RL World Cup going well so far England’s only warm-up game for the Rugby League World Cup continues to be overshadowed by controversy after the bookmaker Betfred, an official partner of the England team, was forced to apologise for comments made by the broadcaster Eddie Hemmings about one of the players who could make their international debut against Fiji on Friday night. In a video interview with the England coach, Shaun Wane, that was posted on social media before being deleted, Hemmings said the winger Dom Young, who also qualifies to play for Jamaica, was “not English in the strict sense of the word”. Young, who began his playing career with Huddersfield Giants before moving to the NRL in Australia, was born and raised in Wakefield. His brother Alex will represent the Reggae Warriors at the tournament. “Dom Young, he could have played for Jamaica, as his brother is … so he’s not English in the strict sense of the word, either,” Hemmings said. He later referred to another new call-up, Herbie Farnworth, who was also born in England before moving to Australia as a teenager, saying: “I’ve just listened to him … he’s as English as you and I, there’s no problems with him.” Betfred deleted the clip after it was published on Wednesday evening and issued an apology on Thursday to Young and Wane. They said: “This morning Betfred have apologised in person to both Shaun Wane and Dom Young with regard to a recent interview ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, of which a clip was re-edited and posted on social media on Wednesday night. … “As a partner we would like to reaffirm our commitment to all staff and players in all of the England squads, and we are extremely proud to be involved in the most inclusive World Cup ever.” The Rugby Football League is expected to disclose the result of its investigation into its chief executive, Ralph Rimmer, in the hours before Friday’s game against Fiji, whose players he made controversial remarks about last week. Rimmer was captured at an event saying: “Fiji have already arrived. We don’t think anybody has been arrested yet, do we? No, we’re all right, so we’re going pretty well then.” The RFL told the Observer last weekend they had received complaints and were launching an investigation, and the Guardian understands the results will be made public by Friday at the latest. Rimmer is facing calls to step down early from his £167,000-per-year role, having already confirmed he would be leaving in December. He is expected to be at the game on Friday. With Sam Tomkins rested, Warrington’s George Williams will captain a somewhat new-look England side against Fiji that could include as many as eight debutants including Young, Farnworth and the Salford duo of Marc Sneyd and Andy Ackers.
I don't think people are knocking that aspect of their business (not that anyone knew anyway), just the quality of the **** they are peddling.
Piece in tonight's HDM reporting that Darren Downs, now retired from the police, has taken up a job with Hull FC's academy. His father used to play for Hull FC, he kept that quiet, and it may explain many things. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
You would have thought he would have made more effort to track down the City fans who stole 75 FC shirts before that semi final then,
Service charge. In HKR's case another Wembley defeat was normal service. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
'Massive achievment'? They only had to win three games to get there and one of them was against a pub team.
Adam Pearson was on the same train as me last night (18.45 from London Kings Cross) with his team playing St Helens an hour later. Even he cannot be arsed to watch his team now !
No comparison whatsoever. We played more than three games for a start to get there. Reaching a Wembley Final in RL is relatively easy, Rovers and Hull fc don't enter it until the 6th round and there are only the twelve 'super league' clubs capable of winning it, the rest of the competition is made up of part time clubs and amateur pub teams. Every club in the Premier League alone are capable of winning the FA Cup, even fielding their second teams and thats not taking into consideration the clubs in our own league. So City lucky to reach the FA Cup Final? Lucky my @rse.
