http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/waiting-game-for-websters-hull-debut-872315.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/waiting-game-for-websters-hull-debut-872315.html <p>In purely Super League terms, there will be little at stake but local pride when Hull meet Hull KR at high noon today. Hull, after a disappointing campaign that cost Peter Sharp his job, will not make the play-offs. Indeed, if there was still relegation rather than the system of franchise allocation that will be completedon Tuesday, all their attention would be on the foot of the table.</p> Rugby League Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/huddersfield-18-warrington-19-briers-drop-goal-brings-down-giants-872316.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/huddersfield-18-warrington-19-briers-drop-goal-brings-down-giants-872316.html <p>When Huddersfield's newly appointed coach, Nathan Brown, watches the delayed Australian telecast of this match, he will see that he has plenty to work with next season. He will also see a side that needs to compete for the full 80 minutes.</p> Rugby League Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/st-georges-brown-is-new-giants-coach-871710.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/st-georges-brown-is-new-giants-coach-871710.html <p>Huddersfield have appointed Nathan Brown as their new coach. The Australian, who is in charge at St George-Illawarra, will arrive at the end of the NRL season on a three-year contract. He succeeds Jon Sharp, who was sacked last month after the Giants slumped to next to bottom in Super League.</p> Rugby League Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wigan-12-st-helens-46-mcilorum-walks-to-set-up-saints-stroll-871899.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wigan-12-st-helens-46-mcilorum-walks-to-set-up-saints-stroll-871899.html <p>The Super League leaders hammered their near neighbours for the third time this season, a task made considerably easier by playing against 12 men for 75 minutes.</p> Rugby League Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/menzies-arrival-will-give-bulls-timely-lift-870736.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/menzies-arrival-will-give-bulls-timely-lift-870736.html <p>Bradford have signed Steve Menzies for next season, but fear they will be without Sam Burgess for the rest of this campaign. The Australian Test forward will be 35 by the time he arrives at Odsal, but the Bulls coach, Steve McNamara, believes Menzies' veteran status is no barrier. </p> Rugby League Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-rattled-by-webb-injury-869452.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-rattled-by-webb-injury-869452.html <p> Leeds&rsquo; aspirations in two competitions could be dented by a back injury to Brent Webb. </p> Rugby League Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:32 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/brawl-fine-leaves-mcguire-clear-to-play-for-dragons-868586.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/brawl-fine-leaves-mcguire-clear-to-play-for-dragons-868586.html <p> The League has handed out suspensions to six players involved in the Catalan Dragons versus Harlequins match that ended in an all-in brawl on Saturday. The most heavily punished is Quins' Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who has been banned for three games for running in and punching. </p> Rugby League Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/super-league-pulls-plug-on-cardiff-to-stage-edinburgh-festival-867692.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/super-league-pulls-plug-on-cardiff-to-stage-edinburgh-festival-867692.html <p>Super League's showpiece weekend of matches next May is to move from Cardiff to Edinburgh. All seven matches, in an extra round of games, will be played at Murrayfield on 1 and 2 May.</p> Rugby League Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-kr-39-wigan-22-dobson-inspires-rovers-to-punish-wasteful-wigan-866908.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-kr-39-wigan-22-dobson-inspires-rovers-to-punish-wasteful-wigan-866908.html <p>Michael Dobson scored four tries against his former club as Rovers staged an inspired comeback to end a six-game losing run.</p> Rugby League Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefield-18-hull-26-hall-goes-the-distance-to-calm-hull-nerves-866421.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefield-18-hull-26-hall-goes-the-distance-to-calm-hull-nerves-866421.html <p>Two tries from their substitute Craig Hall, the second of them a brilliant 95-metre effort, gave Hull the edge as two nervous sides warmed up for their Challenge Cup semi-final in two weeks' time.</p> Rugby League Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/st-helens-.htmlive-government-approval-for-16325m-stadium-865866.