Rugby League News: Referee in major career change, Cas rejected by Wire man, ex-SL star heading for jail & Wiganer rejected rivals

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.

Wire man ‘unprofessional’

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that a Warrington Wolves was not ‘being professional’ when he first joined the club.

Thaler for charity

Referee Ben Thaler has been snapped doing an incredible bit for charity, swimming 1.6 miles with friend David Merrick – who himself used to be a referee. Merrick is raising money for MND research and Rob Burrow with a total swimming distance of 60 miles, with one mile each day for November and December.

Bowden latest

The Hull Daily Mail has revealed that Josh Bowden will be staying at Hull FC after previously being offered to rival Super League clubs.

Commercial deal announced

Rochdale Hornets have agreed to what owner Andy Mazey called “the biggest commercial deal outside of Super League,” with hooker Sean Penkywicz also signing a new deal that will take him past his 40th birthday – which was announced on the club website. Read more on the stunning commercial deal here.

Warrington to host major event

Warrington Wolves have been chosen to host a major event next August at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The venue has been used for concerts and semi-finals in the past, but never this! Warrington’s website also revealed the details on Stefan Ratchford’s testimonial. Read more on the groundbreaking event here.

Three worried clubs

Serious About Rugby League has written an article about which three Super League clubs should be the most worried in 2022.

Fev in SL move

Featherstone Rovers have added a former Super League forward to their ranks. He follows the likes of Jesse Sene-Lefao, Joey Leilua and Luke Briscoe to the Millennium Stadium. Featherstone chief executive Martin Vickers also updated fans on the ‘Blue Wall’ membership on the club website. Read more on the new signing here.

Dark horses for SL

Serious About Rugby League has written an article on their three dark horses for Super League in 2022.

Inter-team battles

The Hull Daily Mail has written an article about which inter-team battles fans should look out for in 2022, with Ben Currie, Jack Hughes and Oliver Holmes taking the mantle for Warrington. Zak Hardaker and Bevan French are listed as the Wiganers going head-to-head for the fullback spot – will be an interesting battle indeed!

Peacock injury

Serious About Rugby League has reported on Jamie Peacock suffering an injury whilst trying to keep himself fit. The former Leeds Rhinos forward has taken on a new career path, too.

SL target and ex-SL half in shock moves

A Super League target and an ex-Super League halfback have been linked with shock moves to a side that was once home to a very controversial figure! The Gold Coast Bulletin revealed more on that figure’s move away, but you can read more on the duo’s linked moves here.

Catalans announce NRL coup

Catalans Dragons have announced the signing of an NRL playmaker after teasing the announcement yesterday afternoon via Twitter. He follows Dylan Napa and Mitchell Pearce in penning a deal with the French side. Read more here.

Cas rejected

Castleford Tigers were rejected by a current important figure at the Warrington Wolves. This year, Warrington will be a new-look side in 2022 as former Tigers boss Daryl Powell takes charge of the Wolves for the first time, the Through The Wire podcast revealed. Read more on the rejection here.

Leigh transfer request

A Leigh Centurions target has reportedly handed in a transfer request as he wants to make the move to the Leigh Sports Village happen. It would be yet another coup for Leigh following the capture of Wests Tigers forward Tom Amone yesterday, revealed on the club website. Read more on the transfer request for their next possible signing here.

Hankinson rejected SL clubs

Serious About Rugby League has revealed that former Wigan Warriors star Chris Hankinson rejected multiple Super League clubs to join Toulouse.

Ex-SL star in potential life sentence

An ex-Super League star is set to be sentenced this month after pleading guilty to importing drugs back in October. He has also been keeping up with a tough fitness regime recently as he revealed on his Instagram. Read more on the sentencing here.

Covid horror admission

An NRL club is under serious scrutiny after being involved in a COVID-19 horror show. The Daily Telegraph has shown pictures of a trainer at a top club has been walking round training whilst being unvaccinated with an inquiry set to follow. Read more on the fallout here.

Beaumont in charity

Serious About Rugby League has revealed a brilliant piece of charity by Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont.

Cook on Cas exit

Matt Cook has opened up on his Castleford Tigers exit in an interview with Serious About Rugby League.

Ex-SL referee in career change

A former Super League referee has swapped careers to an incredible new path as a writer! Read more here.

Ex-Leeds and Wigan halfback takes coaching role

Former Leeds and Wigan halfback Andy Gregory has been appointed as head coach of a side he used to play for. Read more here.

Locke career twist

Kevin Locke may well be taking up a new opportunity in rugby league, but he is also taking up a new career outside of sport too. Read more here.

Tetevano reveals all

Zane Tetevano has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he was unhappy with his first year as a Leeds Rhinos player and cannot wait to get out on the field to show what he can really do.

Centurions in coup

Leigh Centurions have signed an NRL prop in a massive coup. He follows the likes of Joe Wardle, Jy Hitchcox and Ata Hingano – whom were all revealed by the Leigh website – at the Leigh Sports Village as the club attempts to earn promotion at the first time of asking. Read more on the signing here.

Widdop future

An Australian journalist has revealed the future of Gareth Widdop after the halfback returned to Australia to be with his family following the end of the 2021 Super League season. The journalist has been famed for The Mole role taken Down Under. Read more on Widdop’s future here.

Roberts career

Former Warrington Wolves halfback Tyrone Roberts has been snapped up by another club, but it won’t be Wests Tigers as was reported last week. Read more on his new club here.

O’Connor future

Serious About Rugby League has revealed the latest on Jarrod O’Connor’s future after he was linked with a move away from Leeds Rhinos.

Edwards on ban

Kenny Edwards has spoken to the Yorkshire Post about the ten-match ban he received whilst playing for the Huddersfield Giants in the 2021 season. He received it for putting a finger up an opponent’s bottom.

Leigh coaching departure

Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont last night confirmed that there would be another coaching shake-up following the appointment of Tony Clubb as assistant. Read more here.

Super League target future up in the air?

An NRL halfback could yet make a move to Super League after the governing body blocked his contract following a criminal investigation. The NRL released a statement yesterday afternoon. Read more here.

Ex-Cas man in prison escape

A former Castleford Tigers player has escaped prison after breaking a man’s eye socket on a night out at a pub in Pontefract. The victim initially wanted to talk about rugby after recognising the ex-player, the Wakefield Express has reported. Read more on his actual sentence and the tragic events here.