Griffiths promises Crusaders excitement
North Wales Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths has promised to play attractive open rugby as the club looks to re-build itself in Championship 1.
Effectively a brand new club, born from the ashes of the failed Crusaders Super League franchise, North Wales play their first home game on Sunday, when they entertain Rochdale at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday (2.30pm kick-off).
Griffiths, best known for leading the Welsh national Rugby League side to two World Cup semi-finals, is calling on the North Wales public to carry on attending in their droves for their chance to be a part of an historic new start.
“It’s not just about this year, this is our chance to build where we haven’t been able to before,” Griffiths said. “The North Wales public love supporting their local sides, that’s been proven. Hopefully we’ll see a good turn-out for what will be an exciting game against Rochdale this Sunday – this is an historic first game, it’s the first time a professional club has started from scratch in North Wales.
“Super League or Championships, it doesn’t matter. If you like your Rugby League and you like to watch good sport, then come along as we are looking to play attractive open rugby. That’s my philosophy as I’m a fan as well and I like to be entertained so I know that entertaining rugby is the name of the game. We have to start somewhere and this is where we’ve been accepted but I know that the product we’re putting a place will get people through the turnstiles.”
The North Wales side had a confidence boosting 34-12 win over Leigh East last Friday in their first pre-season match but with Rochdale competing in the same division as Crusaders, Griffiths knows this game will be a lot tougher.
“This will show how far we have come in such a short time,” Griffiths adds. “We’ve got some good players and we showed that against Leigh East last week. Defensively we were well organised and we were powerful and entertaining on the attack. Billy Sheen scored an eye-catching hat-trick and was on the end of some excellent approach play, his last try showed his elusiveness too. Danny Hulme was a star at full-back and Leon Brennan also showed the way – everyone was keen to get into the action.”