 Jace van Dijk orchestrated the Crusaders' Northern Rail Cup win |
Celtic Crusaders scrum-half Jace van Dijk has been named as the first 2006 Northern Rail Cup Player of the Round. The Australian claimed a try and six goals in a fine all-round display in the Crusaders' 50-10 opening Group One win at Hemel Hempstead Stags on Sunday.
Crusaders coach John Dixon said: "Jace was the first player we signed. He's an organising midfield player."
Van Dijk just edged out Sheffield Eagles half-back Jon Presley for his display against Featherstone Rovers.
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Van Dijk has a wealth of rugby league experience, having been a junior with Brisbane Broncos as well as spending some time at Canberra Raiders.
The Crusaders are next in action this Sunday with their second away match in the Northern Rail Cup, this time at London Skolars.
The Bridgend-based club's first competitive home match is on 5 March, where they face the Skolars again in the return match of the group.
Plans are afoot to organise coach trips for home matches to make it easier for fans from the Welsh Valleys to attend, especially from Rhondda, Merthyr and Aberdare.
England, France and Wales are the top three sides in the official seeding list drawn up by the European Federation.
But Ireland and Scotland are ranked below Lebanon in the latest release.
The Lebanese have made significant progress on the domestic front since entering the 2000 World Cup with a predominantly Australian-based team and have high hopes of qualifying for the 2008 World Cup.
Rankings: 1 England, 2 France, 3 Wales, 4 Lebanon, 5 Ireland, 6 Scotland, 7 Russia, 8 Georgia, 9 Holland, 10 Serbia, 11 Morocco, 12 Malta, 13 Germany, 14 Estonia, 15 Czech Republic.
MMIX
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