Rugby League Today: French Magic, golden point & GB fall-out
What’s on site
Championship and League 1 will adopt the golden point extra time system for 2020 – but with a twist. Both teams will gain a point, with the winner in extra time gaining the extra point for the win.
The French Elite 1 Championship got underway over the weekend, and Love Rugby League was there to cover all four (should have been five!) games.
Check out our pieces on three players who impressed in each match too – game one, game two, game three, game four.
The fifth game, between St Gaudens and Toulouse which should have kicked off the second day of the Magic Weekend, was postponed after an outbreak of mumps within the Toulouse squad.
Cook Islands claimed the 16th and final spot at the 2021 World Cup, with a win over USA on Saturday night.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was named the 2019 Golden Boot winner, with Jessica Sergis claiming the women’s equivalent.
The RFL won’t rush the decision on Wayne Bennett’s future, after Great Britain’s tour ended with a fourth defeat to Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bennett bemoaned the lack of preparation for the tour, including no mid-season international.
What’s on social
Some real cut-through from the Sonny Bill Williams move.
Sonny Bill Williams talks to Mark Chapman about his decision to join Toronto Wolfpack.
Watch ? https://t.co/tl5DWR1D2V pic.twitter.com/0IzQUgTnke
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 16, 2019
Scrap the cap.
We have a salary cap in Rugby League to make the sport equal so it gives in theory a better product for TV because in theory teams should have similar quality.
It hasn’t worked because in 25 years only 4 teams have won the competition!#SCRAPTHECAP and let the game grow!
— Alex Simmons (@alexsimmonstv) November 15, 2019
Maybe if Australia bothered to play more internationals, this wouldn’t be such a problem.
The award has become a farce and is ignoring the proud history of what was once the game’s highest individual honour. ??
James Tedesco snub shows Golden Boot has lost its integrity. He may never win one.
By @MarkDFStJohn pic.twitter.com/yz9PxJGn9k
— FOX LEAGUE (@FOXNRL) November 17, 2019
What’s in the papers
BBC Sport’s Dave Woods says Great Britain should be consigned to the history books, and rugby league should focus on the future.
Canberra back-rower Elliott Whitehead says that Great Britain let themselves down on the tour, and added to calls for more mid-season internationals.
Birthdays
Former Australia, New South Wales, St George-Illawarra, Wigan and Cronulla stand-off Trent Barrett turns 42 today (November 18th).
Also celebrating: ex-Harlequins centre David Howell (36); former France international Sebastien Martins (35); Huddersfield’s Jake Wardle (21)
Trivia
Carcassonne’s Stade Albert Domec has previously hosted two Super League games – London against Warrington in 2002, and Castleford against Catalans in the Dragons’ first season in the competition in 2006.