Rugby League news

First topic message reminder :

Gareth Ellis has said he will make a decision on which team he will join before the end of March , his agent has said they have had offers from several clubs but have narrowed it down to 4 teams ...while he did not mention which clubs they were they are believed to be Leeds , Hull FC , Huddersfield and Warrington .

Catalan Dragons have denied Hull KR permission to train on the Stade Gilbert Brutus pitch before saturdays Superleague game , rules state it is the home teams choice if they allow visiting teams to use their pitches or not . Catalans have told Rovers to train elsewhere which hasn't gone down well with them , odd decision from the Dragons as they usually allow all visiting teams to use their facilities .

Ryan Bailey has been given a 3 match ban and a £300 fine for pushing a match official during Leeds Rhinos game against Warrington Wolves , Brent Webb was also fined £300 and given a verbal warning for the same offence in the same incident . Warringtons Mickey Higham received a 2 match ban for a high tackle on Rob Burrow in the same game .

Bradfords Jarrod Sammut was given a 1 match ban for a dangerous tackle against Hull KR , Hull FC prop Mark O'Melley was also given a 1 match ban for a dangerous tackle in Hulls game against St Helens .

Salford have signed free agent Ryan McGoldrick, while Warrington's Rhys Williams has joined the Reds on loan.

Salford City Reds are set to announce Dr Marwan Koukash as their new owner at a media conference on Thursday.

The Kuwait-born businessman has been in discussions with the Super League club, who are due in court on Monday to face a winding-up petition, for a month.

Dr Koukash has a successful sporting background in horse racing and has already stated his ambition to win trophies with the Reds.

Salford begin their 2013 Super League campaign at home to Wigan on Friday.

Since the end of last season, Salford's participation in the competition had been in doubt because of their financial problems.

They owe Revenue & Customs around £300,000, while two former Salford players - Luke Patten and Vinnie Anderson - are claiming a total of around £70,000 in unpaid wages.

The winding-up hearing was adjourned for four weeks until 4 February after news of Dr Koukash's interest was made public.

He is also expected to buy a stake in the Salford City Stadium, which is currently shared with rugby union outfit Sale Sharks.

The Rugby Football League has refused to allow Bradford Bulls to play their Super League home game against St Helens on the same night as the World Club Challenge.

The Bulls wanted to switch the game from Sunday 24 February to Friday 22 February in order to avoid a clash with Bradford City's appearance in the Capital One Cup final against

Kenny wrote:Salford City Reds are set to announce Dr Marwan Koukash as their new owner at a media conference on Thursday.

The Kuwait-born businessman has been in discussions with the Super League club, who are due in court on Monday to face a winding-up petition, for a month.

Dr Koukash has a successful sporting background in horse racing and has already stated his ambition to win trophies with the Reds.

Salford begin their 2013 Super League campaign at home to Wigan on Friday.

Since the end of last season, Salford's participation in the competition had been in doubt because of their financial problems.

They owe Revenue & Customs around £300,000, while two former Salford players - Luke Patten and Vinnie Anderson - are claiming a total of around £70,000 in unpaid wages.

The winding-up hearing was adjourned for four weeks until 4 February after news of Dr Koukash's interest was made public.

He is also expected to buy a stake in the Salford City Stadium, which is currently shared with rugby union outfit Sale Sharks.

Deal complete

Kenny wrote:The Rugby Football League has refused to allow Bradford Bulls to play their Super League home game against St Helens on the same night as the World Club Challenge.

The Bulls wanted to switch the game from Sunday 24 February to Friday 22 February in order to avoid a clash with Bradford City's appearance in the Capital One Cup final against

I'm surprised by the actions of the RFL on this. Perhaps the Bulls should have offered to play the game on the Saturday night.

George Hotel1895 wrote:

Kenny wrote:The Rugby Football League has refused to allow Bradford Bulls to play their Super League home game against St Helens on the same night as the World Club Challenge.

