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Rugby League RECAP - Hull FC linked with Super League forward
The latest news and views from the rugby league world.
Gareth Westmorland
Hello and welcome to this week's edition of our Rugby League LIVE blog.
We brought you all of the latest news, rumours and gossip from the sport.
It was a bad week for both of our teams, with Hull FC and Hull KR losing in their respective Super 8s and Qualifiers matches.
The Black and Whites fell to a 31-13 home defeat to Wakefield Trinity, whilst Rovers suffered a 28-10 reverse at the hands of Salford Red Devils.
Hull have been linked with a move for Salford prop Levy Nzoungou for 2019. The Congo native, aged 20, made his top-flight debut earlier this year.
Updates will load below - thanks for joining us!
BREAKING: Hall out for rest of season 18:03
The latest Super League news 17:07
Disciplinary news just in 15:22
KR receive huge visa news 12:38
Nzoungou linked with FC 21:43
18:37 Gareth Westmorland
That's all for today
Let's bring you a recap of all of today's stories
Dave Taylor. (Image: Channel 9)
St Helens' head coach Justin Holbrook and Ben Barba
Sika Manu congratulates Scott Taylor following his try against Wakefield Trinity
BREAKING: Hall out for rest of season
Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall. (Image: SWpix)
The latest Super League news
SUPER LEAGUE NEWS: Dave Taylor (Image: SWpix)
Disciplinary news just in
Following today's meeting of the Match Review Panel, the players listed below have been issued with the following;
Dom Crosby (Leeds) - Grade B High Tackle (1 Match Penalty)
Dom Crosby (Leeds) - Grade B Use of Forearm/Elbow (1 Match Penalty)
Luke Thompson (St Helens) - Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour (1 Match Penalty)
Following today's meeting of the Match Review Panel, the players listed below have been issued with a caution;
Anthony Mullally (Leeds) - Raising knees in Tackle
Richie Myler (Leeds) - Tripping
Chris Centrone (Leeds) - Tripping
Shane Grady (Halifax) - Kicking out
Steve Tyrer (Halifax) - Dangerous Contact
Pauli Pauli (Wakefield) - Raising knees in a tackle
Danny Tickle (Hull KR) - Dangerous Contact
Hull KR's Danny Tickle against Hull FC. (Image: Dave Greaves)
15:08 Paul Clarke
Radford lifts lid on Kelly absence
Lee Radford has lifted the lid on Albert Kelly's current injury issues after suffering three concussions in 2018 by stating nobody is willing to give the Hull FC play-maker the greenlight right now.
Kelly sustained his third concussion last month in the 34-18 defeat at home to St Helens, with the influential half-back having missed the last three matches.
Hull's season has gone sour in the meantime but so has Kelly's own health. The 27-year-old is still suffering from dizzy spells and will not return to the field before the end of the season.
OUT FOR THE SEASON: Hull FC's Albert Kelly. (Image: SWpix)
Radford admits the recent controversy in the NFL which saw former players sue the league due to poor mental health in later life has all medical sports professionals wary now.
The Hull boss even says a decade ago Kelly might have only missed a week but the new protocols are holding him back.
I don't think anyone in any medical profession are willing to say he's good to go. It's just the way it is. There is an unbelievable amount of scrutiny in that department right now.
Music to KR's ears
A reminder of yesterday's Super League news
Tear up deal or risk club
Leigh owner Derek Beaumont is calling on the Centurions' top-earning players to tear up their contracts for next season or risk the club going under.
The Championship club offloaded six of their best players to Super League clubs on the eve of the transfer deadline after failing to secure promotion and last week announced the departure of two more overseas players.
However, Beaumont says the club still need to slash their wage bill if they are to survive and he has put the onus on the players.
I am disappointed that a small number of players asked to move on didn't do so and take alternatives presented to them which would have ensured the short-term future of the club without increasing liabilities.
What is vitally important is that we can get the remaining players who are contracted beyond this year to find alternative clubs and accept some responsibility for the failings on the field.
