Jamie THACKRAY [
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Wed May 5, 2010
Source: www.crusadersrfl.comJamie Thakray said he is relishing renewing his battle with fellow prop Olivier Elima when Crusaders take on Catalans Dragons in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday (kick-off 3:30pm).
The two forwards, famed for their big hits and fiery tempers, will lock horns once again following a bruising encounter in the Engage Super League earlier this season.
Crusaders ran out 14-6 at the Racecourse Ground in March. Tries from Jason Chan and Peter Luton, along with three Michael Witt conversions, was enough to give Crusaders a narrow victory on a wet night at the Racecourse.
It was brutal encounter that saw Gareth Thomas taken off half-an-hour into his rugby league debut following a heavy Catalans tackle.
And Thakray, who famously won the cup with Hull FC back in 2005, said he is expecting another physical encounter with the Dragons on Sunday.
"I'm really looking forward to the Catalans game, " said Jamie. "Olivier is a big guy who likes to let you know he's there and he loves a physical battle. We were both giving as good as we got last time around and it was a great battle."
"Both sets of forwards were knocking lumps out of each other during the last game and I think we're going to see something similar on Sunday. The last game against Catalans was a bit of a 'bashathon' so it's a game I'm really looking forward to. Hopefully we can get the win and get through to the next round. Catalans are a big, physical side and it should be a great game.
"I do love these kinds of physical encounters, I think every prop forward does. Having said that sometimes you do wake up the next day feeling a bit bruised and battered. The fans love seeing the big hits too and that's what rugby league is all about. I remember after the last Catalans game I was feeling a bit sore and battered but like I said I do enjoy that part of the game. You get a huge buzz when you carry the ball in hard, they drive back hard at you and its like you're trying to get one over on each other."
Confidence will be high in the Crusaders camp following last Saturday's 0-19 victory over Bradford Bulls at Murrayfield. Tenacious defence from head coach Brian Noble's side saw Bradford nilled for the first time in over two years.
And Thakray felt the performance against Bradford was one of Crusaders best best displays of the season.
He said: "It's got to be up there as one of the best. We played really well and to nil a team like Bradford, who have been in such good form, felt really good. We were really up for the game and you could see the hunger in our eyes. We defended really well and we all worked really hard for each other.
"Bradford put 40 points on Hull KR the previous week, so we were really pleased to keep a clean sheet. To keep a team with attacking threats like Matt Orofrd and Brett Kearney from scoring requires a huge effort and you couldn't have asked for more from a defensive point of view, but in saying that, we probably could have scored a few more tries and taken a little of the pressure off ourselves. But overall it was a great performance and it was good to get back to winning games after the Huddersfield match."
Thakray was full of praise for new signing Jarrod Sammut, who made an impressive debut for the Crusaders despite only arriving in the Wrexham on Friday morning after his plane broke down in Bangkok on route from Australia.
Thakray added: "We've all been talking about how dynamic, fast and what a great passer he is and I thought he did a magnificent job for us. Considering he had only just arrived in the country on Friday morning he did brilliantly, he looked as if he had been playing with us all season. He's a clever player and I think he will bring a lot to the team. It was only his first game of the season, and after a few more weeks he will get to know the guys and combinations and I think he's going to be a fantastic addition to the squad."
And Thakray was also quick to heap praise on Sammut's half-back partner Michael Witt. Stand-off Witt added to his growing reputation with another outstanding display at Murrayfield, scoring two tries, a drop goal and three conversion which left the former Parramatta man with a 15 point haul.
"He's a good player isn't he? He's been like that all season. He has an outstanding kicking game but he's also chipped in with a try or two. He's also a very good organiser who's not afraid to get stuck in. I think he can only get better and better, we're still gelling as a team and I think him and Jarrod are going to form a very exciting half-back partnership."
Tickets for Crusaders Carnegie Challenge Cup Fifth Round tie against Catalans Dragons at The Racecourse on Sunday 9th May (kick-off 3.30pm) are now available. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, and £6 for children and concessions. Tickets are available by calling the ticket hotline on 01978 262129, visiting the club shop or online at www.crusadersrfl.com.
Wed April 14, 2010
Source: www.crusadersrfl.comThere is no greater feeling for a rugby league player than playing in the final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
That's the view of Jamie Thackray as Crusaders begin the road to Wembley this Sunday when they take on York City Knights in the Fourth Round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
And former Hull and Leeds Rhinos star Thackray,30, insists it is important that the team has a good run in the cup this year
"I was lucky enough to play in two cup finals so I know what it means to play in the competition," said Jamie. "It is a brilliant feeling to be honest. It is not going to be easy going to York, they've got a few ex-Super League players there and they will be up for the challenge.