The Bulls wanted to switch the game from Sunday 24 February to Friday 22 February in order to avoid a clash with Bradford City's appearance in the Capital One Cup final against

I'm surprised by the actions of the RFL on this.

Reason RFL have given is they want the World Club Challenge to be a stand alone game , not sure how Bradford v St Helens would effect that ? not as if fans would then go to WCC

Kenny wrote:Salford City Reds are set to announce Dr Marwan Koukash as their new owner at a media conference on Thursday.

The Kuwait-born businessman has been in discussions with the Super League club, who are due in court on Monday to face a winding-up petition, for a month.

Dr Koukash has a successful sporting background in horse racing and has already stated his ambition to win trophies with the Reds.

Salford begin their 2013 Super League campaign at home to Wigan on Friday.

Since the end of last season, Salford's participation in the competition had been in doubt because of their financial problems.

They owe Revenue & Customs around £300,000, while two former Salford players - Luke Patten and Vinnie Anderson - are claiming a total of around £70,000 in unpaid wages.

The winding-up hearing was adjourned for four weeks until 4 February after news of Dr Koukash's interest was made public.

He is also expected to buy a stake in the Salford City Stadium, which is currently shared with rugby union outfit Sale Sharks.

In my opinion i think the 2 things to needs to sort out as soon as possible is the marketing department and the junior development. Both are total a sham at the club in my opinion.

Castleford Tigers winger Kirk Dixon will miss the opening six weeks of the new Super League season after tearing a calf muscle.

I think I tore mine the other day... walking up a steep hill. The pain was quite intense. A warning sign I need to get fitter!

you be careful

I was worried it might be one of those blood clot things moving up my leg.

Kenny wrote:

George Hotel1895 wrote:

Kenny wrote:The Rugby Football League has refused to allow Bradford Bulls to play their Super League home game against St Helens on the same night as the World Club Challenge.

The Bulls wanted to switch the game from Sunday 24 February to Friday 22 February in order to avoid a clash with Bradford City's appearance in the Capital One Cup final against

I'm surprised by the actions of the RFL on this.

Reason RFL have given is they want the World Club Challenge to be a stand alone game , not sure how Bradford v St Helens would effect that ? not as if fans would then go to WCC

Bradford have finally reached an agreement on the rescheduling of fixtures against St Helens and London Broncos.

The Bulls were keen to switch the home game against Saints in order to avoid a clash with Bradford City's League Cup final showdown with Swansea City.

The Rugby Football League refused an initial plan to move the game to Friday, February 22 but have approved the fixture for Saturday, February 23 and a 2pm kick-off.

In addition, the Bulls' trip to face London Broncos has been moved to Friday, April 5 to avoid a clash with a Harlequins Heineken Cup Rugby Union fixture.

It's a busy schedule with all the other sport going on. Things will calm down after the PL and rugby seasons finish... that's in May isn't it?

Hull KR have confirmed a proposed takeover of the club by local businessman Tony Larvin has fallen through.

Larvin had previously suggested he would be prepared to invest £15m into the Super League club but missed a first payment deadline of January 31.

The club then released the following statement: "Club officials had been in contact with Mr Larvin during the last three months but promised funds have not materialised.

"Therefore, the club will now actively pursue other avenues of potential new

investment and will not be making any further comment at this time."

Widnes Vikings back Danny Craven will be out of action for three months because of a fractured collarbone.

London Broncos have confirmed that centre David Howell broke his arm in the opening game 14-28 defeat by Widnes on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Australian suffered the injury in the second half and was taken straight to hospital.

No timescale has been given for his recovery period.

Dr Marwan Koukash, who became the new owner of Salford City Reds on Thursday, is keen for the Super League club to claim ownership of their home ground.

The Salford City Stadium is co-owned by Salford City Council and property investment firm Peel Holdings.

Koukash said it is vital for the club's future to buy a stake in their home.

"Part of the (takeover) discussions were that I'll be given an opportunity for the club to buy into the stadium,"

LEEDS RHINOS

Scans have revealed that Joe Vickery has not fractured his ankle, but the Leeds winger could still be set for a spell on the sidelines.

