Vikings may enter World 7's

[The Electric Horseman]

Source: superleague.co.uk
16 Sep 2003 18:27
VIKINGS CONFIRM WORLD SEVENS INTEREST
By David Allen

Widnes Vikings coach Neil Kelly has revealed that the club are investigating the possibility of entering next year's World Sevens in Sydney, as part of a training camp in Australia.
The Vikings will travel to New South Wales on 10 January for a three-week camp in Forster, which was the Blues' Origin base this year.

They will have friendly - expected to be against Wests Tigers - on 31 January, and are due to fly back to England on 2 February.

But Kelly has confirmed that the club are hoping to figure in the World Sevens over the weekend of 24 and 25 January at Aussie Stadium.

They have applied to play in the competition but may have to figure in the qualifying tournament for a place in the main event, which will have all the NRL clubs as well as several emerging nations alongside more established countries.

"We are intending to travel to Australia during January for a pre-season training camp, play a friendly against West Tigers on 31st of January," said Kelly.

"Given that our stay should coincide with the World Sevens, we are investigating the possibility of entering.

"It will be a great opportunity for some players, and it will lift the profile of the club globally in being involved in an event like that."

Widnes have previously won a world title, with their 30-18 World Club Challenge success against Canberra Raiders in 1989 arguably the greatest moment in the club's history.

 

[hgfds]

A match in foster would be great for rl ,thousands turned up to watch the blues train there this year.the arl should be encouraging touring teams to play away from the major centres.Widnes should have to qualify for the 7s

 

[roopy]

The more quality teams the better.

The London Broncos have trained at Gosford and played a few trial games in Australia for their pre season training for the last few years, so they should be invited as well (if they are going to be here anyway).

I really like the idea tried out in Jacksonville, Florida a few years ago where they had a Rugby League 'camp' in the tradition of US sports. That is, several teams had their pre season in the one area and the idea is that the place becomes a mecca for fans, players trying out, players agents, fitness gurus, basically anyone who has input into the code.

I think the League sevens is the perfect event to build a worldwide League camp around. All the English teams need a warm climate to train in anyway, so bring them, and everyone in the world with an interest in League basically, all to NSW for the pre season and let national teams from emerging nations play tests against aussie based teams like Greece, Lebanon and Italy, all the ESL and NRL sides play trials against each other, and everyone let have a chance to soak up all the RL knowledge available.

 

[Victor Trumper]

yeah, bring em on, the more the merrier.

 

[ali]

Mixed feelings about this one. They will just be taking the spot of an International country if they happened to qualify. However, none of the genuine RL nations such as Serbia or Morocco are likely to qualify out of the qualifying day, as none would be competitive with the likes of the Aboriginal side or a full strength Australian based Italian of Greek side. But I am all for bringing Australia and England closer together, so it would be interesting to see them in the sevens.

I think they would struggle to beat that Aboriginal side of last year.

 

[Kasper]

Yes, In the main draw.