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Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
From full-back to front row, the battles that will decide Challenge Cup final
The return of captain George Williams has given a major boost to Wire's chances but Rovers, streaking away at the top of Super League, have the edge in plenty of other departments. Here the PA news agency take a closer look at the key areas that could determine the destiny of this year's trophy: Full-back: Matt Dufty v Jack Broadbent Matt Dufty, left, and Jack Broadbent have key roles to play (Jess Hornby/Richard Sellers/PA) Having made his name as a flashy and thrusting full-back, Australian Dufty has added another dimension to his game this season, holding together a Warrington spine decimated by injuries to the likes of Williams, Marc Sneyd and Danny Walker. Meanwhile Rovers will have no qualms about dropping Broadbent into the role temporarily vacated by the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue. Broadbent has excelled when called upon by head coach Willie Peters and scored two tries and delivered a man of the match-winning display in their crushing semi-final win over Catalans. Half-back: George Williams v Mikey Lewis George Williams drives Warrington forward while Mikey Lewis is the reigning Man of Steel (Mike Egerton/Richard Sellers/PA) All attention will be on the Warrington captain and star scrum-half, who will make his comeback less than eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injured ankle. Williams' match-fitness could be key to his side's hopes of lifting the Cup. Lewis, the reigning Super League Man of Steel, is equally essential to Rovers' prospects. His tenacity and accuracy with the boot has been integral to his side's surge to the top of Super League, and there few for whom bringing an end to Rovers' 40-year trophy hoodoo would mean more. Hooker: Sam Powell v Jez Litten Sam Powell and Jez Litten can add a Challenge Cup win to their accolades (Richard Sellers/PA) Despite a trophy-laden career with Wigan, Powell has never been on the field for a Challenge Cup win. But the 32-year-old will get another chance in place of the injured Danny Walker, and Wire hope his previous experience of Wembley will play a crucial factor. Having played second fiddle for much of last season to Matt Parcell, Litten has emerged as one of the success stories of Rovers' continued rise this term, his relentless and pinpoint attacking threat making sure his side maintain momentum through the sticky moments that have come their way. Front row: Paul Vaughan v Dean Hadley Paul Vaughan, left, and Dean Hadley bring the muscle up front (Martin Rickett/Mike Egerton/PA) Irresistible forces and immovable objects abound in both finalists' respective front rows and are encapsulated by Vaughan and Hadley. The 6ft 4in Vaughan has brought relentless power and passion to a Wire side struggling with so many injury setbacks this season. The value of the equally uncompromising Hadley was underlined by being the only Rovers regular to be rested for last week's Super League win over St Helens. With neither player prepared to give an inch, Vaughan and Hadley will provide the base for their respective sides' cup-winning chances.
Glasgow Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Willie Peters hopes to end Hull KR's wait for trophy after ‘adversity' of past
Peters was just 20 years old when he made the decision to jet halfway around the world in 1999 to escape the suffocating expectations of Australia's NRL and link up with Gateshead Thunder for their first and only top-tier campaign. Just seven years later, and after a brief spell at Wigan that included an appearance in the 2000 Grand Final defeat to St Helens, Peters was forced to admit defeat in his battle against persistent hamstring injuries, and retired as a player at the age of just 26. Willie Peters has led Hull KR to the brink of their first trophy in 40 years (Richard Sellers/PA) Peters' subsequent trajectory as a coach, having started in the sponsorship department of South Sydney Rabbitohs, is somewhat mirrored by the rise of Rovers, who had been languishing in administration in the Northern Ford Premiership in the same year that he made his Super League bow. Welded together since 2023, when he replaced the departed Tony Smith in the east Hull hot-seat, Peters and Rovers have forged a formidable partnership, rising to the top of Super League on the back of last season's Grand Final defeat to Wigan, and setting up another chance to end almost half a century of hurt when they face Warrington this weekend. 'I was forced to finish at 26 and I probably didn't have the playing career I wanted to have,' conceded Peters. 'There were lots of regrets there, but I took my time to be grateful for what I did, playing first grade in the NRL and Super League. Hull KR surged back to the Challenge Cup final with a semi-final win over Catalans Dragons (Richard Sellers/PA) 'I think that's probably helped me as a coach, being able to talk to the players about gratitude and what it looks like. There's no doubt when you go through adversity and you see someone else who is hurting or vulnerable, you can help others.' Still a relative unknown when he arrived at Craven Park in 2023, Peters had began harbouring hopes of making it as a top-level coach even before he had been forced to come to terms with the fact that his playing days were over. Having spent six years as an assistant in the NRL, Peters' first number one role brought almost immediate success, as Rovers confounded most expectations by finishing fourth and reaching the Challenge Cup final, which they lost in heart-breaking fashion on golden point to Leigh. 'Life has a funny way of working out, and what you put into it you get back,' added Peters. 'I always wanted to get into coaching, but I probably got rushed into it a little bit after playing, and I wanted to start at the bottom and work my way up. 'I don't think that I didn't fulfil my potential as a player, but I had some setbacks that limited me in getting where I wanted to get to. That has put me in good stead to relate to people with injuries, and understand what these guys are going through.' A quarter of a century on from his single season in the north-east – a move Peters maintains was 'the best move I ever made' – the trajectories have switched, as Rovers reign over Super League while the remnants of the Gateshead club – now Newcastle – languish winless at the foot of League One. During his short stint in the role, which has already reportedly attracted attention back in the NRL, Peters has seen enough to resist making major chances to the pre-final process that took them to within a drop goal of snatching long-awaited silverware in 2023. 'After the game last time when we reflected there wasn't a great deal we would have changed,' added Peters. 'It's just making sure we control those things we can control. We've learned a lot from last year and the year before. It is going to be whoever turns up on the day.'
