Floridian Down Under
Posted in: Rugby League
By ARN
Feb 8, 2010 - 12:03:16
Zac Shaul
A former Florida high school football player has been picked up by an Australian rugby league club.
20-year old Zac Shaul of Bradenton is the first American-born player to join the Noosa Pirates RLC in Queensland.
The former high school linebacker started playing league just two years ago.
“Ultimately I want to use this opportunity that has been presented to me to better myself and to represent my homeland as best I can,” Shaul is quoted as saying on the Pirates’ website.
“I understand that I will have to work extremely hard to achieve the goals I have set myself, but I am confident in my ability and very much looking forward to proving to people that American athletes can become great rugby league players.”
Pirates coach Dane Campbell thinks Shaul has the ability to succeed and become a crowd favorite in 2010.
“Zac is a tremendous young man who has come highly regarded by good contacts of mine in the USA,” said Campbell.
“I am confident that he will be a great ambassador for US Rugby League and given his wonderful attitude towards training, I believe he will be a success on the field also.”
The Noosa Pirates compete in the Sunshine Coast Rugby League north of Brisbane. The club, which won the local premiership for three straight years from 2006-2008, finished out of the running in 2009.
Pope Named by Aussie Club
Posted in: Rugby League
Feb 26, 2010 - 12:53:19 PMDigg this story!
Apple Pope on left (Allene McIntosh photo)
Jacksonville Axemen rugby league player Apple Pope has won a starting spot in an Australian club team for a preseason game this weekend.
Pope has been named on the FOGS Cup trial team for the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The Seagulls will take on the Souths Logan team from the Brisbane area as all players try to impress the coaching staff in an effort to be offered contracts for the 2010 season.
"Since arriving in Australia Spinner [Howland] and I have driven about 1800 miles and trained every day for the past 11 days," said Pope.
"We have had training sessions at four clubs and finally getting a chance to get on the field will allow me to start doing what I came here to do. I am excited and nervous at the same time."
In a total stroke of luck, Pope will play alongside former South Sydney Rabbitohs player Nat Barnes, who was on the team that visited Jacksonville in 2008 for the Australia Day Challenge.
Pope was one of three Axemen who got to train with the Rabbitohs during their visit and it was great for him to see a familiar face.
"It is pretty obvious at training sessions that Nat has played at a high level," added Pope.
"Everything Nat does is crisp and timed to perfection and after being paired with him for a tackling drills during the week it is easy to see he is going to be one of the standout players for the Seagulls in 2010."
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