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Leeds Rhinos vs. USA Pioneers

R

Rugger

Juniors
Messages
127
Was brought up in another thread, but think it deserves its own thread.

From USARL -
http://www.usarl.com/2014/11/leeds-rhinos-vs-usa-pioneers-game-in-jacksonville-fl-tickets-now-ready-for-sale/

The iconic Leeds Rhinos are set to return to Jacksonville, Florida for the forth time to hold their pre-season training camp. The Rhinos will be hosted at the University of North Florida and will also play a trial game against the USA Pioneers team. The Pioneers team gives players from across the entire USA Rugby League a chance to showcase their skills while also helping grow partnerships, as well as promote and develop the sport of Rugby League in the USA. The Pioneers team will include athletes from almost all USARL teams, with the Jacksonville Axemen having the most players making the list. (Full team to be released soon)

USA Pioneers Rugby League LogoThe game will be played on Sunday, January 11 at UNF and it gives fans the chance to see Rugby League played at its elite level, and also meet some of the best players in the World. Leeds Rhinos have no fewer than four players on the English National team, and have won a number of First Utility Super League Titles as well as World Club Championships. Players like Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and Jamie Jones-Buchanan who all took part in the 2008 Australia Day Challenge against the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the 2009 Rhinos Stampede to Florida against the Salford Red Devils, will all return to Jacksonville.

Another exciting part of the event will see players from the Altanta Rhinos, who are the USA sister team for Leeds, have an opportunity to play against the guys they follow from across the pond, and a large fan base from Atlanta is expected to make the trip to Jacksonville for the weekend. Of course many Leeds fans will also make the trip from the UK to not only see their Rhinos play in the USA, but to enjoy Jacksonville during January as opposed to the normally cold English winter. They will be treated to a number of local events and tours, including a behind the scenes look at the Everbank Field and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tickets for the Event are now on sale via the Jacksonville Axemen website, with pre-purchase price only $7.50. (Game-day walk up will be $10) CLICK HERE for the ticket purchase page. **Online purchases must print their purchase receipt and bring to the game as their ticket for entry

The Full Press Release from the Leeds Rhinos can be seen by clicking here. And for those USA based Leeds Rhinos fans now is a great opportunity to get your Leeds Rhinos Supporter Gear to be ready for the game.

More details on the Post Game Meet & Greet and other associated events, as well as accommodation options in Jacksonville, will be announced soon.
 
R

Rugger

Juniors
Messages
127
Event should be a good one!

"The Pioneers team will include athletes from almost all USARL teams" - Love this! How it should be; not that crap that was going on with the Tomahawks.
 
R

Rugbyflorida

Juniors
Messages
59
Yes this is awesome stuff for the USARL..Unfortunately I don't think the Pioneers stand a chance (just being realistic) BUT it will be an awesome learning experience for anyone on the Pioneers to get exposed to professional footy.
Good Luck to anyone involved…Does anyone know who's involved: team list, coaches, etc for the usa
 
G

gyallop

Juniors
Messages
551
Rugger said:
Event should be a good one!

"The Pioneers team will include athletes from almost all USARL teams" - Love this! How it should be; not that crap that was going on with the Tomahawks.
Click to expand...

Do we need to go back there, it was a RLWC not a pick up game to help players develop and the USARL had nothing to do with the Tomahawks.
The Pioneers is a great idea for development and the USARL can use that to identify and get players ready for the national team and try to qualify for the next RLWC without the heritage players.
 
S

spinnerhowland

Juniors
Messages
788
Over 50 players sent in an interest to play for the pioneers for this game. After talks with the coaches in each team a good mix of new guys who will get a chance to play above their team level is being formed. At least 10 of the teams in the USARL will be represented. I imagine that some of them will show enough to be noticed when the time comes to look at national team opportunity, while others this may be their only ever chance to play against this level of talent. I don't think anyone expects the Pioneers to hang with Leeds but it will be an incredible chance to give domestic guys a look at the game above where they are now. Every effort is being made to make the team entirely of guys who have not had a chance to play above their team level in the past. Keeping it within 40 points would be considered at win as far as I can see. With a solid base of domestic players coming thru, a few of the known domestic veterans who are still at the top end of their game, and the number of heritage players who have reached out, by the time the RLWCQ comes around there will be a good mix of Domestic players with a handful of heritage imports to give the USA a realistic chance at winning the USA/Canada/Jamaica Pool.
 
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G

gyallop

Juniors
Messages
551
So if you picked a RLWC 17 from the domestic players and the heritage players who have reached out what would it look like?
 
R

Rugger

Juniors
Messages
127
gyallop said:
So if you picked a RLWC 17 from the domestic players and the heritage players who have reached out what would it look like?
Click to expand...

This a hypothetical that doesn't really matter...As you said yourself earlier, "The Pioneers is a great idea for development and the USARL can use that to identify and get players ready for the national team and try to qualify for the next RLWC without the heritage players."

As Spinner said, "I imagine that some of them will show enough to be noticed when the time comes to look at national team opportunity". So this is an opportunity to identify some NEW talent by getting eyes on some guys that may have never gotten a second look otherwise. So I'm assuming many of the guys haven't been on the radar before and Spinner himself may not and probably have not seen play (like guys form the Northern & Mid Atlantic regions), hence why he reached to the coaching staff of the teams.

One step at a time...
 
G

gyallop

Juniors
Messages
551
of course it is hypothetical but Spinner obviously has experience and knowledge we dont have and he thinks the USA will be able to pick a side that has a realistic chance of qualifying so it is interesting to see what that side would look.

now that Spinner has explained the Pioneers better its purpose isnt to prepare for the RLWC.

Canada has set up a squad and staff to work with their heritage players in Australia and so they look like they are going to give it one red hot crack.
 
G

gyallop

Juniors
Messages
551
Spinner what are your thoughts how a USA team would look at moment?

I think the Pioneers is a good idea but maybe for RLWC prep you need to give your best a run against a quality opposition so they can see where they are at?
 
S

spinnerhowland

Juniors
Messages
788
1 - who is to say that among the Pioneers team are not some of the best talent in the USA. We need to host events to determine where the talent lays.
2 - Given your interest in the USARL how about you list the team you think would be best suited
3 - If you knew anything about how this game came about, rather than just being the Axemen or the SERL Allstars, then you would know why it is the Pioneers who are getting the opportunity.

And to comment on your Canada remark, good for them. If they plan on naming a team that is all heritage players for the RLWCQ rather than a team that is a Fair Mix of domestic, then good for them. I am pretty sure plenty of the Domestic Canadian Players will have plenty to say if that happens. In fact I know they would. But the USA will Rugby League Community does not support not embrace a team that does not represent the Domestic Players, Team, fans and sponsors.

Like you said, a lesson was learned from the 2013 WC selection, and it is one that will see the USA team ALWAYS include true domestic talent in all squads no matter what the occasion for the game.
 
deluded pom?

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Spinner, I've seen a comment regarding the Pioneers that said ten USARL teams will be represented. Are the USARL far from announcing which teams will participate in the 2015 domestic season?
 
G

gyallop

Juniors
Messages
551
1 I would have thought that was the role of the comps.
2 who cares what I think? I was interested in your thoughts as you have the knowledge after you commented on a likely squad of emerging talent, known veterans and heritage players that had reached out to you. I hope the USA keeps building and was keen to see what that squad could look like.
3 I am pleased that Leeds are getting involved no matter who they play.

Each nation has their own national team policy so what ever your new regime in the USA decides is up to you. If it works NZ may start looking to supporting their domestic comp rather than picking NRL and SL players.
 
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