Rugby League Today: Bird banned, Heremaia to retire, new fixtures revealed
We have 11 new stories on site today.
What’s on site
Catalans star Greg Bird has been banned for four games and fined £500.
The future of the of the mid-season Test in the United States is in doubt, with the NZRL and RFL still waiting on payment from the event promoter.
Widnes hooker Aaron Heremaia has confirmed that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
The latest ‘off the record’ feature is out now. Who is taking charge at Wigan? Does Keiron Cunningham have a future at Leigh? Which NRL winger are Leeds linked with? Find out in this week’s gossip column.
The Super 8s fixtures have been released.
The latest ‘Final Hooter’ podcast is out now! Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson guide you through the main talking points in the sport from the last few days.
Venues from across England will host the biggest ever Rugby League World Cup, with there being 80 applications to host the men’s, women’s and wheelchair events.
Sky Sports will show 32 live matches from the Super 8s, Qualifiers and play-offs, including the Grand Final.
Widnes assistant coach Mick Cassidy will leave the club at the season’s end to take up the role of head of youth performance at Wigan.
The latest ‘Dream XIII’ feature is out now. It was Yorkshire Day yesterday, so we decided to pick out a potential XIII for the White Rose county.
Justin Holbrook said St Helens aren’t getting worked up about the pressureon them ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final.
What’s in the papers
Nothing in reserve – could rugby league lose a generation of talent without second string teams, report the Mirror.
Fans’ favourite Mick Cassidy back at Wigan Warriors, report Wigan Today.
Steve Price says some Super 8s fixtures ‘not ideal’ for Wire, report Warrington Guardian.
James Roby relishing duel with Catalans’ Micky McIlorum, report St Helens Star.
Hull bid confirmed for 2021 Rugby League World Cup but KCOM Craven Park will not be a venue, report Hull Daily Mail.
Toronto Wolfpack must learn from Hull KR’s success in Qualifiers says Ryan Brierley, report Hull Daily Mail.
Daryl Powell proud of his Castleford squad, report Yorkshire Evening Post.
Women’s RL: Danielle steeled for Rhinos cup challenge, report Yorkshire Evening Post.
What’s on social
Mal Meninga becomes the 13thNRL immortal…
Mal Meninga – the 13th Immortal. #NRL pic.twitter.com/cLzCbc2kSF
— NRL (@NRL) August 1, 2018
Interesting…
I think it’s criminal that a reserve grade isn’t compulsory at every SL club.
This article is worth a read for anyone wondering why it is so important.Nothing in reserve – why rugby league could lose generation of talented players https://t.co/0rxYwgjMVZ
— sam tomkins (@samtomkins1) July 31, 2018
More support for the Reserves!
I'm a huge advocate of the reserves system, I made my debut at 21 and would have been lost to the current system.
So many positives to it, but fundamentaly all players want to do is play. Whether thats is to develop their game or keep match fitness, the reserves comp allows this https://t.co/hF6QgN4zDx
— Tyrone McCarthy (@TykeMc) July 31, 2018
What’s on TV/Radio
The latest Super League Pod is available to download now, in association with Love Rugby League.
The latest ‘Sport at Six’ podcast by BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt is available to download now.
The latest Rugby League show on Proper Sport is available to download now.
The latest Whippets and Flat Caps podcast is available to download now, presented by Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.
The latest Rugby League on talkSPORT 2 podcast is available to download now.
The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.