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/st-helens-.htmlive-government-approval-for-16325m-stadium-865866.html <p>St Helens have taken a big stride closer to getting their new stadium in the town. The Government has approved planning permission for a &pound;25m, 18,000 capacity ground on a former glassworks site near the town centre, without calling the scheme in for an inquiry. "This is excellent news for the club and its supporters... and another important hurdle out of the way," Saints' chairman, Eamonn McManus, said. The club now hope to be in their new home for the start of the 2011 season, with their historic home at Knowsley Road redeveloped for housing.</p> Rugby League Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/warrington-32-bradford-28-gleeson-keeps-wolves-in-hunt-as-bradford-challenge-slips-behind-865934.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/warrington-32-bradford-28-gleeson-keeps-wolves-in-hunt-as-bradford-challenge-slips-behind-865934.html <p>Warrington kept their drive for a play-off place alive, coming from behind to beat one of their top-six rivals in another feast of points at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Trailing for most of the match, the Wolves outlasted their visitors in the second half and it is now Bradford who are in more danger of missing out at the end of the season. </p> Rugby League Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-46-huddersfield-8-mcguire-back-on-form-to-help-leeds-hammer-huddersfield-865935.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-46-huddersfield-8-mcguire-back-on-form-to-help-leeds-hammer-huddersfield-865935.html <p>With Leeds knocked off the top of the Super League table for the first time this season last week after three defeats in four games, there was an air of determination around Headingley last night. Inspired by their stand-off Danny McGuire, the home side responded with an impressive demolition of Huddersfield.</p> Rugby League Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/lauitiiti-extends-leeds-contract-864817.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/lauitiiti-extends-leeds-contract-864817.html <p> Leeds have extended the contract of their Kiwi second-rower, Ali Lauitiiti, for another two years. </p> Rugby League Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:55 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/gleeson-departs-after-failing-to-come-to-terms-with-warrington-863761.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/gleeson-departs-after-failing-to-come-to-terms-with-warrington-863761.html <p>Mark Gleeson, the Warrington hooker who has been at the club for nine years, has joined Featherstone after being released from the remaining three months of his contract following a failure to agree an extension.</p> Rugby League Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/thorman-not-guilty-of-biting-862819.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/thorman-not-guilty-of-biting-862819.html <p> Huddersfield's Chris Thorman has been found not guilty of a biting charge that could have finished his Super League season. Thorman was ordered to appear at last night's disciplinary hearing after the Rugby League's video review panel studied footage of the Giants' stormy game against Bradford on Sunday, during which a series of players were sent to the sin-bin. </p> Rugby League Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-turn-to-revitalised-webster-to-put-their-season-back-on-track-861872.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-turn-to-revitalised-webster-to-put-their-season-back-on-track-861872.html <p> Hull, next to bottom in Super League, have cast their net across the city to sign James Webster, the scrum-half cut adrift by Hull KR. </p> Rugby League Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/warrington-60-wakefield-24-penny-hattrick-punishes-atrocious-wakefield-861296.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/warrington-60-wakefield-24-penny-hattrick-punishes-atrocious-wakefield-861296.html <p>Warrington scored 11 tries past a defence Wakefield's coach, John Kear, called "atrocious". The Wolves looked by far the more likely side to figure in the play-offs at the end of the season as they ran away with the game in the second half, Kevin Penny scoring what will be one of the easier hat-tricks in what is set to be a prolific career.</p> Rugby League Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hanleys-men-hammered-in-final-861297.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hanleys-men-hammered-in-final-861297.html <p>Ellery Hanley's Doncaster were on the receiving end of 10 tries as Salford took the first major trophy of the season with a 60-0 win in the Northern Rail Cup final at Blackpool.</p> Rugby League Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-18-catalan-dragons-30-catalans-find-steel-to-sink-rusty-hull-861298.