Overseas rugby news

At the 15,500 capacity stadium in Oslo on Saturday 17 June, Norway defeated Sweden 38-18, after leading 18-6 at halftime.

Norwegian five eighth, Mathias Vada Strenseth-Holm was the man of the match and he scored two tries. Big prop Sjur Strand also had an impressive game for the winners, with several powerful runs and a high tackle count. Other Norwegians to shine were 18 year old winger Ola Magnus Brekk, who was the youngest player on the field, hooker Kristoffer Milligan and halfback Nathan Cummins, who is the younger brother of Wallaby winger, Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins (15 Tests). The Honey Badger was at the match to support his younger brother.

Best for Sweden were five eighth Chris Ah Lam and half, Andrew Bignell. Norway scored seven tries to three and winger Ola Magnus Brekk landed five goals.

Norway will play their next international against Denmark in August. The Norwegian players plan to get together at an Oslo bar on Wednesday morning (21 June) local time, to watch the second State of Origin game from Sydney.

In other overseas news, the Toronto Wolfpack continued on their winning way with a 58-12 win over Workington Town at Derwent Park in north-west England on Sunday 18 June. The game was delayed more than four hours because the match referee and four local players were delayed by a major traffic incident on the M6 motorway. They are unbeaten in competition football and lead the table after 11 successive victories.

Stories are circulating that 30 year old Dragons half, Josh McCrone, will join the Wolfpack for the 2018 season. McCrone played 133 games with Canberra and has 21 games for St. George/Illawarra, giving him a total of 154 first grade games as at 19 June and 35 tries. With their high point scoring in the English third tier competition this season, the Wolfpack will obviously move up to a higher grade next year. Because of this they are keen to sign some quality players.

Brian Noble, 56, the Wolfpack Director of Rugby, who is a former Great Britain Test player and coach, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The Wolfpack play Hunslett in their next game, on Saturday 24 June, at Lamport Park in Toronto.

By Barry Ross