Rugby League Today: Wigan go bananas, major investment for Super League, Grand Final debate
What’s on site
Wigan announced everything we’ve all been waiting for all at once last night – Adrian Lam has been given a contract extension for next year; Jackson Hastings is signing from Salford; George Williams is going to the NRL; and Dan Sarginson will leave at the end of the season.
All of that sort of overshadowed a fine signing by Hull, who have brought in Manu Ma’u from Parramatta on a two-year deal from next season.
He’s electric. Lachlan Coote has moved ominously up to third place in the Man of Steel rankings, as he chases down Jackson Hastings and Blake Austin.
Just where will the Championship Grand Final be played? A storm has brewed, seemingly from nowhere. Here are some of the most thought-provoking Twitter reactions.
We’re giving away Super League Grand Final tickets, thanks to sponsors Batchelors Peas.
In a new regular column, we run through all the latest news from the French Elite 1 Championship, including a new deal for Garry Lo.
Leeds will face Castleford in the Women’s Challenge Cup final after both won through their respective semi-finals at the weekend.
The Championship Grand Final features in the latest Paper Talk, along with speculation relating to James Ford, Justin Holbrook, Tony Gigot and Ryan Hampshire.
What’s on social
I’ve been trying to figure out if this is tongue in cheek or not.
Taxes on rugby league tickets may hit the poor more. But I don't approve of watching rugby league. Helping reduce rugby league watching would be a progressive, rather than regressive step. https://t.co/KSowbhPys8 pic.twitter.com/f1OL9HvHB0
— Sam Bowman (@s8mb) July 8, 2019
Aaron for Prime Minister…
There's a very good point in here about fixtures. I like Thursday nights, and Fridays are a given – but this week for example, there are FIVE games on Friday and none on Saturday and Sunday. It's ridiculous. Should be 1 x Thursday on Sky, 1 x Friday on Sky and the rest Sat & Sun https://t.co/MF4XL0rKa1
— Aaron Bower (@AaronBower) July 8, 2019
The 19-man squad thing is getting a bit pointless…
Seriously now. What *is* the point. Let’s just stop messing around with this silly facade of squad announcements. No one bothers any more! pic.twitter.com/wVIAGKuUF2
— Rod Studd (@Rod_Studd) July 5, 2019
What’s in the papers
The iPaper reports that talks have begun about a potential multi-million pound private equity investment in to Super League, with chief executive Robert Elstone having been tasked with increasing revenue streams for the competition ahead of the broadcast deal d-day in 2021.
“Moving games from Sunday afternoons to Thursday and Friday nights was supposed to spread the appeal, not make the Super League less available to the public.” A fantastic column in The Guardian from Gavin Willacy, which also features new Warrington signing Luther Burrell.
Kallum Watkins hopes his move to the NRL will help him secure a starting spot in the Great Britain team at the end of the year, reports The Sun.
Birthdays
Warrington and Ireland centre Toby King turns 23 today.
Also celebrating: Scotland international Brett Carter (31); Dewsbury winger Rob Worrincy (34); the late Quentin Pongia would have been 49 today.
What’s on TV/radio
7.10am – Super League Show – BBC Two
Trivia
Jackson Hastings’ father Kevin played for Barrow in the 1980s.