Great Britain Community Lions v South Africa Rhinos

(Test Match Preview)

It is the eve of the inaugural test match between the Great Britain Community Lions and the South African Rhinos, I managed to catch up with the Head Coach, Team Manager and Captain of the Great Britain Community Lions and get their takes on the tour and how they perceive the Test Match.

Team Manager Jimmy Aspinall commented that the tour has been a massive success in more ways than one.  The objectives to visit South Africa and play a high calibre of opposition, promote the game of Rugby League and provide a performance pathway for British Amatuer players have certainly been achieved.

Head Coach, Jimmy Taylor stated, “The physical attributes, enthusiasm and desire of the South African players is very high.  As Gary Schofield added, (in a radio interview on IFM) with some game awareness they will be able to compete on the full international circuit and their aim of securing a spot in the 2013 World Cup is definitely one I feel they can achieve.  I hope the tour has helped them to develop and given them the building blocks for a strong and vibrant future.”

In a radio interview with Jimmy Aspinall, Jimmy Taylor and tour captain Sean Wildbore the promotion of the sport and ticket sales testify that there is a real zest and appetite for the game and in excess of 2,000 tickets have been sold for the Test on Saturday 31^st July 2010 at Vaal University.

Captain Sean Wildbore commented, “I was lucky enough to tour Australia in 2008 as a player but to do it again this year as Captain is a massive honour.  The lads have been very professional in all they have done from training, eating the right foods and conducting themselves in an appropriate manner when taking in the cultural aspects of the tour.  We are all focussed now towards the test and are looking forward to a tough and physical encounter and are under no illusions that it will be anything other than a test!!!”

Finally I caught up with Jimmy Aspinall whom has been extremely busy ensuring that every single thing the team has needed or wanted has been catered for and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the lads the thank him!!!  Jimmy added, “The tour has been a roaring success and I hope we have helped South Africa in a way that mirrors the level of hospitality we have been shown for the duration of the tour.  Dave Van Reenen (SARL President) has been fantastic and always on hand to offer assistance and without him the tour wouldn’t have been the success it has been.  Next up for us is the test, I’m sure Jimmy and the boys are raring to go!”

All that leaves now is for the final training session and team announcement that will be made at 11:00am, next stop is Vaal University and the challenge of the South African Rhinos, boy oh boy it will be a Test is every aspect of the word!!!

Team Announced at 11:00am

1. Paul Pendlebury, 2. Chris Walker, 3. Gavin Corfield, 5. Wayne Leyland, 15. Joe Budd, 6. Jordan Precious, 7. Tony Baker, 8. Lee Brown, 14. Anthony Atherton, 10. Scott Winstanley, 11. Sean Wildbore (C), 20. Mark Holmes, 13. Gary Middlehurst.  SUBS 16. Ryan Smith, 12. Kevin Thompson, 18. David Dunwell, 19. Matt Bowers