Rugby League Today: Lui, Hardaker, Wakefield stadium and live streams
It was a busy day on Thursday as the new rugby league season was launched at a media event encompassing Super League, Championship and League One. Expect a lot of content from that over the next few days.
What’s on the site
Salford have rejected a bid from Hull KR for Robert Lui with a clear message he is not for sale – though social media comments from Lui’s partner suggest that this story may not quite have ran its course yet.
There’s been a lot of fuss in football this week about Leeds’ new club logo – so we took a look at Super League clubs that have changed their logos over the years.
If you’ve not seen it yet, check out our Expansionist Blog, a regular feature where we look at attempts to spread the word of rugby league. In this week’s edition, we catch up with the guys at West Wales Raiders.
We are now less than a week until the start of the season and everyone has an opinion on how everyone will do. What has been a common denominator is that Widnes are fancied to finish bottom – but Denis Betts says they are out to shock a few people.
What’s in the papers
A big one in The Guardian about the future of Zak Hardaker, with Castleford coach Daryl Powell saying he would welcome the former Leeds and England full-back back in to the fold after his drugs ban.
There is yet another twist in the Wakefield stadium saga, as club owners fume over a possible appointment to oversee its development, reports the Daily Star.
What’s on social
Remember the charging for live stream debacle last summer? It was brought up at a Digital Sport conference last night.
"We charged £2.49 for a game and people would think we'd killed their mothers! It was the price for a cup of coffee, but that was because people just weren't ready to pay for a stream" – Mark Foster, @TheRFL
— Digital Sport (@DigitalSportUK) January 25, 2018
It was a busy day all round as Super League, Championship and League One descended on the John Smith’s Stadium for the season launch, with women’s Super League, community RL, masters RL and other arms of rugby league represented too.
Plenty of media time for the @Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs ? pic.twitter.com/Z6ZPK50em1
— Championship & League 1 (@RLChampionships) January 25, 2018
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Widnes held their own season launch, including a tribute to former team-mate Kato Ottio by the Vikings’ new arrival from Papua New Guinea, Wellington Albert.
Wellington finishes the evening to a round of applause by paying tribute to his brother Kato Ottio, and thanks all the loving messages and tributes that have been received on behalf of everyone in Papua New Guinea. #RIPKato ?? pic.twitter.com/EyNWgsxYT7
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) January 24, 2018
What’s on radio/TV
On Saturday afternoon, there are two games.
Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields, Challenge Cup, 2.30pm – LIVE STREAM
St Esteve v Avignon, French Elite League, 2.30pm – LIVE STREAM
