PHILIPPINES officials say the Tamaraws’ appearance at the London Nines this year will be a precursor to 13-a-side internationals in Europe.
The PNRL announced this week they would be sending a team to the London Nines at Chiswick Rugby Club on July 17. It will be the first time the Tamaraws have been seen in Europe and the team is being assembled by a local UK organising committee.
“(It is) a very good test for our European based players who could possibly be competing against teams within Africa, the USA, Lietuva and Malta, which the Nines has hosted in the past – a perfect springboard for international Tests we aim to play in Europe in the near future,” the governing body said in a statement.
The president of the UK organising committee, Reynaild Nery, said: “We are extremely excited for the opportunity this tournament will provide for our European based teams (development and national) and the ripple effect it will gain for more events in the region.
“God willing, we hope there will be minimal COVID impacts on all sports in Europe, we will work closely with tournament organisers to ensure player safety is the priority.”
A prospective Tamaraws player, Michael Greenhalgh, added: “We have been eager to get the PNRL established in Europe for some time, so we’re very excited to be working with the board on this project.
“As a current league player in the UK, I have seen a lot of interest and potential from my fellow Filipino athletes who have been keen to play for the Philippines in the sport of rugby league; 2022 will mark a new chapter in the PNRL as we look to make our mark in Europe.”
