Rugby League: Weekend of magic

Apr 3 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

WELSH dual-code international Iestyn Harris is convinced “Millennium Magic 2008” is set to become one of rugby league’s great events.

The 30-year-old star, now plying his trade with Super League club Bradford Bulls, said, “Last year’s first running of the event was very exciting and I’m sure it’ll get even bigger.

“You can compare it to the Super League Grand Final. Ever since the first Grand Final was staged at Old Trafford in Manchester back in 1998 it has grown and grown in popularity. Millennium Magic certainly has the potential to achieve the same kind of status.”

Although the Bulls lost their Millennium Magic clash with Leeds Rhinos 42-38 in controversial circumstances last year, Wales’ 2003 union World Cup star Harris still believes the decision to stage this special event in the Welsh capital with all six round 13 Super League matches being played over two days of the spring bank holiday weekend was fully justified.

“Now that Welsh club Celtic Crusaders have registered their bid for a licence in the Super League next year there’s bound to be even more interest in Wales,” he predicted. “It’s a fantastic time for rugby as a sport in the country. Because of the Welsh national side’s success in this year’s rugby union Six Nations championship, there’s even more interest in the sport.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s league or union because Wales is such a massive rugby country.”

Harris believes the Welsh sports public can be attracted to join the fans from the north of England who will follow their teams to Cardiff.

“They’re rugby mad up the valleys and in West Wales so, if you can attract people from those areas, as well as from around Cardiff, Newport and Swansea it will certainly help boost the numbers in the stadium,” he said.

Millennium Magic fixtures

Saturday, May 3: Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves (3.0pm); Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (5.0pm); Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos (7.0pm).

Sunday, May 4: Catalans Dragons v Harlequins RL (2.30pm); Hull FC v Hull K R (4.30pm); St Helens v Wigan (6.30pm).