Rugby Am Magazine (spreads)

1
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
ISSUE 01
SHOWCASING THE PERSONALITIES OF RUGBY LEAGUE

2 3
Welcome
Rugby AM has been an amazing journey so far,
starting three years ago on a radio station in Leeds.
It began as a morning radio show, with myself and
former Great Britain legend Keith Senior, as we set
out to showcase the personalities in rugby league.
When Jamie Jones-Buchanan joined the team in
November 2013, he added an extra ingredient,
attitude and focus.
Rugby AM was never just a show, our intentions
were to build a brand that could join the dots
between the players, the clubs, the fans and the
business community.
In June 2014 we got our break onTV with a monthly
show on Premier Sports and in November 2014 we
launched our weekly show on the MadeTelevision
network.
We now broadcast on seven channels - soon to be
nine - recording over 100,000 viewers per week. A
big thankyou to all the players who have supported
us since day one.
A special mention to all the fans who engage with us
through the website, app, business lunches, camps
and, in the coming weeks, our festival Rugby AM
Rocks.
This magazine is testament to the commitment of
the writers, the players, all the staff - in particular
Ben Carney, Phil Caplan and Kyle Blythe-White.This
is another milestone in our quest to showcase the
great game of rugby league.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
Alex Simmons
@alexsimmonsdj
www.rugbyam.co.uk
w /RugbyAMTV
u @RugbyAm
f /RugbyAM
Snapchat RugbyAm
@ RugbyAm
EDITOR
Ben Carney
ben@rugbyam.co.uk
Phil Caplan
SALES & ADVERTISING
Alex Simmons
alex@rugbyam.co.uk
Danielle Webster
danielle@rugbyam.co.uk
Amy Simmons
amy@rugbyam.co.uk
Dave Bray
dave@rugbyam.co.uk
PICTURES
SWpix.com
Rebecca Jane Photography
CONTRIBUTIONS & THANKS TO
Stevie Ward, Andy Sharpe, Alex Simmons,Jamie Jones-
Buchanan, Keith Senior, Katie Irwin, Mike Andrews, Jamie
Barwick, Craig Tarbotton, Michael Wood, Dan Fowler, Kait
Ludwig, Rugby League Cares.
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Contents - issue 01
MAGIC WEEKEND GUIDE
WE MEET ALAN SHEARER
TEAM OF THE SEASON SO FAR
THE DARK SIDE OF SPORT
JJB WITH CHRIS THORMAN
BRENDAN FOSTER
CBE ON RUGBY LEAGUE
MAGIC TOP 5 MOMENTS
WIN A SIGNED SOUTH
SYDNEY RABBITOHS SHIRT
HULL DERBY DAY
KEEGAN HIRST ON
LIFE SINCE COMING OUT

6 7
To the naked eye powerhouse forward Frank‘the tank’
Pritchard looks a very serious man, that’s how he earned his
other nickname,‘cranky.’
However, those close to him know he is the total opposite.
So to get the 32-year-old current Samoan captain to come out
of his shell, Hull FC teammate and fellow front-rower Scott
Taylor insisted on interviewing him for the Rugby AM Fanzine.
Taylor and Pritchard both joined the Airlie Birds ahead of the
2016 season and have formed a solid partnership up front - so
there wasn’t a better person to interview the bearded wonder.
Pritchard’s arrival on Humberside wasn’t just seen as a boost to
the black and whites, but to Super League as a whole with the
competition gaining one of the NRL’s most respected forwards.
In his final year with Canterbury, the 112kg powerhouse was
playing at such a level that New Zealand Warriors tried to get
him to backflip on his move to England with a significant late
offer.
True to his word, though, Pritchard stayed loyal to the contract he
had signed with Hull and when asked why, joked: “I knew Scott
Taylor was joining the club, so it was an easy decision.”
Having signed a three-year deal, the ball-handling entertainer is
hoping to make Hull feel like home and he already feels settled in.
“It helped having fellow Pacific Islanders Mahe Fonua and
CarlosTuimavave join the club at the same time as me,”
Pritchard explained.
“All the boys are great here, though, they have all made my
transition easier.There are certain things like the weather
which I’m not too keen on and there are a few friends from
back at the Bulldogs I miss, but I’m enjoying playing over
here.”
The St Clair Comets junior played just shy of 250 games over 12
years for Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs, scoring 57
first grade tries.
While playing in the NRL he became renowned for his power
and aggression both down the middle and out wide, with the
ability to offload and make a real impact with the ball.
There are many differences between the NRL and Super
League with Pritchard describing the English game as:
“More physical but with a much slower ruck.”
One of the other contrasting styles comes off the field with
English supporters generating incredible noise from the
stands, something Pritchard couldn’t help but notice,
especially on derby day.
“The fans here are absolutely awesome, I love it. The
atmosphere and the chants are amazing and I loved it
when the Rovers fans booed me!”
FRANK
‘THETANK’
PRITCHARD
WITHTEAMMATESCOTTTAYLOR
“That match is definitely my highlight of playing over here so
far, it was brilliant to experience the derby game atmosphere
and it was a great feeling beating Hull KR at Craven Park.”
Pritchard recently captained Samoa to an 18-6 PacificTest win
overTonga who were led by his Hull FC teammate Sika Manu.
Attentions now turn back to club matters with the business
end of the season approaching.
By Ben Carney

8 9
Having finished seventh in Super League last season, it’s already
evident the difference Frank and his fellow 2016 incomers have
made as they look to end the club’s trophy drought.
The black and whites have not won any silverware since the 2005
Challenge Cup and Pritchard knows this season presents them
with the ideal opportunity to compete for honours once again.
“There’s 33 men in the squad here and if everyone is fit and
firing and buys into what Radders (Lee Radford) is trying to
do, then I’m sure we can win something.
“Nothing is won in May though and there is still a long way to
go.We want to approach every game with the right attitude
and the MagicWeekend will be no different to that.”
It seems the camaraderie in the Hull FC dressing room is as good
as ever and there was no way the Samoan skipper was finishing
this interview with a serious answer.
When asked byTaylor about the remainder of the season and how
this group of players compared with other sides he had played in,
Pritchard replied: “The team here is sexier and better looking.
The engine room is awesome.
“Watch out for me the rest of this season,
I’m going to be kicking goals soon.”
INTERVIEW BY: SCOTT TAYLOR
By Ben Carney

10 11
SHEARER!SuperLeaguereturnstoNewcastlethismonthastheToonhosts
itssecondMagicWeekend.Intherunuptothefirstevent,Rugby
AMmetGeordiesuperstar,deadlygoalscorerAlanShearer,oneof
thecity’smosticoniccultfigures–theyadoretheirnumber9satSt
James’Park.
Inacareerthatspannedtwodecades,Shearerwasregardedasone
ofthebeststrikersinworldfootball,recordsfallingathisacclaimed
feet.NotonlyisheNewcastle’sall-timetopgoalpoacherbutheis
alsothePremierLeague’srecordscorerwith260goals.
He won the PFA Player of the Year twice, the Premier League
Golden Boot three times and is inducted into the FA and
English Football Halls of Fame. As well as captaining
Newcastle for seven years, Shearer also led England 34 times
and was the top scorer at Euro 96. In March 2002 he was
given the freedom of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and
seven years later was awarded an OBE for services to football.
Simmons: F or years as a young lad growing up in Leeds I would
run across the pitch pointing towards SkeltonWoods shouting
SHEARER! Like many I pretended to be you and you were one of
my idols growing up, but who was yours?
Shearer: Well my first question for you is I’m not that old am I?
(He laughs). My idol was Kevin Keegan. I was 12 or 13 when he
signed for Newcastle as a player and I used to go along and watch
him. He also went on to be the manager of Newcastle and the
manager of England, so yeah he was my hero.
Simmons: NewcastleandRugbyLeaguehasalreadycome
togetherwiththefantasticBobbyRobsonFoundationshirtbythe
WidnesVikings.YouknewSirBobbybetterthanmostpeople,sowhat
didhemeantoNewcastleasacityandwhatkindofablokewashe?
Shearer: WellhesavedNewcastlewhenhetookovertheclub.
TheywereatthebottomofthePremierLeagueandthenwithin
twoorthreeyearshetookusfromthebottomintotheChampions
League.Hewasafantasticguyandageniusatman-management,
everyonelovedhimwhetheryouwerea16-year-oldkidora
35-year-oldblokewho’sveryexperienced,heknewhowtohandle
youandgetthebestoutofyou,hewasanincredibleguy.
Simmons: The Bobby Robson Foundation does a lot of great
work alongside your own foundation here giving a lot of oppor-
tunities to young people. One thing I do love is the advert on
TV when you visit a young man giving him your first scarf and
tickets to a game. It says how you stepped out onto the Gallow-
gate for the first time and it was magical.What was your magic
moment in front of the St James’Park crowd?...
WHENRUGBYAMMETALAN...
ALEX SIMMONS
MEETS ALAN SHEARER
By Ben CarneyBy Ben Carney