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-18-catalan-dragons-30-catalans-find-steel-to-sink-rusty-hull-861298.html <p>For most of the season St Helens and Leeds have seemed certain to fill the top two berths in Super League. But yesterday's closely fought win for the Catalan Dragons over Hull means the French side now trail Leeds by just a point with seven games still to play.</p> Rugby League Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/harlequins-0-st-helens-54-pryce-is-right-as-saints-climb-to-the-top-over-broken-quins-860977.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/harlequins-0-st-helens-54-pryce-is-right-as-saints-climb-to-the-top-over-broken-quins-860977.html <p>Saints usurped Leeds at the top of Super League for the first time this season, largely thanks to a first-half masterclass from Leon Pryce. The England stand-off set up two tries and scored another in the first half-hour as his side went on to exceed the 32-point winning margin they needed to go above the Rhinos comfortably.</p> Rugby League Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/pryce-back-for-saints-while-orr-absent-for-quins-860535.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/pryce-back-for-saints-while-orr-absent-for-quins-860535.html <p>Harlequins and St Helens have contrasting fortunes at half-back for their meeting at The Stoop this evening. Saints are able to bring back Leon Pryce, who was rested last weekend after starring for England in Toulouse. But Quins, beaten in four of their last five matches, are without an equally important player in Danny Orr, who is out with a hamstring injury.</p> Rugby League Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wigan-23-leeds-22-wigan-hold-firm-after-burrows-late-shot-at-glory-860598.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wigan-23-leeds-22-wigan-hold-firm-after-burrows-late-shot-at-glory-860598.html <p>The Super League leaders fell agonisingly short of an astonishing comeback in an epic contest at the JJB stadium last night. Trailing by 17 points with a quarter of an hour to play, the Rhinos racked up three quick tries and then, in the last minute, were awarded a penalty for Andy Coley lying on the ball.</p> Rugby League Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-face-heavy-fine-over-unregistered-thackray-859880.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-face-heavy-fine-over-unregistered-thackray-859880.html <p>Hull will find out on Monday what their punishment is to be for fielding an unregistered player in two rounds of the Challenge Cup. Jamie Thackray played in the victories over Rochdale and Widnes, despite signing for Hull too late to be on their Cup register for those games.</p> Rugby League Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/carvell-in-limbo-after-uturn-on-hull-deal-858955.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/carvell-in-limbo-after-uturn-on-hull-deal-858955.html <p>Garreth Carvell is in limbo after changing his mind the day after signing a new three-year contract with Hull. The Great Britain prop agreed the deal and told his team-mates he was staying &ndash; apparently ending weeks of uncertainty &ndash; only to make a U-turn before the club had the chance to announce his decision.</p> Rugby League Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefield-14-catalan-dragons-30-raguin-inspires-dragons-as-wakefield-fall-short-858386.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefield-14-catalan-dragons-30-raguin-inspires-dragons-as-wakefield-fall-short-858386.html <p>Sebastien Raguin was the hero for the Catalans as Wakefield missed their chance to go back to fourth in the Super League.</p> Rugby League Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/bradford-40-hull-kr-20-hape-signs-off-in-grand-style-as-rovers-let-early-lead-slip-856928.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/bradford-40-hull-kr-20-hape-signs-off-in-grand-style-as-rovers-let-early-lead-slip-856928.html <p>Hull Kingston Rovers fell to their fifth consecutive defeat as Shontayne Hape marked his farewell appearance at Odsal with one of Bradford's seven tries.</p> Rugby League Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-22-warrington-24-hicks-crowns-kings-try-to-steal-win-for-warrington-856931.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-22-warrington-24-hicks-crowns-kings-try-to-steal-win-for-warrington-856931.html <p>A last-minute try from Matt King and a conversion by Chris Hicks gave the Wolves victory in an extraordinary match at the KC Stadium.</p> Rugby League Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-18-castleford-12-reserves-of-strength-pull-leeds-through-856504.