By Richard Cowley, Date: 19/10/13
If you think the 2013 RLWC is going to be predictable then you better re-adjust your expectations as the USA with 8 American based players have just defeated France in a World Cup Warm up 22 – 18 in Toulouse.
On one hand the USA in rugby league terms are new to the 13 man game. The USA have had domestic competitions operate for just over a decade now. The States have had their own version of the Super League war over the last few years which has created much uncertainty for the national team. This uncertainty continued two weeks ago with Brian Smith pulling out as coach and Terry Matterson stepping into the head coaching role.
On the other hand you have France who are steeped in rugby league history having played the greatest game since the mid 1930’s. France have had a pretty ideal preparation leading into the World Cup up until now. The French with the inclusion of the Catalan Dragons in the Super League have vastly improved in recent times but seem to disappoint come world cup time. Hopefully this match is not a sign of things to come and they have some Super League players still up their sleave.
Tomahawks will take a lot of confidence out of this win. They take on the Cook Islands in their first RLWC match on Wednesday the 30th of October at the Memorial Stadium, Bristol in England.
France on the other hand who are unpredictable at the best of times will be hoping that they can take it up a level before the World Cup gets underway. The French kick-off their world cup campaign on the 27th of October against the passionate PNG Kumuls at MS3 Craven Park, Hull in England.
One thing is for sure that there will be many more upsets before the World Cup has Finished on the 30th of November at Old Trafford.
USA RLWC2013 Schedule
Game 1: Oct 30th (Wednesday), Cook Islands v USA, Location – The Memorial Stadium, Bristol, England
Game 2: Nov 3rd (Sunday), Wales v USA, Location – Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales
Game 3: Nov 7th (Thursday), Scotland v USA, Location – City of Salford Community Stadium, England
French RLWC2013 Schedule
Game 1: Oct 27th (Sunday), France v Papua New Guinea, Location – MS3 Craven Park, Hull, England
Game 3: Nov 1st (Friday), France v New Zealand, Location – Parc des Sports, Avignon, France
Game 6: Nov 11th (Monday), France v Samoa, Location – Gilbert Brutus Stadium, Perpignan, France
