World Cup tops career
TOWNSVILLE’S Matt Seamark is aiming for a dream farewell from rugby league as he goes into camp with Wales for the World Cup.
Seamark ( pictured) is retiring from league after spending 10 seasons with Queensland Cup side Wynnum- Manly, where he won two premierships and played under former Seagulls mentor and current Cowboys coach Paul Green.
The Townsville Brothers junior will be part of the Welsh team that opens its World Cup campaign in Port Moresby against PNG on Saturday, followed by the double- header in Townsville at 1300SMILES Stadium on November 5.
Wales will play in Townsville against a Fiji team led by NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne.
“It’s incredible … I didn’t expect to make the final 24- man squad even though I knew I was close,” Seamark said.
“But I’ve made it and the camp is right near my home, it’s literally 10 minutes down the road, so it’s been almost perfect really. Hopefully I can make the 17 first, but it would be special to play in Townsville at a World Cup in front of family and friends.”
Seamark also attended Townsville league nursery Ignatius Park College, where he played for the school’s open team under current Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf.
He moved to Brisbane to broaden his horizons and be- came a mainstay at WynnumManly, playing more than 200 Q Cup games for the Seagulls.
Seamark says he has no regrets calling time on his career.
“I’m going to be 31 next year and I’ve got a little girl now who’s one, so other things in mym life are starting over,” he said.
“It’s also just wear and tear on the body and I don’t recover as well as I used to.
“It’s the right time to call it a day and now I’m looking forward to getting into the coaching side of things.
“I’m going to be an assistant with Wynnum’s under- 18 Mal Meninga Cup team, so that’s my next thing, but apart from that I’ll take it slow.”
Seamark is confident Townsville will have a bumper World Cup experience, which to take includes the November 5 double- header including a showdown between US and Italy.
“The new eligibility rules have really made it exciting, some of the big names are starting to filter into those teams outside Australia, New Zealand and England,” he said.
“Italy I think will be pretty popular in Townsville.
“There’s a few Northern Pride boys in the Italian team and a couple of players who played in the Townsville competition, so I’m sure the teams will get a lot of support.” could all see it.i It’ It’s b been n amaz amazing. This whole experience has just been unreal. Everyone’s been super welcoming. It’s kind of like a dream come true to be honest.”
Team USA will spend a fortnight in the city and will this week prepare for their World Cup opener against Fiji on Friday night at 1300SMILES Stadium, before playing Italy on November 5.
Eichner admitted the North Queensland weather had knocked them around at training, but said the Hawks were leaving no stone unturned in their quest for Cup glory.
“They took it easy on us for the first day or two just because everybody is jet- lagged, but ( yesterday) was our first real go at it,” Eichner said. “The temperature’s pretty tough to get used to and the humidity, but the boys pulled through it.
“If anybody gets down we’re really just trying to pick each other up and keep pushing through it because we need it.”
Tickets for World Cup games are available at rlwc2017. com