General General Superleague News

[mt.wellington]

A thread to stick any Super League news that might not warrant its on thread.

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[mt.wellington]

First up, new rules to be used during the Super League trials that start today, Boxing Day...

Super League to trial new rules as NRL tinkers with All Stars concept

THE English Super League is set to trial new rule changes in their Boxing Day friendlies tomorrow (AEDT) as the NRL looks to introduce its own experimental rule changes at the 2013 NRL All Stars game in Brisbane on February 9.

The rules are designed to keep the ball in play and minimise the impact that long-range kicking can have on the game.

The experimental rules to be trialled in the Leeds Rhinos-Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Batley Bulldogs-Dewsbury Rams games, include:

• THE team in possession being able to choose between having five and six men in a scrum, giving them the option of having up to eight men in the backline;

• TEAMS restarting play from their own 40m line instead of the 20m line when the opposition kicks the ball beyond the dead ball line from their own half; and;

• PLAY continuing without the tackle count being reset after a charge-down is regathered by the kicking team. The rules, designed by the RFL Laws Committee, will be evaluated in January once a review of the games takes place.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, who chairs the laws committee, said he was looking forward to seeing the impact the changes would have on the two fixtures.

"Christmas friendlies are the perfect opportunity to trial changes such as these and I would like to thank all four clubs for their willingness to participate in the experiment," Wood said.

"The rule changes have been proposed with a view to enhancing the game-day experience for both spectators and players alike - and I'm sure that will be the case for everyone at Headingley Carnegie Stadium and Mount Pleasant on Boxing Day."

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...ll-stars-concept/story-fndujljl-1226543343939

Dont like the scrum rule. Its already one on one. Some of the best tries I've seen are off set moves from the scrum. One thing RL doesnt really do is play the set piece more often. It will open up the game a little though.

Dont really like the carry on with play from a charge down either. I believe the ball has been played it and should result in another set if the opposing teams gamble didnt pay off.

The kicking out from your own half of the field is a tactic that has been used extensively in the NRL to nullify the kick return options of players like Slater and Barba. I dont mind it but Im not really a fan of adding another layer of rules. This one is one I can live with.

 

[Spence]

I think they've got number three right. I don't like the play restarting when a charge down occurs.

 

[mt.wellington]

Wigan coach Shaun Wane prepares for Sam Tomkins exit

Last Updated: January 18, 2013 4:39pm

Sam Tomkins: Expected to leave Wigan in future
Wigan coach Shaun Wane admits he is preparing for a future when full-back Sam Tomkins will no longer be with the Warriors.

The 23-year-old England full-back is widely regarded as one of Super League's hottest properties and has another four years to run on his contract at the DW Stadium.

"Sam is not going to be with us all of his career so I need to look at other full-backs as well and other options that we have."

But Wane cannot rule out the possibility of Tomkinsleaving the club and has revealed that he is leaving the player out of all trial matches in order to consider other options at full-back.

"I need to look at other people," Wane said. "Sam is not going to be with us all of his career so I need to look at other full-backs as well and other options that we have."

Tomkins signed a 12-month contract extension in November 2011, on the same day older brother Joel switched codes to join Saracens, and as part of his new deal he agreed not to talk to union or NRL clubs for the following three years.

"We've got him for this year and hopefully the year after," Wane added.

Tomkins insists he is not looking beyond 2013 and is focused on the season ahead.

"I'm waiting to start the season with Wigan, I'm not thinking about anything else right now," said Tomkins, who missed Wigan's play-off defeat by Leeds last September with a knee injury but is now fully fit. "I'll certainly be playing in the first game of the season if selected."

Wigan lost reserve full-back Matthew Russell to the Australian game in the winter but Wane has given youngsters Jack Murphy and Dominic Manfredi the chance to impress in the pre-season games against Leigh, Hull KR and Salford and confirmed on Friday that Tomkins will not play against Warrington in the Ben Westwood testimonial match next Saturday.

https://www1.skysports.com/rugby-le...oach-Shaun-Wane-prepares-for-Sam-Tomkins-exit

Classy player that Tomkins. By far the best English lad running around at the moment. Sounds like he may eventually leave but not for a wee while yet. Be a huge loss not just to the Warriors but to the whole ESL comp if he goes to NRL or Union.

 

[Ranger]

https://www.3news.co.nz/Former-Warr...tract/tabid/415/articleID/286977/Default.aspx

Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson expects a big impact from new signingUkuma Ta'ai - but warns fans to be patient with the Tongan international.
"All the hype around him coming built an aura of expectation from him and we saw that, once he is fully fit, he will be a handful. We've just got to be patient for now and keep improving his physicality day to day because he's bigger than a Christmas turkey at the moment."

 

[mt.wellington]

https://www.3news.co.nz/Former-Warr...tract/tabid/415/articleID/286977/Default.aspx

Always liked Ta'ai. Was penalty and error prone but he brought that unrelenting, hardnosed, mongrel to the team that is still missing from our pack. Goodluck to him.

Turkey hahaha

 

[mt.wellington]

Widnes vs Hull FC on Maori TV right now...