"Chris Thorman is a top player and he has been in really good form for them. From our point of view we have just got to go there and respect them like we would with any Super League team. We're just going to go out there and play like we know we can and it should be a really good game.
"It is knockout rugby and sometimes that brings out the best in you. In the Challenge Cup, anyone can beat anyone on the day and it really is a special competition. It is every players dream to play in the final at Wembley and hopefully we can have a really good cup run this year.
"It is really important to have a good cup run, once you get to the quarter and semi-finals the cup is really up for grabs and there is no competition quite like the Carnegie Challenge Cup. To get to the final would be unbelievable so we've just got to treat each games as it comes."
Thackray has played in two Challenge Cup Finals, and along with fellow Crusader Gareth Raynor, was part of John Kear's Hull FC side that famously beat Leeds Rhinos 25-24 in the 2005 final at the Millennium Stadium, an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his career.
"I am not going to lie to you, walking out onto the field to start with is one of the best feelings you can ever imagine. When you see 70,000 plus fans screaming and cheering, the fireworks going off, the atmosphere and everything, you look around and it feels like a dream, there isn't a feeling like it. It really is one of the best experiences in the world. Not many people get to play in cup finals and everyone I have spoken to who has played in a Challenge Cup final says it as one of the best feelings in rugby league.
"To top it off, I won it with Hull and it was one of the best days of my life. To lift the Challenge Cup was brilliant and it's just an experience you want to repeat again and again. It was really special. No-one will be able to take that day away from me and it is something I will always remember."
The Great Britain international prop has impressed this season since his arrival from Hull son. But with the warm weather on the way he feels he is beginning to hit top form again.
"I think it is coming along nicely. We have been played on some boggy fields this year and I like playing on a dry field. Now that the weather is getting a bit better I think my own performances will get better. I have got a couple of tries, which I am really happy about, it is always good to get over the whitewash, especially as a prop forward! But like I said my form is coming along and I feel like the best is yet to come."
Tickets for Crusaders' Carnegie Challenge Cup Fourth Round tie away to York City Knights on Sunday 18th April (kick-off 3pm) at Huntington Stadium are available from the club shop.
Tickets are priced as follows:
ADULTS - £12
CONCESSIONS - £8 (Over 65 and Students with a NUS card)
UNDER 16s - £4
Fans can also upgrade to seating for a further £2 (No concessions)
Crusaders season ticket holders are able to obtain a free ticket for the game by calling the club shop on 01978 262 129.
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 2010 engage English Super League
Crusaders RL
18 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 1 [05 Feb 10] L 6-38 v Wigan (A). [PR]
[View] Round 2 [12 Feb 10] W 36-16 v Salford City (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 3 [21 Feb 10] W 18-16 v Hull FC (H). [BE]
[View] Round 4 [29 Jan 10] L 6-34 v Leeds (H). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [07 Mar 10] L 12-46 v Warrington (A). [BE]
[View] Round 6 [12 Mar 10] L 30-37 v St Helens (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 7 [19 Mar 10] W 14-6 v Les Catalans (H). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [26 Mar 10] L 16-22 v Castleford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 9 [06 Aug 10] W 16-12 v Harlequins (H). [BE]
[View] Round 10 [05 Apr 10] L 16-20 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 11 [11 Apr 10] W 20-10 v Wakefield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 12 [25 Apr 10] L 10-38 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 13 - Magic Weekend [01 May 10] W 19-0 v Bradford. [BE]
[View] Round 15 [22 May 10] L 26-46 v Wigan (H). [BE]
[View] Round 20 [04 Jul 10] L 10-30 v Warrington (H). [BE]
[View] Round 21 [11 Jul 10] L 12-30 v Huddersfield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 22 [17 Jul 10] W 26-22 v Catalans (A). [BE]
[View] Round 26 [21 Aug 10] L 10-36 v St Helens (H). [BE]
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2009 engage English Super League
Hull FC
17 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Feb 09] W 18-10 v Wigan (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [21 Feb 09] W 28-20 v Celtic (A). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [27 Feb 09] W 28-12 v Les Catalans (H). [BE]
[View] Round 4 [06 Mar 09] W 24-20 v Huddersfield (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [15 Mar 09] W 36-24 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 6 [20 Mar 09] L 18-19 v Castleford (H). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [10 Apr 09] L 14-18 v Hull KR (H). [PR]
[View] Round 9 [13 Apr 09] L 22-44 v St Helens (A). [PR]
[View] Round 10 [17 Apr 09] L 14-21 v Wakefield (H). [PR]
[View] Round 11 [25 Apr 09] W 18-14 v Salford City (A). [PR]
[View] Round 12 [03 May 09] W 24-16 v Castleford. [PR]
[View] Round 13 [16 May 09] L 16-18 v Warrington (H). [PR]
[View] Round 14 [26 May 09] L 16-46 v Leeds (A). [PR]
[View] Round 15 [05 Jun 09] L 6-30 v St Helens (H). [PR]
[View] Round 16 [13 Jun 09] L 22-37 v Wakefield (A). [PR]
[View] Round 17 [19 Jun 09] W 14-12 v Salford City (H). [BE]
[View] Round 19 [04 Jul 09] L 30-43 v Leeds (H). [PR]
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2008 engage English Super League
Hull FC
19 games; 2 tries, 1 goals, 10 points.
