Rugby League Today: Koukash stirs pot, Akauola to miss final, Walmsley out for season
We have interviews, news and features for you today.
What’s on site
Warrington forward Sitaleki Akauola will miss the Challenge Cup final after being charged by an independent operational rules tribunal.
Why a 16 team Super League now could future proof rugby league. A column from the editor…
Sydney Roosters forward Frank-Paul Nuuausala will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Former Salford owner Marwan Koukash has stirred the expansionist pot ahead of Catalans’ appearance in the Challenge Cup final this weekend.
The latest ‘off the record’ feature is out now. Which NRL star is set for a move to St Helens? Who is favourite for the Rochdale job? Who is interested in Mark Flanagan? Check out this week’s gossip.
Warrington coach Steve Price will fulfil a childhood dream when he leads his side out at Wembley on Saturday.
Featherstone have released half-back Tom Holmes by mutual consent.
Widnes academy graduate Dan Norman has signed a new one-year contract with the Vikings.
The Challenge Cup final needs to stay at Wembley. A column on the future of the final and its whereabouts…
What’s in the papers
Shots fired as Marwan Koukash hits out at Catalans ahead of Challenge Cup final, report the Mirror.
Stefan Ratchford: Moving the final from Wembley would ruin Challenge Cup, report Wigan Today.
Ben Murdoch-Masila and Sitaleki Akauola on faith and friendship, report Warrington Guardian.
Alex Walmsley ruled out for the rest of the season, report St Helens Star.
Gareth Ellis says trip to Melbourne Storm highlighted one thing Hull FC are doing wrong, report Hull Daily Mail.
Super League should be one up and one down with fewer games to improve quality, report Hull Daily Mail.
Brett Ferres now loving life on the edge with Leeds, report Yorkshire Evening Post.
Jordan Rankin explains why Huddersfield are set for a bright future, report The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
What’s on social
Eye catching comment!
The Challenge cup on Saturday will show that overseas club bring nothing to our RL game . Money is better invested in the lower divisions instead on clubs that are in France
— Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) August 21, 2018
Catalans replied…
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) August 22, 2018
Good moves!
• WINNIG DANCE ??#doncasterrugbyleague #rugbyleague #enjoy #greatwin #frenchdancers #whatadanceman?? pic.twitter.com/j22d5KQEjy
— Hakim Miloudi (@HakimMiloudi2) August 19, 2018
Is Chris Irvine right?
Empty seats at Wembley aren't a Catalans thing. They're a Challenge Cup thing – and a competition (the oldest in #rugbyleague ) sadly neglected by the powers that be. Move final back to spring, give the cup impetus and nurture it. Too important to lose.
— Chris Irvine (@Chrisirvine) August 22, 2018
Lots to think about…
Is it realistic to ask #rugbyleague fans to attend three major events (MW, CCF, SLGF – potentially as a neutral) each year, as well as follow their team to France (x3), Canada (x1) and even Australia in a season? The average weekly SL attendance barely hits 50k. https://t.co/S50hxJduTi
— James Gordon (@jdgsport) August 22, 2018
What’s on TV/Radio
The latest Super League Pod is available to download now, in association with Love Rugby League.
The latest ‘Sport at Six’ podcast by BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt is available to download now.
The latest Rugby League show on Proper Sport is available to download now.
The latest Whippets and Flat Caps podcast is available to download now, presented by Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.
The latest Rugby League on talkSPORT 2 podcast is available to download now.
The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.
