RL Today: Brian McDermott takes Oldham job, Matt Prior appreciation & Widdop update
Matt Prior (10) of Leeds Rhinos in action
What’s on site
Seven-time Super League champion Brian McDermott, previously head coach at Toronto Wolfpack, has joined Championship side Oldham as a coaching consultant.
Danny Ward has left London Broncos with immediate effect by mutual consent, after telling the club of his plan to depart at the end of the season.
Leeds registered their fourth successive win with a superb, hard-working victory away at Warrington.
Two-time Olympian Caroline Alexander has joined the revolution at Barrow, linking up with their community foundation.
Former Huddersfield youngster Dom Young is already making an impact in the NRL with Newcastle Knights.
York star Savannah Andrade speaks to us about her experience of representing Jamaica at Rugby Sevens.
We’ve got Challenge Cup final tickets to give away courtesy of Batchelors Mushy Peas – plus a £50 shopping voucher.
What’s on social
I’m going to make this a Matt Prior appreciation section.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH 🏅
Matt Prior was named the Player of the Match after Leeds Rhinos beat Warrington Wolves 22-16 pic.twitter.com/ogUfUxPn4c
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 5, 2021
Rich Agar rightly waxing lyrical about Matt Prior.
"I've asked him how he’s feeling, and he said he was f***ing gone after 20 minutes. But that sums up his effort. Even in the final throes, he’s getting off the line. He’s a laid back, quiet guy but he leads by his actions."
— ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ʙᴏᴡᴇʀ (@AaronBower) July 5, 2021
Matt Prior yet again proved tonight why he's most probably the best overseas signings made by the Rhinos in a decade.
Player ratings after a fabulous win for Leeds at Warrington.https://t.co/qK1PZ8oOYB
— Matthew Shaw (@M_Shaw1) July 5, 2021
What a huge win for @leedsrhinos!
Out of curiosity – has anyone seen @DCSuperman and Matt Prior in the same room? https://t.co/Abw4Jaw3wC
— OXEN Sports UK (@oxensportsuk) July 5, 2021
🦏 @LeedsRhinos prop-forward Matt Prior was voted as your #OURLEAGUE Player of the Match with 𝟒𝟐.𝟔% of the vote in their 𝟏𝟔-𝟐𝟐 victory over @WarringtonRLFC this evening… 👏 pic.twitter.com/4Z8B0Ao1FY
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) July 5, 2021
I don't care what Matt Prior asks for just give it to him. If he asks to have a statue of himself right in the middle of millennium square then Leeds council better get on it
— Dan (@CuppaBrew) July 5, 2021
Matt Prior
Leeds Rhinos player of 2021
— Loiners View (@loinersview) July 5, 2021
Matt Prior is an absolute machine.
Essential that we trigger his extra year. Absolutely outstanding this year.
— Ben Fedders (@benfeathers) July 5, 2021
What’s in the papers
Gareth Widdop wants to remain in Super League with Warrington, despite some interest in him from Canberra Raiders. Widdop has been “shopped” around the NRL all year, according to reports Down Under, and now someone has shown an interest, he has instead decided to remain in the UK.
Leigh hooker Liam Hood is to join Wakefield next season, reports Yorkshire Live. Hood, 29, has long expressed his desire to return to full-time rugby league, which came sooner than expected with the Centurions’ elevation to Super League for 2021.
Greg Inglis’ body was “failing him” following the announcement of his retirement, Steve Price told the Warrington Guardian. He said: “The injury was a lot worse than first thought. He put everything into it but his body’s failing him.”
“No wonder we’re losing fans” was the cry after a couple of the decisions made in the St Helens-Wigan match on Sunday night, reports the Manchester Evening News, particularly the sin-binning for Kai Pearce-Paul.
Birthdays
St Helens coach Kristian Woolf turns 46 today (July 6).
Also celebrating: former Australia international Jamal Idris (31); ex-Hull KR and St Helens half-back Travis Burns (37).
What’s on TV/radio
00:05 – Super League Show – BBC One
Trivia
Young Leeds back Jack Broadbent is a qualified referee.