[View] Round 9 [29 Mar 08] D 28-28 v Les Catalans (A). [BE]
[View] Round 10 [04 Apr 08] L 8-24 v Bradford (H). [BE]
[View] Round 11 [11 Apr 08] W 32-12 v Castleford (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 12 [27 Apr 08] W 28-20 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 13 [04 May 08] L 17-22 v Hull KR. [BE]
[View] Round 14 [18 May 08] L 26-34 v Harlequins (A). [BE]
[View] Round 15 [25 May 08] L 8-16 v St Helens (H). [BE]
[View] Round 16 [06 Jun 08] L 22-38 v Leeds (A). [BE]
[View] Round 17 [15 Jun 08] W 40-14 v Castleford (H). [BE]
[View] Round 18 [22 Jun 08] L 22-36 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 19 [29 Jun 08] L 22-24 v Warrington (H). [BE]
[View] Round 20 [06 Jul 08] L 18-30 v Les Catalans (H). [BE]
[View] Round 21 [12 Jul 08] W 26-18 v Wakefield (A). [PR]
[View] Round 22 [20 Jul 08] W 44-18 v Hull KR (H). [PR]
[View] Round 23 [01 Aug 08] L 6-66 v Wigan (A). [BE] 6 Pts; 1t, 1g
[View] Round 24 [10 Aug 08] L 24-30 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [17 Aug 08] L 14-42 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 26 [22 Aug 08] W 26-6 v Harlequins (H). [BE]
[View] Round 27 [07 Sep 08] L 8-36 v Hull KR (A). [BE]
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2007 engage English Super League
Leeds Rhinos
25 games; 5 tries, 20 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Feb 07] W 30-26 v Salford City (A). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [16 Feb 07] W 18-4 v Hull FC (H). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [24 Feb 07] L 22-30 v Les Catalans (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [04 Mar 07] W 16-12 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [10 Mar 07] L 20-22 v Hull KR (A). [BE]
[View] Round 6 [16 Mar 07] W 32-26 v Wakefield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 7 [23 Mar 07] W 28-16 v Harlequins (H). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [05 Apr 07] W 18-14 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 9 [10 Apr 07] L 18-20 v Wigan (H). [BE]
[View] Round 10 [15 Apr 07] W 52-10 v Warrington (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 11 [21 Apr 07] W 38-19 v St Helens (H). [BE]
[View] Round 12 [27 Apr 07] W 54-8 v Les Catalans (H). [BE]
[View] Round 13 [06 May 07] W 42-38 v Bradford. [PR]
[View] Round 14 [20 May 07] L 12-16 v Hull FC (A). [BE]
[View] Round 15 [27 May 07] W 18-10 v Hull KR (A). [BE]
[View] Round 16 [01 Jun 07] W 42-26 v Warrington (H). [BE]
[View] Round 17 [17 Jun 07] W 25-12 v Huddersfield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 18 [29 Jun 07] L 14-38 v Bradford (H). [BE]
[View] Round 20 [12 Jul 07] L 2-18 v Wigan (A). [BE]
[View] Round 21 [20 Jul 07] L 16-23 v Wakefield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 07] W 54-20 v Harlequins (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [10 Aug 07] W 52-14 v Salford City (H). [PR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 24 [17 Aug 07] W 34-18 v Hull KR (H). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [02 Sep 07] D 16-16 v Bradford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 26 [07 Sep 07] L 6-17 v Hull FC (H). [BE]
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2006 engage English Super League
Hull FC
15 games; [View] Round 1 [10 Feb 06] W 42-18 v Castleford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [19 Feb 06] W 40-14 v Wakefield (H). [PR]
[View] Round 3 [25 Feb 06] L 24-46 v Warrington (A). [PR]
[View] Round 4 [03 Mar 06] L 6-10 v Harlequins (H). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [10 Mar 06] L 12-18 v Bulls (A). [PR]
[View] Round 6 [19 Mar 06] W 28-20 v Wakefield (A). [PR]
