London 38 to nil up vs Doncaster at half time after beating Oldham 74 - 8 in the semi final last week. They are the 2 best teams in the league as Newcastle achieved a false league position due to the fixture format and they are going part time next season anyway.
London cannot be in the Championship next season. Its a mess of the RFL's own making, but they have to go up to SL. If they dont it will be another procession in the Champ in 2027.
@dan1 Said it before mate, but they are ruthless, and professional to the Nth degree, drummed into 'em by Lockyer, and a certain ex-Chemic.
Noticed it before, both when I've watched 'em on You Tube, and when they seriously stuffed us twice. Even though the game is long since won, they don't ease up one bit, and keep going until the hooter.
Yeah, they're too good for the Championship, but you can only beat who's / what's in front of you, and they have my total admiration, respect, and yes, even my envy!
Super League bound? I for one hope so, and in my opinion, it'll be criminal if they're denied it, but we're talking Rugby League aren't we?
Spelly
Now that they have won the three titles London must go up.
Others have suggested, and I agree, the RFL will probably fudge a fair decision and there will be 15 clubs in SL.
I read NW Crusaders are relocating to Bridgend in South Wales, of course subject to RFL agreement. If that id OK'd, that means only 19 clubs in the Championship.
So I wonder whether our 2027 fixtures will be any worse than this years fiasco?
It was embarrassing for Doncaster to get beat by 72 points in a cup final.
Some of their tacking was non existent and for one try all the Doncaster players went one way at a scrum leaving a huge gap for London to down the wing and score.
in Widness 4 matches against London this season, we’ve lost ba average of 19 points.
Think it goes to show what a good dog we had at them in that final. Still haunts me us going for 2 when we was all over them
It was embarrassing for Doncaster to get beat by 72 points in a cup final.
Some of their tacking was non existent and for one try all the Doncaster players went one way at a scrum leaving a huge gap for London to down the wing and score.
in Widness 4 matches against London this season, we’ve lost ba average of 19 points.
Widnes couldn't beat Newcastle away though...
It was embarrassing for Doncaster to get beat by 72 points in a cup final.
Some of their tacking was non existent and for one try all the Doncaster players went one way at a scrum leaving a huge gap for London to down the wing and score.
in Widness 4 matches against London this season, we’ve lost ba average of 19 points.Widnes couldn't beat Newcastle away though...
I watched this game on the stream and to be honest Widnes just looked really knackered. Playing so many tough games does take the toll on part time players.Newcastle are an full time reserves from York, and they get full time treatment after the games with recovery.The Widnes lads go to work and in my opinion whoever is fulltime has an advantage. If the fixtures were not so friendly for Newcastle, then I do not think they would come 2nd. London, Oldham,Doncaster and then 4th Widnes, then with Newcastle 5th if played the top teams would be a closer reflection. There be more injuries to Newcastle if played better teams, so would not have a strong team fresh every week.Plus coming 2nd makes you have a bye week and more freshness.🤣
Speaking of Oldham, with this new cap the 2 sides you would have throught would be most impacted would be Oldham and Doncaster as they spend well over £500k.
Oldham have today announced they have signed Ollie Russell at half back from Wakefield, and love rugby league reporting they have signed Ata Hingano from York, for me when York finished 1st in 2025 he was the best stand off in the Championship.
Given they have a top squad and finished 3rd, how can they sign 2 SL half backs (on fresh deals so no dispensation) given the drop in cap. Makes no sense, but would love to beat them next season after Kilshaws antics.
@dan1 Russell’s is season long loan isn’t it?
their 3 directors must be assuring money in escrows, as per RFL rules for the new cap, because god knows what level of salary cap they’d be on with their turnover and low fanbase
Speaking of Oldham, with this new cap the 2 sides you would have throught would be most impacted would be Oldham and Doncaster as they spend well over £500k.
Oldham have today announced they have signed Ollie Russell at half back from Wakefield, and love rugby league reporting they have signed Ata Hingano from York, for me when York finished 1st in 2025 he was the best stand off in the Championship.
Given they have a top squad and finished 3rd, how can they sign 2 SL half backs (on fresh deals so no dispensation) given the drop in cap. Makes no sense, but would love to beat them next season after Kilshaws antics.
Unbelieveable them 2 halfbacks be worth around 120 to 180k so at least a third of the cap of 500k? So be interesting how much the other 22 players are paid it does not make sense. I wonder if Ollie will get recalled back if Wakefield have injuries at halfback.🤣 Suppose it be healthy competition again with Oldham and hopefully they bring a few to Widnes.
No chance are they on anything like that kind of money. The money in SL isn't anything like people think it is. Only Marquee players, and established players are on a decent wedge.Speaking of Oldham, with this new cap the 2 sides you would have throught would be most impacted would be Oldham and Doncaster as they spend well over £500k.
Oldham have today announced they have signed Ollie Russell at half back from Wakefield, and love rugby league reporting they have signed Ata Hingano from York, for me when York finished 1st in 2025 he was the best stand off in the Championship.
Given they have a top squad and finished 3rd, how can they sign 2 SL half backs (on fresh deals so no dispensation) given the drop in cap. Makes no sense, but would love to beat them next season after Kilshaws antics.
Unbelieveable them 2 halfbacks be worth around 120 to 180k so at least a third of the cap of 500k? So be interesting how much the other 22 players are paid it does not make sense. I wonder if Ollie will get recalled back if Wakefield have injuries at halfback.🤣 Suppose it be healthy competition again with Oldham and hopefully they bring a few to Widnes.
Paulie xx
No chance are they on anything like that kind of money. The money in SL isn't anything like people think it is. Only Marquee players, and established players are on a decent wedge.Speaking of Oldham, with this new cap the 2 sides you would have throught would be most impacted would be Oldham and Doncaster as they spend well over £500k.
Oldham have today announced they have signed Ollie Russell at half back from Wakefield, and love rugby league reporting they have signed Ata Hingano from York, for me when York finished 1st in 2025 he was the best stand off in the Championship.
Given they have a top squad and finished 3rd, how can they sign 2 SL half backs (on fresh deals so no dispensation) given the drop in cap. Makes no sense, but would love to beat them next season after Kilshaws antics.
Unbelieveable them 2 halfbacks be worth around 120 to 180k so at least a third of the cap of 500k? So be interesting how much the other 22 players are paid it does not make sense. I wonder if Ollie will get recalled back if Wakefield have injuries at halfback.🤣 Suppose it be healthy competition again with Oldham and hopefully they bring a few to Widnes.
Paulie xx
I thought Higano be on at least 60k being a full time player? Olly got to be at least 40k so even if 100k that is a 5th of budget with another 22 to pay plus academy, physio, coach etc🤣
Love to know what they all really get paid.
Who really knows what they get paid - like the pies did years ago they employed the wife of the player as a cleaner at the club and payed her mega bucks