12 13
JJB: I think one of the reasons we ended up playing rugby league
was because we weren’t good enough to play football - Alex has
always fancied himself as Les Ferdinand, I’m Andy Cole. I know
your first junior club wasWallsend and ChrisThorman is trying to
encourage some of the lads from there who maybe don’t want to
play football, to have a go at our game.
Shearer: I don’t think they will need any encouragement to come
and watch. It’s at St James’Park which they love anyway and they
are passionate about any sport in the North East.You’re right that
Wallsend was my first club as it was with many other players like
Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick, Lee Clark, SteveWatson and Alan
Thompson, so it was a hot bed for bringing young kids through.
I used to love going there, training on aThursday evening and
playing on a Sunday; it was a great education for me.Whether it is
football, rugby, tennis, golf or whatever, in the North East they will
come out and support it, I’m absolutely sure of that.
JJB: I’m really impressed with the philanthropy, you’re giving
back, providing opportunities with the Alan Shearer Foundation
for people of all ages and abilities to be all that they can be. How
is that going and is it giving young people a chance to fulfil their
potential?
Shearer: It’s going fantastically well.To get the funding we need
is difficult but again I go back to the people of the North East
who are very generous. I was the lucky lad out of Newcastle who
got what I wanted and achieved my dream to be a footballer, so
to give that back to some of the disabled people of Newcastle
means a lot to me.We have a golf day and a star-studded Ball
every year from which we raise hundreds of thousands of pounds
for, it’s great to be involved.
JAMIEJONES-BUCHANNAN
MEETSALANSHEARER
Shearer: There was a few as you can imagine, but the best
moment was when I was lucky enough to break Jackie Milburn’s
goal scoring record at home to Portsmouth, ironically it was in
front of the Gallowgate end. I waited a few months for it to come
along so to stand there and hear the crowd, it was one of those
occasions that I will never ever forget and it made me very proud.
Simmons: We’ve got about 70,000 fans hopefully coming up to
St James’Park this year. I’ve been a DJ for many years up here, in
some of the finest establishments from theTuxedo Royale to the
TupTup Palace.What can the rugby league community expect
when they arrive?
Shearer: First and foremost I’m sure the locals will turn up in their
thousands because, as you know, not only do they love football
but they love their sport.They are very passionate, very
committed and as you rightly say they love a good time and they
love a party.They work hard all week but they love the weekend.
JJB: Like Alex, I’m overwhelmed to come meet you and it’s a
pleasure to be here. I have got a little bit of a different outlook
to Alex, I like to learn about youth development and one of the
things that stood out for me when I was reading up about you
was that you were born on the 13th August. All your old coaches
say that you were very mature for your age and I find that when
I go back coaching young kids, those that were born later in
the year get a little bit disillusioned and are a little bit slower to
develop.What advice would you give to young people about
persevering?
Shearer: Yeah you’re right, but I never felt I was one of the
youngest ones in my year for some reason. I think it was probably
because of the way my parents brought me up, as an example,
when the Southampton scout looked at me as a 14-year-old kid
they went to my parents and asked if I could go down on trial,
their response was:“Ask him, he’s old enough to make his own
mind up.”They threw me out there to make my own decisions and
it was tough at times but I think it stood me in good stead for who
I was going to become. I never had any issues about being born
at that particular time, it was down to where I was from and how
they brought me up.
JJB: People talk about you having been a very powerful,
determined player; I don’t know if you’ve ever watched rugby
league but have you ever fancied a physical sport like that?
Shearer: It’s far too rough for me (he laughs). I’m alright with
football and the tackles in that but the thought of some
20-stone guy running towards me trying to take me out,
no I wouldn’t fancy that at all, so I’m not that brave.
JJB: You scored on every debut including three in your first
Southampton game, but one stat stuck out for me. As I’m a bit of a
car fan, if you’d have kept the Ford Escort 3300 you bought back in
the day, imagine how much it would be worth now.
Shearer: That was my first car after signing my very first pro
contact when I was 17, nearly 18. I thought I was a multi-million-
aire because I was on decent wages and my first car was that red
escort. I still remember the registration plate to this day, it was a
great car, it worked for me anyway.

1514
MAGICWEEKEND
FANZONEHOSTEDBYRUGBYAM
Rugby AM will be hosting the official Fan Park at the
Dacia Magic Weekend and there is a massive two days
of entertainment lined up.
Newcastle will once again be transformed into Rugby League’s
ultimate summer venue offering up more entertainment, more
food and more action all weekend.
Our very own Alex Simmons and former Leeds Rhinos centre
Keith Senior will be hosting the event and they will be joined
by Super League players over both days.
There will be a party atmosphere with street performers serving
up unbeatable entertainment, in addition to the Fan Zone inter-
active activities provided by event sponsors Dacia and First Utility
Super League partners. Hungry fans will be spoilt for choice with
food vendors from some of Newcastle’s best eateries joining us for
the weekend.
Official Dacia MagicWeekend and Super League merchandise
will be available for purchase so you can get kitted out in your
favourite Super League attire. A selection of accessories, including
Danny Jones Pin Badges, will also be available to purchase.
So get to the Fan Zone across the weekend for a festival of fun
with food, drink, merchandise, games, interviews and some
incredible prizes - all hosted by Rugby AM.
SATURDAY
START12PM - END6:30PM
SUNDAY
START11AM - END5PM
DIRECTLY OUTSIDE THE GALLOWGATE END

16 17
I think it will be huge Jamie, I am really excited about it, the
North East fan in general is a sports connoisseur, I think
everyone just associates the black and white of Newcastle
with the city but they’re an educated sports group. There’s
Rugby Union up there but there has been rugby league
there for a few decades now and the rugby league team
[formally known as Gateshead thunder] has just changed
their name to Newcastle Thunder. I think the fans in the
North East are in for a treat, I believe it is the greatest sport
on the planet and it’s going to be a great spectacle. I really
feel that the North East fans will turn out in their numbers.
The rebranding of Gateshead Thunder to Newcastle Thunder
in 2015 and their subsequent move to Kingston Park - home
of the Newcastle Falcons - is a massive leap forward for
the only professional rugby league club in the North East.
Newcastle Falcons are a very well-known brand in the North
playing Rugby Union, the other code from which rugby league
sprang from some 120 years ago. In that time there has been
some fierce rivalries, to the point of excommunication for
players travelling between the two codes, but having myself
experienced the partnership between Leeds Rhinos and Leeds
Carnegie (now Yorkshire Carnegie) a few years back, I can see
the potential benefits of the partnership for both codes. I think
this adoption is a huge encouragement in a world where coop-
eration often beats competition. It is particularly interesting to
see how that will develop in a city with little - if any - historical,
regional political conflict between the two codes, given that
rugby league is relatively new to the North East.
JJBWITHCHRISTHORMAN’
Last year’s Magic weekend in the North East was -
according to the feedback of most fans - a huge
success. You could say that holding the Magic
Weekend in Newcastle and hoping for success
would become a self-fulfilling prophesy. It’s almost
as though the city itself was born out of sporting
jubilation and is world famous for assimilating
like-minded outsiders.
I hope this year’s Magic Weekend at St James’Park
is filled with the same enthusiastic, Geordie accents
from local sporting enthusiasts experiencing our
game for the second year running. Geordie accents
are something you rarely hear in the world of rugby
league, but if Chris“Spuggy”Thorman - a home
grown rugby league star from Wallsend near
Newcastle - is anything to go by, I think we
could do with a few more in our game.
Chris has played at the highest level in both the
UK and Australia and is now an assistant coach at
the Huddersfield Giants as well as overseeing the
youth development at the club. Of all the people
to talk to about this year’s Magic Weekend, I can’t
think of anyone in the world of rugby league with
more expository power than Chris Thorman to help
us understand just what effect it might have in the
North East and how it will help us spread the good
news of our game. Last year Rugby AM caught up
with Chris and quizzed him on his initial thoughts
on one of the sport’s favourite features coming to
the North East.
WHENJAMIE
JONES-BUCHANNAN
METLOCALLAD
CHRISTHORMAN
I think it [the partnership] is really important and we
shouldn’t see it as competing against each other, we should
all embrace it as sports fans.There’s room for everyone to get
involved in all the sports, no one should be categorised as a
Union, league or football fan, there is room for all sports to be
supported in the North East so let’s embrace it.
Mick Hogan, who is CEO of the Falcons was born and bred in
Leigh, went to University in the North East, I have known Mick
for a long time - and I don’t think I am talking out of turn here
[gives me a little wink] - when I say‘he prefers rugby league
to Rugby Union’. Mick is doing a great job of promoting the
Falcons and theThunder with their venue change in playing
all their home games out of Kingston Park. From what I hear
that has been an initial success with around 1,500 supporters
there which is great for theThunder and their highest atten-
dance for over a decade.
I honestly think rugby league can be a success up there, we
have been saying it for a long time, the people of the North
East just have to buy into it and I think the MagicWeekend
will allow for that.
He is proof in the proverbial pudding, that the North East can
produce first class rugby league players. Ex-Castleford, Leeds
and Hull legend Lee Crooks is heading up the youth develop-
ment services in the North East and no one knows better than
Chris Thorman what challenges Lee will face and what we all
need to do to support him in his endeavor. For any youngster
in the North interested in getting involved, what advice would
Chris give having already trodden out the path?
I think your prerequisite is to work hard Jamie, you know
that and I suspect you would be a supporter of that, it’s
about working hard and making sacrifices, at the same
time you need a bit of luck along the way as well. I am in
the fortunate position of having played in the NRL and
I have been at some good clubs, the main thing for me
is to learn and make mistakes but then learn from your
mistakes and apply yourself. I have a 10 point bullet list
and five of those bullet points are“work hard”, I can’t say
more than that.
By Jamie Jones-Buchanan

