Rugby League Wrap #1 - 05/09/2019

A really quick blog post for you all now, reflecting on a crazy 24 hours. If you've turned on a TV recently, you will no doubt have heard about similar unprecedented scenes in politics, but we'll steer way clear of that!

1. Swinton's Rebrand

There has been talk for some time that Swinton Lions will be re-branding to Manchester. That was finally confirmed in a statement by the club yesterday.

The club appeared at pains to point out that they are still maintaining a connection with the Swinton brand.

It is certainly a seismic and ambitious change, with the club often pointing out in his statements that this forms part of planning for a post-2021 world, where there is a lot of financial uncertainty arising from the expiration of the sport's current TV deal.

Whilst the name has changed, one suspects that Swinton fans more pressing issue is when the club will return to the town. Perhaps with the name change, that may become less of a concern for the club itself?

Here is the statement in full

2. Tonga's Boycott?

On the subject of Lions being under threat, that brings us to the Great Britain Lions tour at the season's end.

There is already consternation is some circles that at least one test against Australia does not form part of the tour.

Reports have today emerged that Tonga have threatened to boycott this match and other internationals due a dispute. This dispute has arisen over reports that head coach Kristian Woolf has been asked to step down by the governing body's interim board.

The mere suggestion of this has led to a strong response from John Hopoate, father of current Tongan international, Will.

It is important to note that there are no quotes threatening a boycott from current Tongan players at this stage. Here's hoping that there's a speedy solution, as the last thing the international game can afford is for Tonga not to play this autumn.

Link: Total Rugby League's full story

3. Catalan Chairman's Fury

Bernard Guasch, the Catalans chairman, is not one to shy away or keep his thoughts to himself. If he is unhappy about something, quite often the sport knows about it. Whether that is his team, referees or something else altogether.

He has been conspicuously quiet of late, but that changed yesterday. He has torn into his current players, singling out Tony Gigot for a perceived poor attitude. Several other unnamed players were also on the end of sharp criticism, as Catalan's season has once again faded.

However, there was praise for Steve McNamara, Sam Tomkins and Michael McIlorum, although part of that was in the context of criticism for others!

The full story is worth a read!

4. All Change at Hull KR

Hull KR have announced that Josh Drinkwater, Chris Atkin and James Greenwood will all leave the club at the season's end.

Drinkwater was sought after by a number of clubs at the end of last season after an impressive stint at Catalans. Rumours suggested that his pay demands put many clubs off, before he signed for Hull KR just before the season's start.

It is fair to say he hasn't caught the eye in quite the same way this year. He has now played for Leigh, Catalans and Hull KR in the northern hemisphere and two NRL clubs. Still only 27, I wonder where Drinkwater's nomadic career will take him next?

Both he and Tony Gigot are free agents and will no doubt pique the interests of many clubs, especially as they have played together before. As for Hull KR, if rumours are to be believed, Jordan Abdull may fill one of their vacant half back roles for 2020.

Chris Atkin will also leave for Salford. Since his move from Swinton in 2017, he has played a number of positions, but has not been able to nail down any. It seems that Tony Smith does not see him as a candidate to take a half back jersey next year, so a move was inevitable.

Salford have had a great 2019, so it's a good move for Atkin. With Evalds established at full back and Lussick at hooker, it seems Atkin will have the unenviable task of filling Jackson Hastings' boots!

Finally, James Greenwood will be leaving the club after missing most of 2019 through injury. Hopefully he can get through this setback and start to rebuild his career. He would certainly be a solid addition for one of the lower-table Super League sides.

5. Shameless Plug

Not a news story as such, but a new blog will go live later today looking at Castleford, Hull FC and London's huge week in Super League. Three clubs who are drinking in the last chance saloon!

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