ESL ESL Competition - General News and Comment - English Super League
- Thread starter S J
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Moto - was the win by Leeds such a shock ?
Not quite Cows over Melbourne but surely they were well in it ?
Not quite Cows over Melbourne but surely they were well in it ?
Not to me, no. I think the bookies made Cas narrow favourites, but not sure they adjusted their odds in time after it became clear Zak Hardaker was banned (There was an official announcement from the Castleford club this morning.).
That, and the wet weather, certainly tipped Leeds into being favourites for me.
A classic case of the 'form' side, who'd never been in a GF in their lives, against a Leeds side who've been there and got the tee-shirt (I think they have more GF wins than anyone now).
That, and the wet weather, certainly tipped Leeds into being favourites for me.
A classic case of the 'form' side, who'd never been in a GF in their lives, against a Leeds side who've been there and got the tee-shirt (I think they have more GF wins than anyone now).
Not the whole game. Taped it so will watch fully when we get back home. Still away - staying at my sons place. I read a few reports too.
It was a brave move to drop Hardaker.
Men of Gwent almost pull of another thrilling Kingston Park upset
DEFEAT: Dragons players reflect on a 32-27 loss at Newcastle. Picture: Huw Evans Agency
A 2nd half resurgence from the Dragons was only enough to secure a losing bonus point in their European Challenge Cup opener against Newcastle Falcons, going down 32-27 at Kingston Park.
Angus O’Brien’s lethal kicking ability shone throughout the match as the visitors scored three times off the back of kicks.
The hosts started stronger and made the first breakthrough. A few clever passes from fly-half Joel Hodgson brought the Falcons inches from the Dragons line.
A quick pick and go from hooker Rob Vickers smuggled the ball over for the try on 13 minutes, Toby Flood adding the extras.
DEFEAT: Dragons players reflect on a 32-27 loss at Newcastle. Picture: Huw Evans Agency
A 2nd half resurgence from the Dragons was only enough to secure a losing bonus point in their European Challenge Cup opener against Newcastle Falcons, going down 32-27 at Kingston Park.
Angus O’Brien’s lethal kicking ability shone throughout the match as the visitors scored three times off the back of kicks.
The hosts started stronger and made the first breakthrough. A few clever passes from fly-half Joel Hodgson brought the Falcons inches from the Dragons line.
A quick pick and go from hooker Rob Vickers smuggled the ball over for the try on 13 minutes, Toby Flood adding the extras.
Super League will be shown live on free-to-air television for the first time in the competition's 26-year history in 2022.
The two-year deal with Channel 4 will allow the broadcaster to show 10 live games each season.
Eight-time Champions Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves on Saturday, 12 February in the first of those matches.
The remaining nine games will be spread across the season and will include two end-of-season play-off fixtures.
Sky Sports, who have held the television rights to the competition since its inception, will continue to show 66 matches a season including the Magic Weekend and the Grand Final.
Super League chairman Ken Davy said: "The opportunity to offer live Super League action to fans on a free-to-air platform across the whole season is fantastic and one that we hope will continue to serve our current fans, as well as attract many new fans to the sport."
The two-year deal with Channel 4 will allow the broadcaster to show 10 live games each season.
Eight-time Champions Leeds Rhinos host Warrington Wolves on Saturday, 12 February in the first of those matches.
The remaining nine games will be spread across the season and will include two end-of-season play-off fixtures.
Sky Sports, who have held the television rights to the competition since its inception, will continue to show 66 matches a season including the Magic Weekend and the Grand Final.
Super League chairman Ken Davy said: "The opportunity to offer live Super League action to fans on a free-to-air platform across the whole season is fantastic and one that we hope will continue to serve our current fans, as well as attract many new fans to the sport."
| Betfred Super League Magic Weekend |
|---|
| Venue: St James' Park, Newcastle Date: 9-10 July, 2022 |
Super League's Magic Weekend will be held at Newcastle United's St James' Park over the weekend of 9-10 July next season, it has been confirmed.
The event has been held at the stadium for five of the last seven years, with Liverpool's Anfield hosting in 2019 and no event in 2020 because of Covid-19.
