Paper Talk: Super 8s to be ditched, Yeaman on stand-by for Hull and Challenge Cup changes
Super 8s to be ditched after this season
We’re in the middle of May, and we’re still none the wiser what’s happening with the league structure in 2019. According to The Sun, the Super 8s is set to be ditched at the end of this season in favour of a top six play-off, with the Million Pound Game to become a straight shoot-out play-off match between the bottom Super League club and the Championship winners.
Clubs chase Keinhorst
Hull KR are set to win the race to sign Leeds centre Jimmy Keinhorst, according to the League Express. The German international has been on a month’s loan at Widnes, and although the Rhinos are believed to be offering him a new deal, he is set to move on.
Vatuvei to return home
League Express also speculates that big Kiwi winger Manu Vatuvei is set to return home. He scored five tries in eight appearances for Salford after joining towards the back end of last season, but suffered a serious Achilles injury in January that has ruled him out of 2018.
Kirk Yeaman could pull on a Hull shirt again
Another exclusive from The Sun, who report that Hull legend Kirk Yeaman could make a return to action to help with the club’s ongoing injury crisis. The 34-year-old retired at the end of 2016 as the club’s all-time Super League top try scorer, and has returned to training as a back-up to provide cover for the Magic Weekend derby clash against Hull KR.
Challenge Cup changes
As ever with a Challenge Cup weekend, the theories come out about the grand old competition having lost its sparkle. Speaking to Wigan Today, Joel Tomkins reckons that all teams, including Super League, should start in round one. He said: “I would like to see everyone in it from the early stages, even Super League clubs. You might get some blowout scores but it would be good for the game and bring interest to the game.”
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