Exiles pose exciting test for England

England Rugby League are readying themselves for one of the most exciting fixtures in British sport with a match against the cream of overseas talent drawn from the Engage Super League.

Weeks of intense speculation ended today when the RFL confirmed that England will face the Exiles in an ‘International Origin Match’ at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Friday June 10 (8.00pm).

Former Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand coach Brian McClennan has been appointed as the first ever coach of the Exiles and along with his assistant, Castleford Tigers’ head coach Terry Matterson, has named an initial 34-man squad.

In a unique concept to British sport, the 34-strong squad will be reduced to 22, in part by public selection. This will mark the first time in UK sporting history that the public will be able to select a team, with fans having the chance to choose 13 of the 22 squad members to face England. The remaining nine selections will be made by the Exiles coaching staff.

New Zealand-born McClennan, who coached Leeds to two successive Engage Super League Grand Final victories and the Kiwis to a famous Tri Nations final victory over Australia in 2005, has appointed his captain and vice captain and is also looking forward to being part of Rugby League’s latest venture.

“It is a great honour to be appointed as the first coach of the Exiles team,” said McClennan. “I am also pleased to announce that I have selected Leeds Rhinos’ Australian hooker Danny Buderus as my captain and Wigan Warriors and New Zealand international Thomas Leuluai as vice captain.

“The International Origin Match is a fabulous concept for English Rugby League. It is going to be a fantastic match featuring the best players in the Engage Super League. The RFL should be applauded for showing great ingenuity by creating such a marquee fixture between England and the Exiles.

“The match will serve as perfect preparation ahead of this autumn’s Four Nations tournament, when we hope England will be a match for current holders New Zealand and old adversaries Australia.”

From today, fans can log on to www.internationalorigin.com  and select their ideal 13 to take on England.  Supporters can only pick a maximum of three players from any club. The voting process will remain open until midnight (BST) on Thursday April 21 2011.

Fans making their selection will also receive a discount voucher entitling them to £5 off an adult match ticket.

“We are not afraid to try new initiatives in Rugby League and this unique concept will get the fans closer to the action,” said the RFL’s Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

“Rugby League fans are passionate about their sport and there’s plenty of knowledge out there to pick a great team to face England.

“The International Origin Match is long overdue. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the internal club rivalry come to the fore when team-mates at clubs will go head-to-head against each other on the pitch. I have no doubt that the fans and the sport’s stakeholders will welcome this new concept, which I’m sure will become part of the sporting calendar for years to come.”

Today’s announcement follows on the back of a four-week ‘teaser campaign’ which has seen the arrival of the Exiles heralded with brooding imagery featuring mysterious hooded figures and the slogan ‘They’re Coming’. The campaign concluded earlier this week with England players Sean O’Loughlin and Kevin Sinfield fronting posters beneath the words ‘We’re Waiting.’

Pre-purchased tickets for the International Origin match start from £19 for adults and £12 for concessions and are available at www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or by contacting the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113. Tickets purchased on the day of the match start from £22 for adults and £15 for concessions.

Details of the full 34-man Exiles squad are below:

Danny Buderus (captain) (Leeds Rhinos & Australia), Thomas Leuluai (vice captain) (Wigan Warriors & New Zealand), Louis Anderson (Warrington Wolves & New Zealand), George Carmont (Wigan Warriors & New Zealand), Ray Cashmere (Salford City Reds & Australia), Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers & New Zealand),  David Fa’alogo (Huddersfield Giants & New Zealand), David Faiumu (Huddersfield Giants & New Zealand), Brett Finch (Wigan Warriors & Australia), Craig Fitzgibbon (Hull FC & Australia), Ben Galea (Hull KR & Australia), Brett Hodgson (Warrington Wolves & Australia), Ryan Hoffman (Wigan Warriors & Australia), David Howell (Harlequins RL & Australia), Brett Kearney (Bradford Bulls & Australia), Matt King (Warrington Wolves & Australia), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds Rhinos & New Zealand),  Jeff Lima (Wigan Warriors & New Zealand), Willie Mason (Hull KR & Australia), Francis Meli (St Helens & New Zealand), Steve Menzies (Catalan Dragons & Australia), Joel Monaghan (Warrington Wolves & Australia), Michael Monaghan (Warrington Wolves & Australia), Glenn Morrison (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats & Australia), Clint Newton (Hull KR & Australia), Luke O’Donnell (Huddersfield Giants & Australia), Mark O’Meley (Hull FC & Australia), Tony Puletua (St Helens & New Zealand), Pat Richards (Wigan Warriors & Australia), Amos Roberts (Wigan Warriors & Australia), Jarrod Sammut (Crusaders & Australia), Iosia Soliola (St Helens & New Zealand), Michael Vella (Hull KR & Australia), Brent Webb (Leeds Rhinos & New Zealand).

Check back on loverugbyleague.com for the latest up-to date news, views and features on the International Origin match, including two Huddersfield team mates who are set to go head to head with each other on June 10th!