England and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League star Jamie Jones-Buchanan joined Australian Test cricketer and Rugby League fan Phillip Hughes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium today (September 5) to mark 50 days until England take on Australia in the opening game of Rugby League World Cup 2013.
Jones-Buchanan welcomed Hughes onto the Headingley pitch that will stage two RLWC2013 matches this autumn and presented him with a Leeds Rhinos shirt with 64 on the back - his one day international squad number. Headingley Carnegie Stadium is unique in being the only Rugby League World Cup venue to stage both international Rugby League and international cricket.
Hughes, who supports Parramatta Eels in the NRL, is looking forward to seeing the Australia Rugby League team taking on England in the opening fixture of RLWC 2013 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on October 26. England against Australia will be followed by Wales versus Italy as part of a double-header opening to the 14-nation tournament which will feature a spectacular opening ceremony staged under the Millennium Stadium’s closed roof.
Jamie Jones Buchanan said: “Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes certainly knows his Rugby League and it was great to look ahead to the tournament with him. With just 50 days until the World Cup starts it feels like it is really getting close now and it is exciting to think that Rugby League will be the next international action at Headingley Carnegie after the England v Australia cricket.
Phillip Hughes said: “ I am a big Rugby League fan and very much looking forward to following the World Cup, which features another massive Australia v England sporting contest in the opening game of what promises to be a very exciting tournament.”
The Australian cricket team were at Headingley for a training session ahead of the first one day international against England tomorrow (September 6). Friday’s game will be the last international action at Headingley Carnegie Stadium ahead of RLWC2013, when the ground stages two tournament matches – a group game between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on Friday November 8 followed by a quarter-final on Friday November 15.
Tickets for the Opening Ceremony, which includes the England v Australia and Wales v Italy opening double-header, as well as the World Cup matches at Headingley and all other tournament games can be purchased from www.rlwc2013.com or the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 847 2013. Tickets represent fantastic value with 55 per cent of tickets priced £20 or less.