18 19
I like the way you term that,“the lower North”,
still northerners but lower northerners!! Ha ha.
Mate embrace the culture, the people of the North East are
genuinely lovely people, they’re very hospitable and love a
pint, they like a Newcastle Brown Ale which is fantastic.There
is lots to do, they’re used to having tourists up there and
the night life is well talked about. I am assuming that lots of
people would have had a drink at the Bigg Market or on the
Quayside but maybe explore the coast at Blyth andWhitley
Bay orTynemouth, they’re great places if you have a few
hours free before the weekend, but the main thing is to turn
up to St James’nice and early on Saturday morning to get
your rugby league in.
There’s no arguing that the MagicWeekend has had some stand
out moments between some of the hottest rivalries in world
sport. At Rugby AM we want to talk to as many players as possible
and capture what to them has been their favourite memories at
the Magic weekend, so what’s yours?
Probably playing at Cardiff. It was such an amazing venue,
the city was amazing, a city of culture. I think the people there
embraced the MagicWeekend and everything that it is about.
It was the first time I had played in a stadium with the roof
closed but my lasting memories are not just of playing, but of
actually being there and getting involved in the atmosphere.
Watching games before and after, it is possibly one of the few
sports in the world where fans can mingle in together and
there’s never any bad blood. It is testament to our sport that
we can hold an event like that without any bother and people
just get on and enjoy it for what it is.
Lee Crooks has a challenge but I think in general with the
Academies and the help from the RFL it is getting better.What
we do need to do is get into schools a bit more, that’s where
the kids are obviously and if you can get to the kids early
then you have a much better chance of attracting them to our
sport. I really admire people like Lee Crooks who is a legend
of the game going up there to develop it outside of the
heartlands which isn’t an easy task. People will tell you that
we should stick to the M62 corridor and keep that as strong
as possible, but I don’t believe in that. I am proof like you said
that if you do invest in areas outside of the heartlands then
there are kids and athletes there. If we go to schools and into
junior clubs we have a chance. I think there needs to be more
junior clubs and we can only do that through volunteers, but
if you can get them in schools early in their lives then that’s
how you will develop that.
My earliest memories of the word Geordie was back in my Dandy
Comic reading days when the Jocks and the Geordies would
meet up for a bit of“biff”. I had no idea at the time who Jocks or
Geordies were but having interviewed the Scotland coach, Steve
McCormack for Rugby LeagueWorld magazine following their
European Championships win in 2014, the idea came flooding
back. I realised that the performances had attracted more rugby
league fans“North of theWall”who in some cases are only an hour
away from this year’s MagicWeekend.
Hey I hope so Jonesy, I never even factored that in because
I think it will mainly be Geordies along with the sections of
fans from all the rugby league clubs. I would like to think that
they would predominantly be Geordies but saying that the
border is only an hour away and it’s only a two hour train ride
from Edinburgh.That would be fantastic too if we can spread
the good news north of the border.
Rugby league or not, you can’t get away from the fact that
Newcastle is a vibrant city in both its day and night life.There is
a lot to experience on a weekend in Newcastle so what can the
traveling supporters of the lower North expect in the upper North
of Newcastle?
By Jamie Jones-BuchananBy Jamie Jones-Buchanan

20 21
RL CARES LEGENDS
IN ASSOCIATION
WITH RUGBY AM
Rugby AM is officially teaming up with charity RL Cares on an
initial three-year project aiming to re-engage a thousand 30-50
year-old ex-professional players with their clubs.
The success of the Rugby AM Legends team in raising funds for
the Danny Jones memorial match and ChevWalker’s testimonial,
prompted a partnership between the organisations.
Keith Senior will head up the RL Cares Legends programme and
is pulling together a fixture list of exhibition games for this season
with support from Alex Simmons, Chris Rostron and the newly
appointed coaching team!
It consists of Paul Fletcher, Mick Morgan and rugby league legend
Malcolm Reilly OBE, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest
coaches in the history of the game.
With the likes of Paul Sculthorpe MBE, Sean Long, Iestyn Harris
and many more already on board, former Great Britain centre
Senior is very aware of the meaning and potential behind this
project.
“I think the legends programme will give retiring
players another option,”Keith explained.
“When many retire they begin to become disillusioned and miss
the changing room environment they have become accustomed
to over the years.
“This will allow them to continue to taste that alongside whatever
else they end up doing when they finish playing. It can be a lonely
place when you retire and this allows players to continue to be
part of something worthwhile.”
There are other benefits to the legends programme as it gives
clubs the chance to increase attendances while allowing fans to
see their heroes from yesteryear take to the field again.
The RL Cares Legends project officially launches to the public on
Saturday 4 June at the Rugby AM Rocks festival, with RL Cares
Legends vs Castleford Legends at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
BE PART OF THE DAY BY GOING TO
www.rugbyam.co.uk/rugbyamrocks

22 23
The 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil are now less than three
months away and a group of celebrities, including our very
own Keith Senior, will be cycling 3,000 miles to Rio from the
Olympic Stadium in London.
Raising money for Rugby League Cares and the Jane Tomlinson
Appeal, former Salford player Paul Highton will also be taking
on the mammoth cycle along with TV presenter Charlie Web-
ster and Jane’s husband Mike Tomlinson.
This is a challenge not to be taken lightly with the journey,
which starts on June 27, consisting of a 1,200-mile ride through
France and 1,600 miles of pedalling along the coast of Brazil.
Cycling some 90 miles a day over six weeks, the team aim to
arrive in time for the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony on 4
August.
They will pedal from London’s Olympic Stadium to Portsmouth.
After landing in Le Havre in France, they will then take on 1,231
miles of testing terrain to Lisbon.
Keith, who will join the team for the entire Brazilian leg, said:
“I’ve done a lot of challenges since I retired as
a player because like all sportsmen I’m always
looking to test myself and this is one of the big-
gest tests of all.
“It’s great to have this opportunity to raise funds
for the JaneTomlinson Appeal, Rugby League
Cares and the Sheffield Eagles Include Founda-
tion, of which I’m an ambassador.
“Rugby League Cares does a lot of good work to
help players succeed in their life after sport and
I’m delighted to be doing the Rio Challenge on
their behalf.”
To support the team, go to
www.justgiving.com/RidetoRio
or text JRTR70 £5to 70070to donate £5.
RUGBY LEAGUE
STARSRIDE TO RIO
FOR RL CARES

24 25
By Stevie Ward 13
Do you remember the moment when Leeds snatched the
League Leaders’Shield at Huddersfield last September? Ryan
Hall’s last second surge down the touchline to score capped
one of the most dramatic days in Super League history. It was
a day that marked one of the biggest transitional periods of
my life.
“An injury which in a previous era
would have seen my career written-off.”
That day began with me at my Nana’s funeral, carrying her
coffin out of the church as‘Stairway to Heaven’played. It fin-
ished with the Huddersfield game, and I’d told myself I would
do everything on that pitch for my Nana, and I did. I felt like I
was having one of the best games of my life that day, I got my
name on the score sheet and I believed I would be part of a last
minute score to get the shield. With just minutes left on the
clock I took an all or nothing pass from Rob Burrow and then
it came... SNAP! My knee crumpled beneath me. I later learned
it had completely ruptured, an injury which in a previous era
would have seen my career written-off. I couldn’t believe it.
Surely this wasn’t meant to happen?
Everyone goes through adversity. At Leeds, I’m surrounded
by so many champions, so many experienced players that
you’d think I’d have no shortage of people to look up to when
dealing with this setback. So there may be some irony in the
fact that the role model seeing me through this long term
injury is my Nana. But why would she be someone I look to for
inspiration?
Many of you will know just how vicious cancer can be. I used
to visit my Nana every week and watch her deteriorate. Her
cancer had stemmed from melanoma, and she had devel-
oped tumours on her face. Every time I saw her, her condition
worsened, but she would still light up immediately when I
entered the room. It was a connection I felt so strongly. Every
time I went, I couldn’t believe how steely she really was. When
I visited her, it sapped me of my energy. I’d look at old photos
on her bedside table of her and my Granddad in their youthful
days and then look at what she was currently going through.
You know that feeling that you get when you’re a kid and you
get a whack on the nose and your inner voice says‘DON’T CRY’.
Well I had that feeling every time I visited my Nana, it was only
after I left the hospice that I’d let myself cry. It was my way of
releasing the tension which had been building up during every
visit.
“There is a fine line between living the
dream and living a nightmare.”
Being sat on that physio table, staring at what looked like an
inflatable knee prompted the same feeling I felt every time I
left the hospice. Despair. The absolute loss of hope having to
come to terms with your worst nightmare. Then I heard the sta-
dium erupt. Hally had scored the winning try after screaming
wide-eyed down the touchline, although I didn’t know that at
the time. I was sitting on the physio’s table, feeling more alone
than I ever had done. There’s a fine line between living the
dream and living a nightmare, and it’s my experience of injury
and setback over the last eight months that have made me
realise that because TV adverts and pre-match montages can
make rugby league players seem superhuman, it’s easy for fans
to believe that we are. But we are anything but.
As I’m sat here writing this, I’m ducking the waves of anxiety
that can wash over me every day. I could be having a coffee
with close pals and then all of a sudden feel a flush of worry, as
if I was late for something or I had to be doing something else
right that second. Two years ago, I had depression. It’s a mon-
ster that can stop you getting out of the house just as much as
a broken leg. How do I explain what that feels like? Simply put,
I didn’t value anything I did or said anymore. I was stuck in a rut
of low moods, which is dangerous if you’re used to going out
in front of roaring crowds at 8pm on the dot on Friday nights.
We have this idea that athletes are supposed to be all about
positivity, and if you came to me with a set of questions I could
guarantee you, one of them would be“What is your greatest
achievement?”rather than“What has been your lowest point?”
Everyone struggles at certain points in their life, but men in
particular avoid talking about it, or do their best not to make
it obvious.
After Hally’s try, I hobbled out onto the pitch to the roar of the
Leeds fans chanting my name. It felt different to when they do
it after you’ve scored a try. It was almost as if the fans felt sorry
for me. I went out there and smiled. I stood on one leg and
held the League Leaders’Shield up in the air. It was all a little
bit weird after that condensed four minute period of injury
and last second try to become top of the table. I didn’t know
whether to genuinely smile, grit my teeth or just cry.

