Roar Guru
Joined January 2015
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A father of 4, Hull Kingston Rovers fan, junior rugby league coach, cyclist and rugby league writer.
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Today the great rugby league city of Kingston upon Hull, so often divided by intercity rivalries between the east and west, the red and…
There were some big moments, unexpected results, and a few controversies in Super League Round 5. Let's look at this week's talking points. 1.…
After Round 4 of the Super League, let's take a look at six of the biggest talking points. 1. Wigan riding their luck Only…
On Wednesday morning Hull Kingston Rovers issued a short statement advising that head coach Chris Chester had been stood down. Chester's assistant Willie Poching…
Following the first round of Super League action, the games kept on rolling. What were the major talking points from Round 2? 1. Vikings…
The English Super League kicked off in controversial fashion last week, as Hull Kingston Rovers hooker John Boudebza was handed a four-match ban for…
Super League is back, having kicked off over the weekend. So what were the talking points out of the first week back? 1. Warrington…
Welcome to the first edition of 2016 of Six to go, looking at some of the things that I'd like to see happen in…
After an exciting ending to the three-Test Series between England and New Zealand, here are a few things I learnt from the match. 1.…
New Zealand drew the Test series with England level, recording a 9-2 victory at London's Olympic Stadium. So what did we learn from the…
Even with all of the speculation that surrounded Sam Burgess since England were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup, I was still surprised…
The build up to the Test Series against New Zealand has got me thinking about my first taste of live Test Match rugby league.…
The Super League semi-finals provided us with two games of contrasting performances and quality. On Thursday night the Wigan Warriors qualified for their third…
As the 2015 Super League season ratchets up to a, hopefully, spectacular conclusion with two mouth-watering semi-finals followed by the grand final Saturday, my…
At the start of the season I tipped Warrington Wolves to win the Super League competition. I felt the addition of 2014 Man of…
Adrian Morley has been one of the stand-out British rugby league players of the last 20 years, and there can be no questioning his…
James Webster is back in rugby league, an outstanding appointment as the first head coach of the controversial joint City of Hull Academy. The…
I feel some sympathy for the plight that Richie Mathers finds himself in. The six-month ban Mathers recently received from the RFL for a…
Sack Chris Chester. Ben Cockayne should have played fullback instead of Kieran Dixon. James Green should have been on the bench instead of Dane…
The last time Hull Kingston Rovers and Leeds (before they became the Rhinos) met in a major Challenge Cup tie was 1986, and the…
Bob, with the way international eligibility rules are these days he can probably play for Ireland and Wales. He has played for Scotland then England and then back to Scotland.
Six talking points from Super League Round 4
Hi Jason – I suppose we will see if that’s the case this weekend – it will be disappointing if it was. I’ll be at the Leeds game v. North Queensland – it will be interesting to see how they go because they have a lot of players missing on top of the experience they have lost from last year.
Gidley has started well, as has Sandow. He currently looks like the type of player I was expecting to see at the back end of last year – he’s certainly full of confidence at the moment.
Six talking points from Super League Round 2
Hi Jason,
I’m calmer now mate – I was fuming last week – LOL! Strong start against the Tigers, an unexpected point, struggled at the Wolves as expected – big game against Wakefield this Sunday – it’s going to be a long hard season for us I fear – recruitment and retention have been poor and injuries and suspensions are loading up already.
No idea on Campo mate – still recovering from the knee injury he suffered last June and no definite dates on his comeback – Dixon wasn’t in the 17 for the opening game against the Tigers but came back in on the wing as Mantellato was injured for the Wolves game and may be out for a few weeks.
What’s your thoughts on the Sea Eagles for 2016?
The outrageous banning of John Boudebza
Exactly Mike – no consistency at all – Ben Westwood of Warrington was hit with exactly the same charge this weekend against Hull KR (I haven’t seen the tackle) but has received only a ONE match ban.
The outrageous banning of John Boudebza
I thought it was outrageous – especially the four matches!!!!
Also as well, the article calls this a cannonball tackle – not my words (edited in by the site), because it wasn’t – if it had of been a cannonball tackle I would have happily called for a heavy ban myself.
The outrageous banning of John Boudebza
Thanks Russ – the club went to the RFL to appeal the decision on Wednesday night and the original verdict was upheld – absolutely farcical – I really do believe that the comments from Daryl Powell have had a major impact on this decision and Powell should be warned about his future conduct in situations like this – fat chance of that happening though.
Six talking points from Super League Round 1
TH, I completely agree with you – it is an absolute joke. The club are appealing the decision and hopefully they will get a result, although I don’t see them wiping the ban out completely – it will just make the RFL look bigger idiots than they do already.
Also agree about the Dragons. They would have fallen away badly in previous years at Wigan and the FC game on Saturday is already a big one even though it’s only round 2 – the Dragons expect to win at home so it will be a real test for FC and will go some way towards telling us if we should believe the hype for once.
Six talking points from Super League Round 1
Hi Riley,
I think the Giants are going to struggle to make the top 4 this year – Ferres is a huge loss, Robinson likewise, Wardle is out for at least 4 weeks, Grix even longer and they have a skinny squad anyway.
