Wednesday 10th June 09

A sprint challenge to find the fastest man in rugby league is to take place at this year’s Carnegie Floodlit Nines tournament.

The ‘Rugby League’s fastest man’ competition will be held at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium showpiece floodlit nines event in August. Stars from the game including Scott Donald, Kevin Penny and James Ford will bid to be crowned the quickest player in rugby league.  The challenge was devised by the Carnegie Nines organisers who have partnered with tournament sponsors Carnegie, Northern Rail and Totesport, to bring this exciting event to build on the burgeoning reputation of the Headingley floodlit event. 

Carnegie Floodlit Nines tournament organiser Lionel Hurst explains: “Our great sport is graced by many of the world's finest athletes.  Fans will be able to see a large selection of them in action on the revered Headingley turf on Carnegie Floodlit nines night, what a great event is in prospect!"

The event will take place directly before the final of the Carnegie Nines tournament, which last year was won by Huddersfield Giants.  The competitors will line up in full playing kit and sprint 90m along the famous Headingley turf without a ball.

Leeds Rhinos Australian winger Scott Donald explains:  “I’m really excited to be taking part in the ‘Rugby League’s fastest man’ competition.  There are a lot of quick players in our game and this is a real opportunity to see who is the fastest of them all.”

Former England number nine, Mick Morgan made the draw for the 2009 Carnegie Floodlit Nines and hosts Leeds Rhinos, have been paired against fellow engage Super League side Warrington Wolves, whilst Hull KR will line up against Wakefield Wildcats.  Cumbria RL, Leeds Met Carnegie and invitational side Jamaica will play in a preliminary group stage for the right to face Hull FC.  The Army RL, the Cheltenham nines winners, the Royal Navy and the winners of the Northern Rail nines competition will also battle it out for the right to play last year’s tournament winners Huddersfield Giants.

The 2009 Carnegie Floodlit Nines will host 12 senior teams including six engage Super League clubs. Prior to the showpiece finals there will be a Girls rugby league county game which last year saw a keenly contested game between Yorkshire and Lancashire. The competition will take place on Wednesday August 26 at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. The tournament also revives the tradition of the Headingley 7s, which was staged at Headingley Carnegie Stadium between 1965 and 1978, and provided high-energy league action for fans.

The draw in full:

Qualifying Group A: Jamaica, Cumbria RL, Leeds Met Carnegie
Qualifying Group B: Army RL, Royal Navy, Northern Rail nines winners
 
Round 2
Hull FC v Group A winners
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos
Hull KR v Wakefield Wildcats
Huddersfield Giants v Group B winners