13 years of Love RL: The most read stories – Bradford, Burgess, Locke
We’ve dug through the archives to pick out the most read stories from over the years.
As a disclaimer, we’ve discounted the popular regular features like Paper Talk, Off the Record and Five Things.
These are the most read stories in order of hits received.
Bradford expelled from the RFL (2016)
The most read story in the site’s history is the one that confirmed the RFL had terminated Bradford Bulls’ membership, following yet another financial crisis at Odsal.
Video emerges of Smith and Locke incident (2015)
Never a dull moment in rugby league; this off-season caper involved a video former Wakefield team-mates Tim Smith and Kevin Locke and a car crash that curtailed their stints in Super League.
Zak Hardaker charged with drink driving (2018)
The biggest story of this year involving Wigan full-back Hardaker, in hot water while still serving his drugs ban and just weeks after he had started training with his new club.
Parliamentary RL group calls for BBC boycott over Burgess omission (2014)
The BBC’s coverage of the sport is excellent; when they do it. This story revolved around Sam Burgess’ omission from the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, having conquered the NRL with South Sydney.
Rugby league mourns death of Danny Jones (2015)
The Wales international tragically died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Keighley match against London Skolars. His legacy lives on through his foundation and wife Lizzie Jones, a regular ambassador for rugby league.
Ben Barba set for early release from St Helens (2018)
He was the biggest talking point of the whole season and walked away with the Man of Steel award, but not the Super League title. Rumours of Barba’s early departure started in July and soon built momentum before his move was finally officially confirmed in September.
Frank Paul Nuuausala slams treatment by Wigan (2018)
Slams and blasts feature a lot in popular headlines, nonemoreso than this story involving a Kiwi prop forward and rugby league’s most successful club.
Sam Burgess already bored in Bath’s backline (2014)
Who wouldn’t be?
St Helens named and shamed by government (2018)
As is often the case, bad news gets more traffic than good! One from earlier this year when St Helens were rapped by the government for underpaying minimum wage workers.
Ronan Costello passes away (2016)
This tragic story about Huddersfield Under 19s player Costello understandably received widespread attention and tributes.
Thaler dropped from weekend Super League fixtures (2016)
Refereeing controversies are never far away from the top stories, and this one involving Ben Thaler was no different. He was dropped from Super League duty after making critical comments about video ref Thierry Alibert.
Toronto sack forward trio (2017)
After storming to the League One title in their maiden year, the Wolfpack spent big in the off-season, but were rocked on the eve of their debut Championship campaign when high profile signings Dave Taylor, Ryan Bailey and Fuifui Moimoi were all sacked.
Moore linked with police incident (2016)
An exclusive story that broke through us when Scott Moore was involved in a police incident that resulted in his subsequent prison sentence.
What stories do you remember from over the years? Let us know in the comments below.