Rugby League Today: Wane praised, Oledzki on life at Leeds & Ponga’s new deal

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Brits Down Under: Tom Burgess stars for Rabbitohs, Ryan Sutton makes Raiders return & James Graham helps Dragons win.

Wigan have confirmed that full-back Morgan Escaré has left the club after both parties agreed to end his contract by mutual consent.

Huddersfield half-back Olly Russell has signed a new deal that will see him stay at the club until the end of 2022.

Featherstone have signed Samoa international Fa’amanu Brown for the rest of the 2020 season.

Gold Coast have signed full-back or winger Corey Thompson from Wests on a deal until the end of 2022.

What’s in the papers

Leeds and England star Luke Gale would be happy to play again in a public park, reports The Sun.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has put £500,000 into the club during coronavirus crisis, reports Wigan Today.

Super League’s Mik Oledzki shares his remarkable story on life at Leeds, reports the Daily Star.

Hull KR winger Ben Crooks relieved he doesn’t need neck operation, reports The Yorkshire Post.

Paul Sculthorpe says Shaun Wane has been ‘a breath of fresh air’ with England, reports Wigan Today.

What’s on social

What a kick!

Vision from Flanagan! 👀#NRLBulldogsRoosters#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/ewJTtOt1Op

— NRL (@NRL) June 15, 2020

This is brilliant!

It’s been exactly three months since the last Rugby League played in England. Three long months, in which too many lives have been lost, and too many people kept apart.

But momentum is steadily building – and @YorkshireProse captures it beautifully.

💪 We're On Our Way Back. pic.twitter.com/QczKplkibt

— Rugby Football League (at 🏠) (@TheRFL) June 15, 2020

Kalyn Ponga has committed his long-term future to Newcastle!

LOCKED IN | Kalyn Ponga has committed to the Club long-term 🔒👊

➡️ https://t.co/nj6GJB0FQo#GoHardGoKnights #NRL #UKNIGHTED

— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) June 16, 2020

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Watch NRL (9am)

NRL 360 – Watch NRL (9:30am)

The Fan – Watch NRL (10:30am)

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.

Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

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

Birthdays

Sydney Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon turns 43 today.

Also celebrating; Salford prop Gil Dudson (30), Cronulla star Matt Moylan (29) and St George Illawarra centre Euan Aitken (25).

Trivia

Brian Bevan holds the record for most tries in a rugby league career, with 796 to his name for Warrington and Blackpool Borough between 1945-64.

Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.