Even by Lee Radford's high standards, that was a classic pressa. "We'd had a gutful of Warrington's social media all week saying how many points they'd put on us. There's a way to win. That's not it. So disrespectful. There was a glint in the eye of our boys."
#SLWarHul
Saturday lunchtime
@SuperLeague
on
@C4Sport
really is becoming a ‘thing’ isn’t it…?
Just gets better and better. Slick production, quality show, great action on the field…long may it continue.
....but, most importantly, be part of such a fantastic team where I’ve made mates for life.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way.
I am delighted to now get the chance to join the
@DailyMirror
as RL correspondent. Looking forward to getting cracking from March 1!
Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith also credits Leigh coach Adrian Lam for fielding such a strong side six days before Wembley and giving Super League the respect it deserves by doing so.
Hull FC boss Lee Radford in great form ahead of the derby discussing why he loves having selection headaches.
"It's great. I've got players bringing me coffees in on a morning. Players bringing in cup cakes. I should have got a bigger squad years ago!"
Exc: Great news for St Helens fans, this….
After all the speculation about him heading back Down Under, in-demand Sione Mata'utia says he’s STAYING with the Super League champions and ready to sign a new deal.
PERSONAL NEWS CLAXON: After 12 great years, next week will be my last at
@yorkshirepost
As a proud Yorkshireman it has been a real honour to work for such a brilliant paper and experience so many amazing opportunities.....
Great off-field stats coming out of today’s
@RLWC2021
opener:
* more fans from the north east than anywhere else
* biggest single game attendance for a World
Cup opener in northern hemisphere
* highest grossing gate for an individual group game in this country at a World Cup
COMMENT: Been a daft amount of negativity surrounding
@SuperLeague
taking
#MagicWeekend
to Liverpool. The sun's out. Let's just enjoy it and give it a chance.
Exclusive: Can’t begin to understand what
@YorkKnightsRLFC
@DannyKirmond12
and his family have been through these last few weeks so huge respect and thanks for them for agreeing to do this piece.
IMG recomending removal of loop fixtures including Magic Weekend; bringing Challenge Cup forward with final in May; rewnewed focus on internationals as vehicle for growth; creation of new event to engage with new audience.
"Knowing Luke Gale got 5 games for what he did, I did think I’d be out for the season. I know I got it wrong. But there was no malice. It was just a freak accident. I'm just glad Connor's OK. And I'll learn."
@Giantsrl
@willpryce_
on that TEN game ban...
How good is this? Amateur clubs remain the lifeblood of the game. It's where it all begins and you get that bug. Clearly still means so much to James Graham.
James Graham is the 4th to play over 50 games for his country, gaining his Golden Cap. He has donated it to his junior club. Fighting his emotions, James hopes that seeing his cap will inspire others to take up the sport and be the best they can like he did
@ThattoRugby
"Paul Lakin gave us a Datsun. I don’t know where our Lamborghinis are! You know what, though, I’m happy with a Datsun as that’s where we’re from, who we are. We’re humble. We’ll let our rugby do the talking.”
Hull KR's Willie Peters ahead of play-offs.
“They are in a team no-one wants to be on, against an opponent no-one can out-run."
@sallynugent
sums up MND perfectly but brilliantly charts
@Rob7Burrow
's brave ongoing fight against the cruellest of diseases in tonight's
@BBCBreakfast
doc. BBC2 7pm
EXCLUSIVE
“The NRL are doing it for themselves really to have the players back fit for pre-season. I don’t think it’s anything to do with Covid."
You can always rely on
@Giantsrl
and
@England_RL
winger
@J_mcGillvary
to say it as it is.
@RLWC2021
Such sad news about Malcolm Alker who's died aged 45. Clearly had his struggles but enjoyed a terrific career at Salford Red Devils, earned legendary status, was as tough as they come + always great to chat with. Thoughts with his family + friends. RIP
Not sure where to start or end with this as his feats are almost indescribable but a few words on the legendary Leeds Rhinos icon Rob Burrow after today’s sad news.
Exclusive
"I'd lost the love for union the last couple of years. But I always wanted to play rugby league. And all I'll say is this has really lit my fire again."
