Rugby League Today: Winners off to Wembley, Wigan finish recruitment & London sign half-back
What’s on site
A gripping weekend of rugby league action saw Warrington, St Helens, Sheffield and Widnes book trips to Wembley. Recap on Warrington’s win over Hull, St Helens’ overcoming Halifax and the 1895 Cup semi-finals.
Wigan have pulled off a coup with the signing of England forward George Burgess from South Sydney, with the club saying that completes their recruitment for 2020.
London have turned to the transfer market to cover for the loss of the injured Morgan Smith, signing Australian half-back Brock Lamb from Sydney Roosters on a short-term deal.
Leeds’ women brought a bit of joy to the Rhinos camp as they secured the Women’s Challenge Cup trophy, defeating Castleford at Bolton.
New interim chairman Simon Johnson said before the weekend he wanted to look at the positives of rugby league, and there were plenty over the past two days.
Incoming RFL president Tony Adams wants to set up a football v rugby league match, possibly at the DW Stadium, if he can get enough takers.
And the RFL are in no rush to confirm the situation regarding Ottawa, with no announcement expected until late August as to whether they are to take up a spot in League 1 next season.
What’s on social
It’s been a fair old year of ups and downs at Widnes.
This group of lads. This team. This club.
Night all ?#UpTheVikings?? #WeBelieved♥️ pic.twitter.com/KfCUMt7Kqh
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) July 28, 2019
RFL’s coverage has been on point all weekend.
“Alexa, show me what ‘limbs’ look like.” pic.twitter.com/NNLEHpwWpi
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 28, 2019
✅ @WarringtonRLFC
✅ @Saints1890
✅ @SheffieldEagles
✅ @WidnesRL? Your 2019 @wembleystadium line-up is complete!
?️ Join us on August 24: https://t.co/dQutSyJetr pic.twitter.com/kbPBiSCvuz
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 28, 2019
Great story for Sheffield and Mark Aston.
FULL-TIME AT @OLPSheffield – Sheffield Eagles 18-2 @BatleyRLFC!!
Sheffield Eagles at @wembleystadium – chapter two to come!! @jacob_ogden98 and @OliverJDavies1 seal our place in the @ABSundecksLtd 1895 Cup Final! #EaglesTogether pic.twitter.com/OkScvXsWDo
— Sheffield Eagles (@SheffieldEagles) July 28, 2019
RFL also responding to allegations of racism in a courteous and proactive manner.
Arif, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have already contacted both clubs, and will be working with them – and you – to identify the culprits. These comments, and attitudes, are totally unacceptable in any aspect of Rugby League. https://t.co/WegcSklYMm
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 28, 2019
Rugby league is a game for all, after all.
Today I (@RugbyLambo) refereed my second game in the middle as a rugby league official. I was diagnosed with Autism/Asperger’s syndrome when I was 18 years old. I started refereeing union when I was 15 and league a couple of months ago. Refereeing and rugby have changed my life! pic.twitter.com/fzAeXJq5z7
— Autism In Rugby (@AutismInRugby) July 27, 2019
What’s in the papers
St Helens and Warrington, who extraordinarily are due to meet for the very first time in a major final next month, can start to cement a legacy with a Wembley win, according to The Guardian.
Simon Grix hailed his Halifax heroes in the Yorkshire Post, after their commendable performance in their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to St Helens.
Birthdays
Scott Dureau, the former Newcastle Knights and Catalans half-back who is currently battling cancer, turns 33 today.
Also celebrating: former Blackpool Panthers full-back Jonny Leather (30); Greece international Giorgos Tsiakos (23).
Trivia
The only time Warrington and St Helens have met at Wembley before is when their town’s respective football teams played each other in the 1987 FA Vase final.