Wales’ student rugby league team manager James Davies says his side have nothing to lose when they compete at summer’s student World Cup in Australia.

The Student Rugby League World Cup, which was first staged in New Zealand in 1986, has been dominated by the Southern Hemisphere nations with Australia and New Zealand the only winners of the tournament having three wins apiece. 

Despite the home nations being firm underdogs Wales’ team manager James Davies is confident of his side’s chances.

“I am really optimistic at the moment as things are really coming together,” said Davies.

“The whole management’s structure is in place and we have managed to get a coaching team in place that is of the highest calibre. 

The Welsh management team, which also features former Wales international Kevin Ellis, have pinpointed the areas that could lead them to victory in Australia.

“We’ve identified what it will require to be successful and to compete at the world cup and our preparation will entail this,” said Davies.

“As a management team plan on leaving no stone unturned in our quest to make this Wales Student team the best ever prepared team to compete in a World Cup.”

The Welsh side, who’ll bid to improve on their all-time best 5th place finish, will put their preparations to the test against three-time and reigning student World Cup winners New Zealand, France and Ireland in Group B.

With the first two advancing straight to the semi-finals competition will be fierce and the Wales coach expects to encounter some stellar opposition.  

“We expect every nation to be strong but you do have your obvious few nations which will favourites not just student level but senior level all the way down to their juniors.

“The current Student World Champions in New Zealand are a formidable side you also then you have three time student world champions Australia who in any sport don’t know how to lose, as well as your England and France who have been in the mix since the first world cup in 1986 these nations can be a match for the so called big two on their day.  

“When any of the home nations play the South Hemisphere nations we will go in as underdogs but we will have nothing to lose and I am sure this will make the lads more determined to succeed.”

The Welsh management team have been implementing a rigorous selection process to ensure every player has an opportunity to impress.

“Due to the amount of interest we held a trial game in which we then had to cut a squad down.

“We’ve also have had various university games filmed so that if anyone missed out on the first cut then we will still keep an eye on them during the student season, so the door is never closed on any player.”

The tournament is seen as the breeding ground for stars of the future and one of the aims of the student World Cup is to develop players who have the potential to become senior internationals.

“The lads will be competing against some of the best up and coming rugby league players on the planet and to test yourself against these lads will only make you a better player.

“The World cup is as good as it gets in terms of international rugby and it will be an experience that will live with them for the rest of their lives.”

Wales' student rugby league side are seeking sponsorship as they step up preparations for this summer's World Cup in Australia.

The Welsh side travel to the Southern Hemisphere in July to tackle the strongest student nations in the sport including three-time and reigning World Champions New Zealand.

The home nation, who've been a permanent fixture since the inaugural tournament in 1986, are eagerly anticipating the opportunity face the highly decorated Southern Hemisphere outfits.

Wales' team manager James Davies said: "It’s a great environment to play rugby in and the facilities out in Australia are second to none.

"For the players this is an opportunity of a life time. They will be competing against some of the best up and coming rugby league players on the planet and to test yourself against these lads will only make you a better player.

"It will be an experience that will live with them for the rest of their lives.”

If you’re interested in supporting Wales' quest to become student World champions please contact Team Manager James Davies on 07969 879962.

article by Mark Pickering
15 February 2008