truebluefan

Wakefield Wildcats have signed teenage half-back Cain Southernwood, whose uncle Roy played for the club and whose father Graham was a hooker with Castleford.

Southernwood joins the Wildcats, along with back-row forward Danny Cowling, after coming through the club’s scholarship scheme and representing the Wakefield service area.

Coach John Kear said: “Danny is a back rower and has similar attributes and attitude to one recent Wakefield great, Gareth Ellis - and without adding the pressure with such a label, we expect great things of him.

“Cain Southernwood is acknowledged as the outstanding half-back in his age group. We expect him to blossom to the highest level, just like his father Graham did and his uncle Roy - who played at Wakefield.”

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UFC 112: Invincible

truebluefan

Hull coach Peter Sharp admits it is hard not to be despondent about the possibility of losing Richard Horne for the season.

The 25-year-old Great Britain half-back faces a scan on Wednesday to determine how long a foot injury will sideline him for.

Sharp has already indicated Horne could be missing for a long period and the situation has shades of last year when Hull's then playmaker Paul Cooke was forced to miss the start of the campaign with knee ligament damage.

And with Lee Radford (broken thumb) and Richard Whiting (broken arm) facing eight weeks and four months out respectively, and Shaun Berrigan (shoulder) also having a scan, Sharp knows pre-season preparations could have gone better.

Complete article

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UFC 112: Invincible

truebluefan

Great Britain international and Wolves forward, Adrian Morley has been handed the Wolves captaincy for the 2008 season. The 30- year old former Eccles Junior takes over the captaincy from Lee Briers, who has decided to step down from the role after five years as team captain.

Morley brings a wealth of experience to the captain's role, with a career that has seen him win a NRL Grand Final at Sydney Roosters and a Super League crown with Bradford Bulls in 2005. As well as a decorated international career that has seen the 6ft 3 forward appear in 30 Great Britain tests.

"It's a real honour to captain the side. It's something that I'm really looking forward to," stated Morley.

"Paul Cullen pulled me aside last week and said he wanted to take some pressure off Lee Briers and asked if I would like to take up the role? I didn't think twice about it, I'm excited to take up the challenge."

Complete article

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UFC 112: Invincible

truebluefan

Following a scan, Hull FC can confirm that Shaun Berrigan will be fit for the start of the season.

Richard Horne is expected to return to action in 5-6 weeks.

Hull FC Chief Executive James Rule stated, "Richard has not had surgery on his foot, the injury he struggled with last season was shown on the scan to have healed very well. This is a separate injury and no tendons or ligaments have been detached from the bone. We awaited the results of the scans and are delighted with the positive results."

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UFC 112: Invincible

truebluefan

Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson has taken the unusual step of naming co-captains for the forthcoming Super League season, with former Kiwi test star Awen Guttenbeil and star new signing Brent Sherwin sharing the role.

Speaking about his decision, Matterson said: "This is a new step for me but I believe that it is the right one and will work well. Awen is a very experienced player who everyone looks up to and he leads by example. But in his position in the forwards he probably won't be on the pitch all of the game so I wanted this option. Brent too has bags of experience at the highest level in the NRL and will be our play maker so I believe that the two will compliment each other."

Guttenbeil is in his second season at the Jungle having joined the club from the New Zealand Warriors.

Sherwin was signed this off season from the Canterbury Bulldogs.

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UFC 112: Invincible

truebluefan

Kiwi coach Gary Kemble said the game's best interests were the key consideration when he resigned from the role today.

Kemble told senior New Zealand Rugby League officials of his decision when he met with them late this afternoon after returning from a fact-finding trip to Sydney last night.

He sought opinions from players in the wake of claims by captain Roy Asotasi and experienced second rower David Kidwell that they and other senior players had no confidence in Kemble as Kiwi coach.

"I deliberately stayed away from making any comment about the situation during the week after what Roy and David had said," said Kemble.

"As a former Kiwi player I'd have to say it was very disappointing to see the way they handled the issue. They could have gone through other channels.

"After my trip to Sydney I believe I still had support from a number of players and I was keen to continue as Kiwi coach through to the World Cup later this year.

"But what matters to me most is the Kiwi jersey and the game itself. I want to see the Kiwis having the best possible chance of winning the World Cup and, to help make that possible, I've decided it's in New Zealand rugby league's best interests that I should step aside.

"Family considerations were also an important factor in reaching this decision. This whole business has been difficult for them and when it affects the people close to you, there's only one choice."

New Zealand Rugby League chairman Ray Haffenden was equally disappointed with the outcome.

"This hasn't been a good week for the game in this country," he said.

"As a board we weren't at all impressed with the conduct of the players in this matter. It wasn't appropriate or acceptable.

"We're disappointed Gary has resigned but we admire him for the courage he has shown in making this tough decision and also for the dignified way he has handled himself.

"Like Gary, we want what's best for the game and, if this helps us later in the year, we'll owe a great deal to Gary."

Haffenden said the NZRL would begin the process to find a new Kiwi coach as soon possible.

truebluefan

Tickets for Huddersfield Giants Home Opener against the Champions Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 10 February, kick off 3.00pm have gone on sale today. Tickets are available from the Galpharm Ticket Office (0870 44 44 552) and Headingley Ticket Office (08700 60 60 50).

truebluefan

Bulldogs Chief Executive Malcolm Noad has come under further fire today following an article directed at him in the Sunday Telegraph - believed to be leaked information from Noad detractors.

Noad had decided to use the early weeks in January to take his family on a holiday to the USA and in most work forces people are allowed four weeks leave every year.

The best time of the year to have a break is now when all the wheels are in motion for the season ahead, but that has seemed to have been forgotten by those behind this article. In fact Noad will return this week and has been away for the previous two weeks with some people slow to catch on his absence - such is the busy time for Rugby League during the month of January.

Complete article

truebluefan

The resignation of Gary Kemble from the New Zealahd coaching position has opened the door for Wayne Bennett to take control for the Centenary Test and the 2008 World Cup.

Bennett took charge of the New Zealand All Gold's side for the special centenary clash against the Nortern Union to celebrate 100 years of tours by New Zealand to Great Britain as the Kiwis in fact took up Rugby League one year earlier than Australia.

The players involved with the All Gold's really enjoyed Bennett's involvement and there has been a strong player push since to have Bennett more involved.

Souths co-captains Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell were the two main players to lead the charge for Bennett to replace Kemble and unfortunately played out the saga through the media rather than behind closed doors where it should have happened.

Complete article

truebluefan

Bradford Bulls have today confirmed that Back Row Forward David Solomona damaged his Medial Ligament in yesterday's game against Wigan. The player was carried from the field but initial fears that he had damaged his Cruciate Ligament have proved unfounded after a Scan today.

Bulls Coach Steve McNamara said:

"Whilst it is disappointing both for the club and David himself we realise that it could have been a lot worse. These injuries are part and parcel of the game and like, other clubs who have suffered injuries in pre season; we will just have to manage with it. Dave will be missing for six to eight weeks and although he is a big loss to us we have a strong squad and I feel we are well equipped to cope with the situation."

The Bull also confirmed that Semi Tadulala will have an operation tomorrow on a depressed fractured cheekbone and will be unavailable for six weeks.