Rugby League Today: Hardaker at centre, England right to replace Bennett & Hull rivalry
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
Warrington coach Steve Price says the target is consistency after they registered an impressive 19-0 win over St Helens in their first home game of the season.
St Helens coach Kristian Woolf refused to use injuries to Alex Walmsley and Mark Percival as an excuse for their defeat at Warrington.
Here are three talking points from Warrington’s win over St Helens in round two of the season.
Jackson Hastings says signing Great Britain’s national anthem was the proudest moment of his life.
What’s in the papers
Wigan coach Adrian Lam believes Zak Hardaker can thrive as a centre – and become even better than he is at full-back, report Wigan Today.
Andre Savelio not happy with Hull FC bench spot and promises to prove Lee Radford wrong, report Hull Live.
Top tackler Cameron Smith wants to nail down regular role at Leeds, report Yorkshire Evening Post.
England were right to replace Wayne Bennett before the World Cup, says journalist Gavin Willacy in The Guardian.
Ben Crooks backs Hull KR new boys to rise to derby challenge, report Hull Live.
What’s on social
Make sure you give it a watch if you haven’t done so already.
This is a great watch. You'd struggle to meet a more decent fella than @Iansmith2468, reason no.298, if you needed it, why abuse of referees – people who love RL that are are doing a difficult job to the best of their abilities – is wrong. Well worth watching the full episode https://t.co/V3QTpnWjsF
— Gareth Walker (@garethwalker) February 6, 2020
Warrington love to stir the pot…
? "Challenge Cup ????????? beat Grand Final ???????"
Saints fans: pic.twitter.com/QzVoTwCD6U
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) February 6, 2020
St Helens fans, look away now…
No entry ⛔ The Wire nil the Champs @WarringtonRLFC 19-0 St Helens #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/bJT5nCrX3K
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 7, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
LIVE: Hull FC v Hull KR – Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix (7:45pm)
Former referee Ian Smith on abuse, why he quit and what it’s like being a full-time official. The second episode of The Last Tackle is out now.
Matty Smith on Israel Folau, life in Catalans and Saints or Wigan? The first episode of The Last Tackle is out now.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring St Helens forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is back, featuring Danny McGuire and Barrie McDermott.
Betfred have launched a magazine show called The Last Tackle on YouTube, hosted by Mark Pearson.
Tanya Arnold hosts the first Super League Show of 2020.
Podcast: The Final Hooter 2020 #2 – Super League season launch.
The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.
The latest Total Rugby League Show is available to download now, hosted by Ben Hughes.
The In Touch Show is out now by Betfred.
Birthdays
Tonga and Warrington forward Ben Murdoch-Masila turns 29 today.
Also celebrating; ex-New Zealand and Samoa international Nigel Vagana (45), Salford half-back Chris Atkin (27) and Swinton prop Paddy Jones (23).
Trivia
Warrington’s 19-0 win over St Helens last night was the first time Saints were nilled since they lost 25-0 to Wigan at the DW Stadium back in August 2016.
Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2GCG8P8
