1. CHALLENGE CUP DELIGHTS
What fantastic Challenge Cup action we had last weekend. Three of the
four ties lived up to expectations, some fantastic tries were scored, the
crowds were very healthy which brought some cracking atmosphere’s to the ties and
the BBC totally outclassed Sky’s TV coverage thanks mainly to their use of
relevant and current rugby league players of standing like Jon Wilkin, Jamie
Peacock and Eorl Crabtree, their doffing of the cap to the history of the
competition plus the brilliant innovation of the PlayerCam – first used by
Jamie Peacock and this weekend highlighting Warrington Wolves enforcer Ashton
Sims who came across as a really top man in his analysers role on Sunday
afternoon.
Hull KR opened the cup weekend with a fantastic first half performance last Thursday night. They powered into a 24-0 lead after half an hour before having to hold off a stunning Catalans Dragons second half comeback, inspired by hooker Ian Henderson, to win the tie 32-26 and qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since 2006. Albert Kelly and Josh Mantellato were in great form for Rovers and winger Ken Sio’s opening try of the night was one of the try’s of the round.
On Friday night Hull FC entertained Leeds Rhinos in a game that should have been the pick of the round. It turned out to be a damp squib in more than one way. Friday was a beautiful sunny day in East Yorkshire but something had to give and the heavens literally split in two during the first half and the rain was torrential at times. The Rhinos handled the conditions more efficiently and professionally and took their opportunities when they came along without forcing them to come like Hull tried to do. Hull created opportunities but pushed passes too often and dropped far too much ball to compete against the Rhinos who won the game comfortably 24-6 thanks largely to the guiding hand of skipper Kevin Sinfield.
Saturday afternoon saw a cracking cup tie between Super League Warrington Wolves and promotion chasing Leigh Centurions. The lower league side have been criticised at times for their overly aggressive approach this season but on Saturday they let the quality of their rugby league do the talking. They put in a great performance before going down 34-24. Scrum half Ryan Brierley will surely be playing Super League rugby in 2016 even if Leigh aren’t. He is far too talented to be playing in the Championship and we can’t leave this match without mentioning the spectacular diving finish by Kevin Penney for his second half try – simply beautiful and brilliant.
St. Helens entertained Widnes Vikings in the final tie of the round on Sunday afternoon and finally managed to overcome a strong Vikings performance. The Saints were superbly led by Jon Wilkin and Adam Swift and Mark Percival were responsible for two of the tries of the round.
The draw for the semi-finals was made immediately after the Saints victory with St. Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe and former footballer Chris Kamara conducting the draw. My team, Hull KR, definitely got the draw I wanted them to have and will play Warrington Wolves with heavyweights St. Helens and Leeds Rhinos facing off in the other semi- final. The Saints v. Leeds semi-final will break new ground by being played on a Friday night, July 31st, with an 8p.m. kick off at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and will be televised live on BBC2 whilst the Hull KR v. Warrington semi-final will be the following day at Headingley with a 1245p.m. kick off and will be televised live on BBC1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3sr05_ujCY - Hull KR v. Catalans Dragons match highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUXTToojUxo - Kevin Penny's amazing try v. Leigh Centurions
Hull KR opened the cup weekend with a fantastic first half performance last Thursday night. They powered into a 24-0 lead after half an hour before having to hold off a stunning Catalans Dragons second half comeback, inspired by hooker Ian Henderson, to win the tie 32-26 and qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since 2006. Albert Kelly and Josh Mantellato were in great form for Rovers and winger Ken Sio’s opening try of the night was one of the try’s of the round.
On Friday night Hull FC entertained Leeds Rhinos in a game that should have been the pick of the round. It turned out to be a damp squib in more than one way. Friday was a beautiful sunny day in East Yorkshire but something had to give and the heavens literally split in two during the first half and the rain was torrential at times. The Rhinos handled the conditions more efficiently and professionally and took their opportunities when they came along without forcing them to come like Hull tried to do. Hull created opportunities but pushed passes too often and dropped far too much ball to compete against the Rhinos who won the game comfortably 24-6 thanks largely to the guiding hand of skipper Kevin Sinfield.
