Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Wildcats festive clash
Three new laws will be trialled at the Boxing Day challenge match at Headingley between Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Adrian Purtell given the ok to play for Bradford
Bradford Bulls' Adrian Purtell has been given the all-clear to resume his career after a heart attack.
Leeds prop forward Leuluai could face two match ban
Leeds prop forward Kylie Leuluai is facing the threat of a two-match ban for an alleged offence while playing against Wakefield on Saturday.
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Wildcats sign Samoan prop Tautai
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed Taulima Tautai from NRL club Parramatta Eeels. The 25 year old 6' 3" Samoan international will arrive at the club tomorrow.
Tautai has played over 70 first grade games in the NRL for Parramatta and Cronulla Sharks after making his debut in 2008.
“I can’t wait," said Tautai, who's hoping the move will help him make the Samoan squad for the World Cup later this year. "It’s a good opportunity for a new start and I’m looking forward to it. The game is really fast paced and physical over there so I think it’ll suit my game."
Action packed Leeds schools rugby league cup final at Headingley
The dramatic final of the Leeds Schools Cup rugby league competition has taken place at the hallowed ground of Headingley Stadium. The final score saw a year 11 team from The Grammar School at Leeds defeat Woodkirk High School by 26 points to 24.
The winning team snatched victory after beginning the second half trailing 6-24. A hat-trick of tries in the second half by GSAL pupil Tom Gorman helped edge them to victory.
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Cup holders crash out
Holders Halifax fell at the first hurdle of the Northern Rail Cup as they lost 20-18 to Dewsbury at the Tetley's Stadium.
The Rams led for most of the first half, courtesy of a try from Ryan Hepworth and a Bobbie Goulding goal. They had two other tries disallowed by the video referee.
Halifax also had a try by Sam Barlow disallowed before substitute Callum Casey levelled the scores two minutes before half-time and they took a 12-6 lead with Paul Handforth's converted try five minutes into the second half.
The home side regained the advantage thanks to tries from Scott Hales and Tommy Gallagher. Goulding then kicked two penalties to extend his side's lead to eight points and the cushion proved crucial when Halifax hit back with winger Wayne Reittie's late try.
Featherstone appoint new coach
Featherstone Rovers have appointed Warrington's youth development chief John Bastian as their new head coach. Bastian, a former Rovers players, succeeds Daryl Powell who moved to Castleford earlier this month and will take up a three-year contract on December 1.
Hull FC sign Aussie starlet Miller
Hull FC’s quest to recruit a new scrum half has ended with the capture of highly regarded Australian youngster Jacob Miller from Wests Tigers. The 20 year old has been signed on a two and a half year deal, and will head to the UK as soon as he receives the necessary visa clearance.
New Rhinos deal for Leuluai
Veteran Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai has been handed a new contract after putting on hold his retirement plans for a second time.
The 35-year-old New Zealander signed a new 12-month deal a year ago after shelving plans to hang up his boots and has now been given a rolling contract, which means he can play on until either party decides the time is right for him to finish.
Leuluai, a five-time Grand Final winner who made his 200th appearance for the Rhinos in last Friday's 42-22 win at Bradford, signed his new deal on the eve of his side's Tetley's Challenge Cup fifth-round tie against Huddersfield.
– Kylie Leuluai, Leeds Rhinos"I am really pleased to have got the deal sorted and can now look forward to the future starting with a big game against Huddersfield on Saturday."
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New Super League licence for Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls have been granted a new Super League licence for 2014. The Bulls were given only a 12 month provisional licence last September after being taken out of administration by local businessman Omar Khan and Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe.
They have now been put on the same footing as the other 13 Super League clubs whose current three year licences expire at the end of next season.
RFL's director of licensing and standards Blake Solly said: "Bradford have delivered good crowds with people paying full rate for their season tickets and the team are obviously performing very well on the pitch. "They're working very hard to make sure the club is a sustainable business."
10 applicants for Castleford Tigers Head Coach role
Castleford Tigers are continuing their search for a new Head Coach.
– Steve Gill, Chief ExecutiveWe're progressing with our search for a new Head Coach. We have had a total of 10 applicants to date and we are busy assessing and meeting with them.
We thought long and hard about Stuart Raper's offer to work with Danny Orr until the end of the season, however we have decided not to go down that route. I think that the financial outlay that would have been required to bring Stuart over could be used more wisely on a long-term appointment.
We are still actively looking for a permanent Head Coach and will make a further announcement in due course."
Rugby league fixtures
Challenge Cup 4th round
Hull FC v Crusaders
Hunslet v Catalans
Batley v Huddersfield
Halifax v Barrow
Keighley v Warrington
Rochdale v Bradford
York v Toulouse
Rovers cruise to victory
Featherstone moved up to second place in the Kingstone Press Championship with a 28-12 win over Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster took the lead with Danny Cowling's 10th-minute try but Rovers eased into an 18-8 half-time lead thanks to three tries in a 15-minute spell from Greg Worthington, Steve Crossley and Tom Saxton, all converted by Liam Finn.
Saxton grabbed a second try within four minutes of the re-start to strengthen his side's hold and Lamont Bryan added a fifth before Michael Butterfield pulled a try back for the home side.
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