Rugby League Today: Long linked with RL return & MP calls for fans to attend cup final

James Gordon

What’s on site

Out of contract Krisnan Inu put in another stellar display for Salford, his hat-trick helping them to a 24-16 win over Huddersfield.

Salford coach Ian Watson spoke to goalkicking winger Krisnan Inu about a new contract before he continued his rich vein of form on Thursday night.

Ash Handley scored a hat-trick to help Leeds beat a spirited Hull side 40-22 at Headingley last night.

Leeds coach Richard Agar admits he faces a selection dilemma after full-back Jack Walker pressed his claims for a Wembley berth with a starring role as the Rhinos came from behind to beat a decimated Hull 40-22 at Headingley.

Sean Long is being linked with a return to rugby league after leaving his coaching job at Harlequins RU. Although his exit comes a day after the Widnes job became available, it is believed Long is set to take up an assistant role at Leeds.

Wakefield say they would have asked Hull to replace them for tonight’s game against St Helens, had the Airlie Birds not answered an SOS to take on Leeds last night.

Five Super League clubs, including Wakefield and Wigan, have had positive coronavirus tests this week, according to the latest figures from the RFL.

Trailblazing forward Keegan Hirst has announced his retirement at the age of 32.

The NRL play-offs are at the semi-final stage this weekend, and Zach Holland has everything you need to know about both games.

Hopefully the lockdown and quarantine restrictions won’t put paid to any trips to watch the French Elite Championship, which gets underway at the end of October. Plenty to read about in our latest French round-up.

Toronto have issued an update to fans still awaiting refunds having purchased individual match tickets to watch games in Canada in 2020.

What’s on social

A pledge for fans to attend the Challenge Cup final, but sadly will prove fruitless as would create a precedent that the authorities may struggle to justify, whatever we think.

Some clips of York’s new Australian half-back Brendan O’Hagan.

Correct.

What’s in the papers

Sam Burgess will coach young South Sydney Rabbitohs players in 2021, reports the Sydney Morning Herald, despite the allegations that surfaced in the Australian press last weekend. The former dual-code England international stepped down from his role as an assistant to the first team following the explosive stories.

“It’s time for Cardiff to crown “King Billy” Boston”, says the Telegraph, after the Wigan legend was shortlisted for one of three statues to be made in Cardiff Bay in honour of the so-called codebreakers, who switched from Welsh rugby union to play professional in the north.

Birthdays

Australia and Wales back-rower Tyson Frizell is 29 today (October 9).

Also celebrating: 19 major trophies winner Leon Pryce (39); Super League winner Chev Walker (38); St Helens assistant Richard Marshall (45); the 1993 Man of Steel Andy Platt (57)

What’s on TV/radio

9.50am – Live NRL: Sydney v Canberra – Sky Sports Mix

5.30pm – Live Super League: Wakefield v St Helens – Sky Sports Mix

7.45pm – Live Super League: Warrington v Wigan – Sky Sports Mix

Trivia

Sean Long played nine games for Widnes in 1997 after moving from Wigan as part of a player-plus-cash deal involving Lee Hansen, before he was sold to St Helens.

Features Billy Boston