Spoke to ex-Bath + Harlequins prop Lewis Boyce who is making most of Leeds Rhinos trial.
WATCH
“I rocked up at the
@LeicesterTigers
training ground one day and had a letter with a cheque for 20K from this kind gentleman."
And more was to come for
@leedsrhinos
legend Kevin Sinfield ahead of latest
@Rob7Burrow
@mndassoc
challenge.
England boss Shaun Wane announces his first squad tomorrow and understand Paul McShane and Josh Griffin will be in that mix.
Few can argue with either selection. Well-deserved.
Willie Peters: "It's amazing. Hally was ruled out. There was a bit of chaos before kick-off. But I walked in and SKD said ‘We’ve got it, don’t worry.’"
Goes without saying everyone hoping
@Shaun_Lunt
gets on the mend soon.
@hullkrofficial
confirm captain is in hospital with "serious infection + undergoing treatment that will rule him out for the rest of the 2018 season." One of the sport's great guys, best wishes to him + family
“That’s two completely different things: my opinion is my opinion and my job is my job.”
Hull KR's Joe Burgess on that social media issue as he prepares to hopefully help lead Rovers to League Leaders’ Shield.
“The club consider its application strong and meritorious, and that one of the two remaining places left open by the process, should be granted to it."
@hullkrofficial
rightly come out firing at the RFL following elite academy licence furore.
Devastating news for Rob Burrow and his family and thoughts with them all.
But knowing how positive he is and always has been, he'll be hitting this head on.
"I’ve got to play to my strengths so if anybody big and nasty needs locking up they send me in. And I do like that."
Great chatting to ex-
@leedsrhinos
@OfficialBullsRL
@hullkrofficial
prop
@scrutsy
about joining the police after early retirement!
Going to miss interviewing
@DannyBrough2020
when he does retire although doesn't look like that'll be any time soon.
Gave me longer than his usual 60 secs (!) for this as
@WTrinityRL
star talks booze, England snub, Hull FC exit + players he admires most.
"I owe my family one. As a kid, they’d save all year to take us on a full weekend away whether it was Wembley, Cardiff or Scotland. It’s time for me to repay them.”
At 32,
@JordanTurner89
can do so; he's on his way to Wembley as a player with
@CTRLFC
Well, if
@C4Sport
wanted a proper classic rugby league contest to start their
@SuperLeague
coverage they have certainly got it with that 1st half.
Bit of everything: big hits, great skill, tries, red card, drama + all the intensity you'd expect.
Great to see how it pans out...
Sneyd’s won it! Hull do it. 22-23. Rarely have Hull ever deserved a win quite as much. Terrific. What a great Super League game that was. 13-game losing run finally over. Report online
@SuperLeague
#SLWigHul
“I’m still enjoying it. I’ve always said as long as I’m still fit and healthy and still enjoying it, why not carry on?”
On his 40th birthday, why
@DewsburyRams
former
@OfficialBullsRL
and
@WTrinityRL
star
@syko_sykes
still has no plans to retire.
Lap it up everyone. You are witnessing greatness. This
@Saints1890
side is something else.
World Club Challenge glory secured Down Under in an absolute classic. Run out of superlatives. Well done all. And what a boost for
@SuperLeague
EXCLUSIVE
“It’s just so hard to get to a Grand Final and to get there twice and lose two is the worst feeling. But it also gives you that drive... I've come here to win one."
Big
@hullfcofficial
@NRL
signing
@joshreynolds9
is a man on a mission.
Family went along to Headingley to see some
@RLWC2021
action today so they could see what I’m always banging on about.
Loved it. Knew they’d see sense.
Sad, sad day. Not only a legend at
@RaidersOulton
but throughout the RL community. A great character, lovely guy who inspired so many. So many happy memories around Raider Park with him.
#RIPRocky
"That’s the pinnacle of anyone’s career. I’m definitely working towards the World Cup in France. I feel I got my foot in the door with Knights but England is the ultimate goal.”
And you wouldn't bet against
@SalfordDevils
Tyler Dupree doing it.
Can't imagine what it must be like to even contemplate this.
Huge love to
@Rob7Burrow
+ family.
"I am fine with dying but it’s not being able to watch your kids grow up. So if there’s ever an incentive to be around for a while, I’ve got it."
