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 .

Things might just be looking up Beast .

As a thank you i think you should give us the 2 points next week for our part in saving you

Its been confirmed that the Bradford Bulls are still 1.5 million in debt , but the meeting between the Administrator and the representative for the SLE bid has gone well .

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:Things might just be looking up Beast .

As a thank you i think you should give us the 2 points next week for our part in saving you

LOL

I think it is too big a mountain for them to make the playoffs. If there a team to follow next season and thereafter I will be happy and if in SL even better!!

Bought a Euro millions ticket thinking if I won I'd buy the club. I did win £6 on last Friday, not quite enough to cover the £1.5m!.

Id like to know Halifax or Featherstones take on the Bulls license for next season , they must feel like they have a chance of making Superleague .

Halifax are a foundation club, no?

Yes , they have had a few bad times but are pushing for a place again , in fact i think everyone was shocked they didnt get in last time

I hope they get a chance. Are they black & white or dark blue & white?

Blue and White ........... they were the Blue Sox in Superleague , not sure what their nickname is now ?

The 'faxers...?

HULL FC have announced that they will be going back to playing all their Home games on Friday Nights from next season

Is that a good move do you think? Saturday or Sunday afternoon is the best time to play and watch, imo. There's a danger they become home game specialists then lose on the away fixtures.

They did it for a few seasons a couple of years back and the fans hated it , and wanted it changed to sundays . Obviously the new Hull owner isn't to bothered with what the fans want .

If Allam the owner of Hull City (football) gets his way and buys the ground of the local council then he wont be extending Hull FC (rugby) lease so they will be looking for a new ground . Allam has threatened to build his own stadium outside the city if the council dont sell him the KC stadium .

Jamie Foster has said he wants to return to St Helens after this weekends last match on loan at Hull FC and fight his way backminto the team for the rest of the season .

Maurice Watkins has been elected the new chairman of Rugby League European Federation. Taking over from Richard Lewis.

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:HULL FC have announced that they will be going back to playing all their Home games on Friday Nights from next season

I myself prefer home games on Saturday or Sunday Afternoons, but Saturday Afternoons games seem a thing of the past now, and I'm probably showing my age.

George Hotel1895 wrote:

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:HULL FC have announced that they will be going back to playing all their Home games on Friday Nights from next season

I myself prefer home games on Saturday or Sunday Afternoons, but Saturday Afternoons games seem a thing of the past now, and I'm probably showing my age.

Hull would have a problem with saturday afternoon games with the football season some weeks , but i dont get why they have chosen to play All home games on a friday .

They should alternate with the football team... gives the line-markers steady work over the season.

The football will always get the priority , dont think they get to choose which days they play its all done by the football league .

Paul Wellens is expected to sign a one year contract with St Helens , but if that falls through there is a offer from another Superleague club on the table .........believed to be Castleford .

HULL FC

Tony Martin has announced his retirement.

BRADFORD BULLS

Another bid has been placed to buy the club .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19180069

BRADFORD CITY FC behind lataest bid to save the Bulls

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/11745/7975333/Bulls-boosted-by-City-bid

Kenny wrote:BRADFORD CITY FC behind lataest bid to save the Bulls

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/11745/7975333/Bulls-boosted-by-City-bid

I'm a bit suspicious about this bid from the soccer team. Perhaps they intend to move out of Valley parade and move to Odsal, as the rumours have been about some time about the high rent they have to pay their. If they do move into Odsal the Bulls will be very much junior partners. If they do move into to Odsal how long will they lets the Bulls stay there and what rent will the Bulls have to pay in the meantime. Beggers cant be chosers i know, but i remain suspicous about the soccer clubs intentions in the short and long term.

The chairman of Bradford City has assured Bulls fans that the clubs would be run seperatley as two individual businesses . But a ground share would seem likely imo

Seeing is believing as far as I'm concered Kenny as regards two individual businesses. I remain sceptical about the soccer clubs intentions, but i hope if they take over the Bulls they prove me wrong.

Yes we will see George , deadline was friday so there should be a decision soon . The last thing i read there were 3 approved bids

Leeds Rhinos half-back Danny McGuire will miss the Challenge Cup final with Warrington after being ruled out with a knee injury.

Hull KR have confirmed Scott Murrell will be leaving MS3 Craven Park at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Kenny wrote:Hull KR have confirmed Scott Murrell will be leaving MS3 Craven Park at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Bit of a shame, though to be honest he's another who's career was stagnating, and while his versatility was useful, it held him back as Rovers used him as a jack of all trades a master of none.

I wish him the best at where ever he lands up, and thank him for his time and service with Rovers (especially 2006 season)

tigerrobins wrote:

Kenny wrote:Hull KR have confirmed Scott Murrell will be leaving MS3 Craven Park at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Bit of a shame, though to be honest he's another who's career was stagnating, and while his versatility was useful, it held him back as Rovers used him as a jack of all trades a master of none.

I wish him the best at where ever he lands up, and thank him for his time and service with Rovers (especially 2006 season)

Yes it is a shame but he hasn't been in the best of form for a couple of seasons imo but i dont think that was all his fault , Morgan decided to move him from the halves to hooker to loose forward which ment him bulking up to much ...again just my opinion . This season hes lost the muscle and looks over weight .

