The sad news about the death of Wakefield reserve grade player, Leon Walker, has shocked everyone in the world of rugby league.
Leon Walker was playing in a reserve game against Celtic at a venue a short distance from the Bridgend ground. He collapsed and was taken to a hospital in Swansea where he was pronounced dead. The televised match of the final game of round six in Super League was postponed thirty minutes before kick off.
My condolences go to Leon's family and friends at this difficult time.
Monday 23 March 2009
Monday 16 March 2009
French rugby league - part three.
Part one was PSG. Part two is the successful Catalan. Now part three sees Toulouse being entered into the Championship, and exempt from relegation. Which you would have to say is a good thing considering they have been thrashed 70-0 in their opening game against Widnes the other night.
I never saw the game, nor have I yet to see highlights, but from various sources across the country that did see the match it appears Toulouse have a lot of work to do to really compete in this league.
What does baffle me though, the exemption of relegation from the Championship. I can understand why Catalan got exemption from relegation out of Super League. The difference between the two is massive, but surely the difference between the Championship and Championship 1 isn't that different. Attendances may drop but not that significantly in France I would have thought. The money would be similar from Sky and other TV deals in France (if any exist.)
Unless they are exempt so they can be given an all access pass to Super League in 2011. Theres one to ponder for a moment.
I never saw the game, nor have I yet to see highlights, but from various sources across the country that did see the match it appears Toulouse have a lot of work to do to really compete in this league.
What does baffle me though, the exemption of relegation from the Championship. I can understand why Catalan got exemption from relegation out of Super League. The difference between the two is massive, but surely the difference between the Championship and Championship 1 isn't that different. Attendances may drop but not that significantly in France I would have thought. The money would be similar from Sky and other TV deals in France (if any exist.)
Unless they are exempt so they can be given an all access pass to Super League in 2011. Theres one to ponder for a moment.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Challenge Cup 4th round ties.
The ties for the fourth round of the Challenge Cup are as follows:
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Leigh Centurions
Halifax v Widnes Vikings
Oldham v Lezignan
Leeds Rhinos v St Helens
Keighley Cougars v Castleford Tigers
Catalans Dragons v Bradford Bulls
Featherstone v Wath Brow Hornets
Hull FC v Salford City Reds
Doncaster v Gateshead Thunder
Harlequins RL v Huddersfield
Barrow Raiders v Wigan
Sheffield Eagles v Dewsbury Rams
Warrington Wolves v York City Knights
Swinton Lions v Rochdale Hornets
Batley Bulldogs v Kells/Hunslet Hawks
Hull KR v Celtic Crusaders
Easily the stand out ties are Leeds V St Helens, Catalan V Bradford, Hull FC V Salford, Harlequins V Huddersfield and Hull KR V Celtic. Five all-Super League ties in total with the biggest and the best being Leeds V St Helens. I for one am looking forward to this fourth round tie more than any other.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Leigh Centurions
Halifax v Widnes Vikings
Oldham v Lezignan
Leeds Rhinos v St Helens
Keighley Cougars v Castleford Tigers
Catalans Dragons v Bradford Bulls
Featherstone v Wath Brow Hornets
Hull FC v Salford City Reds
Doncaster v Gateshead Thunder
Harlequins RL v Huddersfield
Barrow Raiders v Wigan
Sheffield Eagles v Dewsbury Rams
Warrington Wolves v York City Knights
Swinton Lions v Rochdale Hornets
Batley Bulldogs v Kells/Hunslet Hawks
Hull KR v Celtic Crusaders
Easily the stand out ties are Leeds V St Helens, Catalan V Bradford, Hull FC V Salford, Harlequins V Huddersfield and Hull KR V Celtic. Five all-Super League ties in total with the biggest and the best being Leeds V St Helens. I for one am looking forward to this fourth round tie more than any other.
Monday 9 March 2009
A Challenge Cup disgrace!
The Challenge Cup tie between Doncaster and amateur side Queens, had to be abandoned after 61 minutes due to crowed trouble at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster were winning 16-12 at the point of the abandonment. It was alleged that Queens supporters began the violence, although it is unclear why. Queens have in the past had a dodgy record when it comes to aggressive behaviour from both fans and players alike. The Cumbrian side, if the allegations are true, should be kicked out from future Challenge Cup competitions regardless of whether the RFL force the game to be replayed.