#MND
"I had other offers but deep down I’m a Wakey boy. I grew up in Wakefield, my 1st-born was born here, I went to school in Wakey, my mum lives two miles around the corner + I debuted here. It's nice to come back."
@WTrinityRL
new signing
@joshogriffo
“I was in the Leeds Rhinos scholarship. They said you’re not big enough, you’re not good enough and you won’t be. It was a big fuelling of the fire for me. But I wouldn’t change a thing in my career.”
Tom Johnstone on Headingley return with England.
Not a done deal but understand there’s now an offer on the table for Salford Red Devils coach Paul Rowley to take over as next Hull FC boss as they make him their No1 target.
"Fans sing Can’t Help Falling in Love. It’s also my grandma + grandad’s wedding song. Whenever they sing it I hold my grandad’s hand when it gets to ‘take my hand…'"
Rebecca Wood hopes
@Giantsrl
sing it again for Ken Davy... as
@TheChallengeCup
winners.
Ian Watson: "Players have to put their egos away and work. Look at that Hull KR team. There's no egos in there. They're all competing. It's disappointing that some of our players weren't competing. It's not good enough. There's no positives for us."
#SLHKRHud
Wow. Awesome stuff London Broncos. What a result at Featherstone Rovers. They're off to Toulouse next week for a place in Super League. Great stuff. IMG dream.
But when will Fev ever learn? Madness sacking Sean Long. And now they've missed out yet AGAIN...
“It’s something I am really proud of; I love playing at this club and have done for a number of years."
Had a chat with
@Massey196
about facing Catalans but also hoping to see out his entire career at
@CTRLFC
and become that rare beast... a one-club man.
I'm all for the game cracking down on dangerous tackles but hating this handing out an extra game ban for "frivolous" challenges to suspensions.
Oli Holmes now suffered that fate after James Bentley.
It's almost like it is being said there is no right to appeal.
EXCLUSIVE
“We’ve restructured the hospital, designated coronavirus wards, expanded the intensive care capacity massively, built walls; we're ready..."
Big thanks to
@CTRLFC
+
@MidYorkshireNHS
but especially
@DrNickRaynor
for letting us write this piece.
Wow. Ben Currie just jumped into the crowd to make sure an irate Wolves fan was sent back up to his corporate box as Wolves fans start arguing between themselves. Mike Cooper also marching up the steps to help out.
Well, even by Bradford Bulls standards, that was utterly weird...
Fresh piece up online shortly. Agree with all those who say there needs to be an independent inquiry into what's happened between the RFL and Bradford Bulls since 2011/12.
Great to see Huddersfield take centre stage in today’s
@MirrorSport
with
@Giantsrl
and
@htafc
all set for their huge weekend in the capital.
"I would love
@DragonsOfficiel
to win just so we can put to bed the old line about there’s only ever been four clubs who have ever won the Grand Final. It is so negative."
Tend to agree with
@hullkrofficial
@Ryan5Hall
on this...
Sad to see
@NeilHudgell
make this decision but totally understandable.
The sport can ill-afford to lose shrewd operators like him and
@hullkrofficial
should be forever grateful for what he's helped them achieve.
Sheens: "The chairman's really pleased....it's been a while! Pleased with Hall but probably more impress with Crooksy. Tuimavave caused us all sorts of problems before but he never looked like getting past Crooksy tonight. I met Crooks today. He hasn't trained with us."
#SLHulHKR
“Nu didn’t realise he’d got a red card. He thought he was sin-binned. He was asking when he can go back out. He was gobsmacked.”
Hull FC boss Tony Smith reveals Nu Brown's take on that crazy red - he thought he'd got a yellow at Warrington.
#SuperLeague
Here's how today's rugby league looked in the Daily Mirror.
More
@SuperLeague
semi-finals build-up in tomorrow's edition with a
@leedsrhinos
@zakhardaker1
exclusive and some words from the
@SalfordDevils
camp on why they're so "chilled" ahead of facing Saints.
“Fancy that!”
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary’s reaction when told Wigan Warriors’ Harry Smith had escaped a ban and would be free to play against him in Saturday’s World Club Challenge.
