Ryan O'Hara was Player of the Year last season for Celtic Crusaders

Australian prop Ryan O'Hara has been named captain of Wales-based Crusaders for the 2010 Super League season.

O'Hara will lead Brian Noble's side for the first time in Friday's opening clash with champions Leeds Rhinos at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

The 29-year-old takes over from Jace Van Dijk, who was one of six players ordered to leave the country last August because of visa irregularities.

"I can't wait. It's been a long and difficult pre-season," said O'Hara.

"But we've been trained well and we're now looking forward to getting out onto the park and playing some footy.

"The boys are ready. We've been working hard and Brian and the coaching staff have done a real good job with us!"

O'Hara, an ever-present in the Crusaders' debut season in Super League, was among the seven overseas players whose arrival a year ago was delayed by visa problems.

And he admits that preparation has again been difficult.

We're not ruling out the possibility that Friday is going to be a sell-out Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner

"We're in the same boat as last year," he said. "We've just been simulating games at training and working really hard in the gym. But we'll be in good shape on Friday."

Crusaders have already sold 7,400 tickets for their high-profile, history-making debut against the reigning Super League champions.

And that guarantees the newly-rebranded club a record attendance, beating the 6,351 for the St Helens game at Brewery Field last March.

It will also be the biggest crowd for any Rugby League game at the Racecourse Ground, beating the gate of 6,373 for the Wales-England international in 2001.

"The interest in the game in Wrexham and across North Wales is tremendous," said Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner. "At this rate we're not ruling out the possibility that Friday is going to be a sell-out."

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