What Made Rugby League News in March 2021

Competition in the NRL and Super League kicked off in March 2021. Here’s a recap of what made the news.

• 2021 Rugby League News
• What Made Rugby League News in February 2021

1st

• Harry Grant suffers MCL strain from Melbourne Storm’s trial with the Newcastle Knights and will miss at least the first three games of the NRL season.
• Cade Cust suffers a broken thumb in Manly Sea Eagles loss to Wests Tigers on Sunday.
• Dean Ieremia promoted to Melbourne Storm’s top 30.
• Tom Amone signs with Wests Tigers (2021).

2nd

• Adelaide Oval to host State of Origin in 2023.
• Bradman Best re-signs with Newcastle Knights (2024).
• Robert Lui suffers a quad tear at training and will miss 8-12 weeks.
• Jack Walker to miss 6 months after unsuccessful foot surgery.
• Daniel Saifiti and Jayden Brailey announced as Newcastle Knights co-captains.

3rd

• Jahrome Hughes re-signs with Melbourne Storm (2024).
• Knock-On Effect is announced as the naming sponsor for the 2021 NSW Cup.
• Catalans Dragons announced their 2021 squad numbers.
• Kyle Eastmond joins Leeds Rhinos (2022).
• New Zealand Warriors confirm there’s no decision to return home during the 2021 season due to International Border closures.

4th

• Dale Finucane suffers a calf-tear injury which will see him out for six weeks.
• Will Penisini signs a contract upgrade with Parramatta Eels (2022).
• The Rugby League Championship will adopt a top six play-off series to be played between September 25 and October 10. Two teams will be relegated at the end of the season, and one side will be promoted to the Super League in the Million Pound Game.

5th

Embed from Getty Images

• Super League Executive Chairman Robert Elstone leaves the organisation.
• Tesi Niu fined $400 and receives a six month license suspension after appearing in court for unlicensed driving.
• Liam Hood appointed Leigh Centurions captain.
• Jason Baitieri re-signs with Catalans Dragons (2021).

6th

• New Zealand Warriors confirm they will play their home games in Australia until at least June 21.
• Corey Horsburgh is issued with a breach notice after pleading guilty to drink driving, with a proposed 1 match ban, $5,000 fine and must complete an education program.
• Corey Harawira-Naera is issued with a breach notice after indicating he will plead guilty to drink driving, with a proposed 2 match ban, $10,000 fine and must complete an education program.
• Hull FC appoint Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor and Marc Sneyd as co-captains.
• Super League Trial Match Result: Catalans Dragons 50 French Elite 1 Selection 18.

7th

• RFL confirm the Super League will be determined by Win Points Percentage in 2021 to allow for any postponements due to Covid-19.

8th

• Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm release statements regarding Cooper Cronk’s off-field involvement with both clubs.

9th

• Round 1 NRL Team Lists announced.
• Shaun Kenny-Dowall announced as Hull Kingston Rovers captain.

10th

Embed from Getty Images

• Cameron Smith announces his retirement from rugby league.
• Victor Radley is suspended for two games and fined $20,000 (50% fine suspended for 12 months) after tackling a person in the street at Byron Bay on December 30. He must complete an “appropriate education and training course”.
• Super League confirm the dates and times for Round 3, 4 and 5 of the new season.

11th

• Sonny-Bill Williams announces his retirement from rugby league.
• Hudson Young re-signs with Canberra Raiders (2024).
• Pride Petterson-Robati joins the New Zealand Warriors top 30 (2022).
• Jack Sanderson joins Bradford Bulls from Castleford Tigers (2021).
• Super League Trial Match Result: York City Knights 22 Hull FC 28.

12th

• Tohu Harris re-signs with New Zealand Warriors (2024).

13th

• Super League Trial Match Results: Catalans Dragons 40 Toulouse Olympique 28, St Helens 24 Leigh Centurions 25.

14th

• Karl Lawton released by New Zealand Warriors.
• Super League Trial Match Results: Huddersfield Giants 22 Leeds Rhinos 16, Salford Red Devils 20 Wigan Warriors 6, Hull Kingston Rovers 20 Castleford Tigers 30, Wakefield Trinity 30 Dewsbury Rams 10.