Saturday afternoon saw a cracking cup tie between Super League Warrington Wolves and promotion chasing Leigh Centurions. The lower league side have been criticised at times for their overly aggressive approach this season but on Saturday they let the quality of their rugby league do the talking. They put in a great performance before going down 34-24. Scrum half Ryan Brierley will surely be playing Super League rugby in 2016 even if Leigh aren’t. He is far too talented to be playing in the Championship and we can’t leave this match without mentioning the spectacular diving finish by Kevin Penney for his second half try – simply beautiful and brilliant.
St. Helens entertained Widnes Vikings in the final tie of the round on Sunday afternoon and finally managed to overcome a strong Vikings performance. The Saints were superbly led by Jon Wilkin and Adam Swift and Mark Percival were responsible for two of the tries of the round.
The draw for the semi-finals was made immediately after the Saints victory with St. Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe and former footballer Chris Kamara conducting the draw. My team, Hull KR, definitely got the draw I wanted them to have and will play Warrington Wolves with heavyweights St. Helens and Leeds Rhinos facing off in the other semi- final. The Saints v. Leeds semi-final will break new ground by being played on a Friday night, July 31st, with an 8p.m. kick off at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and will be televised live on BBC2 whilst the Hull KR v. Warrington semi-final will be the following day at Headingley with a 1245p.m. kick off and will be televised live on BBC1.
2. SAINTS LEGEND
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| Paul Wellens |
St.Helens legend Paul Wellens announced his retirement last week due to a
longstanding hip injury which requires immediate surgery. Wellens has been
lauded as the greatest full back of the Super League era and whether you agree
with that opinion, expressed by Jamie Peacock amongst others, or not there is
no doubt that he has served his club and country outstandingly well and will
rightly go down as one of the best players ever to pull on a St. Helens shirt.
Statistics don’t tell the full story and even though a career that has consisted of 495 club games for his beloved Saints, 231 tries, two Lance Todd Tophy’s, the Harry Sunderland Trophy, the 2006 Man of Steel Award (making him only the third player to win all of these top individual honours), 4 selections for the mythical Super League Dream Team, 10 Grand Final appearances with 5 winners rings, 5 Challenge Cup winners medals, 2 World Club Challenge wins plus 20 appearances for Great Britain and 11 for England is hugely impressive the esteem with which Wellens is held within the game and the respect and affection that has been expressed towards him is even more impressive.
From my point of view as a fan, Wellens was never a player that you felt overly concerned about your team coming up against. He wasn’t the type of player that would rip a team apart from full back like Sam Tomkins can – his play was more intuitive – he would pop up in the right place at the right time to take a try scoring pass, his support play was second to none and he always seemed to know what was going to unfold in front of him before anyone else did.
Add in rock solid defence, the ability to read a break and track an attacking player down and make brilliant cover tackles, coolness under the high ball and later in his career the ability to lead a team to Grand Final glory against the odds from half back or loose forward and you have a player every fan and opponent respected.
Wellens was a player very much in the Paul Scholes mould who never courted publicity or controversy, was committed to the cause of his one and only club and his country, acted professionally at all times, demanded excellence, inspired the players around him and was a great role model for the next generation of professional rugby league players.
