RL Today: NRL is back, Sonny Bill retires from rugby & Widdop’s hopes for 2021
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
Editor’s column: The rugby league soap opera?
Callum McLelland targets breakthrough year at Leeds with one eye on World Cup.
Tommy Makinson one of world’s best wingers, says Kristian Woolf.
NRL Preview: Josh Hodgson returns, David Mead to start & Ben Murdoch-Masila set for Warriors debut.
Cameron Smith confirms retirement.
What’s in the papers
Gareth Widdop determined to silence critics after frustrating start to life at Warrington, reports Manchester Evening News.
“I broke down crying” – Leeds forward Cameron Smith opens up on Wembley heartache, reports Leeds Live.
Jackson Hastings has “a place at Wigan for as long as he wants”, reports Wigan Today.
Greg Inglis and Gareth Widdop say retired Cameron Smith can still make impact, reports The Sun.
Brad Takairangi set for run in halves against Castleford as Tony Smith explores Hull KR options, reports Hull Live.
What’s on social
Sonny Bill Williams has officially announced his retirement from both codes of rugby, and is now set to go back into boxing.
Sonny Bill Williams says he's now focused on a career as a fulltime boxer, but will also stay involved in rugby league – and it'll be the Roosters that will be the ones to benefit. @Danny_Weidler #9News pic.twitter.com/ud3dMJuS2j
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) March 9, 2021
Community club Wakefield Hawks are looking for players!
Wakefield Hawks are an established junior rugby league club and a member of Yorkshire Junior & Youth League and the Rugby Football League. Our junior sessions will be recommencing in a few weeks. All school years 1, 2, 7 and 11 welcome to come along and have some fun! pic.twitter.com/Mw2DPn0RBM
— Wakefield Hawks (@WakefieldHawks) February 26, 2021
The NRL returns!
Today is a g̶o̶o̶d̶ GREAT day! 😍
We backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk pic.twitter.com/e3MlJWAlmO
— NRL (@NRL) March 10, 2021
What’s on TV/Radio
LIVE NRL: Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs (9am) – Sky Sports Arena & Watch NRL
Pre-season friendly: York v Hull (7:30pm) – Our League Pay Per View
Games from the French Elite Championship are being streamed live every weekend.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.
The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.
Birthdays
Keighley coach Rhys Lovegrove turns 34 today.
Also celebrating; former Great Britain international Steve Molloy (52), Hunslet prop Alex Rowe (36), Leeds winger Luke Briscoe (27) and Tonga international Ata Hingano (24).
Trivia
Cameron Smith holds the record for most NRL games (430) and most NRL points (2,786) during his illustrious career.
Rugby League Nostalgia is here! Get involved with Love Rugby League’s new group on Facebook to share all your rugby league nostalgia and celebrate the rich heritage of our sport.