Rugby League Today: Elstone can see why Toronto walked, Ottawa plans & reaction to new rules

James Gordon

What’s on site

We sat down with Ottawa Aces founder Eric Perez to discuss their plans for 2021, developing Canadian players and the story behind the Aces name.

There will be new rules in place for the Super League restart, including the popular six-again rule and a buzzer to signify set restarts, but the timing has been criticised by coaches, including Catalans coach Steve McNamara.

McNamara says controversial centre Israel Folau is looking really good in training ahead of his first live TV match back in rugby league against St Helens on Sunday.

The French Elite Championship is adopting an interesting rule that rewards clubs running with women’s and/or junior teams with extra points in the league table.

Appearances and points scored in games involving Toronto and in Championship and League 1 will remain on players records, it has been confirmed.

Brad Dwyer has signed a new two-year deal to stay at Leeds.

What’s on social

This is one of the best accounts on Twitter, good to see rugby league featured.

Look at these beauties, the Balmain shirt is something else.

Great to see some of our favourite shows returning.

What’s in the papers

Robert Elstone says in The Sun that he can see why Toronto pulled out of Super League.

Ashton Golding and Kruise Leeming will make their long-awaited debuts for their new clubs on Sunday, reports The Mirror, both against their former clubs after switching between Huddersfield and Leeds in the off-season.

We don’t even have video referee at all matches in Super League, yet the NRL are now looking at skeletal tracking to improve the Bunker?! Read the latest on their video referee system in The Guardian.

Birthdays

Former St Helens and Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown turns 47 today (July 31). He has coached 438 games in the NRL and Super League across four clubs, with spells at St George and Newcastle either side of his stint in the UK.

Also celebrating: ex-Queensland and Catalans centre Adam Mogg (43); Kiwi international and former Huddersfield centre Paul Whatuira (39); Manly back-rower Curtis Sironen (27)

What’s on TV/radio

9am – Live NRL: Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors – Sky Sports Arena & Watch NRL

10.50am – Live NRL: Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks – Sky Sports Arena & Watch NRL

Trivia

Israel Folau is the youngest player ever to play for Queensland and Australia – he was 18 years and 194 days old when he made his debut against New Zealand in 2007.