Derek Beaumont. (Image: PA)
The harsh reality is that if they attempt to stay, then the club won't be able to survive and then they would have to go anyway so I am confident common sense will prevail and the club's history and place in the community will be respected.
Beaumont, who says he has ploughed a seven-figure sum into the club, has already announced his intention to leave at the end of the season.
He says in the worst-case scenario, Leigh would go into liquidation and reform as a community club.
Rugby league 3 up 3 down
Salford Red Devils had a poor back end to the regular season but have begun the Qualifiers in the perfect way after a 28-10 win at Hull KR on Friday night.
Niall Evalds, Robert Lui, Joey Lussick and Josh Wood crossed for tries at KCOM Craven Park as Ian Watson's men began the campaign with a bang.
Salford now have the opportunity to continue their strong start to the Qualifiers when they host Widnes Vikings on Saturday afternoon.
STAR FOR ST HELENS: Ben Barba. (Image: SWpix)
KR receive huge visa news
Hull KR celebrate Craig Hall's try against Salford Red Devils. (Image: Dave Greaves)
Did any KR man stand out for you?
Super League, August 10, 2018
Adam Quinlan
Will Oakes
Junior Vaivai
Ben Crooks
Craig Hall
Todd Carney
Danny McGuire
Nick Scruton
Shaun Lunt
Robbie Mulhern
Danny Tickle
Joel Tomkins
Chris Clarkson
James Donaldson
Chris Atkin
Submission / Results
Blow for Toronto despite win
Toronto coach Paul Rowley admits the loss of prolific tryscorer Liam Kay took the gloss off the Wolfpack's 14-0 win over Halifax in their opening Super 8s fixture.
The Ireland international, who has scored 48 league tries since joining the Wolfpack from Leigh two years ago, was taken off after 23 minutes with an ankle injury and, although he has yet to determine the extent, Rowley does not expect him to play again this year.
Toronto had earlier lost their other regular winger, Matty Russell, with concussion, which forced Rowley to play second row forwards Andrew Dixon and Cory Paterson in the threequarter line for most of the game.
"It was a blow losing two wingers and they are not any two wingers, they are probably our most consistent performers," Rowley said. "It really affected our ruck speed and our cutting edge as well.
"I'm really disappointed for Liam, it looks like it could be season over, but Matty will come back strong."
Toronto finished the Championship season eight points clear of their rivals but Rowley admits they were pushed all the way by their part-time hosts.
Hooker Andy Ackers scored the only try of the first half and they had to wait until Dixon went over for their second four minutes from the end to clinch a hard-fought win.
"To get two points on the board was really important but we really had to work hard for it," Rowley added. "It's testament to their character.
"We saw two committed sides and it was a pretty brutal battle which probably could have gone either way.
"I thought structurally in defence we were good, but some of our detail was off. To get a zero is a massive sign of our commitment as a group to dig in. There were some really honest performances."
Left, Toronto Wolfpack coach Paul Rowley, and right Hull KR's Danny McGuire. (Image: SWpix/Jerome Ellerby)
Toronto's next test is a home game against Hull KR, one of four Super League opponents lying in wait.
"It's a quick turnaround against arguably one of the two best teams in the eights," Rowley said. "It's another challenge but it's at home.
"The middle eights is about how quickly you can move on. Each game is a cup final.
"It's a tough competition. I think London showed us all the way, beating Widnes. That grabbed everyone's imagination. All four Championship clubs have put best foot forward."
Halifax coach Richard Marshall was proud of the efforts of his part-time players.
"There wasn't a lot between the two teams," Marshall said. "We made it really difficult for them.
"Execution let us down today. We had plenty of opportunities, we had good, strong field position at key times in the game but we came up a bit short. I thought we were a bit edgy and a bit nervous."
Former FC centre Lyne signs new deal at Wakefield
Reece Lyne has signed a new four-and-half year deal at Wakefield Trinity, the Betfred Super League club have announced.
The 25-year-old arrived at Belle Vue from Hull FC in 2012 and has made 128 appearances and scored 44 tries for Trinity.
