16th April 2012

Anderson names strong Exiles squad for International Origin

Head coach Daniel Anderson and his management team have announced an initial 30-man squad for the Exiles in the International Origin Series 2012.

The Exiles, a squad drawn from the overseas talent available from the Stobart Super League clubs, will take on England in two games this summer.

Former St Helens coach Anderson has named a particularly strong squad for the games at Langtree Park and the Galpharm Stadium. The squad is drawn from 11 different Stobart Super League clubs and the players have won 250 international caps and have played 30 State of Origin matches between them.

Only 10 of the 30-man initial squad played in the team which shocked England to win at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium last season, so there will be plenty of work for Anderson and his team in preparing their players.Anderson is joined on the Exiles management team by Hull FC Director of Rugby Shaun McRae, former Bradford Bulls and New Zealand star Robbie Hunter-Paul and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats assistant boss Glenn Morrison.

Exiles captain Brett Hodgson of Warrington Wolves believes the squad will be more than a match for England as they begin their preparations for Rugby League World Cup 2013: “This initial squad is so strong and has so much experience that I think the series will be a great spectacle."
We want to use these games to build on last year’s victory and really develop the Exiles concept. There’s no question that this talented group of players can drive that forward and will give England two really tough games.”

The International Origin Series 2012 will see the Exiles take on England at Langtree Park, St Helens on Saturday June 16 and at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield on Wednesday July 4.

Exiles squad: Anthony Laffranchi, Francis Meli, Lance Hohaia, Tony Puletua, Sia Soliola (all St Helens), Antonio Kaufusi, Michael Robertson (both London Broncos), Brett Delaney (Leeds), Brett Finch, George Carmont, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Pat Richards (all Wigan), Brett Hodgson (capt), Trent Waterhouse, Joel Monaghan, Michael Monaghan (all Warrington), Clint Greenshields, Lopini Paea, Louis Anderson, Darryl Millard, Scott Dureau, Setaimata Sa (all Catalan Dragons), David Fa’aologo, Jason Chan, Luke O’Donnell (all Huddersfield), Heath L’Estrange (Bradford), Willie Manu (Hull FC), Jake Webster (Hull KR), Joel Moon (Salford), Willie Manu (Hull).