Rugby League Today: Williams to Canberra imminent, French revolution & NRL worries
Photo courtesy of Richard Long
What’s on site
Time for a French revolution? The latest editor’s column looks at the benefits of Toulouse taking the step up to Super League and suggests France hosts the 2025 World Cup.
Thursday and Friday mornings in the office are soon to get a whole lot better – the NRL kicks off this week, with games live on Sky Sports. Sydney Roosters are the favourites for the title.
Drew has his weekly look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the weekend’s action.
Lots of talking points in this week’s Paper Talk, including Shaun Wane’s possible return to rugby league.
They’re returning at the end of this season, but how much do you know about the Great Britain Lions?
What’s on social
Some great retro content appearing all over rugby league twitter these days…
Lee penny winning try vs wigan in 1997. A game no one thought we would win and wrote us off. Love the wire fans singing… bye, bye, bye, bye!! At the end, something we rarely got to do. Just look at what it means to the lads at the final hooter. #rugbyleague #warrington ??? pic.twitter.com/dLfU0Pu4bZ
— Warrington R.L.F.C wilderspool Memories (@WarringtonRLFC1) March 11, 2019
What Tina Turner could do to rugby league now…
30 years ago this week, Tina Turner changed rugby league forever.
Here's the incredible story of how she became the face of the Winfield Cup.
By @glr_clarke
Read more: https://t.co/3vsIxh4SR9 pic.twitter.com/j7aHuKMgi7
— FOX LEAGUE (@FOXNRL) March 10, 2019
Presumably Canberra’s interest in George Williams isn’t based on this corker from Friday’s defeat against Huddersfield.
What a tackle from George Williams ? pic.twitter.com/zAQY3ApfET
— Funny Rugby League (@itsfunnyrugby) March 9, 2019
What’s in the papers
According to The Mole, Wigan half-back George Williams is set to move to NRL side Canberra Raiders, joining former team-mates John Bateman and Ryan Sutton.
After an off-season of turmoil, The Guardian says this season could be make or break for the NRL and potentially the sport.
Ben Barba is back in the headlines for the wrong reasons again, after being filmed abusing a TV journalist.
Birthdays
Steve Price (not that one) is 45 today. He played more than 300 games at prop for Canterbury and NZ Warriors, winning two NRL premierships, as well as earning 16 caps for the Kangaroos and playing 28 times for Queensland State of Origin.
Also celebrating today: ex-Toronto and Leigh coach Paul Rowley (44); Warrington-bound England international Gareth Widdop (30); Leeds captain Kallum Watkins (28); Toronto half-back Ryan Brierley (27).
What’s on TV/Radio
The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.
The Full Eighty Minutes podcast by Proper Sport is available to download now.
The Forty20 Rugby League podcast is available to download now.
The Total Rugby League Show is available to download now.
The Betfred League 1 podcast is available to listen now on the Our League channel.
Trivia
Of the 16 current NRL teams, only Canberra and Gold Coast haven’t reached Grand Final or won the Minor Premiership in the modern era.