26 27
mantality_mag mantality_mag mantalitymagazine
But my Nana had prepared me for the upcoming adversity.
I’ve never thought too much about fate. I’m just a lad from
Morley who did what he had to do to make it. I am aware that
everything I had seen of my Nana, and everything which she
had been through, would lead me to stronger resilience to
cope with yet another nine-month spell on the sidelines. The
last time I saw her, she wasn’t with it. She was on so many
drugs just to cope with the pain. But when I entered the room,
I’ll never forget the smile she gave me. That was all she could
manage. It was her last treasured, lucid moment and I’m left
with the memory of her brutal, honest strength. That smile was
so powerful to me. If she could force out a smile for me in her
darkest and most testing of times, knowing she was going to
die, then surely I could smile at everything I’d achieved that
season.
When you’re injured, you get bored, or feel worthless on
account of being out of the game. When you’re a rugby player
of either code you know that if you put the hard work in
physically, then you can take your bag off the hook at the end
of the day, leave your mates in the changing rooms and know
you can relax for the rest of the afternoon. You feel as though
you’re paying the price to be an athlete. But during injury, you
cannot pay that price. You’re stagnant and you feel as though
you’re stuck in the mud.
One Saturday night, my mum and dad had come over to keep
me company, as all the boys I lived with had gone out. It was
a week before the Grand Final, and I had my crutches laid on
the floor, next to the sofa. I was sat in my‘comfy’spot, where I
wasn’t finding any pain and could watch the television. I had
some tea made for me and we watched some Karl Pilkington, a
man that would almost certainly have a more cynical view on
things than me. Anyway, he made me smile.
All the way through my mum and dads visit, I was acting
positive and pleased with what I had already accomplished.
I was already the youngest Grand Final winner and I’d been
hit by a brick wall of noise at Wembley, playing in 2012 in the
Challenge Cup Final, all of this at 18. Plus I’d been a part of the
Leeds squad that was now on its way to securing a historic
treble. It was a dream come true. But as I heard their car leave
the drive, I sobbed.
“Why am I telling you all this?
Rugby players don’t do this, do they?”
Why am I telling you all this? Rugby players don’t do this, do
they? But why should this side of sport – why should this side
of life – have to remain silent and undiscussed? Since I’ve been
injured, I’ve learnt that the most valuable thing you can have is
drive. As a result I’ve created an online magazine, called Man-
tality (www.mantalitymagazine.com) in order to inform people
and bring those less-discussed sides of sport out into the open.
“You don’t do things by halves, do you mate?”our physio told
me when explaining my latest injury. It turns out I don’t.
But I also want to provide frank answers to questions any
readers might have. If I can provide features and articles which
are honest and provides a deeper insight, then I will. It’s a way
to focus my drive on something else. My legs might not be
running right now but my mind certainly is. If I can break down
the barrier where people hide how they feel and shine a light
on the dark side of sport, I will have achieved another one of
my goals - just off the pitch. #MakeYourOwnLuck
FOLLOW US NOW B @HQ9LTD

28 29
TOP5
MAGICWEEEKEND
MOMENTS...EVER
5
4
3
2
1This was a real Magic moment as despite the game already been won when
Adrian Morley scored, it showed us how well liked and respected he was by his
thenWarrington teammates.With theWolves leading Saints 42-22 and less than
a minute left on the clock, Micky Higham took advantage of the tired opposing
defence as he broke through a gap before handing on to Morley 40 metres
out, the veteran prop then rolled back the years as he bolted over, evading all
the chasing defenders to score.The try was special but it was the celebration
afterwards that made this moment so good as every singleWarrington player on
the pitch rushed over to celebrate with him in a mass pile on. Morley then finally
emerged from underneath all the bodies with a beaming smile on his face in
what was his first game for four months having suffered a bicep tear in the third
game of the season.
ADRIANMORLEY
WARRINGTON48-22STHELENS (ETIHADSTADIUM,2013)
In 2012 there was more last minute drama in the Hull derby as, with Rovers trail-
ing 30-28 and penned inside their own half, winger David Hodgson produced a
moment of individual brilliance to win it for KR. Jamie Jones-Buchanan caught
up with him to talk about the try.
“We needed a last minute try and I got the opportunity to run 70 metres down
the sideline to score and win the game, pretty easy,”Hodgson laughed.“I still get
fans talking about it today, saying it was the best try they have ever seen in a
derby game, but I think it was just the stage that it was set on and with it being
a derby. It was a terrific feeling, all the fans were going mad at the time and it
was a great game to be a part of.”
DAVIDHODGSON
HULLKR32-30HULLFC (ETIHADSTADIUM,2012)
This was very much a Magic moment for the fans of Hull FC as an error from vid-
eo referee Steve Ganson gifted them victory over their city rivals at the Etihad
Stadium.With the score at 16-16 with three minutes left, the black and whites
began to chance their arm as hooker Danny Houghton bombed a kick down
the pitch. Rovers full-back Greg Eden made the fatal mistake of letting it bounce
not once, but twice and Chris Green came out of nowhere to pluck the ball out
of the air to win it for FC. Referee BenThaler handed it up to the video referee
Steve Ganson and the replay clearly showed that Green was standing in front of
Houghton as he kicked the ball. Incredibly, though, the try was awarded. Every-
one else in the ground watched on in disbelief and it quickly became apparent
that Ganson had tracked the wrong man and mistakenly given the try.The RFL
issued a statement after the game apologising to Hull KR and admitting Steve
Ganson had made an error, little consolation for the red and whites!
CHRISGREEN
HULLFC22-16HULLKR (ETIHADSTADIUM,2013)
The biggest and most controversial moment in MagicWeekend history came at
the first staging of the event in 2007.With Bradford leading 38-36 and one min-
ute remaining on the clock, Leeds were wrongly awarded a penalty for offside
and Kevin Sinfield unsurprisingly chose to go for goal from 47 metres out hop-
ing to grab his side a draw.The Rhinos captain drove the kick towards the posts
only for it to rebound off the angle and then bounce up into the hands of the
chasing JordanTansey, he then plucked the ball out of the air and dived over
between the posts. Referee Steve Ganson gave the try without any hesitation of
going to the screen to check, a decision that will never be forgotten as replays
showedTansey to be at least three yards offside.
The try is brought up every year at the MagicWeekend and we caught up with
Tansey who gave us his recollection.“If I’m being honest, I didn’t realise I was
offside until I saw the replay,”he explained.“I just set off running as quickly as
I could, hoping for something unlikely to happen.The next thing I knew I saw
the ball come back off the post, it bounced up and I plucked it out of the air just
before LesleyVainikolo and dived over the line. I definitely got the ball down
and then the whole team jumped on me, it was a great feeling and it’s up there
with the most memorable moments of my career.”
JORDANTANSEY
BRADFORDBULLS38-42LEEDSRHINOS (MILLENNIUMSTADIUM2007)
In 2012Wigan and Saints came together with many predicting another close
game between the two arch rivals, but it turned out to be the total opposite.
In 25 first half minutes theWarriors produced some scintillating rugby, racing
away into a 26-0 lead as they scored some world class tries. SamTomkins, Gareth
Hock and Josh Charnley all went over beforeTomkins produced a moment of
pure genius as nobody laid a hand on him in a 60 metre dash to the line. Captain
Sean O’Loughlin then scored to put the game beyond doubt with just over 20
minutes played, an incredible achievement against any team, let alone St Helens.
The remainder of the match included a 52nd minute mass brawl with Saints
reduced to 12 men andWigan 11 by referee BenThaler. Despite that it was the
opening quarter that deservedly got the headlines withWigan producing some
faultless rugby which will live long in the memory.
WIGANMASTERCLASS
STHELENS16-42WIGAN (ETIHADSTADIUM,2012)

30 31
JOIN THE MOMENTUM BRINGS
500 DANCERS TO MAGIC WEEKEND
Rugby League Cares’dance programme, Join the Momentum will
be entertaining fans at St James’Park for Magic weekend.
The performance piece is inspired by sculptor Anthony Gormley’s
iconic‘Angel of the North’statue and will be performed by dancers
from schools and Rugby League communities across the North.
The piece has been created by Rugby League Foundation dance
leaders in collaboration with professional dancer and choreogra-
pher Jon Beney.
Project Managers Sarah Elston and Amy Burdon would like to
say a bigThankYou and Good Luck to all the dancers and dance
leaders.
“We’ve all had a fantastic time preparing for what is
going to be a very special weekend,”said Sarah.“We
would also like to thank all the friends and family who
will make the trip to support the dancers as they take
to the pitch. I’m sure they’ll love the performance and
take away some very special memories.”
Rugby League fans are being urged to stay in their seat during the
performance to show their support for the hundreds of dancers
who will be representing the clubs on the pitch.
PerformanceTimes: Saturday 16:30pm & Sunday 17:20pm
Join the Momentum is funded by Arts
Council England and the Magic Weekend
2016 performance has also been
supported by Newcastle City Council.
TICKETS
ONSALENOW
FROM £5
GATES
OPEN
10AMTIL
11:30PM

32 33
BOOK YOUR TICKETS & TEAM ENRTY NOW
AT RUGBY.CO.UK/RUGBYAMROCKS
JUNIORTEAM ENTRY £20
ALL KIDS GETA CERTIFICATEAND
PRESENTATION BY SUPER LEAGUE STAR
FAMILYTICKET £20
2ADULTS & 2 KIDS
UNDER 5’S FREE
ADULTTICKET £10
CONSESSION £6
KIDSTICKET £5
FOR MORE INFO, FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA R I L K J
Fan Zone & other
entertainment on site
The festival site will be complete with a host of fan engagements including...
Fun Fair attractions, Kids Presentations, Live DJs,
Big screens & RugbY AM TV live set, Dance Arena,
Cross Bar Challenge, Assault Course, Disco Dome,
6x Inflatable games, Pro players pictures, PHOTO BOOTH.
STARS signing tent, Cheerleading masterclass.
1 x Wood Fired pizza
street food outlet
1 x Posh burger
street food outlet
1 x Gourmet hot dogs
street food outlet
1 x Authentic Curry
street food outlet
2 x Premium Coffee
outlet
Pulled pork & Hog roast
street food outlet
1x Ben & Jerrys
outlet
1 x Sweetie trailer
TRAILER
THE RUGBY
On the day over 80 teams compete
in three Rugby competitions.
JUNIOR
TOURNAMENTS
LEGENDS GAME
Thefeaturegameoftheeventisthe
RLCaresLegendsvs
CastlefordTigersLegends
Players confirmed to play include
Sean Long,
Iestyn Harris,
Paul Sculthorpe,
Lee Gilmour,
Keith Senior,
Robbie Hunter-Paul,
Dean Sampson
OPEN AGE 9'S
TOURNAMENT
200 DancerS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
TAKING PART IN A PRE LEGENDS GAME
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
THE DANCE
PERFORMANCES FROM THE
NATIONS BEST DANCE GROUPS
MAIN STAGE
WE WILL HAVE A FESTIVAL STAGE WITH LIVE
EINTERTAINMENT ALL DAY & NIGHT.
Jack Waltonfirst class cover bands including
Queen & Jessie Jay
Radio one featured artists
Skinner MusikYO U CA N A L S O B E CO M E A S TA R F O R T H E DAY,
BY COMING ON STAGE AND SINGING WIT H OUR
ROCK-A-OKE BAND
DANNY BOND / ALEX SIMMONS
LAWRENCE JAMES PLUS MANY MORE TBC
GATES
OPEN
10AMTIL
11:30PM
TICKETS
ONSALENOW
FROM £5
RUGBY
MUSIC
DANCE

