Australian rugby league boys at London Broncos heart

The Australian contingent of the London Broncos Rugby League team (from left to right) Mark Bryant, David Howell, Antonio Kaufusi, Shane Rodney, Jarrad Hickey (now released from club contract), Craig Gower, Michael Robertson, Chris Bailey, Chad Randall, Michael Witt and Luke Dorn.

IT’S  only fitting that for one of the biggest gatherings of Aussies outside Australia, the local rugby league team here reflects our presence. I am talking about, of course, the number of Australian players currently in London’s only Super League team – the London Broncos.

Rebranded and renamed in 2012 (formerly London Harlequins Rugby League Football Club) – the London Broncos have returned to their roots and the name they carried in the 1990s and early 2000s. The new direction isn’t the only thing bright and shiny down at Twickenham though. When they take the field against St Helens in the first match of their 2012 Super League campaign this Saturday, no less than 10 Australian names will appear on the first team’s squad list. That’s almost half the entire Broncos squad!

With established rugby league players from Australia like Craig Gower, Chad Randall, Michael Robertson, Michael Witt, Shane Rodney, Luke Dorn, Mark Bryant, Chris Bailey, Antonio Kaufusi and David Howell in the Broncos squad, it’s no surprise that big things are expected from the team in 2012. And these Aussie boys are at the heart of it.

Gower is one name that immediately leaps off the team sheet and it’s no wonder that he is in current contention for the captaincy role. Gower is something of a rugby league legend back home. An Australian international, he guided Sydney’s Penrith Panthers to the NRL Premiership in 2003 and was a regular for the New South Wales Origin side for many years. And that was all before he moved to France in 2008 and tried his hand at rugby union, the result of which culminated in Gower being selected to play for the Italian national rugby side for several seasons. Quite an impressive CV. But now Gower is back in the rugby league fold and after a couple of trial games last week, excited for the season ahead.

“I haven’t played for four years and before that I hadn’t played because of injuries for about 18 months so it was just good to get out and get through the games last week and now it’s just about working on things I need to work on as the season progresses and try and play as high quality as I can,” Craig told Australian Times on Australia Day last week.

“I had a great [rugby union] experience, I had a really good time down in France, played with the Italian side which was a great achievement and I thoroughly enjoyed that and it’s just one of those things that I’ll look back with fond memories.

“But now it’s a new start with a new side, and there’s big expectations to play well. We’ve got a big start against St Helens so obviously it’s a big challenge for us first up.”

Joining Gower in the team against St Helens this week is former Parramatta, Manly and New Zealand Warriors player Michael Witt. He just wants his fellow Australian countrymen living in London to come and support the new look Broncos team.

“Obviously there’s a lot of Aussies in the team and we’re the only rugby league team around. We’re working really hard and we want to turn things around and have a good season so come and support us!” said Witt.

Teammate Mark Bryant totally agrees and is hoping for a huge Australian following in 2012.

“Every Aussie has their team that they follow back home so why not adopt the Broncos, regardless of who you follow back home. There’s plenty of Aussie boys in this side and hopefully people will just jump on board and come down and have a few beers, enjoy the game and watch us bash the crap out of each other!”

Bryant started his rugby league career in 2002 with the Canberra Raiders, won the NRL Premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles in 2008, before moving to the now defunct Welsh rugby league side the Crusaders in 2009. A new signing for the Broncos in 2012 and new to London, Mark is thoroughly enjoying the Australian expat life.

“Probably like everyone, the first thing that hits you in the face is the weather when you get off the plane. But to tell you the truth, since we’ve been down here in London, the weather has been not too bad and even bearable whereas apparently back home the weather has been sh*thouse! But you take it in your stride, it’s part of the culture and part of being over here and you may as well pack your bags and head off home if you don’t like it. Because if you actually embrace it and think this is all part of it then you can have a good time, which a lot of us do.”

The burly big prop is full of humour and energy when we chat to him on Australia Day and he’s chomping at the bit to be part of a successful Broncos season.

“Obviously it’s an exciting time for London rugby league and the club’s changed back to its roots with the London Broncos. We’ve got a new squad and a fresh burst of energy around the place which is great, so everyone is really looking forward to it. We probably won’t start with a bang but we’ve got the squad to stick in there and challenge all season and hopefully by play-off time we’ll be in the mix.”

As any good Aussie in the UK, it’s no surprise as to what Mark’s enjoying most about London life!

“The pints! They’re bigger than schooners,” he laughs while checking to see if the coach is listening.

“But seriously, you’re on the doorstep to Europe. You know, we are stuck down there in the southern hemisphere and obviously there’s a few jokes with the English boys about how good it was they sent us convicts down there but no, it’s really good being over here. There’s a lot of countries to visit and it’s an opportunity for family and stuff to come over and visit this side of the world.”

Let’s just hope the Aussie Broncos of London will be visiting the winning circle a fair bit as well this year.

London Broncos play St Helens at Twickenham Stoop at 3pm this Saturday, 4 February.