Rugby League Today: World Cup sales off to a flier, injury updates & same old issues
What’s on site
In this week’s Editor’s Column, we look at the expansion attempts over the past decade, where eight new teams have entered the professional structure – yet the total number of teams has only grown by one.
Hull KR coach Tony Smith has provided an injury update, including the news winger Ethan Ryan is out for the season with a hand injury.
Wakefield will play Leeds twice in four days after their recently postponed Super League clash was re-arranged for Sunday November 1.
Toronto’s future could be decided this week – as Super League executives debate whether they should be allowed to remain in the competition in 2021.
This week’s look at the papers include Liam Sutcliffe, St Helens and Ethan Havard.
What’s on social
After overcoming some initial technical problems, the World Cup 2021 team reported a phenomenal first day of priority ticket sales for next year’s tournament.
👏 What an incredible first day we’ve had for our Rugby League family priority access sale, your support has been phenomenal!
Demand is high – read all about it: https://t.co/F2WAAQrE4M#RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/UOn4fpbBvP
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) September 21, 2020
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you’re a rugby league fan, you must follow historian Tony Collins on Twitter, providing fascinating insight and all-important context to the game’s struggles both today and in the past.
As the RFL puts its TV rights out to tender, the new 'Rugby Reloaded' looks at league’s history with the BBC. Over-dependency on TV cash, worries about presentation & constant comparisons with other codes: just as today, these issues faced league in 1970. https://t.co/38KMzSqhs8
— Tony Collins (@collinstony) September 21, 2020
Super League is great of course, but don’t half miss Championship and League One rugby.
🔥 BOOM!
👊 A throwback to @EarlHurst9's brilliant solo effort against @LondonSkolarsRL at the start of the 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ campaign!#NWCrusaders #OurTime #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/3MpUdXXC0C
— North Wales Crusaders (@NWCrusaders) September 21, 2020
These are good guys for any players.
REFUND 👏
Money sent out to Jamaican Rugby League international @jordanandrade92 From the looks of his social media Jordan has been putting in the work and is a little leaner than this post, updated playing picture needed mate 🤣👏. Great to help you out! pic.twitter.com/f7LQgmffcX
— Rugby Refunds Ltd (@RugbyRefundsLtd) September 21, 2020
What’s in the papers
Toronto must provide proof of their business plan for the future, according to a report in The Sun. One unnamed Super League cheif claimed: “Trans-atlantic sports don’t work. If the NFL can’t do it, how the hell can we? We hadn’t invested time and energy into preparing the North American market. It takes a five to 10-year strategic plan to achieve it. Not just some bloke who claims to be a millionaire, so let’s do it.”
Michael Lawrence is backing Luke Robinson to succeed Simon Woolford as Huddersfield coach following a successful start to his interim charge last week, reports the Yorkshire Post.
Birthdays
St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe turns 43 today (September 22).
Also celebrating: Huddersfield centre Joe Wardle (29); New Zealand international Kenny Bromwich (29); recent Barrow re-signing Dan Toal (31).
What’s on TV/radio
Nothing.
Trivia
Five players with a surname beginning with Q have played in Super League – Luke Quigley (Catalans), Adam Quinlan (St Helens, Hull KR), Damien Quinn (Crusaders), Leon Quinnell (Wigan) and Florian Quintilla (Catalans).