34 35
The outpouring of grief on the loss of the Dodger did
not just come from Hull KR fans – Roger Millward was
a true gentleman and touched many fans from many
clubs, who were more than willing to pass on their
condolences and memories of such a great player.
But it was Hull FC fans who set the tone for the rest of
the rugby league world. There was no silly banter, no
keyboard warriors – the Airlie Birds could not have been
more fulsome in their praise for a player that, as rugby
league fans first, they realised we had lost one of the
true, unquestionable greats of the game. Again, respect
between two clubs and sets of fans that are, at times, the
bitterest and most intense of rivals.
So, as we head into the 228th Hull Derby in Newcastle
this weekend, we hope that our two clubs will doff their
proverbial caps to one of the games greats and put on a
spectacle that he will look down on and be proud of – it
will certainly make him smile if Hull KR can get the win
as well.
HULL DERBY DAY
THEPEOPLEOFHULLARE
SOMETIMESSEENASROUGH,
TOUGHANDUNCOMPROMISING
AND THAT’S JUST THE WOMEN!
The truth is that they have had to be as the city has
been through some difficult times – regular and heavy
bombing in World War II destroyed our docks and large
parts of the city. The decline of the fishing industry has
led to increased unemployment and social poverty in
some areas and you will all have seen the documentaries
or read the newspaper articles that say Hull is one of the
worst places in the country to live (it’s not – believe me).
They also like their sport to be rough, tough and uncom-
promising and that is why Hull is a rugby league city.
Rugby league is a tough sport and when the going gets
tough, you have no choice but to come back, stand tall
together and work hard to succeed. That is what the city
is doing now. Hull will be the UK’s City of Culture in 2017;
it has The Deep, which is one of the best and biggest
aquariums in the world, along with two thriving theatres
in the Hull Truck and Hull New Theatre. Let’s also not
forget the wonderful Humber Bridge that is a sight to
behold when you are heading back home.
Two strong and vibrant Hull clubs creates the greatest ri-
valry in the world of rugby league, the only true Derby –
ONE CITY, TWO CLUBS – fighting for superiority, fighting
for bragging rights over their brother, mother, cousin or
friend. This rivalry splits apart family loyalties and life-
long friendships on match days, for them to come back
together as soon as the match is over – usually anyway.
The fans thrive on this rivalry and embrace the passion
and emotion that is encapsulated within 80 minutes of
rugby league. A victory gives one side the upper hand
until the next fixture, friends and relatives will take
advantage of this with no thought for the alternative
outcome the next time the two teams play. Social media
has taken this to a new level and you don’t have to be in
someone’s company to be on the receiving end of the
latest banter.
My first memory of the Hull Derby is the 1979 Floodlit
Trophy Final. Held on a cold and dark winter’s night in
December 1979 at the Boulevard, packed in with over
18,000 fans. I was 10 years of age and unable to see any-
thing, but sampling the electric atmosphere of the much
vaunted rivalry for the first time. Hull FC won the game
13-3, I was freezing and devastated.
Now for my last memory of the Derby which brought no
more joy. It was the ill-fated Good Friday match at the KC
Lightstream Stadium where my team, Hull KR, somehow
managed to forego a 20-0 lead with just 22 minutes to
go and lose the match 22-20. As gut wrenching a defeat
as I have ever suffered – Twitter was in overdrive that
night.
Two defeats they may have been but there have been
plenty of highs in between my first and last Derby
matches. The biggest Derby ever was on May 3rd 1980,
the Challenge Cup Final, over 90,000 fans at Wembley
Stadium saw Rovers record a 10-5 victory to lift the Cup
for the first time. It was a tough, uncompromising and
somewhat ugly match – very reminiscent of how out-
siders would maybe describe the city and the toughest
man on the pitch was the smallest.
Roger Millward, the small man with the huge heart, was
at the end of his illustrious career and, despite suffering
a broken jaw in the first-half, stayed on for the full match,
dropped a goal and collected the Challenge Cup which
he raised to his adoring red and white fans. Thirty-six
years ago to the day, 3 May 2016, it was announced that
Roger Millward had sadly passed away. Those two events
showed something that neutral fans may not think was a
part of the Hull Derby – respect.
It was respect for a truly great rugby league player – no
matter who he played for. I remember leaving Wembley
in 1980 with my dad. I could see out of the corner of
my eye a skinhead in a black and white shirt heading
straight towards me, I was decked out head to toe in
red and white so he knew I was a Rovers fan. I’ll admit
I was worried – he was about 25 and I was only 11 but
what he did has stayed with me to this day – he shook
my hand and said:‘’Well done kid – you deserved it.’’
Great sportsmanship at a time when he must have been
hurting like hell.
Success doesn’t always come instantly. Like the city itself
the two rugby league clubs, Hull Kingston Rovers and
Hull FC, have had their good times and their bad times.
Both clubs have enjoyed huge moments of glory but
also fallow periods when they have been on the verge of
extinction. Neither club has won the league title for over
30 years – between 1977 and 1985 they won four league
championships between them (three to Hull KR and one
to Hull FC). They also competed in, and won, a whole
host of major finals – a lot of them against each other
– but the only major title that either side has won since
1985 is the 2005 Challenge Cup, when Hull FC defeated
Leeds Rhinos.
The 1970’s and 80’s were wonderful times in the City
of Hull, great players playing fantastic rugby league,
winning big games and making history. That is what is
needed again. The people of Hull have never abandoned
their clubs, but they need them to start competing at
the very highest level of the game on a consistent basis.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS ON
IT ENDING UP 10-5?
PASSION, RIVALRY AND RESPECT
By Andy Sharpe

36 37
WARRINGTON TO NEWCASTLE
CYCLE FOR RL CARES
Following the success of the 2015 event, another group of
dedicated volunteers will cycle over 180 miles fromWarrington to
Newcastle in time for the 2016 MagicWeekend at St James’Park.
45 cyclists will embark on the three day challenge, leavingThe
Halliwell Jones Stadium onThursday 19th May and cycling over
the NorthYorkshire hills to arrive in Newcastle on Saturday 21st
May for the start of a full weekend of Super League fixtures.
Foundation Rugby League Manager Shaun Briscoe and
Community Rugby League CoachWil Maudsley will be going
one step further and running the journey over four days. Inspired
by the challenge last year, the guys wanted an extra challenge
and decided to make the 140-mile journey on foot, completing 34
miles each day in order to arrive in time.
The Foundation would like to thank Central Self Drive for the use
of their van for the support vehicle and the mini bus to transport
the cyclists back toWarrington. A special thanks also goes to
the Holiday Inn at Darlington andWashington for their generous
hospitality.
You can keep up with the progress of the cyclists
and runners by followingThe Foundation onTwitter
@WWCLSFoundation
To sponsor the cyclist’s efforts, you can visit their Just Giving Page
www.justgiving.com/warringtontonewcastle
To sponsor the runner’s efforts, you can visit their Just Giving Page
www.justgiving.com/shaunbriscoe

38 39
Since then he has gone on to achieve greatness in rugby
league, winning an almost unrivalled amount of trophies and
medals in the modern game, receiving an MBE in 2014 for his
achievements and completing an MA.
With one of the other greats of athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe,
now president of the International Athletics Federation, Foster
believes Sinfield should be given a role of similar significance
in rugby league following his retirement.
“Kevin is a top man, a great champion and he did great things
in the sport. It was fantastic to see him finish second at Sports
Personality last year.”
“When you have got a player of his calibre and standing both
on and off the field, the sport should be clever and realise they
have an asset there and use that to magnify the sport.
“He is an impressive man and the sport shouldn’t miss the trick
of giving Kevin a role of importance to help take the game
forward in the next few years.”
Many great athletes have originated from the North
East over the years but not many can match the
achievements of former long-distance runner Brendan
Foster, CBE.
He brought a nation to its feet by winning 5,000 metre
gold at the 1974 European Championships, a year that
saw him named‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year.’
Foster, who now works for the BBC as a commentator,
won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976
Summer Olympics and gold in the same event at the
1978 Commonwealth Games.
Regarded as somewhat of a legend in the North East,
‘Big Bren’broke two world records for the 3,000 metres
in 1972 and 1974 and is also the founder of the Great
North Run.
BRENDAN
FOSTER
CBEHAILS
RUGBY
LEAGUE’S
ETHOS
RUGBYAMTALKSTOTHE
FORMEROLYMPICATHLETE
“I remember watching St Helens atWembley, I was invited by
chairman of the RFL Brian Barwick, who is a friend of mine, and
I was impressed to see the players coming into the bar after the
match and talking to the fans.
“The ethos of rugby league is fantastic and I think other sports
should look at that and try to replicate it.”
One of the main hobbies of the former middle-distance runner is
to watch his local football team Newcastle United, so he spends a
large part of his time at St James’Park.
The main reason for taking the MagicWeekend to Newcastle was
to showcase the game of rugby league to this football-mad city
with the hope of attracting many new fans to the sport.
“I think the RFL have worked hard and they are impressive in
what they have done in taking the game to new areas,”Foster
explained.
“They are punching above their weight because the game is
basically based in Lancashire andYorkshire and it’s hard to get out
of those heartlands.
“You’ve got to credit the initiatives they have done over the
years to branch out to the likes of Wembley and, more recently,
the Olympic Stadium.
“It’s a proper sport watched by proper people and I have no
doubt that it will do well in the North East.”
A famous rugby league personality who the Olympic medallist
speaks very highly of is Kevin Sinfield. In 2004, while Chancel-
lor at Leeds Met University, Foster awarded Sinfield his degree
in sports science.
Two years ago, that 13-mile dash across the Tyne be-
came the first event in the world to have over a million
finishers and it has been one of the biggest of its kind in
Britain since Foster started it in 1981.
Another event taking place in Newcastle this year which
will attract a whole host of characters and fancy dress is
the Magic Weekend, as it prepares for its second year in
the Toon.
Foster is a great admirer of rugby league and the
68-year-old revealed how he loves and appreciates the
passionate supporters and the personalities within the
sport.
“For me rugby league is a fantastic sport,”he said.
“I’m always impressed by the way people in rugby
league work hard and are so loyal to the sport. They
all travelled up here last year and made it a fantastic
weekend.
By Ben Carney

