Gareth Thomas Enjoys Switching Codes
Friday, 05 March 2010 20:44
As if coming out as a gay man wasn't enough for Wales most capped player of all time, he's also switching codes of another kind: union to league. Thomas just completed his transfer to Crusaders (formerly Celtic Crusaders) Rugby League. "The Wrexham-based outfit ended days of speculation when they announced the capture of the 35-year-old full-back or three-quarter" (Telegraph). "Thomas has signed a contract covering the rest of this season with an option on a second season and will start training immediately under Noble and the rest of the Crusaders coaching staff after being released from contract with Cardiff Blues" (Daily Mail). Crusaders Head Coach, Brian Noble has stated that "I think Gareth Thomas is a fabulous player" and I think everyone can agree, Gareth you're just fabulous! All jokes aside, this seems to be a smart move, albeit a gamble with Thomas just shy of 36 years old. I wish him all the best at Crusaders, and hope it helps secure the Welsh side's place in the Super League. He'll make his first appearance against Catalan Dragons on Friday 19 March. Discuss it all here!
Let the Super League extravaganza begin
Written by St Helens RLFC Monday, 25 January 2010 16:22
2010 brings about another big number for the Engage Super League, as the sport’s premier competition reaches a new milestone and Super League XV kicks off. 15 years have passed since the competition was launched with much fanfare and fireworks in Paris, and we now enter another season with anticipation.
The competition received a lot of criticism last year from a lot of fans, though not all of them, about the slowed down play of the ball. Last season, teams such as Huddersfield and Hull KR, who weren’t regular playoff contenders in previous years, soared to the high heights of third and fourth respectively. The consensus of many is that they achieved this because of a slowed down play of the ball.
It is definitely true that the play of the ball was slowed down considerably in 2009, a step the RFL used to try and help England’s (ultimately failed) 2009 Four Nations campaign in order to promote ball handling skills. It was personally something I was against and whilst we competed with the Kangaroos for 65 of the 80 minutes in the final, we looked at our best when our quicker players like Roby, Eastmond and Tomkins got on the front foot.
The Gillette Rugby League Four Nations is under way and there is no better place to discuss all the awesomeness than right here on TRF. This marks the upgrade of the former Tri-Nations series with the addition of the ever improving French XIII. If you are like many on this forum only a union supporter, this tournament is a brilliant chance to get plugged in to the tantalizing league action. New Zealand are the reighning World Champions with their suprize victory in the Rugby League World Cup over Australia. Look for the Kiwis to be out to prove that they are still the best, as England and Australia continue their bitter sports rivalry. France should be the wild card in this series, and is looking to establish itself in the eyes of Rugby League fans as a real power in the 13 Man Code. 
Justin Poore of the St. George Illawarra Dragons is a NSW RL rising star. With his contract at the Dragons up, other teams are making big bids to get him. Both Cronulla and Paramatta have made 3 year deal offers in excess of $1,000,000 AU Dollars (500,716.79 GBP, 567,158.943 EUR). However current Dragons coach, Wayne Bennit has made comments that Poore has been paid more than he's worth. Obviously this did no set well with Poore's manager, Todd Buckingham.