Crusaders return to South Wales
Crusaders return to South Wales this Thursday with a Super League match at The Gnoll in Neath against Harlequins (kick-off 7.30pm).
This match will see Gareth Thomas’ first game of rugby league back in South Wales after signing for the Crusaders a month ago.
One man who is hoping to play alongside Thomas in the team is Welsh international Lloyd White, and South Wales Scorpions’ coach Anthony Seibold believes that he should be given his chance.
The 21-year old from Newport has already made a name for himself with the Crusaders and Wales. He scored a try and kicked nine goals last autumn for Wales on their way to winning the European Cup, this after scoring his debut Super League try against Castleford a month earlier.
This season, he has made two appearances in Brian Noble’s side and because he is under 23 years old, he is able to take advantage of rugby league’s unique “dual registration” rule allowing him to play for South Wales Scorpions when he doesn’t make the Crusaders squad.
White was man of the match for South Wales Scorpions last Sunday at The Gnoll, scoring two tries and seven goals, when they beat London Skolars 48-6 to go top of Co-operative Championship 1.
He is now in contention for the Co-operative Championship 1 Player of the Month but White said he would love to play again at The Gnoll this Thursday when Harlequins are in town.
“I’d love to be back here again on Thursday with the Crusaders,” he said. “I’m grateful for the chance to play for the Scorpions when I’m not in the Crusaders side and it’s a good opportunity to come down here and play a high level of rugby. Last year I was playing in Crusaders reserves and I believe that Championship 1 is a lot stronger than that.
“My aim is to impress the coaches back at the Crusaders and aim for a regular place in their starting line-up. If I’m needed again on Thursday for the Crusaders game against Harlequins at The Gnoll, that’ll be awesome.
“I hope it’ll be a good crowd on Thursday night as we’ve been playing well and it’ll be a good chance to show the South Wales public how much we’ve progressed this year. Our new coaches Brian Noble and Jon Sharp are vastly experienced and Iestyn Harris has helped me a lot with Crusaders and Wales.
“We’ve also had a good bunch of new players who are very experienced. I’m always asking for tips off people like Adam Peek and Michael Witt, anything to help improve my game.”
Scorpions coach Anthony Seibold was full of praise for White following Sunday’s win.
“Lloyd White was really good for us when we beat London Skolars. He played in the ruck, was a loose forward and he was great. Gil Dudson was strong too as was Lewis Mills. They’re challenging for spots with the Crusaders, no doubt. Obviously they want to be playing Super League and one of the Crusaders’ partnerships with the Scorpions is to help assist them to achieve their aims.
“Lloyd is going to be a complete rugby player. He’s not quite there yet, but he’s only 21 and he’s going to develop into a really solid Super League player. He’s not far away.”