40 41
CASTLEFORD'S
NUMBER 1 RUGBY PUB
KEEGAN HIRST ON LIFE
SINCE COMING OUT...
On the pitch Keegan has continued to impress, leading Batley
to the top of the table in the early stages of the season. Despite
a recent blip in form on the team front, the 6ft 4in forward has
maintained his own personal level of performance.
That has, unsurprisingly, caught the eye of several Super
League clubs and the Bulldogs skipper says that playing at the
highest level is something he wants to do.
“I would like to have a go at playing full-time. You always want
to test yourself against the best players and it’s never quite
come off for me before.
“I think a lot of lads that have stepped up from the Champi-
onship have done alright; Chris Hill, Alex Walmsley, Liam Finn,
Anthony England - you’ve got good players there who are now
well established.
“You have especially got to look at Liam Finn who did it late in
his career as well, so if the opportunity presented itself I would
definitely like to have a go.”
Something that has changed is Keegan’s new-found celebrity
lifestyle, as he has crossed paths and received messages of
support from some of the world’s most famous faces.
“I have met some really interesting people since,”Keegan said.
“Ian McKellen (Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, and Magneto
in the X-Men films) emailed me when it came out and I’ve met
him quite a few times.
“He is always really considerate and asks how I am, how the
family is doing and he’s genuinely interested.
“He’s a massive movie star and he doesn’t really need to do
those things but he’s just a really down to earth and nice bloke.
“I have met Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer) as well and
she is off her head, she is as mad as a box of frogs.”
In August 2015, Batley Bulldogs captain Keegan Hirst became
British rugby league’s first openly gay player and he recently
spoke to Rugby AM about what life has been like since then.
The 28-year-old is one of the most respected props in the
Championship and becoming the sport’s first player to openly
come out underlines his courage and fearless nature.
Keegan admitted that the week following his announcement
was a whirlwind but as the days passed, life has slowly returned
back to normal for the former Bradford Bulls academy product.
“It was pretty mad,”he explained.
“After it had all come out and the dust settled a bit, life is pretty
much how it was. I still see the kids, still go to training and still
go to work.”
By Ben Carney

42 43
The MagicWeekend enters its tenth year having had spells in
Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester and the current location Newcas-
tle.The event looks to attract more fans than ever before in 2016
having reached record numbers last year, with an aggregate at-
tendance of 67,788 across the two days.The popularity of Magic
Weekend is forever growing and is an event that many other
sports have been impressed by and are trying to emulate.
As proved in 2015, St James’Park is an ideal location to showcase
the great game of rugby league to the people of the North East.
It was no surprise when the announcement was made to keep
the event in Newcastle this year, a decision that has proved
overwhelmingly popular among many fans of the sport.
Located right at the heart of the city, St James’Park is a venue
steeped in history and it’s easy for the fans to keep themselves
entertained while the rugby isn’t on.This year there is a Rugby
AM takeover across both days in the Fan Zone so be sure to
check it out! Information and times are on page 14.
St James’Park has been the home of Newcastle United since
1892 and has hosted professional football since 1880. It is the
sixth largest football stadium in Europe and its white cantilever
roof, which is the largest in Europe, is visible right across the city.
The stadium has a capacity of 52,387, the record attendance for
the stadium is 68,386 against Chelsea in 1930 when standing
was allowed on the terraces.
The lopsided stadium has four stands - the Leazes End, the East
Stand, the famous Gallowgate End and the Milburn Stand -
named after Newcastle United great Jackie Milburn.
As well as Premier League football, the stadium has also hosted
international football both at Euro 1996 and at the 2012
Olympics. It was also used as one of the venues for the 2015
Rugby UnionWorld Cup at the end of last year. Films, realityTV
programmes and concerts have also been hosted by the ground
in recent years too.
ABOUTSTJAMES’PARKTHEMAGICWEEKEND
THINGSTODOANDPLACES
TOSEEINNEWCASTLE
THE QUAYSIDE
Fantastic warm atmosphere, both day and night!There’s
something for everyone. Enjoy a stroll along the riverside with
amazing scenery and famous landmarks, or relax outside the
modern bars and watch the world go by.TheTyne Bridge stands
proud and looks spectacular when lit up at night, while the Mil-
lennium Bridge is a great spot for taking photographs. Located
around a mile from the stadium, you can visit the beautiful Quay-
side landmark anytime in the day between 11am and 11pm.
THE METRO CENTRE
Located in Gateshead and about a 10 minute drive from St
James’Park, the Metro Centre is a huge shopping mall which
boasts the greatest number of individual retail outlets (340) of
any UK shopping centre. Not only are there endless shops, you
can also go to the cinema, bowling, amusements, restaurants
plus much more. It is easily accessible with a speedy shuttle bus
to and from Newcastle city centre, so you have no excuse not to
give it a visit!
GRAINGER TOWN
Often considered to be the historic heart of Newcastle upon
Tyne, GraingerTown consists of many fine streets, buildings and
architecture.The area includes Grainger Market, Clayton Street
and Grey Street; the latter is steeped in history with theTheatre
Royal and Grey’s Monument situated alongside many restau-
rants, bars, businesses, shops and pavement cafes. Grainger
Town has got great history so it’s worthwhile giving it a visit
while you’re in Newcastle.
LEAZES PARK
Located right behind St James’Park, Leazes Park is a great place
to chill out and is very picturesque.There is a park for the chil-
dren and a cafe which is very reasonably priced. If you want to
get away for an hour or so, whether it’s to do an outdoor activity
or just to get a taste of that urban feel, then this is the pace for
you.
THE STRAWBERRY PUB
This is a cracking traditional pub right at the side of the stadium
and is packed with football fans on Newcastle United match
days. It has a friendly atmosphere, welcoming staff and is fantas-
tic value for money with a great selection of bottled beers, spirits
and wine.The food menu covers all bases and the majority that
visit the pub would recommend it to a friend.
DIGITAL NIGHTCLUB
Voted the 44th best nightclub in the world by DJmag, Digital,
located onTimes Square, is arguably the most popular club in
the‘toon’. It’s with good reason too, with exceptionally cheap
bar prices and fast service. One word of warning though is that it
gets busy, so get there before 12 and beat the queues. It’s loud,
lively and will be a night out you won’t forget, so if you’re coming
to Newcastle for a fun time, then Digital is the place to be.
MAGIC
WEEKEND
GUIDE

44 45
“What theVikings did last year was incredible and would have
made Sir Bobby very proud,”Beardsley said.
“The fans were brilliant at St James’Park and the gesture that
they made by supporting the initiative and raising so much
money was phenomenal.”
In a special addition to this year’s jersey, the club’s‘Tackling Can-
cer...I’m on it!’campaign sees over 3,000 names printed into the
fabric with every one of them donating £10 for the privilege.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation logo will also be situated on
the jersey in place of the club’s primary sponsor with a further
donation made to the charity from the shirt sales, too.
WidnesVikings Marketing Director Brian O’Connor is the man
behind the whole idea, however he is quick to pass on the
praise to the supporters for making the scheme so successful.
“The fans deserve so much credit for the money they raised,”
Brian said.
“It starts with an idea but it is the fans that do the business.We
raised over £20,000 last year and this year we are on course to
double that figure.
“The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation do great work nationwide,
along with worldwide cancer research, and just to be associated
with somebody of that calibre is amazing.
Last year’s shirt didn’t just prove popular withWidnes fans,
Newcastle United football fans across the North East also fell
in love with the design - helped by the support of club legend
Beardsley.
“It was just a natural fit being the colours of both clubs,”
explained Brain.
“I think the fans have got an immense amount of pride to know
that they are taking part in something really special. Peter was
an integral part of our campaign last year and we are really lucky
to have him as our ambassador.
“What I really love is that he gets just as excited as us and has
contributed enormously to this year’s campaign. Peter was
genuinely thrilled to be invited to continue his role as club
ambassador.”
It would be fair to say rugby league in this country isn’t scared
of bringing in new ideas and that approach has been illustrated
over the last 10 years with the success of MagicWeekend.
Like many individuals from different sports, Beardsley can only
admire the MagicWeekend concept and the family atmosphere
it generates over an action-packed weekend of rugby league.
“Without a doubt, last year’s MagicWeekend generated a
massive appetite for rugby league in the North East,”He said.
“Everybody I spoke to who went last year said the atmosphere
was amazing and different to anything they had experienced
before. I can honestly say I didn’t speak to anybody who didn’t
have a great time.
“You look at the colours in the crowd,‘mixing in’as we call it, and
it was incredible how people just got on and had a beer together,
it didn’t matter who they supported they just joined in.
“I don’t know who came up with the name‘MagicWeekend’but
everybody I’ve spoken to said it lived up to its name and I think
the work that theVikings did last year certainly helped generate
a lot of local interest.
“We love our sport in the North East and I think that was shown
with the attendance last year. I honestly think that this year the
crowds will be even better.”
Widnes will again wear a special shirt at MagicWeekend to
once more support and raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson
Foundation.
In 2015, theVikings raised £20,000 for the cancer charity by
donating profits from sales of their MagicWeekend shirt, a
campaign that attracted support from a whole host of
celebrities.
This year has generated as much, if not more backing for the
cause, with Newcastle United and England football legend Peter
Beardsley theVikings’MagicWeekend Ambassador for
the second year running.
WIDNES VIKINGS 2016
MAGIC WEEKEND SHIRT