And that is why St. Helens and rugby league in general must ensure that Paul Wellens is given a role within the game that can inspire and mould the next generation, to show what can be done through sheer hard work, professionalism and the will to succeed. I am sure St. Helens will already have something lined up for him but it is also an opportunity for the RFL to use him as an ambassador and a mentor as well – such is the reputation of the man throughout the game. All the best Paul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nVcNlbnscE - Paul Wellens Tribute
Statistics don’t tell the full story and even though a career that has consisted of 495 club games for his beloved Saints, 231 tries, two Lance Todd Tophy’s, the Harry Sunderland Trophy, the 2006 Man of Steel Award (making him only the third player to win all of these top individual honours), 4 selections for the mythical Super League Dream Team, 10 Grand Final appearances with 5 winners rings, 5 Challenge Cup winners medals, 2 World Club Challenge wins plus 20 appearances for Great Britain and 11 for England is hugely impressive the esteem with which Wellens is held within the game and the respect and affection that has been expressed towards him is even more impressive.
From my point of view as a fan, Wellens was never a player that you felt overly concerned about your team coming up against. He wasn’t the type of player that would rip a team apart from full back like Sam Tomkins can – his play was more intuitive – he would pop up in the right place at the right time to take a try scoring pass, his support play was second to none and he always seemed to know what was going to unfold in front of him before anyone else did.
Add in rock solid defence, the ability to read a break and track an attacking player down and make brilliant cover tackles, coolness under the high ball and later in his career the ability to lead a team to Grand Final glory against the odds from half back or loose forward and you have a player every fan and opponent respected.
Wellens was a player very much in the Paul Scholes mould who never courted publicity or controversy, was committed to the cause of his one and only club and his country, acted professionally at all times, demanded excellence, inspired the players around him and was a great role model for the next generation of professional rugby league players.
And that is why St. Helens and rugby league in general must ensure that Paul Wellens is given a role within the game that can inspire and mould the next generation, to show what can be done through sheer hard work, professionalism and the will to succeed. I am sure St. Helens will already have something lined up for him but it is also an opportunity for the RFL to use him as an ambassador and a mentor as well – such is the reputation of the man throughout the game. All the best Paul.
3. FORAN STICKS WITH EELS
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| Kieran Foran |
Hot on the heels of the DCE saga at Manly has come the Kieran Foran saga
as it appears that his fellow half back had become concerned about the
situation at Parramatta and was looking for a way out of the 4 year multi-million
dollar contract he had agreed with the Eels.
Foran couldn’t use the Round 13 clause as DCE did to backflip on his deal with Gold Coast as that deadline has gone and his contract has been registered with the NRL. What appeared to be the main cause of concern was the fact that the Eels were attempting to change some of the terms and conditions of the contract as it seems that there recently departed CEO Scott Seward did not rubber stamp the full contract with the clubs board.
It has transpired that Foran’s management company insisted, after negotiations had already been completed, that an additional clause be inserted. Put simply, it was a A$1 million get out clause that could be triggered should the Coach or CEO suddenly leave the club.
Seward was so desperate to get this big contract signed, sealed and delivered that he accepted the clause – but it appears that he did not tell his board of directors and this has only just come to light since Seward’s recent resignation which set the nerves jittering in the Foran camp.
This has led to tonnes of speculation along the lines of the DCE situation, re-negotiation of Foran’s contract with the Eels and other clubs – including his current club Manly – keeping an eye on the situation in the hope that the deal fell through.
One of the main reasons that Foran signed the deal with the Eels is his relationship with Head Coach Brad Arthur, a former assistant coach at Manly, who Foran gives a huge amount of credit too for making him the player he is. It is also pretty obvious that Foran has some integrity and didn’t just want to walk away from the deal as he probably could have done.
Instead he has given the Eels the opportunity to re-negotiate the contract and has today accepted a shorter 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd and 4th year should he be happy at the Eels. The A$1 million clause has been removed with a new clause inserted that gives Foran the opportunity to leave the club should Brad Arthur lose his job – which most Eels fans will think is highly likely within the original time frame of Foran’s contract – and seems to act more as a buffer for Arthur than a positive for Foran.
Sticking with Manly, as well as losing their 2 star playmakers for next season it looks like they are going to lose some other players as well. Luke Burgess – just one year into a 2 year contract – Feleti Mateo and Willie Mason are reported to be on their way out of the Sydney club.