[View] Round 7 [24 Mar 06] L 0-46 v St Helens (H). [PR]
[View] Round 8 [07 Apr 06] L 26-34 v Rhinos (H). [BE]
[View] Round 9 [14 Apr 06] W 26-18 v Huddersfield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 11 [22 Apr 06] W 34-28 v Les Catalans (A). [BE]
[View] Round 12 [30 Apr 06] W 54-12 v Wigan (H). [PR]
[View] Round 13 [05 May 06] W 28-12 v Bradford (H). [PR]
[View] Round 14 [12 May 06] W 44-28 v Leeds (A). [PR]
[View] Round 15 [28 May 06] W 19-6 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 19 [01 Jul 06] W 24-16 v Les Catalans (A). [BE]
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2006 engage English Super League
Leeds Rhinos
7 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 23 [04 Aug 06] L 16-23 v Hull FC (A). [BE]
[View] Round 24 [11 Aug 06] L 18-20 v Wigan (H). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [18 Aug 06] W 14-12 v Wakefield (A). [PR]
[View] Round 26 [01 Sep 06] W 54-16 v Warrington (H). [PR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 27 [09 Sep 06] L 18-54 v St Helens (A). [PR]
[View] Round 28 [15 Sep 06] W 60-12 v Les Catalans (H). [BE]
[View] Finals Week One [22 Sep 06] L 17-18 v Warrington (H). [BE]
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2005 Tri-Nations Test Series
Great Britain Lions
3 games; [View] Tri-Nations Match 4 [05 Nov 05] L 6-20 v Australia (H). [BE]
[View] Tri-Nations Match 5 [12 Nov 05] W 38-12 v New Zealand (H). [BE]
[View] Tri-Nations Match 6 [19 Nov 05] L 14-26 v Australia (H). [BE]
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2005 English Super League
Hull FC
30 games; 3 tries, 12 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Feb 05] L 12-16 v Leeds (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [20 Feb 05] W 36-28 v Huddersfield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [27 Feb 05] W 32-10 v Warrington (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [05 Mar 05] W 22-12 v Salford (A). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [13 Mar 05] W 36-33 v Wildcats (H). [PR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 6 [18 Mar 05] L 22-32 v Bulls (A). [PR]
[View] Round 7 [25 Mar 05] W 20-16 v London (A). [PR]
[View] Round 8 [28 Mar 05] L 15-21 v Wigan (H). [PR]
[View] Round 9 [10 Apr 05] W 32-28 v Widnes (H). [PR]
[View] Round 10 [17 Apr 05] D 22-22 v Leigh (A). [PR]
[View] Round 11 [24 Apr 05] L 34-36 v Warrington (A). [PR]
[View] Round 12 [01 May 05] W 20-6 v Salford (H). [BE]
[View] Round 13 [13 May 05] W 44-6 v St Helens (H). [PR]
[View] Round 14 [22 May 05] W 35-28 v Wildcats (A). [PR]
[View] Round 15 [28 May 05] L 24-42 v Bulls (H). [PR]
[View] Round 16 [03 Jun 05] L 14-34 v Rhinos (A). [BE]
[View] Round 17 [10 Jun 05] W 28-24 v Wigan (A). [BE]
[View] Round 18 [17 Jun 05] W 30-16 v Leigh (H). [BE]
[View] Round 19 [02 Jul 05] D 24-24 v London (A). [PR]
[View] Round 20 [08 Jul 05] L 10-18 v St Helens (A). [PR]
[View] Round 21 [16 Jul 05] W 34-24 v Huddersfield (H). [PR]
[View] Round 22 [24 Jul 05] W 40-20 v Widnes (A). [BE]
[View] Round 23 [07 Aug 05] L 16-17 v London (H). [BE]
[View] Round 24 [14 Aug 05] W 76-20 v Leigh (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 25 [21 Aug 05] L 24-28 v Wigan (H). [PR]
[View] Round 26 [02 Sep 05] L 6-49 v Bulls (A). [PR]
[View] Round 27 [11 Sep 05] W 32-30 v Wildcats (A). [PR]
[View] Round 28 [16 Sep 05] L 16-30 v Warrington (H). [BE]
[View] Elimination Play Offs [24 Sep 05] W 40-6 v Warrington (A). [BE]
[View] Elimination Semi-Final [01 Oct 05] L 0-71 v Bulls (A). [BE]
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Thackray, Jamie
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