46 47
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48 49
My full-back choice for the halfway point
in the season was a shootout between
Hull FC’s Jamie Shaul andWidnesVikings’
Rhys Hanbury. Despite the early season
form ofWidnes and Hanbury, I’ve decided
to go with Shaul for his consistency in
both attack and defence. His stats sup-
port his case of being the best custodian
so far this season - notching up 1576
metres, 12 clean-breaks, nine tries and
five assists.
FULL-BACK CENTRES
The wingers have been much harder to
choose with the likes of Pat Richards, Co-
reyThompson and Curtis Naughton play-
ing extremely well. However, I’ve decided
to go with Catalans Dragons speedster
Jodie Broughton and CastlefordTigers
try machine Denny Solomona who have
consistently performed for their teams in
2016 so far. In terms of stats Broughton
has 13 tries and 13 clean-breaks, whereas
Solomona has 14 tries and 21 clean-
breaks - these are two players who are
really making their mark on this season.
Junior Sa’u has been very impressive for
the battling Salford outfit. He has turned
hard times into personal gain, currently
leading Salford’s try-scoring tally with 11,
placing him ahead in a position where
not many have shined. My other centre
spot goes to the very versatileTiger, Jake
Webster.The 32-year-old has been a
standout performer for Castleford during
an injury-hit season, playing either centre
or second-row, proving his overall impor-
tance to Daryl Powell’s team.The stats
fromWebster indicate the strong efforts
in testing times with six tries, six assists
and 1159 metres.
My half-backs could have been many
different combinations. However, I
believeWarrington duo of the magician
Chris Sandow and tactical master Kurt
Gidley have been the best two. Despite
Sandow’s injury, he’s been by far the best
half-back in the competition scoring
eight tries - with 15 try-assists, nine
clean-breaks and 27 tackle-busts. Gidley’s
influence has been just as great and this
was emphasised in theWolves’40-10
victory overWigan, demonstrating all the
game management and tactical aware-
ness needed to getWarrington back to
OldTrafford.
HALF-BACKS PROPS HOOKER
It goes without saying that Catalans
Dragons’monster forward DaveTaylor
has made quite an impression on the
competition.The coal train has been
an absolute menace in both attack and
defence. For such a big man he possesses
great speed, fantastic ball handling
skills and can sniff out a try. All those
attributes are demonstrated by his five
tries, four assists, four clean-breaks and 40
tackle-busts. My second prop is St Helens’
powerhouse Kyle Amor who has been a
shining light in a stuttering season for Kei-
ron Cunningham’s men.With 1611 metres
– the most for his team – and 313 tackles,
Amor has been the main source of Saints
go-forward in the 2016 campaign.
Only one hooker came to mind when
thinking about the best so far this season,
Danny Houghton.The Hull FC workhorse
is an absolute tackling machine and isn’t
afraid to push forward in attack either.
Making the most tackles this season
so far at 582 and even pitching in with
11 try-assists, Houghton is evolving his
game enough so that the Airlie Birds are
profiting in both attack and defence. If he
keeps this up then a place in the England
squad could come calling, even in a
position whereWayne Bennett has an
embarrassment of riches.
Both Ben Currie and Glenn Stewart have been instrumental for
their teams this season and are fine examples of modern day
second-rowers.Warrington youngster Currie, who is equally as
effective at centre, has developed into a brilliant talent and is
already pushing for an international call-up.With ten tries, seven
assists, 1206 metres, five clean-breaks and 322 tackles it’s hard
to ignore his impact. Catalans star signing Glenn Stewart is a
tackling machine but is also a vital clog in the Dragons attacking
structure. His 513 tackles and 864 metres underline his pivotal
contribution to the ever improving Perpignan outfit.
SECOND-ROWERS LOOSE-FORWARD
WiganWarriors’utility man John Bateman defines the word con-
sistency.The 22-year-old is just one of those players you want
in your team, with a never say die attitude and a willingness to
succeed, no matter what challenge is presented in front of him.
The England international has six tries to his name so far with
382 tackles, 60 tackle-busts and 1359 metres - the reasons why
he is one of the first names of ShaunWane’s team sheet.
JODIE BROUGHTON DENNY SOLOMONA JUNIOR SA’U JAKE WEBSTER
DAVE TAYLOR KYLE AMOR DANNY HOUGHTON
JAMIE SHAUL
BEN CURRIE GLENN STEWART JOHN BATEMAN
CHRIS SANDOW KURT GIDLEY
SUPER LEAGUE
TEAM OF THE
SEASON
AT THE HALF-WAY STAGE
WINGERS
TEAM OF THE SEASON SO FAR
SHAUL / BROUGHTON / SA’U / WEBSTER / SOLOMONA / SANDOW / GIDLEY / D.TAYLOR / HOUGHTON / AMOR / CURRIE / STEWART / BATEMAN
* Stats as of Super League round 13
By Mike AndrewsBy Mike Andrews

50 51
LIZZIE
LAUNCHES
DANNY JONES
DEFIBRILLATOR
FUND . . .
Danny Jones was a Keighley Cougars and Wales international
half-back who collapsed and died from an undiagnosed heart
condition while playing against London Skolars in May 2015.
He left behind a wife and five month old baby twins.
His wife Lizzie Jones, is spearheading a campaign to raise funds
for equipment that could prove the difference between life
and death at Rugby League clubs across the UK.
Lizzie, who reduced a Wembley crowd to tears and moved mil-
lions of TV viewers with an emotional performance at the BBC
Sports Personality of the Year award, has launched the Danny
Jones Defibrillator Fund named in honour of her late husband.
Its aim is to provide defibrillators in every Rugby League club
in the UK.
Defibrillators cost around £1,000 each and provide potentially
life-saving treatment to anyone suffering a cardiac arrest.
This fund aims to give community clubs grants towards the
purchase of a defibrillator.
The campaign has set a fund-raising target of £50,000
To make a donation please text
DJDF86 to 70070 to give £5 today or visit
www.justgiving.com/danny-jones-defibrillator-fund
Badges are also available for £2, Lizzie and her family are selling
them around the stadium and in the Fan Zone.
The fund is administered jointly by the RFL Benevolent Fund in
partnership with Rugby League Cares, and supported by the
WelMedical Group.
Lizzie said: “£1,000 doesn’t seem like a lot of money
but as anyone who’s been involved with grass-
roots sport will know, every penny matters and I
am proud to be associated with another project
which means Danny’s death will not have been in
vain.”
For further details or to apply,
please e-mail us at the following:
info@rlcares.org.uk

52 53
THE NORTH EAST DREAM
PIONEERED BY LEE CROOKS
“RUGBYLEAGUEINTHENORTH
EASTISREALLYTAKINGOFF“
That’s the view of regional performance coach Lee Crooks.
Crooks, who made around 500 appearances during his playing
days for Hull FC, Leeds, Castleford, Balmain, Wests Tigers,
Yorkshire and Great Britain in a 17-year career, was appointed
to the RFL role back in 2014 and has seen the region go from
strength to strength. Even their defeats have been hotly contested only being
narrowly edged out 28-24 against Hunslet Hawks and 24-20 to
North Wales Crusaders, which points to a team heading in the
right direction.
“Newcastle Thunder have got some great facilities at Kingston
Park. If they can get promoted this year they may go full-time
next year, rugby league in the North East is really taking off.
“The Newcastle club are really promoting the game, letting
everyone know what the club is about, which wasn’t the case
before, so people are now certainly more aware of the game in
Newcastle.
“Super League is the long term goal and I think it will be great
for the game if Newcastle had a team in the top flight.”
Crooks, who holds coaching workshops in the North East, is
hoping his experience and knowledge of the game will see his
dream come to fruition sooner rather than later.
Having made his debut at the tender age of 17 for his home city
club Hull, Crooks went onto become a regular in the Great Britain
pack at 20-years-old.
Speaking to Rugby AM he said:“The future is bright for rugby
league in the North East.The regional academy side have beaten
those in the Midlands and Cumbria showing there are some
exceptionally talented players coming through.”
With the North East academy side blossoming, the long term goal
for the area would be a team to ultimately reach Super League
and NewcastleThunder look best placed to achieve that.
The side sit mid-table in League 1 having picked up three wins,
one draw and two losses collecting seven points from their
opening six games of the season.Their triumphs have come over
Doncaster, University of Gloucestershire All Golds and Oxford with
their draw a thrilling 24-24 game against Barrow Raiders.
By Jamie Barwick

