RL Today: Woolf praises Wakefield, Leigh star eyes new deal & Tonga boosted

Drew Darbyshire 25 Jul 2022 7:00 AM

St Helens Kristian Woolf SWpix — Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix

Woolf praises Wakefield

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf showed class after his side’s 13-12 win over Wakefield in golden point yesterday. (St Helens Star)

Woolf told St Helens Star: “Wakefield deserve credit. They showed up with a great energy and won that first half.”

Jacques enjoys first game back

Jacques O’Neill enjoyed watching his first game of rugby league since he returned home from the Love Island villa! He watched his former club Castleford ease past Hull 46-18 on Friday night.

First game I’ve watched since getting home, I’ve missed RL!! yes the boys @CTRLFC 🐯🧡

— Jacques O’Neill (@Jacques9oneill) July 22, 2022

Leigh star eyes new deal

Leigh half-back Ben Reynolds is already under contract with the Centurions for 2023, but he has indicated he would love to stay longer (Leigh Journal)

The 28-year-old recently passed the impressive milestone of 1,000 career points. Reynolds told Leigh Journal: “I will be pushing for a new deal, hopefully soon…

“… I am sure I am going to look back on this season as being one of my most enjoyable.”

Garcia suffers same ear injury

Catalans Dragons captain Ben Garcia almost lost an ear at Magic Weekend. He got it repaired in Newcastle before returning to Perpignan with his team-mates.

And the France international suffered the same injury in their 13-12 win over Huddersfield on Saturday!

Rugby league players are a different breed. They are as tough as old boots.

Don't want to put you off your breakfast but here's the latest on the Ben Garcia ear-watch.
It came off again last night during the Huddersfield game but it's been reattached at Perpignan Hospital and is still there this morning.
How tough are Rugby League players?
❤️💛🐉 pic.twitter.com/r5nQMzQGqV

— Toulouse-Catalan Media 🇫🇷🏉 (@catalanmedia) July 24, 2022

Rowley’s American job offer pre-pandemic

Salford coach Paul Rowley has revealed he was asked to be part of the newly formed North American Rugby League competition before the pandemic struck.

The former Toronto Wolfpack coach told the Love Rugby League Podcast: “I got offered a job before Covid to run the Western side of America, as a football director in the LA side who were going to take it to Vegas.

“They wanted me out to Vegas to coach the Blackjacks, with Lance Hohaia flying in and out as a consultant. It was all a bit whacky and got bumped because of Covid. I wasn’t going to take the job anyway.”

Rowley’s Salford side are now aiming for a spot in the Super League play-offs. The Red Devils sit in sixth after Saturday’s win in Toulouse.

WOLFPACK: Why Toronto went wrong

Kaufusi commits to Tonga

Melbourne Storm forward Felise Kaufusi will commit to Tonga for this autumn’s World Cup rather than Australia. (The Daily Telegraph)

The 30-year-old has won three caps for Tonga and four for Australia, helping the Kangaroos win the last World Cup in 2017. Kaufusi is set to represent his Tongan heritage at this year’s tournament in England.

Birthdays

Former dual-code Wales international Gareth Thomas turns 48 today (July 25).

Also celebrating; ex-London Broncos coach Tony Rea (56), twins Paul and David March (43), former Warrington favourite Ben Westwood (41), Huddersfield assistant coach Luke Robinson (38), Leigh legend Martyn Ridyard (36), Widnes forward Josh Johnson (28), Wigan’s Lebanese international Abbas Miski (27) and York’s Ronan Dixon (25).

Trivia

St Helens stalwart Jonny Lomax made his 300th career appearance yesterday. He has played 285 games for Saints, 11 for England and four for Great Britain.

PODCAST: Paul Rowley on potent Salford, Leigh for SL, Toronto experience & remembering Ricky