HULL FC

GARETH Ellis will be sent to see a specialist this week with Hull FC preparing themselves for news he will miss anything between four to 10 weeks of action.

Ellis hobbled out of the warm-up before the Friday night loss at Leeds after complaining of a pain in his foot.

That was rotten luck. Such an important player to lose at this stage.

Linebreaker wrote:That was rotten luck. Such an important player to lose at this stage.

sounds awful but i did smile , as both my brother in laws were telling me how he was going tear through Leeds on friday

NRL club Sydney Roosters have confirmed their interest in signing Huddersfield Giants' Australian forward Luke O'Donnell.

The 32-year-old has a year left on his Giants contract and is currently expected to feature in Sunday's opening home Super League XVIII fixture against London Broncos.

The Roosters would need to agree a compensation package with Huddersfield, who made a blistering start to the season with an impressive 40-4 success at St Helens, to secure O'Donnell's signature early.

Sydney would need to move at least two fringe back rowers in order to secure O'Donnell with the likes of Tom Symonds, Brad Takairangi and Anthony Cherrington potentially making way to accommodate the experienced forward.

That was a massive shock result... the 40-0 wasn't it? Are Saints notoriously slow starters?

Linebreaker wrote:That was a massive shock result... the 40-0 wasn't it? Are Saints notoriously slow starters?

Saints dont play many pre season games so usually use the first few rounds of Superleague to get upto speed , so yes they do start slowly ............i did however think given it was Browns first game in charge and that it was against his old club that Saints would come out firing so i was shocked at the score

Kenny wrote:NRL club Sydney Roosters have confirmed their interest in signing Huddersfield Giants' Australian forward Luke O'Donnell.

The 32-year-old has a year left on his Giants contract and is currently expected to feature in Sunday's opening home Super League XVIII fixture against London Broncos.

The Roosters would need to agree a compensation package with Huddersfield, who made a blistering start to the season with an impressive 40-4 success at St Helens, to secure O'Donnell's signature early.

Sydney would need to move at least two fringe back rowers in order to secure O'Donnell with the likes of Tom Symonds, Brad Takairangi and Anthony Cherrington potentially making way to accommodate the experienced forward.

Huddersfield have rejected a proposed swap deal for their Australian forward Luke O'Donnell from NRL side Sydney Roosters.

The 32-year-old still has a year left on his contract with the Giants but Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan has confirmed his interest in signing the back-rower.

The Roosters have already reached their salary cap following the capture of Michael Jennings and Sonny Bill Williams and needed to offload players in order to bring in O'Donnell.

Fringe second-rower Tom Symonds was thought to be one of the players offered to Huddersfield in exchange but Giants managing director Richard Thewlis says his club were not interested in the deal.

"Given media reports in Sydney, I feel duty bound to comment on a matter that I feel would have been best kept confidential but now seems to be growing into a media frenzy," Thewlis said.

It's the only news here at the moment... along with the All Stars match.

Widnes Vikings full-back Shaun Briscoe is targeting a return to action in Sunday's visit of St Helens to the Halton Stadium.

Wigan have dismissed renewed speculation linking England full-back and reigning Man of Steel Sam Tomkins with a move to Australia.

The 23-year-old star was reported in Australia to have made contact with NRL clubs over a move Down Under in 2014.

"He's an NRL player every day of the week," Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan told The Australian.

"He's one of half a dozen players over there that you would want in the NRL. He's elite. There will be 16 clubs interested in him."

It is thought Tomkins has received offers to follow older brother Joel into rugby union, but is more likely to join England team-mates James Graham, Gareth Widdop and Sam Burgess in the NRL at some stage of his career.

However, Tomkins signed a new five-year contract with the Warriors in November 2011 which included a clause preventing him from talking to NRL or rugby union clubs for the next three years.

Wigan coach Shaun Wane insists the hottest property in the European game will be staying with the Warriors.

"As far as I'm concerned he's here for this year and he's here for next year," Wane said. "He's contracted here and I know he's very happy.