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
I am enjoying my rugby – Leeds winger Ryan Hall, 37, signs new one-year contract
Hall is Super League's record tryscorer with 260 and has spent the majority of his career with the Rhinos. Hall has won Super League six times with Leeds (Richard Sellers/PA) 'I have always said if I feel I can still do a job for the team then I would like to continue playing,' Hall said. 'This is currently my 19th season and it would be great to play a 20th season. 'I have spoken to players who have retired and they always say that you'll know when your time has come but I am enjoying my rugby at the moment and being part of this Leeds Rhinos squad. 'We have got a lot we still want to achieve in 2025 but I am also looking forward to seeing where this squad can go over the next 18 months.' Hall made his Rhinos debut in 2007 and has enjoyed a glittering career with the club, with successes including six Grand Finals wins and two Challenge Cups. The England international rejoined Leeds this season after four years at Hull KR. He also had a spell with Sydney Roosters earlier in his career.
Glasgow Times
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
I am enjoying my rugby – Leeds winger Ryan Hall, 37, signs new one-year contract
The 37-year-old, who passed the landmark of 500 career games in March, will now stay at AMT Headingley until at least the end of the 2026 season. Hall is Super League's record tryscorer with 260 and has spent the majority of his career with the Rhinos. Hall has won Super League six times with Leeds (Richard Sellers/PA) 'I have always said if I feel I can still do a job for the team then I would like to continue playing,' Hall said. 'This is currently my 19th season and it would be great to play a 20th season. 'I have spoken to players who have retired and they always say that you'll know when your time has come but I am enjoying my rugby at the moment and being part of this Leeds Rhinos squad. 'We have got a lot we still want to achieve in 2025 but I am also looking forward to seeing where this squad can go over the next 18 months.' Hall made his Rhinos debut in 2007 and has enjoyed a glittering career with the club, with successes including six Grand Finals wins and two Challenge Cups. The England international rejoined Leeds this season after four years at Hull KR. He also had a spell with Sydney Roosters earlier in his career.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
VAR set to be used in play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United
Video Assistant Referees are set to be used at Wembley for the EFL Championship play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United, The Northern Echo understands. The Black Cats are set to face off against The Blades at Wembley for a place in the Premier League on May 24 in a match routinely dubbed 'the richest game in football'. With so much on the line then, the use of VAR could play a significant role in which club will join Leeds United and Burnley in the top flight next season. VAR was introduced to the play-offs in the 2021/22 season, but only in grounds where the technology had previously been used meaning that most semi-finals did not see it utilised. The Northern Echo understands the EFL is set to allow the use of VAR in the play-off final, in a move which aligns with its use in previous seasons. (Image: Richard Sellers / PA) Sunderland reached the play-off final after a spectacular header from Dan Ballard in the last second of the semi-final tie secured a victory over Coventry City. They face a Sheffield United side managed by former Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder who come into the Wembley game on the back of a storming 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City. Frank Lampard's 'atmosphere gone' claim & Dan Ballard Sunderland dressing room speech How Regis Le Bris and his Sunderland squad will prepare for the play-off final Sunderland vs Sheffield United play-off final kick-off time latest amid EFL talks The EFL will confirm the kick-off time for Sunderland's Championship play-off final against Sheffield United in the coming days. Talks between the clubs, relevant stakeholders, safety groups and the police are ongoing, with the EFL keen to confirm the kick-off time as soon as possible so fans of both clubs can plan their journey to the capital. Last season's final between Leeds United and Southampton kicked off at 3pm but at this stage there's no indication as to whether next week's game will be the same.
