JRLA's hard work has paid off! - Monteith

Jamaica Rugby League Association (JRLA) Director of Rugby Romeo Monteith said it is a great feeling seeing years of hard work pay off with the senior men's national team after it qualified for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.

The JRLA had assembled a national team for its third successive World Cup qualifying campaign. After failed attempts in 2011 and 2015, it decided to focus on getting the English-based contingent more playing time together in Europe to build team chemistry.

"We've done it, man! I mean, this is just incredible!" Monteith said jubilantly. "To think that Jamaica is going to be out there in front of millions of people in 2021, that's incredible! All of this has been done in the last 16 years. It's incredible to see what we have achieved."

FIRST IN THE CARIBBEAN

The Reggae Warriors achieved the feat, becoming the first Caribbean nation to do so, when they defeated the USA Hawks 16-10 in the Americas Championship in Florida last night. It was also their first-ever win over the Americans.

Led by tries from Joel Farrell and Jacob Ogden, and a penalty and conversion from Jy-mel Coleman, the Romeo Monteith-coached Reggae Warriors led the Hawks 16-10 at the half.

The second half saw them hold their shape and nerve to produce a fine defensive display against the hosts to see the result out and make history.

Monteith said that he was very pleased with the team's defending.

"The game was really tough," he said. "We've played the USA six times before. We have never beaten them. They have knocked us out of two World Cup qualifiers before."