing body confirmed. Read more here.

Positive COVID

New Featherstone Rovers signing Joey Leilua has tested positive for COVID-19 after sparring partner Josh Aloiai revealed the news of his positive test this morning. Fox Sports revealed that it ends the bout between Leilua and Chris Heighington that was scheduled for early December. Read more here.

Escare latest

Morgan Escare’s future has been doing the rounds, but in a social media post he looks content to fight for a place at the Salford Red Devils. Read more here.

Six players who disappeared

Serious About Rugby League has written an article based on six Super League who disappeared after leaving the top-flight in the UK. Among them are former Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and Castleford Tigers fullback Jordan Tansey.

Top ten attendances

Serious About Rugby League has revealed the top ten attendances for regular round Super League games in the competition’s 26-year history.

Pryce future

Serious About Rugby League has revealed what former Super League maverick Leon Pryce has had to say on his son, Will, and his future following NRL links earlier in the year.

Licensing return

Serious About Rugby League has revealed how a ten-team Super League would look if licensing returned. The governing body has tinkered in recent years with different models of promotion and relegation.

Burgess exposed

Sam Burgess’ voicemails and text messages have been exposed by a former rival as issues with ex-wife Phoebe continue to rear their head. It follows a spat with Welsh centre Jamie Roberts after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, an argument which Wales Online previously revealed. Read more here.

Wealthy owners

Serious About Rugby League has revealed six wealthy rugby league owners who came and went over the years. One of them includes Palestinian racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash, who was previously touted as returning to the sport in August, but that speculation has since quietened down.

Fev chairman slams comments

Featherstone Rovers chairman Mark Campbell has slammed comments from his own fans surrounding an idea of concern. Instead, Campbell has urged supporters to get behind the club on the Featherstone website. Read more about concerns here.

Cas stadium

Castleford Tigers’ hopes of a new stadium look to be over as the club instead intend to redevelop the Jungle. A new stadium had been in the groundworks for a number of years, but the current climate has left things at a standstill, the club website stated. Read more on the proposed redevelopment here.

Gleeson impressing

Wigan Today has revealed that former Wigan Warriors star Martin Gleeson is impressing England rugby union coach Eddie Jones.

Wakefield redevelopment

Like Castleford, Wakefield have also struggled with getting a new ground built and now Trinity will too focus on redeveloping their own ground. Chairman John Minards spoke about the exciting new project to Yorkshire Live.

Clubs look to stood down star

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that NRL clubs are circling Manly Sea Eagles star Manase Fainu, despite the hooker currently on a charge of an alleged stabbing back in 2019.

Gale honesty

Luke Gale has given an honest assessment of his transfer to Hull FC after leaving the Leeds Rhinos following two seasons at the club. He has been in training for the first time this week after meeting his new teammates, Hull’s Twitter account revealed. Read more on Gale’s honesty here.