Canada begin their tour of the northern hemisphere with a senior men’s international for world ranking points when they face Norway at Vigernesjordet Stadium in Lillestrom tomorrow (2 July, kick off 6pm local time).
The match has been dedicated to young Norwegian player Emil Grindheim, who passed away in tragic circumstances last weekend. The 19-year-old succumbed to the current while he was swimming with friends in a rockpool at Netland, north of Kvinesdal.
He played for Norway in last October’s European Championship D matches against Germany and Czechia, kicking 11 goals in their 86-6 win over Czechia. He had been rested from this match as he was due to represent Norway in the upcoming U19s European Championship, starting on July 12 in France.
In a statement, Norge RL commented: “We have lost one of our most promising young players, a talent with a big heart for the sport, a fearless attitude and a passion that was clear to everyone who met him. He wore the national kit with pride, humility and a will to work that inspired his teammates and coaches.”
Norway coach, Tim Jones, has selected five debutants. Kristoffer Milligan will again lead the team, with Jones noting: “Kristoffer sums up rugby league, he plays with pride and passion every time he takes to the field.
“We are using this fixture as very much a development game where players have been selected on camp attendance, commitment, attitude and effort. It is important to set high standards and expectations, to play for Norway you earn that right.”
Canada head coach Aaron Zimmerle’s squad is drawn primarily from players in the local domestic competitions in British Columbia and Ontario, but also includes Australian-based Blake Marshall and Doug Howard.
“This is a historic occasion for us, our first ever Test against Norway and another step forward as we continue to build the Wolverines’ presence on the world stage,” Zimmerle said. “We’ve selected a strong squad off the back of good form in our domestic competitions and there’s real excitement in this group about what we can achieve on this tour.”
“Norway sit twenty-first in the IRL World Rankings to our twenty-ninth and they’ve been climbing steadily, so a result here would be a significant statement for our programme. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to test ourselves against a quality opponent early in a tour that includes Scotland and the Netherlands, and to keep developing our way of playing against different styles.”
Zimmerle added: “It’s also gratifying to see four of our U19 players in Oliver Lenahan, Wyatt Klassen, Blake Marshall and Jacob Williams join the men’s group ahead of their participation in the 2026 U19 European Championship Shield in Font Romeu, France,”
Referee will be Joseph Rago (Norway) who will warm up for his selection at the European U19s Championships.
Norway (squad): Oliver Falk (Bodø Rugby League klubb), Oivind Mikal Ousdal berghom (Farsund Bobcats Rugby League klubb), Kristoffer Milligan (Flekkefjord Rugbyklubb), Isuf Peci, Lucas Zuniga, Mathias Stenseth-Holm (Lillestrøm Rugby League klubb), Idar Kjaerstad, Nils Holte, Stephen Mwikaria (Midgard Marauders), Andreas Skifjeld, Kai Holm, Kevin Batnes (Porsgrunn Rugby League klubb), Rob Adams (Sagene Rugby), Denis Galic, Havard Tjetland, Jamie Ward, Magnus Soiland, Martin Hogmoe (Sandnes Øst Rugbyklubb)
Canada (squad): Jason Chuck (Brampton Beavers), Charles Curran, Kyle Yurkiw (Brantford Broncos), Doug Howard (Leichhardt Wanderers), Augustus Murphy, Luka Wicken (Royal City Goons), Matthew Fish, Mitchell TALBOT, Nathan Roberts, Richard Lebel (Tavistock Trash Pandas), Dillon Goos (Unattached), Thomas Dickinson (Vancouver Dragons), Fynn Murphy, Jalen Harrison, Oliver Lenahan (Vancouver Valley Vipers), Blake Mahovic, Michael Snook, Toby Horn (Whistler Wolves), Blake Marshall (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
