RL Today: McDermott’s new role, Kaiser Chiefs & quartet on England standby

Quartet on England standby

England coach Shaun Wane has been forced to draft in players ahead of England’s only game before the World Cup against Samoa. (Yorkshire Live)

Wigan trio Sam Powell, Harry Smith and Liam Marshall were among those training with the national side on Tuesday morning, as was Huddersfield centre Jake Wardle, who spent the second half of 2022 on loan at Warrington. Some of those players could feature in England’s World Cup warm-up against Fiji on Friday, according to Yorkshire Live.

McDermott’s new role

Former Featherstone coach Brian McDermott will be part of Fiji’s coaching staff at the World Cup. (Yorkshire Live)

The former Leeds boss resigned from his role as head coach of Championship club Featherstone after their play-off defeat to Batley last week. He will now be part of Fiji’s backroom staff at the World Cup, according to Yorkshire Live.

Kaiser Chiefs to play at World Cup opener

Kaiser Chiefs will be the headline act as part of the official Tournament Welcome event on Saturday week.

The indie rock band will be a key part of the party atmosphere that weekend in Newcastle as they perform on the pitch at St James’ Park just before the opening fixture of the tournament between England and Samoa.

The need for expansion

St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe believes rugby league needs expansion in order to grow, and has backed IMG to take the game to new audiences. (St Helens Star)

In his column for St Helens Star, Sculthorpe wrote: “Whatever peoples opinions on previous efforts, we need expansion. We can’t just survive on the ‘M62 corridor sport’ reputation that we’ve always had if we want to attract new fans and players to the game.”

Peters on Hull KR’s X Factors

New Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has revealed which players caught his eye watching from afar in 2022. (Hull Live)

Peters told Hull Live: “We have players like Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten who are our x-factors. They both have so much learning to do, and we will see their best rugby in the coming years. They both will produce special moments for this side.

World Cup stars to play for Leeds

Leeds coach Rohan Smith has named a 19-man squad for their World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday. (Leeds Rhinos)

Four players who are playing at the World Cup have been selected for the Rhinos – James Bentley (Ireland), Richie Myler (Ireland), Rhyse Martin (Papua New Guinea) and Zane Tetevano (Cook Islands).

Birthdays

Former New South Wales Origin representative and now Toulouse hooker Nathan Peats turns 32 today (October 5).

Also celebrating; ex-Hull KR forward Jason Nethertson (40), Toulouse forward Joe Bretherton (27) and Melbourne Storm playmaker Jayden Nikorima (26).

Trivia

Seven players from the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament will feature in this year’s World Cup – Kallum Watkins (England), Valentine Holmes (Australia), Mitchell Moses (Lebanon), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Tonga), Viliame Kikau (Fiji), Elliott Whitehead (England) and Jason Taumalolo (Tonga).

Read more

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