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The LU Blog: December 7-13
Throughout the off-season, keep up to date with our weekly blog scooping up all the news in one easy spot for you to digest.
All times listed are AEDT (NSW, VIC, ACT & TAS local time).
Sunday 13 December
5pm
Brisbane have confirmed the signing of Cowboys forward John Asiata for the 2021 season.
Noon
Those with an eagle eye on social media will have noticed in recent days a quiet name change for 'NRL Headquarters' - the venue known as ANZ Stadium from 2008 til 2020 has reverted to its original name of Stadium Australia after the bank's 12-year sponsorship expired.
Whether the iconic venue, which currently hosts the NRL Grand Final each year and hosts South Sydney and Canterbury home games, finds a new naming rights sponsor before the season kicks off in March, remains to be seen.
Meanwhile the Nine Newspapers are reporting that the RLPA will challenge the 'No Fault Stand Down' rule to which Dragons forward Jack de Belin has been under for two seasons. The challenge will be made at an arbitration hearing on Thursday.
Saturday 12 December
Noon
NRL.com reports that the Melbourne Storm were the most talked-about sporting team in Australia according to Twitter's 2020 Year in Review of Sport. The #NRL and #Origin hashtags finished top five.
Friday 11 December
11am
A huge raft of rule changes have been confirmed by the NRL for the 2021 season, including 2-point field goals if kicked beyond 40 metres, and changes to play-the-ball and scrums. Check out all the info here.
9am
The RFL confirmed overnight that Newcastle Thunder would join the Betfred Championship competition in 2021. One Championship club is set to be elevated to the Super League following the end of Toronto Wolfpack's short run in the top tier - the Thunder are filling the gap left in the second tier.
Still on the English leagues and the Nine papers have moved to kibosh talk of an NRL investment in the Super League competition, with the SMH's Adrian Proszenko reporting the NRL is currently focused on finalising a longer-term pay deal with the RLPA. That report suggests players are looking at a 6-7% pay cut over the next two years.
Thursday 10 December
4pm
Coach Michael Maguire has been extended for two more seasons by the Wests Tigers. He'll remain in charge there until the end of the 2023 season.
10:30am
Following yesterday's broadcasting announcement, the QRL have revealed the 2021 Intrust Super Cup draw. You can view it in full on our site here.
10:00am
The Cronulla Sharks have revealed an unchanged 2021 jersey. More here.
8:00am
News Corp papers overnight with a story on Penrith forward Kurt Capewell, confirming the existence of a pornographic film he was involved in eight years ago.
Wednesday 9 December
4:45pm
Wests Tigers have extended the contract of Zane Musgrove for three more seasons, keeping him at Concord HQ til the end of 2024.
At 6pm Penrith will unveil their 2021 home, away and heritage jerseys. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for the pics!
1:30pm
Melbourne have revealed Castore will be their apparel partner for the next five seasons, joining the Roosters who previously announced they would move their kit supply to the British brand.
11:00am
Townsville has been confirmed as the venue for the 2021 NRL All Stars match. Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to the Men's and Women's double header between Indigenous and Maori All Stars.
10:00am
The QRL have issued two prestigious awards following Queensland's Origin series win last month. The Maroons bestowed the Ron McAuliffe Medal for Players' Player upon Jake Friend, while Josh Kerr won the FOGS Peter Jackson Memorial Award for Queensland spirit.
The QRL also confirmed they would lead broadcasting of their Intrust Super Cup and BHP Premiership competitions next year, with 20 regular season matches broadcast live on their own platforms along with 9Now and the NRL Network. They're continuing to work with Foxtel on more viewing options as well. Also confirmed was one finals match per week during finals (a top eight) and both Nine and Fox delivering these along with the 2021 Grand Final.
The season opens in March, with Souths Logan and Burleigh the first televised match of the season. A full draw is yet to be revealed.
Tuesday 8 December
6:30pm
Newcastle's 2021 home and away jerseys were unveiled. Check them out along with all other clubs here.
11am
Brisbane prop Thomas Flegler has re-signed with the club beyond 2021, with a two-year extension to see him remain at Red Hill til the end of 2023.
10:30am
The NRL Appeals Committee has upheld the cancellation of the accreditation of player agent Isaac Moses. The next step will be to hear submissions from the NRL and Moses as to whether the cancellation will be enforced or some other sanction be imposed.
9:30am
A quiet morning in league land, at least in Australia & NZ.
In the UK, incredibly Kevin Sinfield's efforts to raise £77,777 for MND research in support of Rob Burrow have now surpassed £1.5million!
Monday 7 December
6:30pm
The Melbourne Storm released a statement confirming Brandon Smith is free to explore contract options from 2022.
4:00pm
The Rabbitohs confirm the signing of former Newcastle, Brisbane, North Queensland and Sydney winger Tautau Moga for next season.
10:00am
Already lots of movement across the traps this morning. Let's get cracking:
- The Wests Tigers have released Josh Reynolds. He's signed with Hull FC for two seasons.
- Superstar fullback James Tedesco has re-signed with the Roosters for three more years beyond 2021.
- The Roosters also provided an update on the construction of the new SFS on Sunday, indicating it's on track for 2022 completion.
The Warriors also unveiled their 2021 playing strips. Check out all the jerseys set to be used in 2021 here.
You can see the 2021 player movements and contract lists here.
7:00am
Over the weekend the NRL's 'off-field incident counter' reset to zero after Canberra hooker Tom Starling was arrested for allegedly assaulting police.
In better news over the weekend, Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield expressed his emotion over the fundraising efforts for Rob Burrow, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease. Read more about Sinfield's marathon efforts.