The domestic season may be over with clubs having turned their thoughts to season ticket sales, while the players are enjoying hard –earned holidays with their families and resting their battered bodies, but the rugby league scene is far from hibernation with plenty going on to get the fans talking.
We’ve had a look back at the news over the last week to pick up on stories which you might have missed, to ensure that you keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening inside the greatest game.
Wednesday 24th
Wakefield Trinity continued the ongoing asset stripping of the Leigh Centurions in securing the signature of Ben Reynolds on a two year deal. The former Castleford and York man will be available to join Trinity for their full pre-season.
Leeds Rhinos announced that they had turned forward Dom Crosby’s loan from Warrington Wolves into a permanent deal with a three year contract for the man who has impressed in helping the Rhino avoid the banana skin of the middle eights.
Thursday 25th
The RFL announced that three more legends would be joining the Hall of Fame with Andy Gregory, Derek Turner and Johnny Whiteley MBE being inducted at the Golden Boot dinner on the 7th November.
Friday 26th
London announced the signing of Sheffield Eagles half-back Matty Fozzard on a two year deal giving the 23 year old Welsh international his first taste of Super League in 2019.
Leeds Rhinos confirmed that new coach Dave Furner will leave Australia on the 5th November to arrive in Leeds ahead of pre-season after some earlier speculation that he may have decided to stay in his home country.
Saints were announced as favourites to win the Super League Grand Final in the early markets for the 2019 season. Warrington were given as second favourites while champions Wigan are only third favourites as they begin their post-Wane era.
Saturday 27th
The highlight was the first test match between England and New Zealand at the KCOM Stadium in Hull which saw England take a one game lead in the three match series with a terrific 18-16 win thanks to tries from Tomkins, Gildart and a Connor penalty try. The Hull centre Connor also kicked three goals for a famous win.
England’s women recorded a 54-4 victory over France women in Carcassone including two tries from the Women of Steel debutant Georgia Roche.
Sunday 28th
Wigan Warriors announced that their, and England’s, skipper Sean O’Loughlin would face a race against time to be fit for the second test against New Zealand on Sunday after aggravating a ling-standing calf injury in the first test.
Monday 29th
London Broncos recruitment continues with the signing of Nathan Mason who had been on loan from the Huddersfield Giants to Leigh Centurions in 2018. The prop forward will strengthen the Broncos front line as they play catch-up after their unexpected promotion to Super League.
Ex-Rhinos favourite Brett Delaney was announced as a Featherstone Rovers player for the 2019 and 2020 seasons after being released by the Headingley club and signing a two year deal.
Huddersfield Giants were delighted to announce the capture of Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Matt Fawley in a deal which looks to have paved the way for the transfer of long-standing Giants skipper Danny Brough to Wakefield Trinity in a possible exchange deal which would see Scott Grix heading up the road to Huddersfield.
Twenty-seven year old Chris Clarkson is in the sights of both Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils after being one of nine players released by Hull KR at the end of the 2018 season. The ex-Leeds forward and Grand Final winner will be making the decision in the coming weeks.
Tuesday 30th
It was announced that top Aussie referee Gerard Sutton would be taking control of the second test match to be played on Sunday. Operating as a sole man in the middle will be a novelty for Sutton who is used to being the senior official in Australia’s two referee regime.
Hull FC confirmed that Dean Hadley would be returning early from Papua New Guinea after suffering from illness on the England Knights tour.
