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Rhode Island Rebellion sign 2011
English Super League prop while
Sharks are just here for their footy
Tony Munro - 1/6/2012
Welcome to the third 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 Rhode Island Rebellion (USARL) and the Bucks County Sharks (AMNRL).
Gareth Frodsham, a prop who reportedly has played 26 games for St.Helens in the English Super League, heads a trio of players with English Rugby League experience who will lead the Rhode Island Rebellion's assault on the United States Rugby League championship which begins this Saturday.
Frodsham will be joined by his former team-mate and ex-Hammersmith Hill Hoists player John David French, and Leeds Trinity Titans' Luke Handley, whom Rebellion owner Lawrence Almagno, describes as "a dynamic and young attacking second rower." Handley has reportedly captained the Great Britain Pioneers.
The three will strengthen a Rebellion team which finished a credible fifth in its first season last year.
Adding to the team's depth is Tom Riley, who is back Stateside after attending college in New Zealand where he played both league and union and can play winger or centre; prop Jose Montanga and centre Matt Tanozzini who return after injury finished their 2011 season; Brendan Sweeny, a former rugby union player who can slot into the second row or centre and Nate Andrews a college Rugby Union prop.
Another signing which may interest Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, is wrestler with rugby union experience, Joe Carfone, while another convert is winger and soccer player, Khalid Halloumi, who not surprisingly is said to possess "a devastating boot".
Halloumi may slot into the vacancy left by winger, Mike Jones, who broke his ankle two days ago.
The man with the task of meshing this talent into a cohesive unit is Christian Palombo, who is and has been the Roger Williams University Rugby Union coach since 1999.
He describes his general coaching philosophy this way: "I have come to adopt the philosophy that coaches make the game difficult and have focused over the course of the last 10 years to create simplified philosophies that allow for complex sets to develop."
This approach, Palombo explains, is transferable to Rugby League. "This philosophy seems to be allowing my transition into Rugby League easier in that the skills sets between the codes are very similar. We have focused on building a foundation in basic skills sets and have provided a structured philosophy of play based on field and player position to increase the learning curve on the game."
The team's preparations have consisted of the recent USARL Nines and practices and Palombo likes what he has seen.
"Team speed, tackling ability, and overall toughness was very impressive."
The side will again be captained by Brad Crandall, of whom Almagno is a huge fan "He is an Army guy so he is perfect for that role - a leader on the field who is always one of the first to make a tackle. His defense is impenetrable and his offensive line running are penetrating. Brad is also pretty good at moving the ball around."
The Rebellion's first up assignment will be playing the defending premier, the Philadelphia Fight away on Saturday.
GAINS: Gareth Frodsham (St.Helens), John David French (England), Luke Handley (Leeds Trinity Titans), Tom Riley (US via NZ), Jose Montanga (injury), Matthew Tanozzini, Brendan Sweeny (rugby union), Joe Cafone (rugby union), Nate Andrews (rugby union), Khalid Halloumi (soccer).
Losses: Mike Jones (injury).
The Rebellion do extensive development work. Rugby League Planet will soon be bringing you all the details of the great initiatives being undertaken by the Rebellion and other teams in the United States.
The Bucks County Sharks have been around the American Rugby League scene since 1997, (bar 2010) and like their Australian cousins, Grand Final experience is as good as it's got.
And yet, talking to club founder, Phil Shipos, its obvious the footy is the thing. "I've been a part of this competition since 2001 and at the end of the day its about the players and promoting the great sport of rugby league."
Shipos says with pride, since re-entering the league in 2011, the club is reaching its goal of providing opportunities for locals to play Rugby League.
"We had no fewer then 15 guys take the field for the first time in 2011. So far with pre-season training we have another 5 new players for 2012. The future looks good for the Sharks."
Given all that raw talent, they are setting their game plans accordingly.
"Considering the amount of new players we have on our team, we've been stressing all camp the basics of the game - hold onto the ball, complete our sets, and commit in defense. If we achieve this during our games, I think we'll be a tough outfit to beat."
The Sharks have picked up halfback, Kyle Gibbons, while veteran Fred Bachaus, has played his last game. "He's too old," Shipos jokes.
Fortunately (and not surprisingly) the Shark spirit will still have an on-field presence in 2012 in Ryan Sodano. "American born and bred. Learned the game here locally, willing to do whatever it takes both on the field and off to be a successful footy player and have a successful footy club. Does everything asked of him and never complains. All this while being 5 foot 5 inches and 150 pounds soaking wet."
Which just about sums up the Bucks County Sharks approach to their footy.
"My co-coach Steve 'Tomo' Thompson and I asked the boys for a 3 month commitment, if they give that to us, we'll be successful win or lose."
The Sharks begin their 2012 AMNRL quest playing the New York Raiders away.
