Rugby League Today: Burgess career in the balance, injury woes & who’d be a coach?

James Gordon

What’s on site

Wigan’s recent resurgence has been dealt a blow with news of an injury to captain Sean O’Loughlin, which will keep him sidelined for a month.

A former Wigan St Pat’s youngster is set to make his NRL debut this weekend – find out who.

George Burgess has been handed a nine match ban following his eye gouge over the weekend.

In the latest Dream XIII, we put together a team of players that have played for both Hull FC and Hull KR.

Batley forward Michael Ward is to have his long locks of hair shaved off to raise funds in memory of the chairman’s late wife.

What’s on social

Hats off for this.

Going to be interesting to see how Kallum Watkins goes in the NRL.

Nice competition from our friends at Rhino.

The Love Rugby League team is looking forward to this one (minus Drew, who is on another holiday)…

If you can spare some money for this cause, please do.

What’s in the papers

George Burgess – out of contract with Souths at the end of the year and unlikely to get an international call-up – has admitted in The Mirror that his career hangs in the balance as a result of his nine-match ban eye-gouging.

Brad Fittler was criticised for making wholesale changes to a losing side for State of Origin II, now he’s being criticised for not making changes to a winning side for game number III, reports The Guardian. Who’d be a coach?

Some more information on Jackson Hastings’ pending move to Wigan in The Sun, who reports that Leeds pulled out of the race to sign him due to their own deadlines on agreeing a deal.

Birthdays

Mercurial Italy international hooker Ray Nasso, who first caught the eye at the 2013 World Cup and played for London Broncos, turns 32 today.

Also celerating: Wigan hooker Sam Powell (28); St Helens (or Leigh) forward Jack Ashworth (24); retired Warrington prop Mitchell Dodds (30); Super League winner Tim Jonkers (38); former New Zealand and Warrington forward Paul Rauhihi (46); Great Britain, England, Ireland, Wigan and Widnes tackle machine Mick Cassidy (46).

What’s on TV/radio

4pm – NRL Try Time – Sky Sports Arena

8pm – Rugby AM – FreeSports

Trivia

The longest ban handed down in NRL history was to Danny Williams back in July 2004, who was given an 18-match suspension for a king hit on Mick O’Neill.

Features Brad Fittler