RL Today: New York joins NARL & Hull to play behind closed doors friendly
New York join North American Rugby League
The original New York Rugby League franchise will officially enter the North American Rugby League competition ahead of it’s maiden season.
The club presented their vision back in 2020. There was even plans to have the Challenge Cup draw over there before COVID intervened.
They will take the place of fellow New York side the Freedom, who pulled out of the league in November.
It’s been building in the streets throughout the “5 Boroughs”. From the ferries that cross the Hudson to the hot dog vendors on 39th street to top of the lighthouses on Long Island, RUGBY LEAGUE is coming to New York! pic.twitter.com/0xcizC4RmY
— New York Rugby League (@ny_rugbyleague) January 18, 2022
Hull to play behind closed doors friendly
Hull FC have announced they will be playing a behind-closed doors friendly against London Broncos at Loughborough University. The match will be part of a training camp at the campus.
Hull are preparing for the start of the Super League season, when they travel to Wakefield next month.
Head Coach Brett Hodgson told the club website: “We’re heading down to Loughborough University for a bit of a change of scenery towards the back end of our pre-season campaign, which is a great opportunity for us to bring the team together and benefit from a world-class setup they have there.”
Kristian Woolf praises Tongan players
St Helens Head Coach Kristian Woolf has praised the way his Tongan players have handled themselves following the tsunami that hit the country. It was brought on by undersea volcanic eruption.
He told the St Helens Star: “They all have really close connections back in Tonga and, in Koni’s case, he spent the majority of his life growing up there and that is what he knows as home.
“They have dealt with it exceptionally well. I say that because it’s really tough circumstances for them. Knowing that there is a tragic situation but not being able to have any contact whatsoever with any of their family.
People feel “betrayed” by Museum plans
The RFL have written to Kirklees Council about why plans to have the Rugby League Museum at the George Hotel in Huddersfield were scrapped, according to Leeds Live.
Historian Tony Collins told Leeds Live: “The key thing a lot of people have said is that they feel betrayed by Kirklees Council.”
Brian McDermott hoping for better attacking play against Wakefield
Featherstone Head Coach Brian McDermott is hoping for better attacking play in his side’s second pre-season friendly against Wakefield, according to Wakefield Express.
He told Wakefield Express: “We’d hope to sharpen that up against Wakefield, but quite often in this country the weather has a bearing and if it’s wet and sticky, we’re probably looking at a similar type of attack.”
Anthony Thackeray on retirement
Sheffield half-back Anthony Thackeray has revealed he only didn’t retire last year because of COVID and injuries (Sheffield Star)
He told the Sheffield Star: “Fitness-wise I could probably go for a few more years. The reason why I didn’t go last year was because of Covid and because I had a couple of injuries and didn’t contribute.”
Birthdays
Former Great Britain forward and coach Mal Reilly turns 74 today. (19th January)
Also celebrating today are former St Helens centre Sean Hoppe (51), Former Wigan forward Andy Grundy (45) and former Wakefield forward Shane Tronc (40).
Trivia
New York Rugby League launched their club at an event in Liverpool back in March 2020. Their initial plan was to enter the Challenge Cup in 2021, and then League One a year later.
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