This is not the decision of Head Coach Geoff Toovey – it appears to be the decision of the new Head Coach Trent Barratt who is expected to take over from Toovey from 2016 and beyond. Now this decision will not go down too well on the Northern beaches of Sydney as Manly fans are very insular and expect their club to be the same – basically they do not like outsiders coaching their club. It has not worked well in the past and all of the Sea Eagles success has come with coaches who have Manly in their blood.
Of the 10 coaches to guide Manly since their inaugural premiership in 1972, eight have played for the club on Grand Final day and the two outsiders, Graham Lowe and Peter Sharp, did not deliver a title. Trent Barratt needs to think long and hard about this decision - as do the Manly board - Toovey is a club legend and it will come across as a harsh decision should he be removed from his position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2mHxwRg3oI - Kieran Foran highlights
Foran couldn’t use the Round 13 clause as DCE did to backflip on his deal with Gold Coast as that deadline has gone and his contract has been registered with the NRL. What appeared to be the main cause of concern was the fact that the Eels were attempting to change some of the terms and conditions of the contract as it seems that there recently departed CEO Scott Seward did not rubber stamp the full contract with the clubs board.
It has transpired that Foran’s management company insisted, after negotiations had already been completed, that an additional clause be inserted. Put simply, it was a A$1 million get out clause that could be triggered should the Coach or CEO suddenly leave the club.
Seward was so desperate to get this big contract signed, sealed and delivered that he accepted the clause – but it appears that he did not tell his board of directors and this has only just come to light since Seward’s recent resignation which set the nerves jittering in the Foran camp.
This has led to tonnes of speculation along the lines of the DCE situation, re-negotiation of Foran’s contract with the Eels and other clubs – including his current club Manly – keeping an eye on the situation in the hope that the deal fell through.
One of the main reasons that Foran signed the deal with the Eels is his relationship with Head Coach Brad Arthur, a former assistant coach at Manly, who Foran gives a huge amount of credit too for making him the player he is. It is also pretty obvious that Foran has some integrity and didn’t just want to walk away from the deal as he probably could have done.
Instead he has given the Eels the opportunity to re-negotiate the contract and has today accepted a shorter 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd and 4th year should he be happy at the Eels. The A$1 million clause has been removed with a new clause inserted that gives Foran the opportunity to leave the club should Brad Arthur lose his job – which most Eels fans will think is highly likely within the original time frame of Foran’s contract – and seems to act more as a buffer for Arthur than a positive for Foran.
Sticking with Manly, as well as losing their 2 star playmakers for next season it looks like they are going to lose some other players as well. Luke Burgess – just one year into a 2 year contract – Feleti Mateo and Willie Mason are reported to be on their way out of the Sydney club.
This is not the decision of Head Coach Geoff Toovey – it appears to be the decision of the new Head Coach Trent Barratt who is expected to take over from Toovey from 2016 and beyond. Now this decision will not go down too well on the Northern beaches of Sydney as Manly fans are very insular and expect their club to be the same – basically they do not like outsiders coaching their club. It has not worked well in the past and all of the Sea Eagles success has come with coaches who have Manly in their blood.
Of the 10 coaches to guide Manly since their inaugural premiership in 1972, eight have played for the club on Grand Final day and the two outsiders, Graham Lowe and Peter Sharp, did not deliver a title. Trent Barratt needs to think long and hard about this decision - as do the Manly board - Toovey is a club legend and it will come across as a harsh decision should he be removed from his position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2mHxwRg3oI - Kieran Foran highlights
4. NO TO THE CROCODILE ROLL
I have mentioned frequently in this column my dislike of the cannonball tackle.
Now there seems to be a new tackle in vogue that is just as dangerous and has
been very prevalent over the last 3 weekends in particular – the ‘’crocodile
roll’’.
