The stunning news that will continue to play in Super League for another three years but Crusaders will, after this season is over, no longer sit at the top table is a major blow to the Rugby Football League.
given that the writing appeared to be on the wall for the Wildcats after they failed to make the necessary strides to meet the licensing criteria governing stadia.
The RFL's executive chairman, Richard Lewis, had preceded his announcement by insisting that the licensing system was "meeting its objectives" in encouraging a wholesale move away from short-term thinking and thus improving the health of the game.
But is it?
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When Sarah Bennison graduates from university this week, she does so with one main goal in life - to become a Super League referee.
The 22-year-old leaves with more than just a degree in sports development to help her on her way, too. She has already refereed an international fixture and has every confidence of achieving her dream.
And while most of her student mates would have been out enjoying the bright lights of a Friday night last week, Bennison was sat at home with and a film, taking time out to join Steve Parry and myself on 5 live Sport to tell us about her ambitions.
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I've spent the last week wondering whether we should scrap video technology all together if we are not in a position to have it at every ground.
On the face of it, that would appear a crazily counter-productive step but I left the Stoop at the weekend ranting to anyone who would listen about how unfair the arbitrary nature of the current set up is.
Harlequins had been , who came good after half-time despite the clear fatigue of having played two games in less than 72 hours. But Quins were the better side over the first 40, had three tries chalked off and somehow contrived to be 14-6 down at the break.
Those decisions clearly triggered a massive momentum shift and I felt at the time that Rob Powell's side had been hard done to simply because the game was not on television.
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Keith Senior is gutted to be leaving Leeds.
The Super League stalwart, who has played more matches and scored more tries in the elite league than anyone else, left Hetherington's office this week adamant that he remains the club's top centre.
The 35-year-old has been a Rhinos cult hero since his arrival in 1999, and the removal of this piece of Headingley furniture leaves a gaping hole for the club to fill.
I find it hard to argue with Hetherington's big call on Senior's place in Loiners' legend, although the impact made by Kevin Sinfield provides a strong point of debate over just who has been the greatest ever acquisition.
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| 20:55 UK time, Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Hi, I'm George Riley. You may have heard me flying the flag for our great game on Radio 5 live, where I now present the sport on the Breakfast show. I also pop up on television presenting the Breakfast sport on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One and Ö÷²¥´óÐã News. Raised in Yorkshire, rugby league has always been a big love for me. I hope to use this blog to share my insight and behind-the-scenes gossip from every game I go to. You can also follow me on .
