Rugby League Today: Mamo magic, mad Mellor and Minns’ moment
What’s on site
Jake Mamo scored a hat-trick as Warrington thumped Wigan, who crashed to a fourth successive defeat on Wednesday night.
Featherstone centre Thomas Minns has plenty of personal reasons why their upcoming 1895 Cup final against York at Wembley is important to him.
COVID continues to frustrate Super League fixture planners, with Salford’s next two games called off due to an outbreak at the club.
Penrith will have to do without Nathan Cleary for the next four weeks – read about that and look ahead to this weekend of NRL action in Zach’s latest preview.
What’s on social
Boris is missing Steven at Dewsbury as much as the rest of us, it seems!
Hello and welcome……….😂 pic.twitter.com/qsVirCBVpr
— Steven Downes (@StevenDownes2) June 30, 2021
Who said rugby league and politics don’t mix…
Uncertain times in Labour’s rugby league heartlands https://t.co/HWLHwxTQxk Thanks for the mention @labour_history
— Tony Hannan (@AJHannanEsq) June 30, 2021
What’s in the papers
Leeds forward Alex Mellor tweeted he was “lost for words” after being handed a one-match ban for deliberate contact with a match official, reports Yorkshire Live.
Salford winger Ken Sio is being offered to other Super League clubs, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Leeds coach says they want cohesive leadership from the top of the game to take rugby league forward, reports The Sun, and says he is frustrated that all of his press conferences this year have essentially just been about ‘what sort of team are you going to be able to put out’ due to injuries and COVID.
Both Aidan Sezer and Darnell McIntosh could have played their last games for Huddersfield due to injury, reports the Examiner.
Canterbury Bulldogs have been fined $50k and Josh Dugan $25k for COVID breaches, reports The Guardian. It’s lucky for some that the punishments in Super League aren’t that high!
Birthdays
Former Australia, Newcastle Knights and St Helens centre Matt Gidley turns 44 today (July 1).
Also celebrating: Hull full-back Jamie Shaul (29); Wales international Courtney Davies (27); Great Britain legend Garry Schofield (56).
What’s on TV/radio
Live NRL: Sydney v Melbourne – Sky Sports Main Event & Arena (10.50am)
Fans in the UK and beyond can once again watch every NRL game live and on demand in 2021 through the WatchNRL service.
Trivia
Matt Gidley became CEO of Newcastle Knights after retiring from playing – a role he held until 2017 – with younger brother Kurt the club captain at the same time.