RL Today: McGuire to present Harry Sunderland Award & Championship veterans to play on
McGuire to present Harry Sunderland Award
Danny McGuire will present the player of the match at this year’s Super League Grand Final with the Harry Sunderland Award.
McGuire follows Andy Farrell OBE (2018), Jason Robinson OBE (2019) and Paul Sculthorpe MBE (2020)and Rob Burrow MBE (2021), who have all presented the award in recent years.
On presenting the award, McGuire said: “I feel very privileged to be asked to present the Harry Sunderland award, at this, the 25th Super League Grand Final.
“I know from personal experience what a special and emotional moment this can be as a player winning this award.
“The Grand final is the biggest occasion in the rugby league season and big games need big performances, so I am excited to see who steps up to claim this year’s Harry Sunderland award.”
Championship veterans to play on
A number of veterans in the Championship signed new deals on Wednesday night.
34-year-old winger Ben Jones-Bishop signed a new one-year deal with Sheffield Eagles, while team-mate Kris Welham also extended his deal by 12 months.
Meanwhile, half-back Anthony Thackeray has decided to take a U-turn on his retirement decision to play on in 2023. The 36-year-old Sheffield captain has signed on for the 2023 campaign.
York powerhouse Pauli Pauli also signed a new two-year deal, keeping him at the Knights until at least the end of 2024.
Bradford duo take Scotland opportunities
Bradford boss Mark Dunning will join Scotland’s coaching staff under Nathan Graham for this year’s World Cup. (Telegraph & Argus)
Under-18s head coach Leigh Beattie will also join the backroom staff for this year’s tournament.
Scotland are in Group B of the Men’s competition alongside Australia, Fiji and Italy.
St Helens suffer another blow
Kristian Woolf’s St Helens have suffered another blow with forward Dan Norman ruled out for the semi-final against Salford due to injury. (St Helens Star)
Norman, 25, has suffered a broken cheekbone and will be forced to watch from the sidelines alongside team-mate Alex Walmsley.
Peet’s advice to Applegarth
New Wakefield boss Mark Applegarth has discussed advice given to him by Wigan head coach Matt Peet. (Examiner Live)
Applegarth will succeed Willie Poching in 2023 after being confirmed as the new coach of his hometown club.
Swinton boss re-signs
Swinton head coach Allan Coleman has signed a new two-year deal with the club.
Coleman originally joined the club as assistant coach in 2019 and took over from Stuart Littler towards the back end of the 2021 season.
In his first full season in charge of the club, he has steered the Lions to a second place finish and a spot in the play-offs in League 1.
Birthdays
England and Wigan prop forward Mike Cooper turns 34 today (September 15).
Also celebrating; Former Australia international Terry Lamb (61), ex-Hull and Great Britain centre Kirk Yeaman (39), Tonga international Joe Ofahengaue (27) and Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Kyle Flanagan (24)
PODCAST: Gil Dudson on Catalans red mist, winning Wigan, World Cup fears and reigniting Warrington