Evan Blackett
Challenge Wednesday Writer
Rugby is an eloquent sport with lots of benefits. To start, rugby has two different types (rugby league and rugby union), and to understand my experience as a mascot you will need to know the difference between them first.
The difference
The rugby you are most likely to know is Rugby Union. This is the one often seen on TV and it is widely more well known than rugby league. England is going to be holding the Rugby League world cup this year and the opening game just so happens to be in Newcastle - where the Phoenix is based. Also, I am lucky enough that I am going to be a mascot for the game! Now the actual difference between rugby league (RL) and rugby union (RU) is that in league, you only have thirteen players, and in union you have fifteen. You can also only make eight substitutes, whereas in RL you have ten substitutes. Scoring is contrasting as well, as in RU you will get five points for a try and in RL you will get four points for a try although the conversions are the same in both games two points for either RL or RU.
The teams and fixtures
There are thirty-two teams participating in the RL world cup the favourites for this tournament are the Australians, who look to claim their third consecutive title, working hard to perfect themselves. Australia started their campaign on day one trying to overcome Fiji. This game occurs after the opening equivalent England vs Samoa and the opening ceremony will have the Kaiser Chiefs performing - to symbolise Yorkshire's strong connection to rugby league and the Northeast's strong connection to rugby league.
How I got to be a mascot
Ever since I can remember I have been playing rugby for Cramlington Rockets. This is the local RL team and it is widely respected in the RL world. My club just recently got a grant of one hundred and seventy five thousand pounds and the offer of a lifetime - to mascot the game. So some names were put in a hat and that's how it came to be me being a mascot for the RL world cup opening game.
So now that you understand, let's actually get on to the match day.
Match-day
As I arrived from Duke House Wood we had a pretty boring two hours waiting for the match to be ready. Then we were outside and we watched the opening ceremony, which was really good until the sound in the stadium shut down and the Kaiser Chiefs could not finish their set. We were next and we had to work hard to make it there because we were behind schedule. When we were down there my heart was pounding as I had been put last because I was “responsible." If I'm honest, I was so nervous at that moment as I walked out with number three - Kallum Watkins. We sang the national anthem and the game began. We then ran off the pitch and watched the game. It was a thriller and a banger for England, as they destroyed Samoa sixty to six and won by nine tries (Kallum Watkins scoring one).
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