Penrith punish rusty Roosters
14 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
The American National Rugby League have had to revise plans for the Atlantic Cup - Rugby League World Cup Qualifying bracket originally scheduled for October 21 through October 28 between the USA, South Africa, West Indies and Japan in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With the withdrawal of the West Indies and South Africa it now means that the USA and Japan will compete for the right to move on to the final qualifying stage in England next year against the third place Pacific Nation and the third place European nation to advance to the Rugby League World Cup Finals in Australia in 2008.
The match between the Tomahawks and Samurais now looks like it will be played in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 28 at a venue to be determined. Although it would appear that Jack Pearson Stadium in Glen Mills will be the likely location.
The American National Rugby League will assemble a strong squad to face the Samurais in an effort to secure the right to move on to England in 2007 for the three way tournament on the road to Australia 2008. A number of new young players from the local US Rugby League competition are expected to be selected to the national squad with a considerable number of veteran internationals having retired and the national coaching staff looking for young players to move the international program forward.
If the USA Tomahawks are able to beat Japan and move on to the final qualifing bracket in England the AMNRL will be able to draw on a number of experienced professionals playing in Australia and England whom qualify via birth or grandparents such as Clint Newton (Newcastle - NRL), Shane Millard (Leeds - SLE), Matt Petersen (Parramatta - NRL), David Myles (Gold Coast - NRL), Brandon Costin (Souths - QLD Cup), Steele Retchless (Easts - QLD Cup), Ashley Lanfranchi (Souths - QLD Cup), Jovan Clarke (Souths - NRL) that will certainly strengthen the Tomahawks chances of advancing to the final World Cup in 2008.
More information will be announced soon about the USA v Japan International on Saturday, October 28.
Source: www.rlif.org