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-18-castleford-12-reserves-of-strength-pull-leeds-through-856504.html <p>Two of Leeds's Test players not required for international duty this week saved them from the embarrassment of a third Super League defeat in a row.</p> Rugby League Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/france-8-england-56-gleeson-gets-slack-england-up-to-speed-856185.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/france-8-england-56-gleeson-gets-slack-england-up-to-speed-856185.html <p>England put an unconvincing first half behind them in their only full outing before this autumn's World Cup to beat France with plenty to spare. Three tries from the Warrington centre, Martin Gleeson, played a big part in a victory that was comfortable enough to eclipse any doubts about the side's early failings.</p> Rugby League Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/burgess-remains-loyal-to-the-bradford-code-855318.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/burgess-remains-loyal-to-the-bradford-code-855318.html <p>England's outstanding young forward, Sam Burgess, has allayed any doubts about his future in the game on the eve of the Test against France in Toulouse.</p> Rugby League Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/castleford-keep-shenton-away-from-bulls-clutches-853402.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/castleford-keep-shenton-away-from-bulls-clutches-853402.html <p>Super League's bottom club Castleford have held off competition from Bradford to secure the future of the highly promising centre Michael Shenton.</p> Rugby League Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/fox-completes-rapid-rise-to-earn-england-callup-852896.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/fox-completes-rapid-rise-to-earn-england-callup-852896.html <p>Tony Smith, the England coach, has given hope to every young player whose career appears to have stalled by naming the Hull KR winger, Peter Fox, as one of his newcomers for the Test in France this Friday.</p> Rugby League Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/bradford-36-hull-22-lynch-quick-off-the-mark-to-stop-bulls-drift-into-ignominy-852393.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/bradford-36-hull-22-lynch-quick-off-the-mark-to-stop-bulls-drift-into-ignominy-852393.html <p>Yesterday's win meant Bradford avoided the unwelcome record of four consecutive defeats in Super League, something they have not suffered in the era of summer rugby. </p> Rugby League Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/huddersfield-26-harlequins-16-hemingway-rises-to-the-challenge-as-giants-triumph-852407.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/huddersfield-26-harlequins-16-hemingway-rises-to-the-challenge-as-giants-triumph-852407.html <p>Huddersfield blew Harlequins away in the second half at a blustery Galpharm Stadium to claim their first win since the sacking of Jon Sharp. The Giants, still without a permanent replacement as coach, were also lacking a specialist hooker and down to one fit half-back, so it was important that Tom Hemingway produced the goods at scrum half.</p> Rugby League Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-kr-18-wakefield-26-drews-double-keeps-wildcats-in-the-hunt-852014.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hull-kr-18-wakefield-26-drews-double-keeps-wildcats-in-the-hunt-852014.html <p>Four tries in the last 12 minutes &ndash; the third of them a glorious effort finished by Jamie Rooney &ndash; salvaged an unlikely win to sustain Wakefield's play-off ambitions. The Wildcats trailed 18-4 until their substitute Brad Drew got over for the first of his two tries after 68 minutes and Danny Brough's flat pass then sent Ryan Atkins in.</p> Rugby League Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/ryles-leaves-australia-for-stint-in-the-dragons-den-851670.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/ryles-leaves-australia-for-stint-in-the-dragons-den-851670.html <p>The Catalan Dragons, the big improvers of the current Super League season, in third place, have continued their team-building for next year by signing one of Australia's best props, Jason Ryles.</p> Rugby League Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-12-st-helens-26-smooth-saints-prosper-as-leeds-lose-their-discipline-851675.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leeds-12-st-helens-26-smooth-saints-prosper-as-leeds-lose-their-discipline-851675.html <p>The Rhinos, runaway leaders of Super League all season, had their lead cut to a mere two points in a stormy match that saw their prop, Nick Scruton sent off for a spear tackle. It will suit the conspiracy theorists that that was one of a number of decisions by the St Helens-based referee, Steve Ganson, that went against them, but Leeds were to blame for their own loss of discipline in the second half.</p> Rugby League Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100