RL Today: World Cup sales, Magic dilemma & Warrington embrace community
Photo Credit Liberty Ratcliffe/WarringtonWolves
World Cup worry?
World Cup chief Jon Dutton has warned there are obstacles to overcome ahead of the tournament. (Yorkshire Post)
There are now less than 100 days to go to the opener between England and Samoa.
He said: “We’ve had a tournament postponed and we’ve got a cost of living crisis with inflation running at almost 10 per cent.
“From a core rugby league community, we absolutely appreciate how challenging that might be on people’s disposable income.”
Hong Kong Warrington community
Warrington might not be doing so well on the pitch at the moment, but their work off the pitch continues.
They have engaged with the growing Hong Kong community in the town.
Around 200 visitors enjoyed a first team training session and a tour of the stadium.
It is estimated more than 2,000 people from Hong Kong are now living in Warrington, and this is a great example of helping the community integrate in to the town.
Magic dilemma
The scheduling of the Challenge Cup final has caused a headache for Magic Weekend organisers.
Planned activities at St James’ Park have had to be minimised due to a new pitch having been laid.
Super League chiefs admit the best time for the event would be at the end of the football season.
But with the cup final having been brought forward from the end of August, it’s caused a clash this year that forced Magic to July.
Scottish semi-final
Love Rugby League sponsored Forth Valley Vikings take on Glasgow RL in the Scottish Cup semi-final at the weekend.
The Vikings were crowned national league leaders for 2022.
The winners of the semi-final will meet Edinburgh Eagles in the final, where the prize isn’t just the cup but a place in the Betfred Challenge Cup for 2023.
Partington linked to Salford
Wigan forward Oliver Partington is reportedly off to Salford in 2023. (Yorkshire Live)
The Red Devils are believed to be leading the race for the 23-year-old, who has also interested Warrington.
Birthdays
Castleford prop Liam Watts turns 32 today (July 8)
Also celebrating: Kangaroos legend Mal Meninga (62); former Castleford man Ben Roberts (37), France international Julian Bousquet (31), Wales forward Dan Fleming (30)
Trivia
Andy Smith scored the first ever Magic Weekend try – for Harlequins in their 32-28 win over Catalans at Millennium Magic in 2007