This is where a player has hold of an opponent’s lower leg in the tackle and then twists the bottom half of the tackled players leg – causing or potentially causing serious injury to the tackled players ankle / achilles / knee or any combination of the aforementioned.
You may remember that Isaac Luke tried this tackle on Rangi Chase during the last England v. New Zealand Test Series back in 2011. Luke and Chase are cousins and the Kiwi international admitted that he wanted to break Chase’s leg because of his cousin’s switch of allegiance from New Zealand to England. Luke apologised but copped a 2 game ban for his cowardly actions.
It seemed to have been outgunned by the cannonball tackle but the crocodile roll now appears to have made a comeback. Last week Rochdale Hornets forward Tony Suffolk received a 10 match ban for a tackle on North Wales Crusaders player Alex Thompson. This was the worst case of this tackle I have seen and there is no doubt in my mind that Suffolk took his actions deliberately with the intent of injuring the opposition player. It was a despicable act and I would have given him a longer ban – I hope his club have the guts to serve up their own punishment as well.
The tackle now seems to have crept in at the highest level. Hull FC’s Marc Sneyd was given a 2 match ban last week for a tackle on Leeds Rhino’s half back Danny McGuire. Hull FC fans reacted in fury at the tackle on Social Media and where scathing of the Leeds Rhinos and McGuire in particular. Having seen the tackle I think the ban is justifiable. Sneyd’s twist had nowhere near the maliciousness and intent of Suffolk’s but he definitely held on too long and there was an unnecessary twist of the leg in my opinion.
Sneyd was originally charged with a Grade C contact offence which carries a ban of 3-5 games – this was downgraded by the RFL Disciplinary Committee and Sneyd was banned for 2 matches. Hull fans reacted in fury again later in the week when McGuire was named in the Rhinos squad for the Challenge Cup quarter final tie at the KC Stadium between the same two clubs.The fact he was selected for the squad appears to indicate he was fit and had been cheating – the fact is he did not play and even if he was fit to do so that does not make Sneyd’s actions any less punishable.
St. Helens forward Joe Greenwood was this week up on exactly the same charge as Sneyd for a tackle he made on Widnes Vikings captain Kevin Brown in last weekend’s Challenge Cup quarter final tie. Brown had already injured his ankle earlier in the match when he went into the tackle with Greenwood who then appeared to twist his lower leg before releasing him.
Brown was fully aware of what Greenwood did and gave him ‘’the look’’ that players do when they know something untoward has been done. Brown carried on but has now been ruled out for 6 weeks with ankle ligament damage – and whilst I am not saying that Greenwood’s tackle caused this, I am certain it did not help.
The fact that Greenwood was found not guilty of the charge concerns me – I expected him to receive the same ban as Sneyd – and it seems clear that the RFL will not be cracking down on this type of tackle, just as they haven’t done anything about the cannonball but I would hope that the game itself i.e. the coaches and / or players will have a word with each other and stop this kind of thing happening in what is already one of the toughest and most physical of sports.
This is where a player has hold of an opponent’s lower leg in the tackle and then twists the bottom half of the tackled players leg – causing or potentially causing serious injury to the tackled players ankle / achilles / knee or any combination of the aforementioned.
You may remember that Isaac Luke tried this tackle on Rangi Chase during the last England v. New Zealand Test Series back in 2011. Luke and Chase are cousins and the Kiwi international admitted that he wanted to break Chase’s leg because of his cousin’s switch of allegiance from New Zealand to England. Luke apologised but copped a 2 game ban for his cowardly actions.
It seemed to have been outgunned by the cannonball tackle but the crocodile roll now appears to have made a comeback. Last week Rochdale Hornets forward Tony Suffolk received a 10 match ban for a tackle on North Wales Crusaders player Alex Thompson. This was the worst case of this tackle I have seen and there is no doubt in my mind that Suffolk took his actions deliberately with the intent of injuring the opposition player. It was a despicable act and I would have given him a longer ban – I hope his club have the guts to serve up their own punishment as well.
The tackle now seems to have crept in at the highest level. Hull FC’s Marc Sneyd was given a 2 match ban last week for a tackle on Leeds Rhino’s half back Danny McGuire. Hull FC fans reacted in fury at the tackle on Social Media and where scathing of the Leeds Rhinos and McGuire in particular. Having seen the tackle I think the ban is justifiable. Sneyd’s twist had nowhere near the maliciousness and intent of Suffolk’s but he definitely held on too long and there was an unnecessary twist of the leg in my opinion.
Sneyd was originally charged with a Grade C contact offence which carries a ban of 3-5 games – this was downgraded by the RFL Disciplinary Committee and Sneyd was banned for 2 matches. Hull fans reacted in fury again later in the week when McGuire was named in the Rhinos squad for the Challenge Cup quarter final tie at the KC Stadium between the same two clubs.The fact he was selected for the squad appears to indicate he was fit and had been cheating – the fact is he did not play and even if he was fit to do so that does not make Sneyd’s actions any less punishable.
St. Helens forward Joe Greenwood was this week up on exactly the same charge as Sneyd for a tackle he made on Widnes Vikings captain Kevin Brown in last weekend’s Challenge Cup quarter final tie. Brown had already injured his ankle earlier in the match when he went into the tackle with Greenwood who then appeared to twist his lower leg before releasing him.
Brown was fully aware of what Greenwood did and gave him ‘’the look’’ that players do when they know something untoward has been done. Brown carried on but has now been ruled out for 6 weeks with ankle ligament damage – and whilst I am not saying that Greenwood’s tackle caused this, I am certain it did not help.
The fact that Greenwood was found not guilty of the charge concerns me – I expected him to receive the same ban as Sneyd – and it seems clear that the RFL will not be cracking down on this type of tackle, just as they haven’t done anything about the cannonball but I would hope that the game itself i.e. the coaches and / or players will have a word with each other and stop this kind of thing happening in what is already one of the toughest and most physical of sports.
5. WILDCATS ON THE UP
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| Belle Vue |
What a week it has been for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
They sign New Zealand international full back Kevin Locke on a contract until the end of the season, make 3 more signings, give 6 months notice of their intention to leave Belle Vue to their landlords, the Royal Bank of Ireland, and win their first league game since February with a 26-16 defeat of Hull FC – ending a 16 game losing run in Super League.
Locke has been touted as Wakefield’s modern day answer to Wally Lewis – one of the games true legends who had a short spell at Belle Vue in the mid 80’s and made a huge impact. Now, Locke is nowhere near the quality of Lewis but he is an excellent player, when fit and happy, and has the ability to make a huge impact on the Wildcats 2015 season and ensure that they are playing Super League in 2016.
He proved that immediately with a man of the match performance against Hull FC on Wednesday night which helped the Wildcats recover from a 16-0 deficit to record an amazing 26-16 victory – their first under new Head Coach Brian Smith who has brought a much improved work ethic and increased the professionalism of the players, the training and the club.
The main question at the moment is whether Wakefield, should they be in Super League or the Championship next season, will be playing at Belle Vue next year.
Chairman Michael Carter last week gave 6 months notice of their intention to vacate Belle Vue to the grounds owners, the Royal Bank of Ireland. Carter insists that the rent they currently pay is too high which makes it unviable for the Wildcats to remain at their spiritual home. The only way they will be able to continue playing at the ground that has been their home for 120 years is if the rent is lowered considerably.
Basically, Carter has tried to force the landlord’s hand and has given them, and the local council, 6 months to decide if they want to keep a rugby league club in the WF post code.
If a deal does not materialise then Carter has lined up Barnsley FC’s Oakwell ground as their new home from 2016. No-one wants to see the Wildcats leave Belle Vue – only to a new stadium with a WF post code and recent developments on that front have not been encouraging. However, I do predict that the Wildcats WILL be playing Super League rugby in 2016 – hopefully, at Belle Vue.
