WORLD CUP IS GUNNER FEEL SO SPECIAL
Jamaica playing at grounds like Emirates would make Caro dream come true
OMARI CARO grew up dreaming of playing at football grounds such as the Emirates, and this year’s Rugby League World Cup will offer him the opportunity to do just that.
Hammersmith-born Caro was on the books at QPR as a youngster, playing up front with Dean Parrett, who later joined Spurs and a host of Football League clubs.
In his late teens, Caro switched to rugby league and after playing Super League for London Broncos and Hull KR, was a member of the Jamaica team that qualified for their maiden World Cup in 2018.
As the rugby posts went up for the first time ever at Arsenal’s Emirates yesterday – the venue for the semi-final this autumn, Caro, 30, allowed himself a moment to look back on his childhood goals.
“Playing in stadiums like this is what a lot of kids dream about and what players want to remember,” he said. “I was lucky enough to play at the Etihad with the Broncos at Magic Weekend and what will always stick with me is the sheer size of it compared to the grounds we were used to.
“It’s massive for rugby league to take games to grounds like the Emirates – hopefully we can get new eyes on the game and potentially tap into the football market.”
Caro had a key role for the Reggae Warriors side that booked their World Cup spot with a 16-10 win in the US in 2018. He said: “That seems a million years ago now – it was very tense and was my third attempt trying to qualify.
“The Americans were talking themselves up and were very vocal, questioning why we were there, so to beat them on their own patch was unreal.
“Some of those boys have had tough times before and played in some horrific places to try to get to a World Cup, so to finally make it was an incredible feeling.
“Now we want to be competitive in every game and show people rugby league is a growing sport that can be played by everyone – you don’t have to be from a small town in Yorkshire or Lancashire.”
Caro, who combines working in schools with playing for League 1 London Skolars, has a big year ahead. He is also in the Jamaica 7s rugby union team hoping to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
“At the World Cup we’re in a group against New Zealand who are arguably the biggest name in both rugby codes. It shows how far Jamaican rugby league has come,” he added.