Rugby League Today: Evalds suffers online abuse, O’Loughlin’s no fan experience & Rochdale boss on resumption
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
Great Britain and Wigan star Zak Hardaker is our latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks Kris Radlinski, Headingley, State of Origin and the 2017 season with Castleford.
Revisiting The Hayne Plane and Melbourne Storm’s salary cap controversy in 2009. What a year it was in the NRL!
Niall Evalds has defended his decision to leave Salford and join Castleford, adding that he will remain a supporter of the Red Devils forever.
Former Dewsbury player Will Forsyth has died following a battle with cancer, aged 24.
What’s in the papers
Niall Evalds details impact of social media abuse over imminent Salford exit, reports the Mirror.
UFC event gives Sean O’Loughlin inkling of ‘really strange’ atmosphere without fans, reports Wigan Today.
Super League owner on July restart, neutral venues and why critical to get fans back, reports Hull Live.
Why Castleford are Josh Hodgson’s second favourite Super League club, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.
Robert Elstone slammed for stating promotion view before Championship meeting, reports The Sun.
What’s on social
Who am I?
👏 The answer to yesterday's 'Who am I?' was Luke Dorn!
👀 Who is this Super League player? #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/lTtWCT3sx2
— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) May 13, 2020
An interesting insight into how Lee Briers’ career came to an end.
Listen to how @briers6 found out he was never to play #rugbyleague again at the end of 2013!
What a player! Rugby genius! pic.twitter.com/ciN0l86pyS
— TheMickWoodyShow (@MickyWoodyShow) May 12, 2020
Look at how baggy those jerseys are!
ON THIS DAY – May 14, 1999
A thriller at Oakwell as @WTrinityRL end @Saints1890's unbeaten start to the #SuperLeague season.
A Lynton Stott drop goal seals a monumental 23-22 victory for the Wildcats – but they were made to sweat a over a last gasp Tommy Martyn penalty attempt! pic.twitter.com/Hfr5WQ7GFu
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) May 14, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.
Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.
The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.
Birthdays
Former Wales, Leeds, Halifax, Salford, Castleford and Sheffield full-back Damian Gibson turns 45 today.
Also celebrating; Ex-Wigan star Sam Panapa (58), former New Zealand international Sam Perrett (35) and York prop Jack Teanby (24).
Trivia
Huddersfield hold the record for longest unbeaten run in all matches with 43 – including two draws – from 1914 to 1919, a period interrupted by World War One.
Huddersfield were unbeaten in the last 38 matches of the 1914-15 season. Then, after the war, they won four Yorkshire Cup ties in 1919 and their first league match of 1919-20. The unbeaten run consisted of 28 league matches, 8 Yorkshire Cup ties, 5 Northern Union Challenge Cup ties and 2 league championship play-offs.
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