Paper Talk: Alternative World Cup final date, Wakefield’s relegation fears

James Gordon
World Cup trophies SWpix

Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix

World Cup final back-up plan

A slightly bizarre story from Down Under about an alternative date for the World Cup final – if the Queen dies towards the end of the tournament. (Daily Mail)

The final is scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 19 at Old Trafford. However, it could be moved back to Sunday if the worst happens.

Protocol dictates that the Queen’s funeral must be held on a Saturday, followed by a week of mourning.

Kensington Palace would not object to the final being played the day after, according to RLWC advisor Andrew Hill.

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The fear of relegation

Wakefield’s collapse against Toulouse has heightened their relegation worries.

The context of the situation is well put in League Express.

“There’s an obvious irony that just as Trinity finally start work on redeveloping their ground to make sure it meets Super League requirements, there’s a risk they could drop in to the second tier for the first time since 1998.

“Castleford, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Salford have all bounced back after relegation, while Leigh are pushing for an immediate return.

“But the fear of the Trinity faithful is that their club might be more like Bradford, London and Widnes, who have struggled to acclimatise to life outside the sport’s elite.”

Protect promoted sides

Despite Toulouse breathing life in to the relegation battle over the weekend, there are still calls to change how the system works.

Toulouse forward Harrison Hansen says the current system isn’t doing anyone any favours.

He told League Express: “It’s near-impossible for any promoted team to stay up given how it is stacked against them.

“Give them two seasons guaranteed and you would see a kick-on from most teams.”

Boris for rugby league?

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tendered his resignation last week and his Australian equivalent has been linked with a move to rugby league. (The Guardian)

Former PM Scott Morrison had to deny talk that he had made a bid to join the Australian Rugby League Commission last week.

He said the reports sound “to me like just a bit of pub talk”. They said he had expressed an interest in getting involved in running the game.

Just as long as we don’t see Boris in a Warrington shirt any time soon…

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