Bradford Bulls: RFL receives four bids for club

The Rugby Football League has confirmed it has received four unconditional bids for administration-hit Super League side Bradford Bulls.

A deadline of 21 August has now been set for the bidders to present a concrete business plan for the club.

HULL KR

Ben Galea announces he will retire at the end of the season

Wigan Warriors prop Stuart Fielden will make his long-awaited return from injury tonight by playing for the under 20's against Salford City Reds , a knee surgery and a torn pectoral muscle have kept Fielden out of competitive action since February 2011.

Wigan coach Shaun Wane says he will not be rushed back into the first team though .

Kenny wrote:HULL KR

Ben Galea announces he will retire at the end of the season

I Wish him the best for whatever he chooses, personally think he has been one of the 3 best overseas players for Rovers, brilliant on his day and certainly missed when injured.

Slightly surprised that no other SL club took a chance on him.

Chris Green signs a new 2 year deal at Hull FC
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/339940/Green-commits-to-Hull

In one of the least surprising moves, London have parted company with coach Rob Powell. Considering the players he bought in, I fully expected them to be challenging for the top 8. Wonder who they will get to take over.

I do feel a little sorry for Powell , i think anyone is on a losing task at London

In what is surprising news, London are quite close to agreeing to play all there home games at the Priestfield stadium Gillingham next season. Not sure what this means to rugby on London, or the club.

Hull KR

Forward Joel Clinton has announced his plans to retire at the end of the season.

tigerrobins wrote:Hull KR

Forward Joel Clinton has announced his plans to retire at the end of the season.

After sunday more of them should think of following him !

To be honest Kenny, think quite a few will be leaving. I'm hopeful that the youth are given more of a chance next season, but seeing as we're probably going to miss out, can see us making another string of signings.

Speaking of which, apparently Rovers have agreed a fee with Wigan with regards Green, somewhere around £130,000.

Also SL chairmen. & RFL are against the proposed London to Gillingham move. These would be the same people who were quite happy with the 175 mile move by Crusaders then?

tiger ............... I went on sunday and to be honest the unrest in the stands was plain to be heard , fans really are not happy with a big section of the East Stand calling for Sandercock to be replaced by Daryll Powell im not sure just yet i think Sandercock needs to be given a chance first at least a full season with his own players .

When the players came out and were introduced the biggest cheer was for ?............................................... Ben Cockayne !

Rovers need to sort out whats happening with Scott Taylor aswell as he didn't look interested at all imo he gave away silly penaltys and didn't hit the line with any conviction .

with regards Green and Wigan i think a few in the region of £130,000 is good business to be honest . Rovers should announce the signing of Travis Burns on a 3 year deal by this weekend .

Maybe I 'm slightly optimistic, I do think he needs a year, but tio be honest I didn't want him in the first place, and would have been more than happy with Powell.
I don't get to many games with working Sundays, but the games I've been to Rovers have been poor, disinterested, and lacking in common rugby knowledge that 7 year olds should
know (apart from Huddersfield away). Hall should have stayed at half back, Sheriffe & Salter, Hodgson & Peia excepted & possibly Hodgson, can get rid of the rest & build.
Agree the fee is about right for Green, but to me this explains some of the problems with Sandercock you got a playDr who's been great as an emergency SO, so why's he going after another, when there are areas that need addressing more?

Completely agree Hall was Rovers best player on the pitch on sunday playing at stand off so why go for Burns when like you say other areas are in need of improving more .

Have you seen the Hudgell interview on BBC site ?

No Kenny, is it good/ interesting?

London have appointed Tony Rea as permanent coach for a 2nd time.,

tiger ................... at least he's honest in it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19317283

On the Blake Green transfer it's being said that he had a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free next season so Rovers hands seem a bit tied in having to sell him now .

Yes, but in my opinion alot of the averageness are the players bought in, and tied down by 2/3 year contracts. So wether we get rid of them remains to be seen. As I said to a Leeds fan on Sunday, not sure the players we've signed are required or better, I.e. Gleeson is a good player, but I would rather Salter got a full season which will help in his progress. Also think if we get an officer for Welham, we should accept as he seems to me to becoming stale, bit like Briscoe at Hull. Thing is I'm not confident in Sandercock's signings or policy in signing
players. The Taulapapa signing last year, an exciting young player, learned his trade in difficult surrondings, good utility value, and eager to prove his worth, and loyal.dropped before Sandercock had seen him, in favour of McDonnell, who hasn't even lasted a season, oh and was looking to move 4 months into his contract!

It's been announced that Northampton will now not be joining the championship 1 next season.
There are now 2 places for joining Hemel Hempstead & Gloucestershire all Golds.
The favorites are Oxford & Coventry.

Wigan Warriors scrum-half Thomas Leuluai is poised to return to action in Sunday's Super League clash against Hull KR at MS3 Craven Park.

Great news

Omar Khans consortium buys the Bradford Bulls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19446070