I think Wigan for the title this year but I would love to see a new team win it – 4 champions in 18 years is ridiculous – it would do wonders for the game in France if the Dragons could do it but there away form is key – I think the Wolves look most likely again to break into the club.
Leeds will struggle against the Cowboys (I’m going to that match) – losing so many quality players is not easy and I don’t think they’ve recruited particularly well (Gallaway, Mullalley, Falloon), apart from Ferres. I can see the Cowboys taking the WCC home.
Six talking points from Super League Round 1
Alex, I agree.
I’ve been struggling to understand why so many pundits cannot see the Dragons improving this year with the acquisitions they have made.
They are always strong at home and they must improve their away form if they are to move up the table – but with the squad they have I would expect them to sit inside the top 6 comfortably.
Six talking points from Super League Round 1
Edward, it’s a disgraceful and outrageous decision.
The normal length of the ban for Grade B charge is 1-2 matches and they have extended that to 4 because of the seriousness of the injury to Shenton – I don’t like seeing players hurt but the fact is he did nothing wrong in the tackle. His shoulder contact is around Shenton’s hip area and the problem occurs when he slides down trying to bring him to the ground – it is a rugby tackle that happens hundreds of times every weekend.
I can’t help but think that Shenton and his coach Daryl Powell have forced the RFL’s hands because, basically, they TOLD them it was an illegal challenge and they don’t want to be seen as soft.
I don’t know if you have seen the tackle – it’s available on You Tube – but I would be interested in everyone’s thoughts.
Yes, I am a Hull KR fan – and it hurts even more now that we have no recognised hooker for the next 4 games (Shaun Lunt is currently injured) but I can honestly say that if Boudebza had been guilty of an illegal challenge I would have quite happily accepted the ban.
Six talking points from Super League Round 1
Beergardener, you are correct – apologies for the error – you’ve just pointed something out that will make a future article more accurate.
Thanks for that. 🙂
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
I don’t see them changing that anytime soon Drac, do you?
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
I wasn’t patronising Richard – I apologise if you felt I was but I think made the point I wanted to with humour rather than patronising you. Say what you want and you have your opinions but that Challenge Cup run was not down to luck – luck would have been getting there with home draws all they way against the easiest opposition available – that wasn’t the case.
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
I note your comments Russ and appreciate what you have to say. 🙂
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
Richard, firstly there are two teams in Hull – Hull KR and Hull FC (Rovers fans don’t like being called just Hull) – it pains us by association. LOL!! 🙂
Secondly, Hull KR were far from lucky getting to the Challenge Cup Final last year – they had no easy draws – Promotion chasing Bradford Bulls away, Wigan away (2 weeks after being hammered 60-0 by the same team), Catalans Dragons at home in the quarter finals and Warrington Wolves in the semi-finals – that’s a tough run of fixtures by anyone’s standards.
It will take some major effort to get there again though I must admit.
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
Hi Edward, I don’t know of any fixtures / venues that have been finalised yet but I’d like to see another fixture at the Olympic Stadium in London. My son went to the New Zealand Test there last year and said what a great stadium it was, although the atmosphere was muted because of the dull match, and it is about the right size for international rugby league in the capital – just over 50,000.
Don’t talk about Hull FC getting to Wembley mate – it’s not a nice thought. 😉
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
Richard, I’m with you on the Cowboys – I’ve tipped them to edge it and you are right that they are weaker – as I said in the article I don’t think the likes of Gallaway, Falloon and Mullally are near to the standard of signing that I would have expected the Rhinos to make to cover some big losses.
You are right about Salford and that’s why I’m concerned about him taking over as CEO – he should just sit back and trust his judgement on the people he has employed – I think his day to day involvement will spell more trouble.
Fingers crossed regarding England – we haven’t had such a talented playing group since the late 80’s early 90’s when we starting challenging for Ashes series again.
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
I think you’re right about the Cowboys mate – I think I’m going to head over to Headingley for that match just so that my boys can see JT in action.
Thanks for the comments – there’ll be lent more articles coming over in 2016 mate.
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
Russ,
It was just part of my wish list that Salford where a bit more professional this year and that’s why I didn’t reel off all of the rubbish from 2015 but unfortunately they haven’t got off to the best of starts have they. It’s all about opinions mate. 🙂
Six to go: What I'd like to see in 2016
I must admit Johnno, I am a big fan of the 3 match Test Series and am desperate to see us play an Ashes Series again. It has been way too long since that happened.
Ten things I learnt from the third Test
Niall, I haver a beard as well but Sam’s looks like his has been stuck on a young kid for an amateur dramatic production!!!
I agree, Bateman is a horrible little so and so but he is definitely not a centre – I don’t recall as ingle pass going from Bateman to Hall in the whole series. Shenton should have been Hall’s centre.
And that’s what worries me at times about McNamara – he makes some selection calls at times.
Ten things I learnt from the third Test
I think you are right SA – plus the loss of Peacock and Paul Aiton as well – Leuluai maybe less so. I also don’t think they have recruited very well. Gallaway, Falloon (he hasn’t played yet anyway) and Anthony Mullally are not good enough in my opinion. They are certainly missing Sinfield’s leadership as well as his kicking game and his place kicking skills.
Six talking points from Super League Round 4