"I've had a chat with him. He came to me this morning and explained that there is some rubbish stories in Australia. He was very open about it. As far as I'm concerned, it's rubbish


Meanwhile, Wane also played down speculation linking the Warriors with a move for Warrington's out-of-favour prop forward Paul Wood.


Wigan are currently short of forwards following the departure of Gareth Hock and injury to Epalahame Lauaki, Harrison Hansen and Chris Tuson, while Wood, who was a member of Warrington's Grand-Final team last October, was loaned out to Swinton for the opening week of the season.

Wane said: "Paul Wood is a good player. He's a Wigan lad and he's the sort of player I would have gone for but I've not heard if he's available.

"I'm not actively looking hard. If somebody pops out further on in the season, then we might bring someone in but it's not a priority."

Wane's priority is preparing his team for the DW Stadium derby with the Wolves and, with no new injury concerns, he is set to go with the team that began the season with a 42-0 win at Salford.

HULL FC winger Tom Briscoe is heading to the Cronulla Sharks for the 2014 season, the Hull Daily Mail understands.

The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move Down Under at the end of this campaign, when his current Hull contract expires.And sources have told the Mail that announcement will be to confirm he has turned down the offer of a new three-year deal at Hull in favour of joining Cronulla.

When contacted by the Mail, the Sharks' football manager David Mooney would not deny a deal had been agreed.

Leeds' veteran prop Kylie Leuluai is set to feature for Championship side Hunslet when they travel to Leigh on Sunday.

Rhinos veteran Leuluai, a member of their Grand Final-winning team in October, and fellow front-rower Richard Moore both sat out the Super League opener against Hull last Friday.

They are the latest Leeds players to be dual registered with the Hawks and will join up with the squad ahead of this weekend, along with hooker Liam Hood.

Three-quarter Jimmy Keinhorst, who scored two tries on his Hunslet debut in Sunday's win over Barrow, has been recalled by Leeds to replace winger Joe Vickery, who injured an ankle on his debut against Hull.

When is the World Club Challenge? Must be quite soon.

25th feb i think

It's the 22nd.

The story about who Hunslet have got for this weekend's game from Leeds is why I don't believe dual-registration is not working. It was designed for either a month/season loan for many young players to get experince. Not a week to week thing that just there for the benefit of the senior club.

Yes it dont think the Superleague clubs should be allowed to just use the lower clubs to get their players fit

HULL KR

Have signed Huddersfield forward on a months loan

Which forward?

Kenny wrote:HULL KR

Have signed Huddersfield forward on a months loan

Dale Ferguson

Plans for Leeds Rhinos forward Kylie Leuluai to play for Hunslet Hawks this weekend have been blocked by the UK Border Agency.

The 34-year-old New Zealander had been due to turn out on loan for the Hawks to improve his match fitness.

However the Rugby Football League said the UKBA had informed them dual registration was not possible under the terms of his visa.

David Cookson: Oldham centre gets six-month doping ban

Oldham Roughyeds centre David Cookson has been handed a six-month suspension after he was found guilty of breaching the RFL's anti-doping regulations.

The 24-year-old provided a sample containing methylhexaneamine.

Cookson has maintained that he did not intend to enhance his performance by the use of a supplement containing the banned stimulant and has been backed publicly by the Championship One club.

His suspension began at the end of August and will expire on 28 February.

Speaking to the club website, Cookson said: "I broke the rule and I take the punishment on the chin.

"UK Anti-Doping and the Rugby Football League both accepted that I was not trying to enhance my performance and that this was an inadvertent error on my part.

"I would like to thank the Oldham club, chairman Chris Hamilton and my barrister Daniel Saoul for their support throughout this process.

"It will soon be behind me and I will then be able to focus on the challenges of the new Championship One season that lies ahead."

Hamilton added: "Club policy dictates that we do not condone any breach of doping regulations.

"In this case, however, we supported the player because we recognised that it was not an intentional breach and it was not performance-enhancing.

