As we head towards the festive season, and the players return to pre-season training, there is still plenty happening in the world of Rugby League. This week we’ve had a terrific England victory over the Australians, a surprise entry into the Challenge Cup, and some better news about Saints Academy star Joe Sharratt.
We’ve had a look back at the news over the last week to pick up on stories which you might have missed to keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening inside the greatest game.
Wednesday 5th
Wayne Bennett has brought forward his appointment as head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs after being relieved of his duties by the Brisbane Broncos over the weekend. Bennett had signed from 2020 but as he’s available he agreed to link up with his new club a year early. He’ll now be able to keep a close eye on Sam, Tom and George Burgess.
Castleford have announced that Will Maher and Oliver Holmes will both miss pre-season training and the start of the Tigers 2019 campaign after going under the surgeon’s knife.
Thursday 6th
Red Star Belgrade will be one of the names in the hat as the draw for the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup is made on Friday evening ahead of the second Academy test between England and Australia at Emerald Headingley. They have been admitted to the competition by the RFL on the condition that they will play the opening two rounds in the UK. Fifty-one other sides will join Belgrade in the hat when the draw is streamed live on the BBC Sport website at 17:30 on Friday night.
Leeds Rhinos have offered a trial to James Donaldson who was released by Hull KR at the end of the 2018 season. The back row forward had spent four years with the Robins but suffered a serious knee injury last season. He will have until Christmas to claim a contract with the Headingley outfit.
Friday 7th
London Broncos recruitment continues apace with the announcement that they have secured the services of twenty-three year old Luke Yates from Australian side Newcastle Knights. The utility forward joins London on a one-year contract to gain some Super League experience.
Saturday 8th
A superb performance from the England Academy side saw them beat the touring Australians by 14-8 in a rain-soaked encounter at the Leigh Sports Village. Harry Newman and Harry Smith both scored first half tries to give England a 12-0 half-time lead and a penalty just after the interval, Smith’s third goal of the game edged England out to 14-0. Unconverted tries from Crichton and Alexander got Australia back into the game but England held on to take a 1-0 lead in the two match series.
Sunday 9th
St Helens Academy player Joe Sharratt was released from hospital as he continues to recover from a head injury sustained in an incident outside a Manchester night club earlier in the month. The youngster is believed to be making a good recovery after suffering a bleed to his head.
Monday 10th
Toronto and Toulouse will not take part in the 2019 Challenge Cup after the RFL reportedly asked for a £750,000 bond from each of them to cover any financial losses which the RFL would incur should they reach the Wembley final. It is believed that the defending winners, the Catalans Dragons, were asked for a smaller bond which they have agreed to pay. The RFL is getting some bad press as a result.
It is looking increasingly unlikely that the 2025 World Cup will be held in the USA after the Rugby League International Foundation but the competition back out to tender after the promoter was no longer able to bankroll the competition. The new favourite to host the competition is Australia.
The French Rugby League Federation has cancelled all of their fixtures on the weekend of the 18th May 2019 when the Catalans Dragons face the Wigan Warriors in a ground breaking fixture at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
Tuesday 11th
The Bradford Bulls have signed Rhys Evans on a one year deal after he was released by the Leigh Centurions after his employers went part-time for the 2019 season.
