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.
Hampshire rejects as SL move looms
Ryan Hampshire will not be a Championship player next year after rejecting Bradford, but The Full Eighty Minutes has revealed that a Super League move is looming. Read more here.
Folau career
Israel Folau could be set for a sensational new career, first reported by Fox Sports. Folau was famously sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for homophobic comments, but Catalans Dragons took a chance on him for the 2020 Super League season. Read more here.
Lenagan on halfback
Wigan Today has revealed that Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan was determined to sign a halfback. The Warriors later signed Cade Cust from the Manly Sea Eagles.
Austin sends Sezer message
Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Blake Austin has sent Aidan Sezer a message ahead of their Leeds Rhinos reunion. The duo played together at the Canberra Raiders in the NRL.
Barba return nears
Ben Barba’s remarkable return to rugby league is getting ever closer, according to Australian sources. The former St Helens man – who won the Man of Steel in 2018 – has had a string of off-field incidents to deal with. Read more here.
Burgess slammed as stunning return looms
Sam Burgess has been slammed by his ex-wife in the wake of a possible stunning return to rugby league, Perth Now revealed. It follows the dropping of police charges for domestic abuse. Read more here.
Chairman slams RFL
Serious About Rugby League revealed a few week ago that a chairman has slammed the RFL’s ‘contempt’ against his club. It comes in the wake of the expansionist plans as well as the reduction in central funding. The chairman, when approached by Serious About Rugby League last night recently revealed that there has been no further correspondence since meeting with the governing body.
Thompson shock admission
Joel Thompson has told the Physio Spill about drug abuse, violence and police trouble as a child growing up. Thompson retired from rugby league at the end of the 2021 Super League season after just one year at St Helens.
Wire star’s NRL ambition
One Warrington Wolves star has opened up on his NRL ambition after, first heard on the Through The Wire podcast. It follows his decision to sign a new contract at the club instead.
Three sides must improve
Serious About Rugby League has revealed which three Super League sides need to improve for the 2022 Super League season.
Ex-Saint on drop in standards
Former St Helens star Zeb Taia has told the David Mead podcast about a drop in standards in the UK as compared to Australia and the hardships of coming over as an overseas star. Read more here.
Smith to Leeds?
Could former Leeds Rhinos head coach Tony Smith be heading back to Headingley? That’s according to The Full Eighty Minutes podcast. Smith famously took charge of Huddersfield, Leeds and Warrington before Hull KR. Read more here.
Tomkins rejects Leigh
Joel Tomkins has rejected Leigh Centurions in a twist of retirement, as revealed on the Wigan Warriors website. Tomkins was set to play for Leigh in 2022, but will not join Adrian Lam’s side. Read more here.
Huddersfield waiting for new signings
Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson is waiting on his new signings as he gears up for pre-season, according to the Huddersfield website. The Giants have already confirmed two pre-season friendlies against Hull KR and Dewsbury Rams. Read more on the signings here.
Hull FC on NRL forward
Hull FC have been linked with a move with an unwanted NRL forward, but Sky Sports reveals they have denied such links given their quota availability. Read more here.
Leigh set for major signings
Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Leigh Centurions are set for major signings in the wake of new boss Adrian Lam taking over. Lam was formerly the Coach of the Year in 2020, but was sacked after a dismal year at Wigan in 2021.
Widdop latest
Daryl Powell has given the latest update on Gareth Widdop amidst speculation. The Warrington Wolves website has also revealed just what kind of spine he is working with at his new club. Read more on Widdop here.
Dark horses for promotion
Serious About Rugby League has revealed just who are the Championship dark horses for promotion. It’s set to be a major battle in 2021 with at least half a dozen teams in with a shout.
Ford interest
There has been interest in York City Knights head coach James Ford, though he has recently signed a new deal at the club, the Full Eighty Minutes podcast has revealed. He has been at the club since 2015, but has had the chance to move to the top-flight. Read more here.
Pest control
Former Super League centre Kris Welham has a new career off the field which ties in with his current part-time role at the Sheffield Eagles as revealed by the Sheffield Star. Welham used to play for Salford Red Devils and Hull KR in Super League. Read more on the off-field career move here.
Powell on Tigers exit
Daryl Powell has opened up on his Castleford exit. He left the Tigers after eight-and-a-half seasons and has told the Warrington website what he expects for his new side. Read more on Powell’s ‘difficult’ last year at Castleford here.
Hull KR recruitment
Tony Smith has told the Hull Daily Mail about possible Hull KR signings. The club has already signed the likes of Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and Lachlan Coote, but the Australian veteran isn’t ruling anything out.
Championship clubs in major signings
Championship clubs are set to make major signings according to The Full Eighty Minutes podcast. The likes of York, Halifax and Leigh have already recruited big, but more are set to follow. Read more here.
Saints bring in major sponsor
St Helens have secured a coup in the sponsorship side of things by adding a major retailer onto their home and away shirts. The Saints website reported on the deal as well as what it means to the club. Read more here.
Fifita on Chester
David Fifita has opened up on the sacking of Chris Chester and why it happened. The rampaging prop also told BBC Radio Leeds that he is unsure of his future. Read more on who he blames for Chester’s sacking here.
NRL star one step closer
An NRL star is one step closer to inking a Super League deal following a fallout back in Australia. The Daily Telegraph has revealed that one side is in the driving seat, but others haven’t ruled it out. Read more here.
Shock SL groundshare
Serious About Rugby League has reported on a shock groundshare in the works following a council meeting. It is the latest club to be plagued by stadium issues in recent times. It follows Hull FC’s dilemma that was reported by Hull Live as well as the latest on Salford Red Devils’ proposed move to Moor Lane.
Peats’ new club
Serious About Rugby League has reported on Nathan Peats finding a new club after rejecting a move to a Super League side. Peats starred for the Huddersfield Giants towards the back end of the 2021 Super League season.
Kelly racism row
Serious About Rugby League has revealed that Albert Kelly has been subject to racist Covid-19 protocols in Australia. A number of other stars Down Under have shared the post, too.
Super League table
Serious About Rugby League has done a prediction on how they think the Super League table will look at the end of the 2022 Super League season, with a few surprises in there. Catalans Dragons finished top back in 2021.
Wakefield Trinity stadium
Wakefield Trinity have announced their latest proposals for the redevelopment of the Mobile Rocket Stadium in an interview on their website. It includes a remarkable turnaround of the venue. Read more here.
Super League Disciplinary News
Super League Disciplinary: England international appeals charge
Leigh Leopards
Reports: Leigh Leopards exit could lead to huge signing
