Rugby League Today: Watkins available, Last’s tribute and birthday weekend
A cardboard cut out of Boris Johnson Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party is on display at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the 125th anniversary of rugby league
What’s on site
Kallum Watkins was a guest on Sky Sports’ coverage on Sunday, and he made a pretty public come and get me plea to Super League clubs, with Toronto having given all their players permission to look elsewhere.
We’ve got all the reaction from the weekend’s games.
Steve Price says there’s still a lot more to come from the Blake Austin and Gareth Widdop partnership, after Austin’s hat-trick in the 36-0 win over Wakefield.
Hull coach Andy Last paid tribute to the club’s medical and physical staff for their response to the COVID-19 outbreak, after he guided the Airlie Birds to their first Super League win since he took over.
St Helens kept up the pressure on Wigan at the top of Super League with a win over Hull KR.
In probably the least surprising official announcement of all time, Castleford have signed Niall Evalds from Salford for 2021 – interesting timing though, as the two sides meet on Thursday.
It capped off a disappointing weekend for Salford fans, who saw their team soundly beaten by Leeds on Saturday night, and suffered a number of injuries in the process.
Daryl Powell was unhappy with the Morgan Smithies crusher tackle that ended James Clare’s afternoon in Castleford’s defeat to league leaders Wigan.
Wigan coach Adrian Lam was a very happy man after that win, and reserved praise for Liam Farrell and man of the match Ethan Havard, after the youngster played the full 80 minutes in only his third start for the club.
What’s on social
Happy birthday to rugby league over the weekend, thanks for everything.
🎂 #HappyBirthdayRugbyLeague #RFL125 pic.twitter.com/umgq9t3o00
— James Gordon (@jdgsport) August 29, 2020
It was marked by a special event at The George Hotel in Huddersfield.
🎉 Earlier today, RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer, @RLWC2021 Chief Executive @jon_dutton72 and other members of the Rugby League family attended a special event hosted by @KirkleesCouncil to celebrate #RFL125.
🥂 Here's to another 125 years!
🎂 #HappyBirthdayRugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/AyqqZcBi4K
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 29, 2020
The Willows in match stick form. Marvellous.
The willows stadium made from matchsticks @SalfordDevils @TheRFL happy birthday pic.twitter.com/9UlsUYpGlt
— DOG AND PARTRIDGE (@partridge_and) August 29, 2020
This answer will probably be needed quite a lot this week.
Its so it can be televised.
Covid logistically they can't play three games on a tight kick off schedule (one match needs an hour gap after).
Sky want Thursdays and Fridays back when football returns.
Alternative is at night with no TV. https://t.co/ug3bGbTtRI
— RugbyLeagueonTV.com (@rugbyleagueontv) August 30, 2020
Makes you wonder how many people are turning their back on rugby league.
Also, sick to DEATH of all the bad news around Wakefield. For the first time ever, I’ve actively chosen to not watch RL. No pride in the club nor pride in the sport atm. And if Toronto are allowed back in, i think I’m done ☹️
— Ames (@amysutcliffe) August 28, 2020
What’s in the papers
The story of rugby’s great split, as told in The Mirror.
Rugby league has to go international to stay relevant, according to this long piece on Forbes.
Kevin Brown has opened up about concerns over the impact of concussion on his future after the game, talking to the Daily Star.
Birthdays
Fearsome Samoan prop Vila Matautia, once of Doncaster, St Helens and Leigh, is 51 today (August 31)
Also celebrating: recently retired New South Wales half-back Trent Hodkinson (32); ex-Wakefield hooker Tyler Randell (28); old London Bronco Matt Gafa (42).
What’s on TV/radio
11.55pm – Super League Show – BBC One (northern monkeys only).
Trivia
The Rochdale Hornets – one of the 22 founder rugby league clubs – moniker dates back to 1871.