USA,Canada and Jamaica will compete for a place at Rugby League World Cup 2017 this weekend. Mark Offerdahl, the only full-time player in the USA squad, and has set up an online fundraising campaign so the whole team can afford to travelBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required,part of the Guardian Sport NetworkThe rugby league season may be over for most of us but a few dozen players are facing the biggest games of their lives next week in that unlikely league heartland: Florida. USA, Canada and Jamaica will scrap it out over one World Cup place up for grabs to the winners of the Americas qualifying tournament, and which begins with the US Hawks against Jamaica in Jacksonville at midnight on Friday UK time and culminates with USA v Canada on 12 December. It’s essential enough for Mark Offerdahl to interrupt pre-season training with his recent club London Broncos and establish his body on the line for the land of his father.“Playing in a World Cup over here was one of the best experiences of my life so playing in one over in Australia would be improbable,” says the former Connecticut Wildcats second rower, who has spent the final three weeks training in Ealing with his recent club. “It’s very essential to qualify. The World Cup qualifiers final time in Philadelphia were awesome – only the actual World Cup was better. I admire going over. We are passionate about playing for the USA. I lived over there, or my Dad’s American,that’s where we are coming from.” Related: Are the England rugby league team improving under Steve McNamara? Related: Sports book of the year brings ray of sunshine to the William Hill prize Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com