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On Rugby League Planet
Pope's arrival big news for Bulls as 13s gather eclectic roster
Tony Munro - 27/5/2012
Welcome to the second edition in Rugby League Planet's series of season previews of American National Rugby League (AMNRL) and United States Rugby League teams. Today, we feature the Pennsylvania Bulls (AMNRL)and the Boston 13s (USARL).
Whatever else the newly rebadged Pennsylvania Bulls achieve this year, their signing of America's most well known Rugby League player, Apple Pope, will perhaps remain the most talked about event of their 2012 season.
Conspiracy theorists (and others) cite Pope's switch from the rebel United States Rugby League to the American National Rugby League as proof David Niu is using 2013 World Cup places to lure the USARL's best.
There are some pundits who doubt Pope will play a full season for the Bulls, saying he is still working in Jacksonville. RLP's attempts to contact the Tomahawks hooker have so far been unsuccessful.
When strong clubs have an off year, they invariably do something about it, and Pope will be joined at the Bulls by his Tomahawks team-mates, fullback Kenny Britt and centre Akira Dawn, who will strengthen a roster which coach, Dave Niu, says was weakened in 2011 by injuries and player unavailability.
Approaching the regular season, the Bulls have contented themselves with group work and team practices. "A number of our players come from Rugby Union clubs who have been playing through Spring. We will be ready by June 2," says Niu.
It's not just the new recruits Niu expects big things from this year. "Corey Mayo at prop and Bryan Confer as captain and team leader will be a force. Mike Brazill returns from injury and is keen to regain his US jersey," Niu said.
And while winger, Michael Garvey, will be spending this season with the Ipswich Jets in the QLD Cup, there is a replacement full of potential. "Alejandro Valentin is a dynamic winger who is very exciting," Niu enthused. And there is yet another Tomahawk who Niu expects to fire."Andy Kneisly has been in the US squad for the past two years and I expect him to be a real impact player."
All that Tomahawk big match experience is sure to be tested in their first game of the season when the Bulls travel to Norwalk, Connecticut to take on 2011 Grand Finalists, the Connecticut Wildcats next Saturday (June 2).
GAINS: Apple Pope, Kenny Britt, Arika Dawn. LOSSES: Michael Garvey (Ipswich Jets).
The Boston 13s roster assembled for the United States Rugby League (USARL) season will definitely be one of the most eclectic in the competition in 2012.
Englishman, Robin Peers, will oversee a squad moulded together from sources as diverse as gridiron, a Melbourne academy, a potential recruit from Lebanon and retirees whose love of the green jersey was irresistible.
Coming from Melbourne, via the Scrum-Nation Rugby League Academy, fullback, Rey Berkin and secondrower, Trent Tama Pirihi will perhaps be at home in a location where our game is still a so-called 'minority' sport.
And Tama Pirihi may have be partnered in the backrow by a Lebanon international should negotiations be successful.
The cross-over potential of gridiron players to Rugby League will be tested when four pro players,join the 13s fratenity. According to Peers, Shane Begin, Casey King, Dwan Irby and Jon Loyte are "loving" the challenge of taking on Rugby League.
The loss of 2011 13th Warrior, fullback, Nico Lehman-White, heads a lengthy list of departures including centre.
Peers remains optimistic the Greens can qualify for the play-offs despite the close-season exodus. He believes secondrower/centre, Matt Troila-Kelliher, halfback Jesse Pearce and utility Jamie Green will be among those to stand out.
The new coach's confidence can be understood given the 13s came third at the recent USA Nines. Some Boston players also played for the New England team which recently played the touring British Marines.
Should the Boston 13s qualify for the Grand Final, they will enjoy home ground advantage.
GAINS: Trent Tama Pirihi (Melbourne) Rey Berkin (Melbourne), Shane Begin, Casey King, Dwan Irby, Jon Loyte (all Gridiron). LOSSES: From last year we have lost a fair amount of players from our roster. Notably: Nico Lehman-White, Jon Mixon (work), Tim Prata (work), Clark Hoopes (Rugby 7s), David Cleary (UK), Aidan Oakley (UK), Jeff 'Jedi' Perkins (DC Slayers),Chris Risler (injury).
We'll have more US team season previews as the June 2 kick-off to both competitions fast approaches.
