Rugby League Today: New South Wales tour, sackings, league against union
In this edition of Rugby League Today, we give you the lowdown on all the latest news regarding Wigan’s and Hull’s New South Wales Tour as well as juicy exclusives.
What’s on the site
West Wales Raiders shown they mean business for future years, launching a Women’s team to become the first ever female club Rugby League outfit in Wales.
Hull Kingston Rovers have released their squad numbers for this campaign but new recruit, Danny McGuire, will not be wearing the number six jersey at the KCOM Craven Park in 2018.
Featherstone Rovers have sacked star forward Darrell Griffin with immediate effect due to a serious breach of contract.
Wigan Warriors and Hull FC will play homage to club legends Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling by competing for the Kenny Sterling Shield in Wollongong this February.
Hull FC have revealed a special edition tour shirt that will be worn on their upcoming historic trip to New South Wales.
What’s in the papers
Hull FC owner Adam Pearson has been speaking to The Guardian about Super League clubs being transformed to compete with Rugby Union.
Rugby Football League’s chief executive, Nigel Wood, recently resigned as director, with the CEOs of every Super League club being appointed as directors now, allowing the to have more of an input in Super League’s future.
According to the article, Super League clubs are set to approve some major changes in 2018 that will transform the profile of Rugby League in this country.
Pearson told The Guardian: “We’re no longer prepared to be accepted as a poor relation; we’re fed up of being downtrodden as a code just because we’re on the M62 compared to the M5.”
What’s on social media
Happy Birthday to the assistant coach of the Toronto Wolfpack, Kurt Haggerty! Best wishes from all at loverugbyleague.com.
Let’s wish Toronto Wolfpack Assistant Coach Kurt Haggerty a happy birthday…
Happy b-day Haggy!✨??#RunWithThePack pic.twitter.com/N8iVzidjYz
— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) January 8, 2018
On a more serious note, Darrell Griffin’s brother, Josh Griffin, who plays for Hull FC, tweeted screenshots of text messages between Featherstone’s head coach, John Duffy, and Darrell Griffin. We’ve got a very good feeling you won’t hear the last of this just yet…
I would say that’s permission don’t you ? I’m not going to let people say darrells done something wrong or that he didn’t have permission. He’s been nothing but a model professional for last 20 years and it hurts our family to see his name dragged under like this. pic.twitter.com/EbuqnibDAn
— Josh Griffin (@joshogriffo) January 7, 2018
What’s on radio
Rugby League on Radio Yorkshire
Radioyorkshire.co.uk, 6-8pm