Billy - Chris Irvine is tweeting that "Halifax's application too many holes by all accounts"



As much as I think the RFL would have moved hell and high water to keep Crusaders in, had they been more financially stable, irrespective of their application, I doubt they would hold Halifax back for Wakefield if their application was better... sorry!



I also think that the Halifax Chairman is picking the wrong target in his current whinge. He should be going after Quins because, by all accounts, their application was well below Wakefield's!

By what accounts, out of interest? What have you seen that we haven't?

Accounts from people employed in the game. Again, opinion, speculation, you decide but certainly people who have told me things in the past that have turned out to be correct.

hmmmm I'm not convinced IA.



There's just been an interview on Look North with a guy from the RFL, who repeatedly refused to give an answer to Harry Grayson's question as to why Halifax's bid was considered inferior to Wakeys. Obviously, as a decision had been reached, surely the reasoning behind it should be made public.



In one sentence he said he'd been in touch with someone at Halifax, then in the next, said he couldn't discuss it with the media until the Club (Halifax) had been informed. Given that the decision must have been ammended yesterday after Crusaders surprise withdrawl, in time for the 11 am media announcement today, It kinda beggars belief that the RFL would not have contacted all of the clubs involved ASAP immeadiatly after the public announcement.



I suspect a cock up more than a conspiracy, but this one is going to run for a long while yet.

Ralph Rimmer is telling the press that Halifax's application was weaker than Wakefield's, which I fully believe to be true.



Also, why do you think Crusaders withdrawing was a surprise to the RFL? I think everything points to the fact it was far from a surprise to them (if not everyone else) because clearly KMPG were struggling to provide the RFL with evidence of a company that had a sustainable future. The RFL clearly asked them to withdraw when it became apparent that things had continued to go from bad to worse. They knew the score last week, and that was the Crusaders were out and Wakefield stayed in and the withdrawal was because that is what the RFL 'asked' them to do.

1. Clinton Schifcofske

2. Gareth Thomas

3. Tony Martin

4. Vince Mellars

5. Stuart Reardon

6. Michael Witt

7. Jarrod Sammut

8. Andy Bracek

8. Ryan O'Hara

9. Lincoln Withers

10. Mark Bryant

12. Jason Chan

13. Frank Winterstein

14. Adam Peek

15. Jordan James

16. Ben Flower

17. Rhys Hanbury

18. Elliott Kear

19. Lloyd White

20. Gil Dudson

21. Paul Johnson

22. Richard Moore

23. Peter Lupton

24. Lee Williams

25. Jamie Murphy

27. Jordan Tansey



Signings for 2012:



Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Shannan McPherson (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Gary Warburton (Canterbury Bulldogs)



All contracts have become void as far as i hear, and any of these players can sign for new clubs for 2012.



The only ones I see have real potential from this is Michael Witt, Jarrod Sammut, Rhys Hanbury and Elliott Kear.

I see that Tony Martin is now officially a free agent

Personally I'd go for 11 or 26 myself.

With boiled or egg fried rice?

11 is actually Hep Cahill but signed for Widnes so took him out

Barking up the wrong tree there - I'd go for no. 2. More of a chance mate

Yep, that's the guy who has just given a very evasive and uncomfortable interview with Harry. I've no idea whether he's speaking the truth or not, but certainly on the basis of that particular interview about an hour ago, I'd be delighted to hear why he/they arrived at that conclusion.







What is a suprise to me, is that the RFL have fell for the Wakey 3 card trick yet again. You would have thought that all the broken promises from Salford, Wakey and Cas last time, re stadium development, would maybe have been taken into consideration. Add in Wakey's colourful financial failings, and you have to wonder just how bad Halfax got it wrong. Apparently.



If, as you say the RFL knew last week that Crusaders financial position was dodgy, how come they left until the day before the announcement to "ask them to withdraw"?



There is a whiff of the harbour about this one my friend.