Pope's arrival big news for Bulls as 13s gather eclectic roster
Tony Munro - 27/5/2012
Welcome to the second edition in Rugby League Planet's series of season previews of American National Rugby League (AMNRL) and United States Rugby League teams. Today, we feature the Pennsylvania Bulls (AMNRL)and the Boston 13s (USARL).
Whatever else the newly rebadged Pennsylvania Bulls achieve this year, their signing of America's most well known Rugby League player, Apple Pope, will perhaps remain the most talked about event of their 2012 season.
Conspiracy theorists (and others) cite Pope's switch from the rebel United States Rugby League to the American National Rugby League as proof David Niu is using 2013 World Cup places to lure the USARL's best.
There are some pundits who doubt Pope will play a full season for the Bulls, saying he is still working in Jacksonville. RLP's attempts to contact the Tomahawks hooker have so far been unsuccessful.
When strong clubs have an off year, they invariably do something about it, and Pope will be joined at the Bulls by his Tomahawks team-mates, fullback Kenny Britt and centre Akira Dawn, who will strengthen a roster which coach, Dave Niu, says was weakened in 2011 by injuries and player unavailability.
Approaching the regular season, the Bulls have contented themselves with group work and team practices. "A number of our players come from Rugby Union clubs who have been playing through Spring. We will be ready by June 2," says Niu.
It's not just the new recruits Niu expects big things from this year. "Corey Mayo at prop and Bryan Confer as captain and team leader will be a force. Mike Brazill returns from injury and is keen to regain his US jersey," Niu said.
And while winger, Michael Garvey, will be spending this season with the Ipswich Jets in the QLD Cup, there is a replacement full of potential. "Alejandro Valentin is a dynamic winger who is very exciting," Niu enthused. And there is yet another Tomahawk who Niu expects to fire."Andy Kneisly has been in the US squad for the past two years and I expect him to be a real impact player."
All that Tomahawk big match experience is sure to be tested in their first game of the season when the Bulls travel to Norwalk, Connecticut to take on 2011 Grand Finalists, the Connecticut Wildcats next Saturday (June 2).
GAINS: Apple Pope, Kenny Britt, Arika Dawn. LOSSES: Michael Garvey (Ipswich Jets).
The Boston 13s roster assembled for the United States Rugby League (USARL) season will definitely be one of the most eclectic in the competition in 2012.
Englishman, Robin Peers, will oversee a squad moulded together from sources as diverse as gridiron, a Melbourne academy, a potential recruit from Lebanon and retirees whose love of the green jersey was irresistible.
Coming from Melbourne, via the Scrum-Nation Rugby League Academy, fullback, Rey Berkin and secondrower, Trent Tama Pirihi will perhaps be at home in a location where our game is still a so-called 'minority' sport.
And Tama Pirihi may have be partnered in the backrow by a Lebanon international should negotiations be successful.
The cross-over potential of gridiron players to Rugby League will be tested when four pro players,join the 13s fratenity. According to Peers, Shane Begin, Casey King, Dwan Irby and Jon Loyte are "loving" the challenge of taking on Rugby League.
The loss of 2011 13th Warrior, fullback, Nico Lehman-White, heads a lengthy list of departures including centre.
Peers remains optimistic the Greens can qualify for the play-offs despite the close-season exodus. He believes secondrower/centre, Matt Troila-Kelliher, halfback Jesse Pearce and utility Jamie Green will be among those to stand out.
The new coach's confidence can be understood given the 13s came third at the recent USA Nines. Some Boston players also played for the New England team which recently played the touring British Marines.
Should the Boston 13s qualify for the Grand Final, they will enjoy home ground advantage.
GAINS: Trent Tama Pirihi (Melbourne) Rey Berkin (Melbourne), Shane Begin, Casey King, Dwan Irby, Jon Loyte (all Gridiron). LOSSES: From last year we have lost a fair amount of players from our roster. Notably: Nico Lehman-White, Jon Mixon (work), Tim Prata (work), Clark Hoopes (Rugby 7s), David Cleary (UK), Aidan Oakley (UK), Jeff 'Jedi' Perkins (DC Slayers),Chris Risler (injury).
We'll have more US team season previews as the June 2 kick-off to both competitions fast approaches.
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