Jamaica’s Rugby League team is set to face Greece in October just ahead of the start of the Rugby League World Cup later this year.
The Rugby League World Cup Reggae Warriors will face the Greeks for the first time in the warm-up game on Friday, October 15, at Castleford’s Mend-a-Hose stadium. The match will also double as a testimonial for Reggae Warrior Jordan Turner.
“After playing for five great Super League clubs, as well as Canberra in the Australian NRL, it was really difficult to choose where I’d play the game and who would be the opposition,” said Turner. “This year is so special to me not least that we all have the World Cup to look forward to; it will be a huge celebration for the sport.
“I am so proud and passionate about pulling on the black, green and gold of Jamaica as we make history at the tournament, and to get the chance to celebrate my testimonial with an international fixture really is a dream come true. Everyone at Castleford has been amazing with me since I joined the club and the fact that I get to play my testimonial in front of the amazing Cas fans - and hopefully, those who have supported me at all the teams I’ve played for - will mean so much. I hope they’ll all enjoy a flavour of Jamaican and Greek culture at the game.”
Jamaica national head coach, Romeo Monteith said Jamaica is excited to playing against Greece so close to the world cup that is set to begin on October 23.
“We are excited and honoured to play Greece in our 2021RLWC warm-up game. Both nations have been on an incredible journey to earn their place in the tournament and this is a fitting matchup,” he said.
“We are further pleased to be able to support Jordan in his much-deserved testimonial and we encourage everyone to come out and support the event.”
The Rugby League World Cup is taking place between October 23 and November 27 and is expected to be a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions being staged together for the first time.
The three tournaments will take place in 21 venues across 18 host towns and cities in England. Both the women’s and wheelchair competitions will be contested by two groups of four teams, whilst the men’s tournament will see 16 teams compete across four groups.