By Brian Lowe, Date: 19/9/18 (Photo: Carolyn Ritchie)
A planned Select side game between the USA and Canada has been scrapped as the national governing bodies from both countries were unable to finalize arrangements in time.
The match had originally been slated as the curtain-raiser for the Toronto Wolfpack’s Super 8s The Qualifiers fixture against the Widnes Vikings this Saturday at Lamport Stadium in Toronto.
The concept was first floated in August; however, it’s understood that by the time a final deadline had been reached for organizers to have dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s, time had run out leaving them with no other option than to shelve the planned game.
Both NGBs had been keen for the match to take place in lieu of a fully sanctioned international to give coaching staffs from each country a chance to get an extra look at potential train-on squad players in preparation for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup Americas region qualifying series due to take place in November.
Spokespersons from both countries have expressed disappointment in not being able to get the game done in time.
Neither the USA Hawks nor Canada Wolverines have any official Test matches scheduled between now and then, hence the interest in an All-Stars format game.
As a result of the Select side game being canned, there will be separate internal trial matches in both the US and Canada.
