Scandinavian Squads Named

Norway has seen impressive growth over the past three years with a host of new clubs joining the sport as well as a junior program being established during the winter which has given a large number of new players the chance to get their first taste of international rugby league.

 

New head coach of the ‘Vikingene’, Matt South commented, “All I am hoping is to get the guys to another level by speeding up the play and controlling the play the ball. I hope both new and established can learn and become better players.”

 

Sweden has named a new-look side and according to Sverige RL Chairman Scott Edwards it’s got game.

 

“We held a training session in Skåne recently, a county in southern Sweden that is new to rugby league,” he said. “From that 16 new, younger players made it into the squad and the boys are very excited.”

 

“Myself and Christian Skogholm will be the only two players to have been involved in all four Sweden internationals. There are a number of previous players that are still in the running for final selection but the southern trail has created some competition for places.”

 

Norway will take on Sweden in Gothenburg this Saturday and Denmark a week later on August 4 in Oslo. Last time out in the competition, an inexperienced Sweden XIII lost 122-8 away to Denmark in April.

 

NORWAY XIII SQUAD

Reece Prosser, Magnus Sundsfjord (Bodø Barbarians), Mads Ove Haukland, Kristoffer Milligan, Roger Stenlund (Flekkefjord Tigers), Daniel Fagerås, Sonny Mellor, Robin Svendson (Flisbyen Broncos), Jørgen Schmidt (Fredrikstad Falcons), Omar Bagdhadi (Kristiansand Krusaders), Peter Engeland, Nils Haigh, Cam Leslie, Anders Linnestå, Erlend Meldalen, Fredrik Skovly (c), Martin Skovly, Callum Sullivan (Oslo Capitals), Kevin Båtnes, Andreas Bjugn, Kai Roger Holm (Porsgrunn Pirates), Lars Haigh, Thomas Hilton (Saddleworth Rangers), Isaac Schmidt, Joshua Skidmore-Hornby, Henrik Roalsø (Tromsø Polar Bears)

 

SWEDEN 

Niklas Bjork, Jerry Cort, Filip Karafiat (Boras Ravens), Cristoffer Andreasson, Niklas Ekdahl, Alexander Kanani, Peter Wikstrom (Gothenburg Lions), Maake Fakaosoifolau, Jim Meredith (Helsingborg), Adam Borg, Sebbe Hylander, David Lonsjo (Lugi), Paul Briggs. Jonathon Elamzon, Harold Konsberg, Oscar Larsson, Rolo Leishman (Malmo), Hjalmar Edensten, Tobias Rorstam (Pingvin), Scott Edwards, Darren Cudmore, Christian Skogholm (Spartacus Reds)