Great to sit down with
@leedsrhinos
CEO Gary Hetherington this week to have a look back at his remarkable 25 years at the club, including the successes, battles, the job that briefly may have tempted him away plus his thoughts on the future.
Hull FC boss Lee Radford confirms Curtis Naughton is free to play for them v St George Illawarra Dragons on Sat. "It was just pure coincidence he came in to see the boys before the last game. I glad he did." More to follow
#SuperLeagueOnTour
@Ladbrokes
Had a chat with
@Oli_Holmes
about Sonny Bill Williams + whether he looks up to him as a fellow back-row.
"He’s a Kiwi for starters – and I don’t look up to any of them!"
And the important business of
@CTRLFC
tackling 3 Peaks for Prince of Wales Hospice
Just watching the game back. That pass from Connor. Sublime. Imperative
@England_RL
always find space in their team for players of that ilk and capable of such stuff as there's truly not many about. World-class.
Great to get down to
@CTRLFC
and have a chat with Lee Radford today.
Here's what he had to say as he prepares for start of pre-season training next week.
Exclusive
Always great chatting with
@Giantsrl
@J_mcGillvary
Here he is on:
* one kid playing for City, another at United - and the 3rd for his beloved Liverpool?
* chasing first major trophy at the age of 33
* how flu left him a mess
* Ryan Hall
Exclusive:
@CTRLFC
@mshenton22
explains how he deliberately threw ball at opposition player in France to win that penalty out of sheer "frustration", accepts he was wrong but glad it had positive effect.
“I've had a lot of emails from parents saying their kids have gone home with real smiles on their faces and £5 from every £15 session goes to the
@NHSuk
so a lot of people
benefit."
@hullfcofficial
@joshogriffo
on his personal training with a difference
I know I'm supposed to write a story on that Super League statement especially as it's good for 'hits' and all that. But going to give it a miss. Pretty sick of the game shooting itself in the foot. Doesn't need any further help.
Cracking afternoon down at Leeds United as their French duo Ilan Meslier and Georginio Rutter link up with Leeds Rhinos’ France internationals Justin Sangare and Mickael Goudemand.
Big Saturday with
#lufc
taking on Huddersfield Town and Rhinos facing Catalans Dragons.
'I would like to thank the Prime Minister for this award'
Rugby League legend Rob Burrow has received the 2,000th Points of Light award at an event in Downing Street.
He told the Prime Minister it was recognition for all those living with MND
Business as usual at
#JohnstonPress
.... which means you're all getting my Saturday bombardment of links to
@yorkshirepost
stories! If you prefer, please go out and buy a paper. It is - always is - a cracking read. Thanks for all the messages of support. We all appreciate them.
Heartbreak for Wakefield. Lomax drops ball backwards when going for a drop goal but manages to get to Welsby who gets it over.
Agony for Trinity. This is the sort of game where Golden Point doesn’t make much sense.
Had a chat with Shaun Irwin, the captain when
@FevRovers
last faced a promotion decider for Super League.
“I was so proud of them all + what we achieved in '98. We fell just short but had such belief. I can see that in this Fev side. I hope they do it."
The
@Giantsrl
fans singing “There’s only one Ken Davy”
They are so lucky to have him and they know it. Maybe he’ll finally get the ultimate reward in three weeks time…?
Really quite saddened by this. Yes, it's a controversial subject and mistakes have been made by
@TOwolfpack
But feel it is a really big setback for the whole sport of rugby league and a massive opportunity wasted.
EXCLUSIVE
“The only situation I've had on field is when an opponent tried to use it against me to get under my skin.
“But it’s only ever happened twice - and neither time it worked."
@Giantsrl
@Elroy_cudj
on his stammer. And how it won't ever beat him.
Exc: Had a chat with Chris Chester about his switch from head coach to life as a head of rugby, recruiting players - and coaches - for
@LeighLeopardsRL
who are now off to a Challenge Cup final at Wembley on the back of some quality transfer business.
Big credit to
@greg_minikin
for his performance the other night in such circumstances. Here he is dedicating
@CTRLFC
win to lifelong friend Scott Stevenson.
“I've known Scott since I was five. Everyone is heartbroken. The minute's silence was emotional.”