By Richard Cowley, Updated: 26/10/13
Teams: Wales v Italy
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. Capacity 74,500
Date: Saturday 26th October 2013
Kick-off time: 4.30pm (Local Time)
Sydney (Australia – New South Wales) Sunday, 27 October 2013 at 2:30:00 AM
Brisbane (Australia – Queensland) Sunday, 27 October 2013 at 1:30:00 AM
Auckland (New Zealand) Sunday, 27 October 2013 at 4:30:00 AM
Rome (Italy) Saturday, 26 October 2013 at 5:30:00 PM
London (United Kingdom – England) Saturday, 26 October 2013 at 4:30:00 PM
2013 RLWC Ticket information: http://www.rlwc2013.com/tickets
2013 RLWC TV viewing information: Channel Seven will broadcast all RLWC2013 matches live in Australia on the 7mate channel. In the UK the BBC will show all England games along with the RLWC Final while Premier Sports will broadcast all other RLWC games.
Overview: 2013 RLWC co-hosts Wales will be looking to put on a good show in front of their home crowd when they kick off their world cup campaign against Italy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The match itself will be game two of the double header opening the 2013 RLWC. Wales have been the big improvers at international level which saw them take part in the Rugby League Four Nations back in 2011 where they held their own against Australia, New Zealand and England. Wales will be looking to build on the progress made since then and will be aiming to top their group and book a place in the quarter finals.
Wales have already played a warm-up match against a Wales Select XIII to blow out the cobwebs. The Welsh will be ready to run-out and maybe even run-riot come Saturday against Itlay.
Italy will be competing in the rugby league world cup for the first time and will look to spoil the party for Wales. Rugby league has been slowing growing in Italy over the last few years and their exposure in this world cup will assist with promoting rugby league back in their homeland. Italy have called on eligible players from the NRL and Super League and will be very competitive against Wales. Italy will be aiming for the first big upset of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup!
Italy pulled off the unthinkable over the weekend when they defeated England 15 – 14 in a warm-up match in Salford. Italy will be looking to take that form into this match and will be looking to defeat Wales for the 2nd time in four years after Italy defeated the Welsh 6 – 15 back in 2010.
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2013 RLWC Wales v Italy teams (Final 17 for each team will be updated once teams are announced)
Wales team to take on Italy:
Neil Budworth (Moranbah Miners)
Ross Divorty (Halifax)
Gil Dudson (Wigan Warriors)
Jacob Emmitt (Salford Red Devils)
Ben Evans (Bradford Bulls)
Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves)
Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors)
Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jordan James (Salford Red Devils)
Elliot Kear (Bradford Bulls)
Craig Kopzcak (Huddersfield Giants)
Rhodri Lloyd (Wigan Warriors)
Peter Lupton (Workington Town)
Larne Patrick (Huddersfield Giants)
Matt Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Anthony Walker (St Helens)
Ian Webster (Central Queensland Capras)
Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings)
Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Head coach: Iestyn Harris
Italy team to take on Wales:
1. Anthony Minichiello (C)
2. Joshua Mantellato
3. James Tedesco
4. Aiden Guerra
5. Chris Centrone
6. Ben Falcone
7. Ryan Ghietti
8. Anthony Laffranchi
9. Dean Parata
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Mark Minichiello
12. Cameron Ciraldo
13. Joel Riethmuller
Interchange (Two to be omitted)
14. Sam Gardel
15. Ryan Tramonte
16. Brendan Santi
17. Raymond Nasso
18. Tim Maccan
19. Gavin Hiscox
Head coach: Carlo Napolitano