"All players need to be careful about the use of supplements and we will be making sure all of our players are aware of the risks."

Kenny wrote:David Cookson: Oldham centre gets six-month doping ban

Oldham Roughyeds centre David Cookson has been handed a six-month suspension after he was found guilty of breaching the RFL's anti-doping regulations.

The 24-year-old provided a sample containing methylhexaneamine.

Cookson has maintained that he did not intend to enhance his performance by the use of a supplement containing the banned stimulant and has been backed publicly by the Championship One club.

His suspension began at the end of August and will expire on 28 February.

Speaking to the club website, Cookson said: "I broke the rule and I take the punishment on the chin.

"UK Anti-Doping and the Rugby Football League both accepted that I was not trying to enhance my performance and that this was an inadvertent error on my part.

"I would like to thank the Oldham club, chairman Chris Hamilton and my barrister Daniel Saoul for their support throughout this process.

"It will soon be behind me and I will then be able to focus on the challenges of the new Championship One season that lies ahead."

Hamilton added: "Club policy dictates that we do not condone any breach of doping regulations.

"In this case, however, we supported the player because we recognised that it was not an intentional breach and it was not performance-enhancing.

"All players need to be careful about the use of supplements and we will be making sure all of our players are aware of the risks."

Right he had his first ban as far as i know. If he gets caught again he should get a life ban from all sports at all levels. Only then will the message get through to all players.

Yes he should be banned for life if he does it again , given the circumstances they stated

Sense from the England coach
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/21367177

It's such a great game... surely they can find ways to turn a profit.

Linebreaker wrote:It's such a great game... surely they can find ways to turn a profit.

Cut out the premier and put in super, and this should be the blueprint for our game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21167381

that could work George

I would love to see or competition become more even without clubs throwing money at it , Hull FC have invested heavily this year to try and break up the top 4 but i dont think it will work .

Rules need to be changed imo the salary cap doesn't work , i was talking to a relation of a certain player this week who was saying he isn't happy not playing games anymore but that he could not afford to move clubs as his wages couldn't be matched anywhere else because only £10,000 of his wage counts against the clubs salary cap as he had been there so long ( he didn't say exactly how much he was on but hinted it was 10 times that )

Luke O'Donnell has been confirmed as a Sydney Roosters player following his release by Huddersfield.

The Super League club agreed to waive the final year of O'Donnell's contract after two injury-hit seasons in England.

And the Australian forward has returned home, as expected, to join Sydney on a 12-month deal.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in the NRL again and can't wait to meet my new team-mates and getting stuck into training."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who has already recruited Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Michael Jennings ahead of the new NRL season, said: "We're looking forward to him starting,

"Luke has plenty of experience and will fit into our system here well. Together with our other senior players in the forwards he's sure to help, not only on the field.

"It will be great to have him mentor the younger forwards we have coming through the ranks."

Catalan Dragons prop Julian Bousquet has been suspended for four games and Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase for two by the Rugby Football League disciplinary tribunal.

Bousquet pleaded guilty to a Grade D dangerous shoulder charge on Salford's Theo Fages and was fined £300.

Chase was found guilty of a Grade B reckless shoulder charge on Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker on Sunday.

The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to the Grade B offence and was fined £300.

Widnes Vikings prop Ben Cross submitted an early guilty plea to a Grade B offence of making a late tackle on St Helens full-back Paul Wellens, and accepted a one-match ban.



Shocking contacts ( i wont call them tackles because they weren't ) by Chase and Bousquet .................for me they should of been banned for 10 matches each at least

Castleford Tigers have signed Warrington half-back Gareth O'Brien on a one-month loan deal as cover for the suspended Rangi Chase.

The 21-year-old is in the Tigers' squad to face Bradford Bulls on Saturday.

What was Chase suspended for? How long will he be out for?

I've created our very own "v2 NRL" Pool in SuperBru.

http://www.superbru.com/nrl

Everyone is welcome to join up.

Pool Name: v2 NRL
Code: ratedoge