Lyne, who was named in the England Knights squad in July, told Wakefield's website: "The club approached me a few months back to talk about a contract extension and I'm really enjoying my time here so it was a no-brainer.
"It will be a real honour to represent the club for 10 years and to get a testimonial at the end of it will be really rewarding."
Trinity head coach Chris Chester added: "It is great news for Reece and the club, he has been fantastic for us this year. He is happy here and very settled at the club and I look forward to working with him for the next three or four years."
FORMER FC CENTRE: Wakefield's Reece Lyne. (Image: SWpix)
Chance to meet FC stars!
Hull FC fans can meet Jake Connor, Joe Westerman and Josh Griffin at their Savile Street retail store from 2.30pm tomorrow.
The West Yorkshire-based trio will be heading to the city centre retail store to sign autographs and pose for photos with Black and Whites supporters tomorrow, whilst fans can get a bargain at the same time.
The club's end of line sale has seen 2018 ISC training wear fly of the shelves in the last week, with some products selling out completely. As prices start from as little as just £10, fans won't want to miss it.
All of these great offers and more are available from FC's Savile Street retail store, whilst it's an opportunity for supporters to get some memorabilia signed by three Hull players.
Nzoungou linked with FC
League Express are reporting that Hull FC are eyeing a move for Salford prop Levy Nzoungou.
The 20-year-old, who has played just three times for the Red Devils in 2018 all from the bench, is said to be in the eyes of FC boss Lee Radford according to the paper.
Stints on loan with Oldham, Whitehaven and Swinton have failed to see the Congo native break through and it is thought that pastures new would be best for the ex-St Helens, Melbourne Storm and Toulouse youngster.
RUGBY LEAGUE LIVE: Salford prop Levy Nzoungou, linked with Hull FC. (Image: SWpix)
Buzz is missing in FC camp - Manu
Sika Manu says Hull FC must stay strong as a group and fight hard together to overcome a current five-match losing streak in the Super League.
The Black and Whites suffered their latest loss at home to Wakefield Trinity on Friday as the visitors amassed 22 points without reply in the final stages to prevail 31-13.
Whilst it was a far cry from the 72-10 hammering at Wakefield last month, Manu explains the squad were still bitterly disappointed with their showing.
But despite the lack of 'buzz' around camp at the moment, the back rower insists everyone at the club must stick together to arrest the current bad run.
Anyone would be lacking confidence after a few losses. We just need to regroup and come back strong. It's probably one of the hardest things to do to put a big performance on after a few losses.
It's been a tough few weeks and there isn't really a buzz around the club but it's really important we stay strong as a group.
Sheens: The heat is on
Hull KR are under pressure 'big-time' to turn around their Qualifiers fortunes.
That's the view of coach Tim Sheens, who says there is no hiding place for the Robins in their fight for Super League survival.
Hull KR v Salford City Reds: Will Oakes
A 28-10 home loss to Salford Red Devils was damaging in KR's middle 8s campaign and they must travel to Championship runaways Toronto Wolfpack this weekend.
Whilst reiterating that it's not panic stations just yet, Sheens admits KR have it all to do in Canada on Saturday evening.
We're on our toes now, having lost that game to Salford. It goes without saying how important it is. You lose your first game of seven, then if you're not careful you have to go to Leeds all of a sudden and you're in trouble. It's a game where we have to keep our heads.
There's no panic, we're disappointed that we've lost the first game, but it's not the end of the world. The way we played at home was very disappointing.
We didn't nail the attack, our kicking game was poor, our last-play options were rushed and the pressure is back on us big time.
Thanks for joining us on today's LIVE Rugby League blog.
Today's headlines to follow...
Hull KRLeeds Rhinos pledge support to Hull KR's Mose Masoe with incredible gestureThe Rhinos will give Rovers an extra 25 per cent of the money from ticket sales for Masoe's fund
Hull CityHome hoodoo, losing streak, Jarrod Bowen's form - Hull City talking points from Huddersfield defeatHull City fell to a 2-1 defeat at the KCOM Stadium against Huddersfield Town last, here are five of the big talking points as the Tigers remain without a home win since before Christmas


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