Rugby League Today: Stunning Johnstone finish, Lam feeling encouraged & incredible Grace hat-trick

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Winger Regan Grace scored a spectacular hat-trick of tries as reigning champions St Helens made it two wins out of two following the resumption of Betfred Super League with a 48-0 rout of Leeds at Headingley.

Zak Hardaker was the hero on his 200th Super League appearance as Wigan held off a spirited late fightback by Wakefield to step up their Super League play-off challenge with a 23-22 victory at Headingley.

Tui Lolohea ran riot on his return to Headingley as Salford made it a miserable start to Andy Last’s career as Hull FC head coach.

Toronto Wolfpack remain confident they will be part of Super League in 2021 after it was revealed four bids have been lodged to buy the club.

Catalans Dragons have been assured that any clampdown on travel to and from France will not affect their ability to play and host Super League matches.

What’s in the papers

Super League round-up: St Helens thrash Leeds to keep heat on Wigan, reports The Guardian.

Andy Last says he won’t be frightened to make big changes after Hull FC’s defeat to Salford, reports Hull Live.

Adrian Lam was encouraged by Wigan’s display as they clung on to claim a tense victory over Wakefield, reports Wigan Today.

Kristian Woolf pays tribute to St Helens defence after nilling Leeds, reports St Helens Star.

“A really tough day” was Leeds coach Richard Agar’s summary of yesterday’s 48-0 home defeat to St Helens, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.

What’s on social

What a finish!

WHAT?!?!?! Just when you think @TomJohnstone01 can't surprise you any more, he absolutely does 🤯🤯🤯 Air Johnstone@WTrinityRL v Warriors live on @SkySportsRL Arena #SLWakWig #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ccky3j4l0e

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 9, 2020

All in good spirits…

We've changed our mind, we'll enter the Challenge Cup if that's OK…?

We joke! Great performance from Salford – sure the Black and Whites will bounce back… https://t.co/3LKbEEp85z

— Sheffield Eagles (@SheffieldEagles) August 9, 2020

Regan Grace scored an incredible hat-trick on Sunday.

All I can say is, thank you @ReganGrace5 🙌🔥

Greatest hat-trick you've seen? Unstoppable from the @Saints1890 winger on @SkySportsRL #SuperLeague #SLLeeStH pic.twitter.com/ffuuCDN3Dp

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 9, 2020

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Watch NRL (9am)

NRL 360 – Watch NRL (9:30am)

Best of Matty Johns – Watch NRL (10:30am)

Super League Show – BBC One (0:10am)

Podcast: The Final Hooter #7 – Toronto fans react to Wolfpack woes and the return of Super League.

Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.

Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.

Birthdays

Former Great Britain international Andy Gregory turns 59 today.

Also celebrating; Former Great Britain international Paul Newlove (49), Warrington half-back Riley Dean (19) and Doncaster chief executive Carl Hall (51).

Trivia

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena will host one game at the 2021 World Cup – Australia v Scotland.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.