Rugby League World Cup Preview: Jamaica

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In the 10th segment of the season, we look at first-timers Jamaica and how, as one of the great rugby league stories, they may fare in their maiden tournament.

IRL Ranking: 21st

Group: C

Schedule: Ireland (Headingley Stadium, Leeds); New Zealand (MKM Stadium, Hull); Lebanon (Leigh Sports Village, Leigh)

World Cup Appearances: N/A

Best Result: N/A

Head Coach: Romeo Monteith

Title Odds: $1001

Following unsuccessful attempts at qualifying for the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, the Jamaicans punched their ticket to this year’s tournament with a 16-10 win over the United States in Jacksonville in 2018.

Since knocking off the Americans in what was the biggest win in the nation’s short rugby league history, they have managed another win over the United States in Kingston in 2019 and a draw against Scotland in Featherstone late last year.

Their biggest test, however, is yet to come; they will open their maiden World Cup campaign against the Irish in Leeds before facing New Zealand in Hull and finishing the group stage with a clash against Lebanon in Leigh.

They will enter each of their clashes as outsiders but may prove a bother for Ireland or Lebanon if a level of complacency were to haunt their preparations.

The Reggae Warriors were dealt a blow with Newcastle Knights star Dominic Young opting to represent England after previously declaring his allegiance to his grandparents’ homeland.

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His brother, Alex, who plays for Championship side Workington Town is expected to be considered by head coach Romeo Monteith.

England great and Salford centre Kallum Watkins is expected to earn one centre spot with Workington Town’s Joe Brown – who skippered the Jamaicans to World Cup qualification in 2018 – and Castleford’s Jordan Turner offering steady potential partners.

Huddersfield’s Ashton Golding is the favourite to line-up at fullback with Halifax’s James Woodburn-Hall a capable fullback and half.

Sheffield veteran Ben Jones-Bishop headlines their shortlist of wingers with brother Aaron a depth option along with both Young brothers, Batley’s Greg Johnson, York City’s Jacob Ogden, Bradford’s David Foggin-Johnston, Sheffield’s Kadeem Williams, London’s Dalton Grant and Keighley try-scoring ace Mo Agoro.

Both Turner and Woodburn-Hall are expected to battle it out for the five-eighth spot with Hunslet veteran Jy-Mel Coleman and Sheffield’s Izaac Farrell among halfback options.

Toulouse rake Lloyd White’s defection from Wales offers a major boost for the Jamaicans with the 34-year-old set to be their first-choice hooker.

Huddersfield stalwart Michael Lawrence will lead the side up front along with the likes of Hunslet’s Ross Peltier, Dewsbury’s Jonathan Magrin, Keighley’s Bradley Ho, Oldham’s Jordan Andrade, Coventry’s Delaine Bedward and Midlands’ Trae O’Sullivan.

Their back-row options include Hull K.R.’s Luis Johnson, York City’s Levi Edwards, Sheffield’s Joel Farrell, Dewsbury’s Keenen Tomlinson, Bradford’s AJ Wallace, Doncaster’s Danny Bravo and London’s Lamont Bryan.

Qualifying for the World Cup was the big mountain for the Jamaicans to climb and, whilst they will be desperate to rattle the cages of Ireland and Lebanon, competing in the tournament alone will be the biggest achievement in the history of Jamaican rugby league.

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