 

[surfin]

Castleford v Hull KR about to start Maori TV

 

[mt.wellington]

15 September 2014 Last updated at 15:05 GMT

Super League Dream Team 2014: BBC Sport's experts' choices
After 27 rounds, 189 games and 1,696 tries of another thrilling Super League regular season campaign, 13 players - the best of the best for each position - have been selected for the 2014 Dream Team.

It is a subjective process, with the performances of individuals judged in tandem with club performances, and often throws up a few surprise selections.

St Helens finished top of the regular season table going into the play-offs but had only one player - Tommy Makinson - while Challenge Cup winners Leeds have five players named.

With the votes cast and the results confirmed, BBC Sport's rugby league experts have submitted their teams based on their experiences covering the competition during the 2014 season.

The official Super League Dream Team 2014:

Zak Hardaker (Leeds); Ryan Hall (Leeds), Michael Shenton (Castleford),Kallum Watkins (Leeds), Tommy Makinson (St Helens); Kevin Brown(Widnes), Matty Smith (Wigan); Jamie Peacock (Leeds), Daryl Clark(Castleford), Chris Hill (Warrington), Elliott Whitehead (Catalans), Carl Ablett (Leeds), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/29175604

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

I think there all English in that dream team must be the first time thats ever happend?

the poms four nation side would have to include all those players except jamie peacock whos retired. maybe adding james roby and errol crabtree from some sizes against the koko's along with the NRL playes tomkins, widdop, graham, and a burgess or 2! got the makings of a damm good side...

 

[GazrethW]

Actually 2 years in a row that it's been an all English dream team. I think that is partly down to a conscious decision being made to pick the English guys over the overseas players to make the locals look better. But then it is also a reflection of a lower quality of imports combined with a decent group of young English players.

 

[mt.wellington]

Actually 2 years in a row that it's been an all English dream team. I think that is partly down to a conscious decision being made to pick the English guys over the overseas players to make the locals look better. But then it is also a reflection of a lower quality of imports combined with a decent group of young English players.

Last years team...

​

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

i would like to see the Kwi's beat England final that would be awesome, but i doubt it with the coach they have in McNamara unless his picked up a few new tricks as the assistant coach at the roosters and is finally able to see that Widdop is the best stand off half they have got

 

[GazrethW]

i would like to see the Kwi's beat England final that would be awesome, but i doubt it with the coach they have in McNamara unless his picked up a few new tricks as the assistant coach at the roosters and is finally able to see that Widdop is the best stand off half they have got

Thankfully I think he had that decision made for him because Sinfield retired from internationals. Doubt it'll happen but he really should have Widdop and Tomkins in the halves with Hardaker giving better stability as a fullback. If Sam Burgess had still been available in this form the team would've stood a real chance.

 

[mode81]

I wonder if the Warriors could entice Anthony Gelling back from Wigan he's really developed nicely over there doesn't have the sloppyness to his game, his work rate has improved and scores some good tries from what I've seen.

Gelling's been playing solid footy for the last two seasons he'd be good centres and wing option for us considering our backs are fragile at times.

 

[GazrethW]

I wonder if the Warriors could entice Anthony Gelling back from Wigan he's really developed nicely over there doesn't have the sloppyness to his game, his work rate has improved and scores some good tries from what I've seen.

Gelling's been playing solid footy for the last two seasons he'd be good centres and wing option for us considering our backs are fragile at times.

He's been Wigan's most improved player this year. Always very strong running making metres from deep much like the outside backs you already have. He does need to improve his decision making though as he ignores his winger on some occasions and throws silly random overloads on others. He also does a weird little hop after receiving the ball which reduces his effectiveness. But considering this is his first full season playing as a centre over here he does seem to be learning pretty well and produced a lovely little deft kick for Charnley to chase and score with last week against Warrington. Don't think of him as a winger though as he always looked pretty bad in that role, just don't think he has enough faith in his ability to go around the outside of a defender.

 

[smc]

Last years team...

View attachment 10111​

How long's Fabio been playing in the super league?

 

[mode81]

He's been Wigan's most improved player this year. Always very strong running making metres from deep much like the outside backs you already have. He does need to improve his decision making though as he ignores his winger on some occasions and throws silly random overloads on others. He also does a weird little hop after receiving the ball which reduces his effectiveness. But considering this is his first full season playing as a centre over here he does seem to be learning pretty well and produced a lovely little deft kick for Charnley to chase and score with last week against Warrington. Don't think of him as a winger though as he always looked pretty bad in that role, just don't think he has enough faith in his ability to go around the outside of a defender.

Cheers for that insight always good to hear some feedback of ESL only get to see limited footage but what I have seen of Gelling he was impressive, certainly got a lot bigger but obviously still has some work to improve his game.

 

[mt.wellington]

Anyone else watching the Grand Final? PM for a live stream connection...

 

[mt.wellington]

This is the only spoiler I'll do in case anyone wants to watch it on Maori TV at 3:30pm. Ben Flower is a fucking muppet!!!