Rugby League Today: Workington man, Westwood honour & Burgess tributes

What’s on site

Keep up with all the latest gossip in rugby league in Off the Record, including Bradford, New York and transfer talk.

James Graham led the tributes to international team-mate Sam Burgess, who announced his retirement from rugby league due to a shoulder problem.

Two or three NRL clubs are battling with Toronto Wolfpack to sign Sonny Bill Williams.

Toulouse have signed winger Jy Hitchcox from Bradford.

What’s on social

Workington are getting a load of attention following the news of a general election…

Club Statement.@BBCNews @SkyNews @BBCRadio4 @BBC_Cumbria @TheRFL @4020pix @newsandstar #workingtonman pic.twitter.com/iwz7j621Pg

— Workington Town ?⚪️ (@WorkingtonTown) October 30, 2019

It’s hard to find the words.

We can't get #RugbyLeague into @thetimes in the sports section at the moment. But now, we are a major part of General Election analysis in the Politics pages. #PositiveRugbyLeague ? pic.twitter.com/yZ4ywkExN0

— Simon Johnson (@sjrbsimon) October 30, 2019

Some cracking highlights of Sam Burgess’ stellar career.

Congratulations on a brilliant NRL career from the great Sam Burgess.
Just a little reminder of how hard he played the game.
@SamBurgess8 #legend #beastmode pic.twitter.com/MrVXEl3rzX

— Rugby League Best Tries Hits and Biffs (@NBiffs) October 30, 2019

What’s in the papers

Ben Westwood is set to become an honorary citizen of Warrington for his contribution to the borough, with a motion set to be tabled at a council meeting next week according to the Warrington Guardian.

Ben Cockayne is keen to pull on a Hull KR shirt again says Hull Live – though admits it may only be for the club’s reserve side. He hung up his boots earlier this year, bringing an end to his playing days at York, and has returned to the Robins as the club’s under 16s coach.

Jackson Hastings says simple changes will benefit Great Britain in this week’s test against New Zealand, reports Yorkshire Post.

Castleford are expecting big things of Danny Richardson, signed from St Helens to replace Leeds-bound Luke Gale, reports the Pontefract & Castleford Express.

Birthdays

Great Britain stand-off George Williams, who leaves Wigan to join Canberra in the NRL this off-season, turns 25 today (October 31st).

Also celebrating: Toronto full-back Gareth O’Brien (28); Great Britain and Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson (30); former Whitehaven and Barrow full-back Gary Broadbent (43); ex-Wigan prop Craig Smith (48)

Trivia

Great Britain have won eight of their last 11 test matches against New Zealand.