Preview: Connecticut Wildcats V New York Knights
Written by: Steven Birchall - Rleague.com

Rugby League may of not yet made an impact in the city of New York in America, but on Andrew's Field in the neighbouring Connecticut you will be able to hear the hits, as one of the most anticipated clashes for the past six months kicks off the second game of the 2003 AMNRL Season.

The Wildcats may have been born out the Knights, but there is no brotherly love between the two sides, which have been voicing their hate for each other since last years Grand Final. Rich Portale, Mike Mulvihill, Danny Bull and Greg Stueletti, all part of last years AMNRL Final, will now no longer wear Red and Blue, pulling on the Purple, Blue, Gold & Black of Connecticut.

Those losses have hurt the Knights stability, after pulling together such a strong side last year, to lose four key players in the off season can certainly upset any side. To their credit though they have done some very good recruiting and have signed up the support of five Rugby Union clubs who will be supplying players and ensuring the Knights field a full 13 players on the paddock each weekend.

The Knights have also done a lot of work to ensure that they have gained some supporters in the Manhatten district, trying to raise public awareness of Rugby League and working hard to establish links with sporting bodies.

None of this however would matter to the Wildcats who are keen to get first blood in their inaugural AMNRL game, whilst the Knights will be looking to prove that they deserved to win the 2002 Premiership, and it wasn't the fluke many have said it was.

The Wildcats will be utilising their USA representatives, Portale, Mulvihill, Bull and Stueletti, the basis of forming the squad over the off season, and will be hoping that their new young signings will bring speed to the side on the field.

Rob Balachandran, enforcer, Hayden James and captain Matt Astill will be the big play makers for the visitors. Young and upcoming hooker, Gareth Baxendale will be another player the Wildcats will need to look out for.

This will definitely be a close match, with a lot on the line for both sides.

Game kicks off 1:00pm at Andrews Field, Connecticut on Saturday May 31.

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