54 55
SAT
SUN
TYRE’SMAGIC
WEEKENDTIPS
With star names retiring at the end of the 2015 treble winning season, Leeds
have further struggled with several key men missing through injury. Despite
their lowly league position, the likes of Jordan Lilley make the Rhinos an exciting
team to watch and with Jamie Jones-Buchanan leading the way, they are more
than capable of climbing up the ladder.Wigan are in the higher reaches of the
table but they haven’t reached their potential.They, like many, have also had bad
luck with injuries but their key players are now starting to return with marquee
signing SamTomkins back in cherry and white. Anthony Gelling and John
Bateman are two players that have impressed me and if Bateman continues his
fine form, he will be a contender for this year’s Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel
award.
LEEDSRHINOS
VWIGANWARRIORS19:00PM
Warrington are my tip to win this year’s Grand Final. I like the style of rugby
leagueTony Smith has his team playing. Chris Sandow was the best player in the
league before his injury but Kurt Gidley and Stefan Ratchford have stepped it up
a gear as they’ve struck up a good partnership in the halves. Daryl Clark is get-
ting back to his best and Ben Currie is a young man with a massive future ahead
of him. Castleford might not have as many‘star’individuals as some other clubs
but they play for each other as a team. Luke Gale has been a fantastic signing
and his leadership qualities have been needed with Michael Shenton and Andy
Lynch both injured.TheTigers will certainly giveWarrington a game at the Magic
Weekend, they will start as underdogs but they are capable of causing an upset.
WARRINGTONWOLVES
VCASTLEFORDTIGERS16:45PM
Inconsistency has marred Salford’s season with a six point deduction not helping
their chances either. On a positive note Robert Lui and Ben Murdoch-Masila have
proved to be great signings with top try scorer Junior Sa’u in the best form of his
career at present. Playmaker Michael Dobson will try and run the show against
aWidnes side who have plummeted down the league after winning six of their
first seven games. Key man Kevin Brown has struggled with injuries but the
Vikings are far from a one man team, with Joe Mellor and Rhys Hanbury putting
in some impressive performances.Widnes need to get back to playing their
fast, free flowing rugby league from the early rounds of the season, otherwise it
could be another difficult day at the office.
SALFORDREDDEVILS
VWIDNESSVIKINGS14:30PM
One city, two clubs, it can only mean the Hull derby. Since JamesWebster has
taken over he has had things tough at Rovers but this game presents him with a
chance to put some of that right.The Challenge Cup defeat at home to Oldham
was backed up with the demolition of Castleford at the Jungle, underlining their
unpredictability.When playmaker Albert Kelly and hooker Shaun Lunt are in the
team, the Robins look a much more dangerous outfit. In contrast to their city
rivals, Hull FC are having their best season for some time. New signing Frank‘the
tank’Pritchard, Gareth Ellis and Mark Minichiello are three veteran powerhouses
doing the business for the black and whites in the forwards. It’s almost impossi-
ble not to mention hooker Danny Houghton either who continues to produce
week in, week out. Lee Radford has just signed a new contract with the Airlie
Birds and there is a real feel good factor around the club at the moment.
HULLKR
VHULLFC17:30PM
With a good blend of youth and experience, Saints are a quality team ready to
come to life at some point this season. Kyle Amor and Louie McCarthy-Scars-
brook are two tough, powerful runners and in LukeWalsh andTheo Fages,
they possess a great blend of precision and speed in the halves.The return of
Jonny Lomax has also been a welcome boost for Saints who must now focus on
finishing in the top four following their Challenge Cup exit. Huddersfield had a
tough start to the season but are starting to find some rhythm following back-
to-back wins against Leeds. Danny Brough is still their main man and the battle
of the kicking games between him andWalsh will be an interesting spectacle.
This game will be a tough contest and could easily go either way, it will be tight,
tense and probably be decided by a couple of points.
HUDDERSFIELDGIANTS
VSTHELENS15:15PM
Chris Chester has madeWakefield look like a different team since taking over,
with their 62-0 win againstWigan something that will live long in the memory.
The players have adopted a never say die attitude and young revelationTom
Johnstone is grabbing all the headlines as he continues scoring tries for fun.
Catalans Dragons have looked the real deal in 2016.They have put together a
great squad and seem to have brushed off the away day blues. Big DaveTaylor
is getting the plaudits with his barn-storming runs setting the platform forTodd
Carney to work his magic. Experienced duo Pat Richards and Glenn Stewart have
proved to be astute additions and the French side look strong all around the
park.
WAKEFIELDWILDCATS
VCATALANSDRAGONS13:00PM
MYTIP.
SALFORD
REDDEVILS
MYTIP.
CATALANS
DRAGONS
MYTIP.
WARRINGTON
WOLVES
MYTIP.
LEEDS
RHINOS
MYTIP.
STHELENS
MYTIP.
HULLFC
By CraigTarbottonBy CraigTarbotton

56 57
RUGBYAMKIT WAYNE’SWORLD
After a hugely impressive campaign last year, which
culminated in breaking an eight-year drought with a Test
Series win over New Zealand, England are laying down
the foundations to make 2016 a successful one.
The appointment of Wayne Bennett as their new head
coach shows England are aiming high as they put their
trust in him to turn them from contenders into potential
winners of international tournaments. On paper, the
signs look promising with Bennett seen as one of the
most outstanding coaches of this generation. The
current Brisbane Broncos supremo brings a huge wealth
of experience having twice previously coached Australia
and has won seven NRL premierships. That comprises six
with the Broncos and one with St George Illawarra Drag-
ons, to make him the most successful coach in Australian
rugby league history. On his return to Brisbane last year,
he took them to the NRL grand final for the first time
since 2006, narrowly losing 17-16 to North Queensland
in golden point extra time.
With that sort of CV, it was little surprise to see the RFL
turn to the 66-year-old to take charge for the Four Na-
tions this autumn and next year’s World Cup in Australia
and New Zealand. He replaced Steve McNamara who,
after a lengthy review process, was informed that he
wouldn’t be given a new contract. McNamara left the
post having been the longest-serving coach in England’s
history and there is no doubt that the national team and
set-up have moved on considerably under his leadership
since 2010.
Ahead of this year’s Four Nations, Wayne Bennett inherits
a side that has made considerable progress over the last
few years and possesses truly world-class players across
most positions. A fit Sam Burgess and Sam Tomkins can
lift England to another level, while the likes of Canter-
bury Bulldogs skipper James Graham, St George Illawar-
ra co-captain Gareth Widdop and Canberra hooker Josh
Hodgson are testament to the strength of the current
side. With Australia looking to take back the number
one world ranking from the Kiwis and a New Zealand
team looking for revenge, confidence is high that under
a coach of Wayne Bennett’s calibre, this current crop of
players can finally fulfil their potential and achieve real
success this year.
Last November’s Test series win was a huge weight
off the team’s shoulders and with that in mind, you’d
imagine the new head coach will be using it as a spring-
board for his players to go out and deliver the same
level of performance this autumn. If England can do
that, playing at home for the Four Nations puts them at
a huge advantage. Backed by what will be a passionate
home crowd, at some of the country’s most iconic sports
stadia, England will be a force to be reckoned with under
a coach who has done it at the highest level.
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T-SHIRTS
By MichaelWood

58 59
CHASING THE
SUPER LEAGUE
DREAM...
With the Kingstone Press Championship Summer Bash in
Blackpool around the corner after Dacia Magic Weekend,
it’s certainly an exciting couple of weeks for rugby
league fans in the UK and even worldwide.
Only two teams playing in next week’s Championship
event have ever played in the Magic Weekend festivities.
Those sides are London Broncos and Bradford Bulls and,
as it stands, they will be fighting it out for a place in next
year’s Super League through the end-of-season Qualifi-
ers. London have been one of the most improved teams
in the second tier this year and the work of head coach
Andrew Henderson can’t be praised enough. Bradford,
now under the management of Rohan Smith, have had a
rocky season up to now, but they will be ultra-motivated
to stay in the top four and possibly have another crack
at the‘Million Pound Game.’The performances of Lee
Gaskell, Danny Addy, Dale Ferguson, Kris Welham and
Mitch Clark will be pivotal to any sort of success for the
Bulls this year.
The other two teams currently in Qualifiers conten-
tion are table-topping Leigh Centurions and fourth
placed Halifax. Both clubs played in last year’s Super 8’s
Qualifiers, with Halifax finishing sixth and Leigh in the
rather unfamiliar position of eighth. Things didn’t start
so smoothly for the Centurions this year as Paul Rowley
departed a few days before the first game of the season.
Leigh went on to lose that match against Batley but Neil
Jukes, who took charge of the team after Rowley’s exit,
became the coach on a permanent basis and the only
way was up from then. With ten wins, one draw and
one loss to their name, Leigh look certain to be playing
Qualifiers rugby once again in late summer.
Halifax were last season’s surprise package as coach
Richard Marshall had a brilliant debut season. Marshall
then strengthened the side in the off-season with some
great acquisitions in the shape of winger Will Sharp,
centre Sam Smeaton, hometown boy Simon Grix and
scrum-half Gareth Moore. While they haven’t really lived
up to full expectations as of yet, it’s to be expected
that the West Yorkshire outfit will get better as the year
goes on. Now they’ve broken into the top four after 12
rounds, everyone will be keeping their eyes on them to
see if they can ultimately stay there.
Now for the chasing pack! Batley Bulldogs, after their
amazing start to the campaign, have recently slipped
out of fourth place and were taught a lesson in the
Ladbrokes Challenge Cup against Catalans Dragons.
Featherstone Rovers have also struggled with injuries
to key personnel but Jon Sharp’s men still stand a good
chance of finishing in the top four. In seventh spot, with
only five wins from 12 games and unbelievably still in
with a shot of the Qualifiers, are Sheffield Eagles. The
move to becoming a full-time operation doesn’t seem
to have worked out too well for the steel city side but
there’s still time for things to be fixed before the end of
the regular season.
It promises to be a fantastic race for the top four in the
Kingstone Press Championship with a shot at Super
League opposition the sought after prize. Make sure
you get to the Summer Bash next weekend to see some
more great rugby league!
*Stats as of Championship round 12
By Daniel Fowler

60 61
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62 63
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