English Super League prop while
Sharks are just here for their footy
Tony Munro - 1/6/2012
Welcome to the third 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 Rhode Island Rebellion (USARL) and the Bucks County Sharks (AMNRL).
Gareth Frodsham, a prop who reportedly has played 26 games for St.Helens in the English Super League, heads a trio of players with English Rugby League experience who will lead the Rhode Island Rebellion's assault on the United States Rugby League championship which begins this Saturday.
Frodsham will be joined by his former team-mate and ex-Hammersmith Hill Hoists player John David French, and Leeds Trinity Titans' Luke Handley, whom Rebellion owner Lawrence Almagno, describes as "a dynamic and young attacking second rower." Handley has reportedly captained the Great Britain Pioneers.
The three will strengthen a Rebellion team which finished a credible fifth in its first season last year.
Adding to the team's depth is Tom Riley, who is back Stateside after attending college in New Zealand where he played both league and union and can play winger or centre; prop Jose Montanga and centre Matt Tanozzini who return after injury finished their 2011 season; Brendan Sweeny, a former rugby union player who can slot into the second row or centre and Nate Andrews a college Rugby Union prop.
Another signing which may interest Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, is wrestler with rugby union experience, Joe Carfone, while another convert is winger and soccer player, Khalid Halloumi, who not surprisingly is said to possess "a devastating boot".
Halloumi may slot into the vacancy left by winger, Mike Jones, who broke his ankle two days ago.
The man with the task of meshing this talent into a cohesive unit is Christian Palombo, who is and has been the Roger Williams University Rugby Union coach since 1999.
He describes his general coaching philosophy this way: "I have come to adopt the philosophy that coaches make the game difficult and have focused over the course of the last 10 years to create simplified philosophies that allow for complex sets to develop."
This approach, Palombo explains, is transferable to Rugby League. "This philosophy seems to be allowing my transition into Rugby League easier in that the skills sets between the codes are very similar. We have focused on building a foundation in basic skills sets and have provided a structured philosophy of play based on field and player position to increase the learning curve on the game."
The team's preparations have consisted of the recent USARL Nines and practices and Palombo likes what he has seen.
"Team speed, tackling ability, and overall toughness was very impressive."
The side will again be captained by Brad Crandall, of whom Almagno is a huge fan "He is an Army guy so he is perfect for that role - a leader on the field who is always one of the first to make a tackle. His defense is impenetrable and his offensive line running are penetrating. Brad is also pretty good at moving the ball around."
The Rebellion's first up assignment will be playing the defending premier, the Philadelphia Fight away on Saturday.
GAINS: Gareth Frodsham (St.Helens), John David French (England), Luke Handley (Leeds Trinity Titans), Tom Riley (US via NZ), Jose Montanga (injury), Matthew Tanozzini, Brendan Sweeny (rugby union), Joe Cafone (rugby union), Nate Andrews (rugby union), Khalid Halloumi (soccer).
Losses: Mike Jones (injury).
The Rebellion do extensive development work. Rugby League Planet will soon be bringing you all the details of the great initiatives being undertaken by the Rebellion and other teams in the United States.
The Bucks County Sharks have been around the American Rugby League scene since 1997, (bar 2010) and like their Australian cousins, Grand Final experience is as good as it's got.
And yet, talking to club founder, Phil Shipos, its obvious the footy is the thing. "I've been a part of this competition since 2001 and at the end of the day its about the players and promoting the great sport of rugby league."
Shipos says with pride, since re-entering the league in 2011, the club is reaching its goal of providing opportunities for locals to play Rugby League.
"We had no fewer then 15 guys take the field for the first time in 2011. So far with pre-season training we have another 5 new players for 2012. The future looks good for the Sharks."
Given all that raw talent, they are setting their game plans accordingly.
"Considering the amount of new players we have on our team, we've been stressing all camp the basics of the game - hold onto the ball, complete our sets, and commit in defense. If we achieve this during our games, I think we'll be a tough outfit to beat."
The Sharks have picked up halfback, Kyle Gibbons, while veteran Fred Bachaus, has played his last game. "He's too old," Shipos jokes.
Fortunately (and not surprisingly) the Shark spirit will still have an on-field presence in 2012 in Ryan Sodano. "American born and bred. Learned the game here locally, willing to do whatever it takes both on the field and off to be a successful footy player and have a successful footy club. Does everything asked of him and never complains. All this while being 5 foot 5 inches and 150 pounds soaking wet."
Which just about sums up the Bucks County Sharks approach to their footy.
"My co-coach Steve 'Tomo' Thompson and I asked the boys for a 3 month commitment, if they give that to us, we'll be successful win or lose."
The Sharks begin their 2012 AMNRL quest playing the New York Raiders away.