They sign New Zealand international full back Kevin Locke on a contract until the end of the season, make 3 more signings, give 6 months notice of their intention to leave Belle Vue to their landlords, the Royal Bank of Ireland, and win their first league game since February with a 26-16 defeat of Hull FC – ending a 16 game losing run in Super League.
Locke has been touted as Wakefield’s modern day answer to Wally Lewis – one of the games true legends who had a short spell at Belle Vue in the mid 80’s and made a huge impact. Now, Locke is nowhere near the quality of Lewis but he is an excellent player, when fit and happy, and has the ability to make a huge impact on the Wildcats 2015 season and ensure that they are playing Super League in 2016.
He proved that immediately with a man of the match performance against Hull FC on Wednesday night which helped the Wildcats recover from a 16-0 deficit to record an amazing 26-16 victory – their first under new Head Coach Brian Smith who has brought a much improved work ethic and increased the professionalism of the players, the training and the club.
The main question at the moment is whether Wakefield, should they be in Super League or the Championship next season, will be playing at Belle Vue next year.
Chairman Michael Carter last week gave 6 months notice of their intention to vacate Belle Vue to the grounds owners, the Royal Bank of Ireland. Carter insists that the rent they currently pay is too high which makes it unviable for the Wildcats to remain at their spiritual home. The only way they will be able to continue playing at the ground that has been their home for 120 years is if the rent is lowered considerably.
Basically, Carter has tried to force the landlord’s hand and has given them, and the local council, 6 months to decide if they want to keep a rugby league club in the WF post code.
If a deal does not materialise then Carter has lined up Barnsley FC’s Oakwell ground as their new home from 2016. No-one wants to see the Wildcats leave Belle Vue – only to a new stadium with a WF post code and recent developments on that front have not been encouraging. However, I do predict that the Wildcats WILL be playing Super League rugby in 2016 – hopefully, at Belle Vue.
6. BITS AND PIECES
I have written previously about the impact that unwanted Parramatta Eels
half back Chris Sandow would have on Super League and it appears that at least
two clubs agree with me. Although Sandow would like to stay in the NRL it
appears that his option swill be limited and he may have to look to England to
pursue his career. Apparently Hull KR have made him an offer – which I find
hard to believe because they have no quota space available for next year at the
moment – and it seems Warrington Wolves maybe lining up a 2 year contract offer
now that they have been rebuffed by long term Marquee target Cooper Cronk who
will stay at Melbourne Storm.
St. Helens have signed utility back Adam Quinlan from Parramatta Eels.
Quinlan is an unknown package and has not played first grade for the Eels this
year and made only 25 NRL appearances for his former club St. George Illawarra
Dragons. He will be over in the UK in the next two weeks and will fill the
injury plagued full back slot for the Saints after Shannon McDonnell was
recently ruled out for the rest of the season. McDonnell was brought in as
cover for Jonny Lomax, also out for the rest of the season, and now club legend
Paul Wellens has retired.
Melbourne Storm stalwart Ryan Hinchcliffe has signed a 3 year
contract with Huddersfield Giants.
Pat Richards has been linked with a move back to Super League
with Catalans Dragons the most likely destination.
Junior Sau and George Griffin have signed 2 year contract
extensions at Salford Red Devils.
Jake Webster is rumoured to be leaving Castleford Tigers ta
the end of the year. Webster is currently playing some superb rugby league for
the Tigers and has been linked with a move to Salford Red Devils and former
club Hull KR – however Rovers coach Chris Chester has said that won’t be
happening.
Prop forward Mitchell Garbutt has left the Brisbane Broncos
to join Leeds Rhinos with immediate effect. He has signed a 2 ½ year contract
and will be available to play against St. Helens this weekend if selected.
