Rugby League Today: Relegation legal threat & unhappy players, clubs and fans
5th March 2020, Emerald Headingley, Leeds, England; Betfred Super League, Leeds Rhinos v Toronto Wolfpack : Adam Cuthbertson (17) of Leeds Rhinos goes over for a try
What’s on site
Clubs are working on refund packages for season ticket holders – what are your club doing and what option are you taking?
The first players have undertaken COVID-19 testing ahead of their return to training before Super League restarts next month.
Bradford have signed Danny Brough from Wakefield on a two-year deal from 2021.
Having two French teams in Super League would be massive for the game, says Toulouse full-back Mark Kheirallah.
The rugby league of the disillusioned – is anyone happy with the game at the moment?
Salford have signed Morgan Escare and Joe Burgess for next season, according to reports.
England coach Shaun Wane is on a shortlist of coaches set to be interviewed, via Skype, for the vacant coach job at NRL side New Zealand Warriors.
What’s on social
Has returning to games just got a step closer?
Ok so outdoor art performances will be permitted as of 25th July, so I assume we can say that Rugby League is considered an “outdoor performance” and therefore should be ok for stadiums to have limited number of fans entering the game! 🤪🤔 Or will this be another contradiction pic.twitter.com/KiSg8n2bKn
— Sandy Shipley ❤️🇨🇦 (@SandyDShipley01) July 9, 2020
Sport is powerful.
#PNG Rugby league team West Papua Warriors are using the power of sport to spread awareness of the #genocide pic.twitter.com/jND3cN9xKi
— Free West Papua (@FreeWestPapua) July 9, 2020
Certainly one to keep an eye on ahead of next year’s World Cups.
I've started writing a blog about what it's like to help prepare a team for @RLWC2021. I hope you enjoy and can share in the journey of #Brasil #RugbyLeague. 🇧🇷@ERLEAGUE https://t.co/vhKne5ZIES
— Robert Burgin (@RobBurginWriter) July 8, 2020
What’s in the papers
Clubs would have strong grounds to legally challenge any relegation from Super League, according to a report in The Guardian with leading sports lawyer Richard Cramer.
We’re still waiting for fixtures, but Super League is buzzing to return, according to the Daily Star.
But might it not return at all? The ongoing row between players and bosses could bring the game to its knees, says Warrington forward Mike Cooper in The Sun.
Birthdays
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Adam Reynolds will be hoping to mark his 30th birthday with a win when his side take on Wests Tigers today (11am kick-off BST)
Also celebrating: Warrington hall of famer Bob Eccles (63); ex-St Helens winger Steve Hall (41); France and Toulouse winger Paul Marcon (25)
What’s on TV/radio
9am – Live NRL: Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors (Sky Sports Arena)
11am – Live NRL: South Sydney v Wests Tigers (Sky Sports Arena)
8pm – Super League Retro: Hull KR v Salford Million Pound Game (Sky Sports Arena)
Trivia
New Zealand Warriors have already been coached by four Super League title winning coaches – John Monie, Daniel Anderson, Brian McClennan and Matthew Elliott.