Rugby League Today: Bennett to stay with England, Johns says SBW guarantees sell outs
What’s on site
Bradford have boosted their pack with the signing of prop Anthony England.
London, and Toulouse, won’t participate in the 1895 Cup in 2020.
But Toronto WILL play in the 2020 Challenge Cup, after all the controversy of them being asked for a bond to participate last season.
New Zealand are the best team in the world, according to the new international rankings.
Misi Taulapapa is leaving Newcastle, after they failed to win promotion to the Championship.
Kruise Leeming’s transfer request at Huddersfield was the headline news from the Monday morning papers.
What’s on social
Rugby league does politics. Interesting that the official St Helens account tweeted and then swiftly deleted after criticism!
only true thing @BorisJohnson has said for a long time: "St Helens are pretty good" very good i think he meant to say! ? #RugbyLeague @Saints1890 https://t.co/bFCR0034QE
— stuart mchale (@uk_mchale) November 17, 2019
32 people were at the final World Cup qualifier at the weekend. 32.
A tiny nation just qualified for #RugbyLeague's showpiece & there's no fireworks/streamers.
There's 32 people leaving the grandstand on the livestream & the players flying flags they probably brought themslelves.
I'll sing praises, but also discuss where we could do much better
— Robert Burgin (@RobBurginWriter) November 16, 2019
Nudge, nudge. If only there was a course for Great Britain coaches.
We are actively looking to recruit current or former players!
Do you fancy taking up the whistle?
Full list of upcoming courses below ?
?Leeds
?Stafford
?Wigan?https://t.co/o6kyX3tkCY#GiveitaTRY? https://t.co/X4MAXPDYY5
— RFL Referees (@RFLReferees) November 11, 2019
What’s in the papers
Gary Carter in The Sun reveals that Wayne Bennett is set to remain as England coach, despite the disastrous Great Britain tour, with the RFL powers that be not wanting to disrupt preparations for the 2021 World Cup.
Andrew Johns says every game Sonny Bill Williams plays in will be a sell out – over to you, Salford.
Jermaine McGillvary is the latest Great Britain player to apologise for their tour efforts, reports The Mirror.
Bradford are under further scrutiny to an unregistered lottery scheme, reports The Guardian.
Birthdays
Papua New Guinea international Charlie Wabo turns 35 today (November 19th).
Also celebrating: Whitehaven’s Shane Ackerley (28); former Hull KR youngster Aaron Ollett (27); York’s Harry Aldous (24)
Trivia
It is 25 years since Australia last played an English club team on a tour – they played 18 games on that tour, losing just one.