Rugby League World Magazine

Rugby league has been innovating ever since the sport came into existence, trying to find ways to make itself more appealing to the watching public. Not all of those innovations have stood the test of time, and as we are already seeing this season, some changes can have the opposite effect to what was intended. Instead of speeding things up and making it more exciting, are things like the Captain’s Challenge and video reviews actually slowing things down to the point of turning off the audience? When games are taking over two hours to complete, questions need to be asked.
The players, as always, do their best to entertain, and Umyla Hanley has certainly been doing that at Leigh Leopards. We catch up with our cover star for a chat about his career to date. Zac Lipowicz tells the remarkable story of his journey from building sites to the Super League, Tara Jane Stanley reflects on her return to action with York Valkyrie after a lengthy injury layoff and Bradford’s Ryan Sutton takes on our 20 quickfire questions.
We also revisit rugby league’s rich history, discovering more about the youngest ever winner of the Lance Todd Trophy, and Norm Carr talks to us about his involvement in the first ever State of Origin.
Off the field, we discover the story behind a unique one-man show celebrating the life of the legendary John Bevan.
On the international front, we have coverage from the Student Four Nations and the U19 European Championship, and Cyril Torres tells us of his ambitions to reclaim the Wheelchair World Cup as coach of former champions France.
We also pause to remember Scott Dureau and Dean Williams, two men who served the game in very different ways but left an equally lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know them.