Jamaica ready for World Cup

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Rugby League squad arrived in Philadelphia yesterday where they will engage host country, the United States, and South Africa in World Cup qualifying matches over the next 10 days. The Rugby 'Reggae Boyz' are vying for a berth in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Twenty players, including captain Paul White and vice-captain Roy Calvert, departed from the UK on Friday and met up with Wesley Haughton, who is based in the US.

Jamaica will take on the South African Rhinos next Wednesday, October 19, before going up against the USA's Tomahawks on Sunday, October 23. The opening match between the USA and South Africa will be played today.

For the past week, local-based players and their English counterparts had been in training in York preparing for those qualifiers, and according to Jamaica Rugby League Development Officer, Romeo Monteith, the weeklong training stint went according to plan.

"The team has gelled well over the past week," he said. "It's certainly the strongest Jamaican team ever assembled and we have all the right ingredients to challenge South Africa and USA for that one World Cup spot on offer. The players are looking strong, there are no injuries in the camp and everyone is ready to go."

significant improvement

Monteith revealed that the local-based players have shown significant levels of improvement, which he said was the result of foundation work done here in Jamaica, a week before the squad departed, which was then augmented by the work done in the UK.

"Their defensive skills have improved with the significant work done first by Craig Thomas in Jamaica and then by head coach Dean Thomas in the camp in York. The passing looks crisp as well and there were few dropped balls in practice, which gives the players confidence," he said.

In the first few days after they arrived in the United Kingdom, Calvert told The Gleaner that training was going well despite the bitter cold the Jamaica-based players had to endure.

"We have had some very good, high-quality sessions here. The guys have come together well and we have very high expectations of ourselves. To camp here in York, England, before the tournament is a blessing as it gives us time to work out whatever kinks we have had. We are very positive about our chances," he said.