Last week Warrington back Chris Bridge was rumoured to be
interesting Wigan Warriors for 2016 and beyond. This week he is being linked to
Widnes Vikings. Bridge is a quality centre or half back and I cannot understand
why the Wolves would let him go.
Hull Kingston Rovers have offered a new contract to long
serving centre Kris Welham. The former Myton Warriors junior looked like he was
on is way out of the club before the season started. He had a couple of poor
seasons in 2013 and 2014 were injuries affected his form and confidence. He
lost his coveted no. 3 jersey this year and instead was handed no. 19 as his
squad number. However Chirs Chester gave Welham an opportunity to prove himself
in pre-season and, to put it simply he has been outstanding in 2015 and fully
deserves a new contract. Rovers have also extended the contract of unheralded
French hooker John Boudebza who has been absolutely brilliant all season and
has really stood up and been counted in the last 2 months since Shan Lunt has
been injured.
Former Wakefield Wildcats coach James Webster has been linked
with a move back to former club Parramatta Eels as assistant coach.
Gold Coast Titans former Australia international Dave Taylor,
a supposed target for Salford Red Devils two weeks ago, looks more likely to be
heading to Japanese Rugby Union. There seems to be no interest from other NRL
clubs.
Leeds Rhinos full back Zak Hardaker has signed a new 4 year
contract with the club that will keep him at Headingley until the end of the
2019 season.
St. Helens monster Mose Masoe has now confirmed that he will
leave the club at the end of the year and take up a 2 year contract with St.
George Illawarra Dragons.
Hull Kingston Rovers have apparently been offered the
services of half back / hooker Josh McCrone by Canberra Raiders to cover for
injured skipper Terry Campese. Campese is out for the year with a knee injury
and McCrone filled in for him in similar circumstances at the Raiders in 2011.
Rovers and the Raiders have built up a good relationship in the last year with
Josh Hodgson impressing in the Aussie capital and Campese and long serving prop
Dane Tilse coming over to the UK. I’m not sure the McCrone deal will come off
as former London Bronco Josh Drinkwater is still being linked with the club but
the incumbent pair of Maurice Blair and Albert Kelly have been outstanding and
have inspired Rovers to 4 wins in a row.
A bit of extra time thinking…
What a great win for Featherstone Rovers at Bradford Bulls
Odsal Stadium (or Friends Provident or whatever) on Wednesday night. The
stunning 37-18 victory has put a real spanner in the works with regards to the
Bulls title challenge and ended their run of 17 straight league wins. They
still head Leigh Centurions by 2 points but the Centurions now have 2 games in
hand and have a superior points difference. The downside of the night was that
it appears Leigh’s Director of Rugby, Derek Beaumont, was refused a ticket to
the game whilst Head Coach Paul Rowley was allowed to attend.
Daly Cherry Evans may have a bumper new contract in his back
pocket from Manly Sea Eagles but that didn’t guarantee him a spot in the
Queensland squad for the State if Origin decider. Evans stood in for the
injured Cooper Cronk in the game 2 loss and has now been dumped from the squad
totally as coach Mal Meninga relies on the experience of Cronk to help his
state regain the SOO shield.
Sad news last week that Leeds Rhinos brilliant Liam Sutcliffe
is out for the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate
ligament against Hull FC in their league game 2 weeks ago. Young Warrington
Wolves forward James Laithwaite also suffered a season ending spiral frature of
the fibula in the Challenge Cup quarter final victory over Leigh Centurions at
the weekend.
Have a look at the Steve Matai hit on South Sydney Rabbitohs
forwsrd David Tyrrell from last weekend. BOOM!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqa5manj5Ow
Castleford Tigers tank on the flank Justin Carney wants to
play for England. Personally, I would say no. Whilst he is certainly good
enough, at the end of the day he is an Australian and we should be playing our
own born and bred players. Can someone else tell him though please because I’m not
going near him.
You can follow me on Twitter @sharpster69
You can follow me on Twitter @sharpster69
