The Jamaica Rugby League Association has announced their 22-man initial squad to face Canada at the Lamport Stadium in Toronto on Saturday (July 19) kick off 7pm. The Reggae Warriors will battle the Wolverines for the fourth annual Caribbean Carnival Cup, currently held by Canada after their 38-14 victory last time out. The Jamaican squad departs the island today and will return on Monday July 21.
Canada, currently ranked 16th in the world and having had a number of warm up matches against touring opposition, will enter the game as favourites, their opponents 23rd in the standings. However, Jamaica national coach Romeo Monteith expects his side to be in the contest. “Our aim is to compete for 80 minutes,” he said on departing Kingston. “We have prepared well and have a squad that is hungry for success. The coaching staff is confident that our boys will put in a good effort and make Jamaica proud.”
The squad, which is drawn from eight clubs, features two English-based players in Sheffield Eagles’ Corey Hanson and Hamish Barnes from Siddal. Adding extra spice, four members currently play in the Canadian Rugby League Championship: Orlando Jones, Donald Walters, Kenneth Walker and Greg Hall.
JAMAICA
Andre Reid, Jason Gooden, Jermaine Pinnock, Joseph Shae, Khamisi McKain, Marvin Thompson, Renaldo Wade, Robert Rodney, (Duhaney Park Red Sharks), Adrian Mckenzie, Ryan Grant, Chevaughn Bailey (GC Foster College) Alec Harris, Antonio Baker, Kenardo Morgan (Mico University College), Corey Hanson (Sheffield Eagles), Greg Hall, Kenneth Walker, Orlando Jones, Donald Walters (Toronto City Saints), Nathan Campbell (University of Technology), Hamish Barnes (Siddal), Tyronie Rowe (Vauxhall Vultures)