A fair amount of financial juggling will need to be done to fit both under the Super League’s
“I am really looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years.” Says Naiqama, whose wife to be will hopefully concur that Sutton Manor is a better bet than the western suburbs of Sydney;
“The thought of winning a Super League Grand Final or Challenge Cup would be unreal and I feel I can do that with the Saints and the squad they have.” He adds. Meanwhile coach Justin Holbrook is equally enthused by his new recruit;
“Kevin is a great coup for the club and we’re really looking forward to having him on board next season.” He says, adding;
“He’s lightning quick too, with great hands, and can finish from all over the park.”
Sounds like he’ll fit right in.
It’s all happening on Tuesday as it is confirmed that England Knights will face Papua New Guinea in a two-games series in the autumn. Paul Anderson’s side will travel to Lae and Port Moresby in the Pacific Island nation, training at a base in Brisbane in preparation. The fixtures are the first to be arranged since the England Knights was re-established as part of the Elite Performance Unit;
“We were determined that we would create meaningful games and experiences that would test this squad of players and travelling to the other side of the world, to one of the most passionate and avid Rugby League nations on the planet will certainly do that.” Reckons RFL interim Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer, taking time out from schmoozing with the privileged elite;
“The Knights programme ties in fully with our ‘England Heartbeat’ philosophy of getting players ready to perform at their very best in an England shirt for the Senior team.” Adds the RFL’s Rugby Director Kevin Sinfield, setting pulses racing;
“We think this tour to Papua New Guinea ticks all of the boxes.” He continues.
The strangely delayed naming of a full-time head coach at Leigh Centurions finally reaches its logical conclusion as Keiron Purtill is named as the lucky man. Sort of;
“There is still a long way to go but I feel it is an appropriate time to make it known that I have no intentions of appointing a coach other than confirming Kieron Purtill in the role.” Explains Centurions owner Derek Beaumont.
Purtill has been in temporary charge since the departure of Neil Jukes in February and was thrilled and was quick to express his gratitude for the opportunity;
“It is a huge honour to coach Leigh Centurions and one that means a lot to me on a personal basis.” He said;
“We all are aware that we are nowhere near where we need to be but we will continue to do our utmost to continue the progress we have made with the ambition of taking our Club back into Super League.” He we-are-not-a-yo-yo-clubbed.
Harvey Livett has been catching the eye in Warrington’s recent good run, and he is rewarded (if you can call it that) with a new two-year deal at the club which takes him to the end of the 2020 season. The 21-year-old made his debut for the Wolves last season and has been instrumental in victories over Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC so far this term, with a bright future ahead;
“There’s much more improvement and growth in Harvey Livett as a Rugby League player and I am excited that he’s stayed loyal.” Reflects Wire coach Steve Price, whose been around all of five minutes himself;
“When I was growing up I used to go to home and away games watching the team so it means a lot to wear the shirt each week.” Says Livett, putting the concept of a difficult childhood into real perspective.
On Wednesday it is announced that the weekend’s Summer Bash will trial a new video referee system. The Summer Bash is a Magic Weekend for Championship Clubs, unless you are an expansion outfit in which case you get to do both. It is currently held annually in Blackpool, like week 8 of Strictly, or something. The grounding of the ball, the question of whether a player is in touch or touch in goal or matters concerning the dead ball line are the three areas that are reviewable at the Bash as the madness shows signs of finally stopping. In particular anything that boots the TV obstruction rule down the street has to be welcomed.
Despite the fact that a laughable bout of handbags breaks out between Purtill and Toronto Wolfpack’s former Leigh coach Paul Rowley at the end of the game between the two sides it seems that the experiment goes off without too many hitches. Cross your fingers. Pray for rugby league. Whatever it takes. Just please, please stop checking to see if a defender 20 yards away from the ball carrier might conceivably have been impeded.
“We have worked hard in recent years and have seen the amount of time it takes for a decision come down significantly.” Says Rugby Football League Head Of Match Officials Steve Ganson, with a straight face;
“The Summer Bash offers the perfect opportunity to conduct a trial across six games and we will be interested to receive feedback from fans, players, coaches and the broadcaster following the event.”
Catalans Dragons are no strangers to signing controversial, walking behavioural problems from the NRL and they continue the tradition with the addition of Kenny Edwards on an 18-month deal. Edwards was recently stood down by Parramatta Eels and then released after copping a charge of driving on a suspended licence in Australia. He will hop back across half the planet from his new Perpignan base for a court appearance over the matter in Sydney on July 10;
“Me and my family are really excited and looking forward to this new challenge in the South of France.” He told the club’s website, adding;
“I want to come out there and be the best I can be every day and help the team to win the club's first trophy.”
On the field Saints win again, this time 40-18 at Castleford, stretching their lead at the top of the Super League table to four points thanks to Wigan’s hugely amusing 24-8 defeat at Hull KR. Leeds’ poor form continues as they are downed 33-20 in France by the Dragons, while Warrington come from 12-0 down at half-time to beat Hull’s under 16s 30-12. Huddersfield edge Salford 24-16 as the battle for eighth (think 17th in the Premier League) hots up and Widnes finally slump to the bottom of the table with a 19-6 home defeat by Wakefield.
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