Paper Talk: 1895 Cup may be pulled, Hull in no rush for coach & PNG star returns home

Drew Darbyshire 23 Mar 2020 12:14 PM

There is plenty of good content in the trade papers this week despite there being no games to report on.

1895 Cup may be pulled

The 1895 Cup could fall victim to the coronavirus – though Rugby Football League chief executive Ralph Rimmer insists clubs are keen to rescue the tournament, reports League Weekly.

Rimmer told League Weekly: “Everything is still up there. Everything depends on the period of lockdown. Everything could be on or off the table at this moment in time.”

Hull FC in no rush for coach

Hull FC chief executive James Clark insists their search for a new head coach is underway, but it is a secondary concern as the club prepares to manage the difficulties brought by the coronavirus outbreak, reports League Express.

Clark told League Express: “The process is underway but it’s been challenging in the current crisis. Our priority is rightly on the immediate future of the club and competition.”

RFL considers matches behind closed doors

Ralph Rimmer hasn’t closed the door on playing games without fans, reports League Weekly.

Rimmer told League Weekly: “We’ve spoken to Sky and BBC, so they would be involved in any decision such as that.”

Wakefield CEO wants Cup focus

Wakefield Trinity chief executive Michael Carter has suggested rugby league may have to prioritise the Challenge Cup when the sport returns to some resemblance of normality, reports League Express.

Carer told League Express: “When we finally get back on the field, the first couple of weeks should be devoted to the Challenge Cup.”

Warriors wanted Murdoch-Masila early

New Zealand Warriors have enquired about getting Ben Murdoch-Masila out of his Warrington contract early, reports League Weekly.

Wolves officials will surely dismiss the interest out of hand, according to League Weekly.

Papua New Guinean returns home

Barrow Raiders coach Paul Crarey has confirmed that Papua New Guinea international Wartovo Puara has returned home to be with his family as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the world, reports League Express.

Crarey told League Express: “He’ll come back when things get going again.”

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