As a general rule, games abandoned after an hour usually let the result stand so Doncaster should take part in the fourth round. But their security and stewards should be looked at closely so that this incident never repeats itself elsewhere.
Doncaster were winning 16-12 at the point of the abandonment. It was alleged that Queens supporters began the violence, although it is unclear why. Queens have in the past had a dodgy record when it comes to aggressive behaviour from both fans and players alike. The Cumbrian side, if the allegations are true, should be kicked out from future Challenge Cup competitions regardless of whether the RFL force the game to be replayed.
As a general rule, games abandoned after an hour usually let the result stand so Doncaster should take part in the fourth round. But their security and stewards should be looked at closely so that this incident never repeats itself elsewhere.
Thursday 5 March 2009
England coach to take the reigns at Warrington.
Tony Smith has signed a two and a half year contract to be the Head of Coaching at Warrington, starting immediately and before they play the losing World Club Challenge side, Leeds.
Things had to change at Warrington. They have lost all of their opening matches including two massive defeats to Catalan and Wakefield. Their only consolation is the good seventy minute performance against St Helens, where they seemed to filter out and allow Saints back into the game at a stage when they were dominating the game and were on the road to a good start to the season.
But after two demoralising defeats and a losing run that stretches into August of last year, they currently lie last in the table along with Celtic who have yet to win a game.
James Lowes will remain as First Team Coach, essentially Smith's assistant, while Smith has to conduct further duties tied in with his previous contract at the RFL during the remainder of the season.
As for Warrington's future, they have to get their season off to a winning start. A win against Leeds, (ironically the team they last beat at home) who maybe tired and demoralised after Sunday's disappointing World Club Challenge defeat, would be a great way to kick start the new season.
Things had to change at Warrington. They have lost all of their opening matches including two massive defeats to Catalan and Wakefield. Their only consolation is the good seventy minute performance against St Helens, where they seemed to filter out and allow Saints back into the game at a stage when they were dominating the game and were on the road to a good start to the season.
But after two demoralising defeats and a losing run that stretches into August of last year, they currently lie last in the table along with Celtic who have yet to win a game.
James Lowes will remain as First Team Coach, essentially Smith's assistant, while Smith has to conduct further duties tied in with his previous contract at the RFL during the remainder of the season.
As for Warrington's future, they have to get their season off to a winning start. A win against Leeds, (ironically the team they last beat at home) who maybe tired and demoralised after Sunday's disappointing World Club Challenge defeat, would be a great way to kick start the new season.
Monday 2 March 2009
Manly win World Club Challenge.
It all ended in tears for Leeds as they lost the World Club Challenge 28-20 to a very good Manly side, who for most of the game seemed flawlessly in control.
Brett Stewart showed why he is currently one of the biggest contenders for Billy Slater's NSW and Australia shirt, while Anthony Watmough performed sensationally giving Leeds no room for any attacking movement, as shown when Rob Burrow got smashed sensationally by Watmough.
Leeds did score just before the break to give them some slender hope of a comeback on virtually home soil at Elland Road. But even at 12-0 they never looked like being able to seriously test the Manly defence.
But after half time, a five minute blitz left Leeds playing catch up. Tries from Stewart, Watmough and Steve Matai condemned Leeds to their defeat and it was an all but lost cause despite Keith Senior and Ryan Hall doing their best to repair some of the damage.
Brett Stewart showed why he is currently one of the biggest contenders for Billy Slater's NSW and Australia shirt, while Anthony Watmough performed sensationally giving Leeds no room for any attacking movement, as shown when Rob Burrow got smashed sensationally by Watmough.
Leeds did score just before the break to give them some slender hope of a comeback on virtually home soil at Elland Road. But even at 12-0 they never looked like being able to seriously test the Manly defence.
But after half time, a five minute blitz left Leeds playing catch up. Tries from Stewart, Watmough and Steve Matai condemned Leeds to their defeat and it was an all but lost cause despite Keith Senior and Ryan Hall doing their best to repair some of the damage.
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