There will be three derbies with St Helens versus Wigan, Leeds against Castleford and Hull KR versus Hull FC.
"We're delighted to be returning," said chief commercial officer Rhodri Jones.
"It was great to be back in Newcastle in 2021, and even more so with fans back in the stadium.
"I look forward to seeing the stadium, fan zone and city brimming with rugby league fans again next year."
Fixtures
Saturday, 9 JulyWakefield Trinity v Toulouse Olympique (14:30 BST)
St Helens v Wigan Warriors (16:45 BST)
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers (19:00 BST)
Sunday, 10 July
Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils (13:00 BST)
Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (15:15 BST)
| Betfred Super League 2022 |
|---|
| Date: 10 February - 24 September Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra, BBC local radio, the Super League Show and BBC Sport website |
St Helens begin their bid for a fourth straight Super League title against the Catalans Dragons, who they beat to win the 2021 competition, in the season's opener on Thursday, 10 February.
Also on the opening weekend, Hull KR play Wigan and Castleford host Salford on the Friday night.
Channel 4's first live game is Leeds versus Warrington on Saturday, with Toulouse playing Huddersfield that day.
Wakefield and Hull FC complete the line-up on the Sunday.
Daryl Powell gets an early look at former club Castleford with his new Warrington team as one of the highlights of round two, while old foes Wigan and Leeds meet on the Friday night.
The decision whether to reintroduce scrums to rugby league will be deferred until January, the Rugby Football League Board has confirmed.
Scrums were replaced by a play-the-ball restart as part of the return-to-play coronavirus protocols in August 2020.
They were recommended to return by the laws committee for 2022, if player double-vaccine take-up in the top two divisions was at least 85%.
That target has not been met, while the Omicron variant has seen cases surge.
Clubs have been given guidance that players should be encouraged to have booster jabs, following enthusiasm to see scrums return from players and coaches.
Scrums were replaced by a play-the-ball restart as part of the return-to-play coronavirus protocols in August 2020.
They were recommended to return by the laws committee for 2022, if player double-vaccine take-up in the top two divisions was at least 85%.
That target has not been met, while the Omicron variant has seen cases surge.
Clubs have been given guidance that players should be encouraged to have booster jabs, following enthusiasm to see scrums return from players and coaches.
Tributes have been paid to former Great Britain winger Des Drummond, who has died at the age of 63.
Hundreds of fans and players have attended a memorial service celebrating the life of a rugby league legend.
Johnny Whiteley, 91, played for Hull FC and later went into coaching the sport, including at city rivals Hull KR.
About 600 people were expected at the event at Hull's MKM Stadium before a private family funeral was held.
Mr Whiteley's coffin was placed on a plinth on the side of the pitch in front of the tunnel in the West Stand.
Johnny Whiteley, 91, played for Hull FC and later went into coaching the sport, including at city rivals Hull KR.
About 600 people were expected at the event at Hull's MKM Stadium before a private family funeral was held.
Mr Whiteley's coffin was placed on a plinth on the side of the pitch in front of the tunnel in the West Stand.
It is 18 years since James Roby made his St Helens debut, with the hooker racking up over 500 games since.
The Saints skipper, 36, made his debut against Widnes in 2004 and has since led the club during an enormously successful era.
Roby has had a prosperous career, winning the Man of Steel and multiple Challenge Cups and Super League titles.
On Sunday he could add another honour to his collection by breaking the Super League appearance record.
Roby has drawn level with Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds Rhinos legend and current Leicester Tigers defence coach, who holds the current record of 454 top-flight appearances in the Super League era.
But the Saints hooker will move out front on his own should he play against Hull KR at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The Saints skipper, 36, made his debut against Widnes in 2004 and has since led the club during an enormously successful era.
Roby has had a prosperous career, winning the Man of Steel and multiple Challenge Cups and Super League titles.
On Sunday he could add another honour to his collection by breaking the Super League appearance record.
Roby has drawn level with Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds Rhinos legend and current Leicester Tigers defence coach, who holds the current record of 454 top-flight appearances in the Super League era.
But the Saints hooker will move out front on his own should he play against Hull KR at the Totally Wicked Stadium.