Toronto Wolfpack coach has long history with rival Leigh Centurions

TORONTO — The cone of silence descended on Paul Rowley this week with the Toronto Wolfpack coach electing not to speak to reporters in advance of Saturday’s rugby league clash with Leigh Centurions, his former team.

Rowley and Leigh have a history that long predates the two chippy meetings between the rivals earlier this season. And the temperature keeps rising.

Toronto’s 28-26 comeback win over Leigh at Summer Bash in late May in Blackpool, England, sparked several flashpoints.

There was a confrontation in the tunnel area at halftime between Wolfpack forward Andrew Dixon, a former Centurion, and Leigh assistant coach Paul Anderson. Then there was a melee between coaches after Anderson approached Rowley on the field following the game and squirted water at him.

An altercation at the team bus after the game attracted the interest of Lancashire Police, who say the incident was recorded but no further action taken after discussions with the alleged victim, whom English rugby league media identified as Rowley.

Business and Economy

Investment and development firm that bought Cornerstone acquires South Hill Mall

19m ago

education

Auditor finds non-compliance with international trip, credit card and expense claims at Northlands College

4h ago

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

Dec 10, 2024

The incident is still being investigated by the Rugby Football League, the sport’s governing body.

The teams renew hostilities Saturday at Lamport Stadium on what promises to be a steamy day with a high of 37 Celsius forecast.

Both teams are in fine form.

Toronto (16-1-1) has won 14 straight in league play. Sixth-place Leigh (12-6-0) has won 11 of its last 12 with the lone blemish the May loss to Toronto.

Toronto won 34-12 at Leigh in the season opener. Leigh went on to lose three of its next four, changing coaches in the process.

The Centurions have excelled under Kieron Purtill, who seemed more interested in beating jet lag going into Saturday’s game than past indiscretions.

“Anyone else been wide awake since 3:30am in the morning?” the Leigh coach tweeted early Friday.  

The Rowley roots in Leigh go deep.

Rowley’s father Allan, a consultant to the Wolfpack, spent some 40 years at Leigh as a player and executive. Paul grew up at the club, growing from ball boy to the franchise’s youngest captain at 18.

He went on to become assistant coach and then head coach before quitting in January 2016, citing personal reasons.

“He was a legend there,” said winger Liam Kay, a former Leigh player who was Rowley’s first signing in Toronto. “People disrespect him now in Leigh.

“He probably gives as much as he takes himself,” Kay added. “He’s not innocent.”

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont lambasted Rowley after he quit, accusing him of illegally trying to recruit Centurion players. Rowley, who denied the charge, joined Toronto three months later.

A host of Leigh players have followed him in the months since. 

Other former Centurions now wearing Wolfpack colours include Bob Beswick, Ryan Brierley, Jake Emmitt, Adam Higson, Sam Hopkins, Cory Paterson, Nick Rawsthorne, Richard Whiting and Greg Worthington.

Toronto’s James Laithwaite and Jonny Pownall, also ex-Leigh players, are currently out on loan with other teams.

Kay says the players no longer circle Leigh matches on the calendar.

“Not for me any more, maybe the first game of the season perhaps,” said Kay. “But as a player I’m over it. I think mainly people off the field should get over it as well.”

“It’s only a small minority actually in Leigh that are still bothered about it,” he added. “There’s actually quite a lot of positivity that comes from some fans that support Leigh.”

The 43-year-old Rowley, a former England hooker, is loyal to his players, taking pride in the family atmosphere of the Wolfpack. But cross him and he has a long memory.  

Wolfpack players going the other way to Leigh include former captain Craig Hall and Ryan Bailey, who was cut earlier this year after a training camp transgression.

The two teams are likely to meet again during the playoffs to get into the Super League.

Toronto assistant coach Simon Finnigan, who was a player and assistant coach at Leigh, says  the intensity ratchets up when the Wolfpack face any top team.

“There’s a little bit more in the Leigh game, we can’t deny it,” said Finnigan. “We’re not going to sit here and say it’s not. But it’s good for the sport. We like that.” 

Toronto’s Dixon is suspended for Saturday’s game, with Richard Whiting his likely replacement. Higson, Bussey, Ashton Sims and Gary Wheeler are still working their way back from injury.

Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press