15th

Embed from Getty Images

• NRL approve Joseph Suaalii age exemption to play for the Sydney Roosters.

16th

• NRL to adjust the clock after each try for any time lost between the try being awarded and any possible review.
• Toby Rudolf issued with a formal warning after inappropriate comments in a live TV interview after Cronulla’s win over St George-Illawarra Dragons.

17th

• Karl Lawton signs with Manly Sea Eagles (2022).
• Paul Alamoti signs with Canterbury Bulldogs (2023).
• Josh Eaves (St Helens), Matty Foster (St Helens), Nathan Roebuck (Warrington -initial 2 week) and Tom Burnett (Warrington – initial 2 week) join Leigh Centurions on loan.

18th

• Canberra Raiders confirm they will play a NRL Premiership game in 2022 at Wagga Wagga.
• Des Hasler re-signs as head coach of Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (2022 with option for 2023).
• Reece Walsh signs with New Zealand Warriors from 2022 (2024).

19th

• Brisbane Broncos confirm their feeder clubs will be Norths Devils, Souths Logan Magpies and Wynnum-Manly Seagulls until the end of 2023.
• Haumole Olakau’atu re-signs with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (2024).
• Ashley Gibson retires from rugby league.
• Thomas Leuluai appointed Wigan Warriors captain.
• Super League Trial Match Result: Warrington Wolves 34 Leigh Centurions 12.
• Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell will step aside at the end of the 2021 Super League season.

22nd

• Leigh Centurions sign Nathan Peats (2021).
• Michael Lawrence appointed Huddersfield Giants captain.
• Jeff Grayshon passes away at 72 (4/3/1949-22/3/2021). Former England and Great Britain international; 700 career games between 1970 and 1995 with Dewsbury Rams, Cronulla Sharks, Bradford Northern, Leeds, Featherstone Rovers and Batley Bulldogs.
• Penrith Panthers announce BlueBet as their ground sponsor for the next two seasons.

23rd

Embed from Getty Images

• Bronson Xerri suspended by the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal for four years (expires 25 November 2023).
• Jordan Riki re-signs with Brisbane Broncos (2024).
• Maika Sivo re-signs with Parramatta Eels (2023).
• James Donaldson re-signs with Leeds Rhinos (2023).

24th

• Doug Davies passes away (1942-2021). Former Salford, Widnes and Swinton player.
• Ken Davy appointed interim Super League Chairman.
• Challenge Cup Round 2 schedule announced: Saturday March 27: Featherstone Rovers Vs Batley Bulldogs (12:45pm). Sunday March 28: Swinton Lions Vs Oldham RLFC (12:30pm), London Broncos Vs York City Knights (2:30pm), Widnes Vikings Vs Whitehaven RLFC (5pm).
• Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs transfer their Round 5 clash against Melbourne Storm to Stadium Australia, Round 16 against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles is moved to Bankwest Stadium, and Round 20 against Gold Coast Titans to be advised.

25th

• Joe Wardill retires from rugby league.
• Super League Round 6 fixture between Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves transferred to Monday May 17 at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

29th

• Ava Seumanufagai promoted to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs top 30 squad.
• Brisbane Broncos depart for Sydney after three-day COVID lockdown announced by Queensland Government.

30th

• ARLC approve in principle for NRL clubs to activate and 18th player when three players fail their HIA tests from the same game, starting in Round 5.
• Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs enter a bubble after playing in Brisbane at the previous weekend prior to their three-day COVID lockdown.
• Josh Simm re-signs with St Helens RLFC (2022).

31st

Embed from Getty Images

• NRL Round 4 fixtures in Queensland are moved to Sydney: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs North Queensland Cowboys set down for Sunshine Coast Stadium is moved to Jubilee Stadium, along with Gold Coast Titans Vs Canberra Raiders to the same venue.
• Matty Foster and Josh Eaves return to St Helens RLFC after being loaned out.
• Alex Walmsley re-signs with St Helens RLFC (2024).