Harlequins RL are honing their preparations to face the Manly Sea Eagles in the forthcoming London Rugby League Challenge (Sun 22nd Feb) and say they can’t wait to pit their wits against the Australian NRL champions.
The Quins play the Sea Eagles on Sunday week in an attractive looking fixture at the Twickenham Stoop that whets the appetite perfectly for the Carnegie World Club Challenge a week later.
It’s a match that offers the engage Super League team a great opportunity to show to the Rugby League world that they are a top quality outfit.
And the exciting nature of that opportunity is not lost on Head Coach Brian McDermott who is relishing the clash.
You rarely get the chance to pit yourself against the best and whilst we hope that Leeds can do the job and come out as World Club Champions the week after, this is a chance for us to have a crack at the Aussies first and maybe soften them up a bit for the Leeds boys”, he said.
“If we do a good job against Manly, then you could read many things into it. People will say that there’s a team that didn’t finish in the [Super League] play-offs last year and they’ve beaten or performed really well against the NRL champions! We are getting the chance to have a crack at the best and whatever the sport and whatever walk of life you are in, that’s something you want to do”.
And McDermott has also revealed that his squad have been focussing on their own play rather than using Quins’ former Manly player Luke Williamson to analyse their Aussie opponents.
“Rugby League games are not won by one player and I think his tip is for us to score more tries than them!!”, joked McDermott.
“Luke himself is really looking forward to this fixture though. He’s in Harlequins Rugby League colours now and he‘s pretty full on about the game. He certainly wants us to do as well as he can”.
Meanwhile, Quins’ England forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook has revealed he is also straining at the leash to face the Aussie team and prove his worth against antipodean opponents.
“I really can’t wait to play against Manly Sea Eagles”, he enthused.
“It’s something new for me. I’ve played against Australian teams on an amateur tour but this is certainly something to look forward to. Hopefully we’ll give them and great game”.
The London Rugby League Challenge between Harlequins RL and Manly Sea-Eagles takes place at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday 22nd February 2009.
Tickets for the game are selling fast but are still available. Prices start from only £10 for adults and £5 for children. Tickets are available by calling (0871) 527 1315 and / or from the Twickenham Stoop Stadium ticket office.
Tickets for the Carnegie World Club Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and Manly Sea Eagles are also selling fast but are still available.
The match takes place at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds on Sunday March 1st (ko 6pm)
Prices start at just £20 (with £10 for concessions).
They can be purchased from the RFL Ticket Office on 0871 226 13 13 or click
www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk
