Leeds Rhinos have announced an amazing hybrid rugby match at AMT Headingley in November to help raise awareness, funds and support for those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
The idea for the occasion was originally devised by former Leeds Rhinos player, Rob Burrow and former Gloucester player Ed Slater. Having both been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, they felt that the match should be known as the ‘745 Game’, in honour of the shirt numbers worn by Burrow, Slater and Scotland great Doddie Weir.
Sadly, Burrow and Weir are no longer with us, but their friend Ed Slater continues to fight for the cause.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Slater said: “It is brilliant that we are able to put the game on and I know all the former players I have spoke to are looking forward to putting their boots back on to support the MND community.
“It was nearly a year ago that Rob and I were talking about putting this match on and he was really excited about seeing it happen. It feels really fitting that the game will be at AMT Headingley because of how special that stadium was for Rob.
“I think I have got a pretty strong rugby union team lined up and I know what the boys are like once they step onto the pitch, that competitive streak will kick in and I am expecting a great contest as well as a brilliant occasion.”
The match itself will showcase both league and union stars in a mixed-rules event, taking various aspects from both games. For example, the league team size of 13 players will be implemented, alongside uncontested scrums and lineouts.
There will be unlimited tackles in a team’s own half, but once the team exceeds the halfway line then a try needs to be scored within six phases, otherwise the ball gets handed over.
Five points will be awarded for a try, two for a conversion and two for a drop goal.
Fans attending the match can look forward to seeing many of their favourite stars from both sides of the rugby coin, with many big names having already put their initials down on the teamsheets.
Ex-England rugby union internationals Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees and Tom Youngs are all expected to play, while rugby league legends Keith Senior, Adrian Morley and Danny McGuire will also lace up their boots.
Prices are incredibly reasonable, with the lowest priced tickets costing just £5, and the most expensive being only £25.
COMING SOON…THE 7️⃣4️⃣5️⃣ GAME – Clash of the Codes
Be at AMT Headingley on Sunday 17th November for a unique hybrid rugby game in aid of the MND community, the last fundraising project Rob Burrow was working on before he passed away. Tickets on sale now at https://t.co/5Ly9s1IdTg pic.twitter.com/MB7QGrs19i— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) October 3, 2024
Just recently, Billy Twelvetrees, Jim Hamilton, Ed Slater and many more were involved in an incredible cycle ride in which Twelvetrees rode 350 miles in just 24 hours, raising over £100k for MND.
At the time, Jim Hamilton spoke exclusively to RugbyDump, saying: “It didn’t really sound hard when we put it to the group, so we all agreed. But, once we got on the bike we realised the speed at which we had to go was 15-17 mph non-stop for 24 hours, and we kind of realised how difficult it was because that is a fast pace.
“It was phenomenal, the band of brothers back together, the kind of brotherhood, the spirit that everyone put into it. I did the first leg but the night shift I heard was really tough, but as Billy told us before, the physical pain that he was going to go through is nothing compared to what Ed and his family are going through.
“We’ve seen people doing great things, Kevin Sinfield to name one, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and within the two years of the 350 miles that we did, we’ve lost both Doddie and Rob Burrow, so Ed feels like now it’s his duty to fly the flag for the MND community, to raise the profile. We raised £100,000 in the time in which we did the fundraiser, a phenomenal effort.”
Prior to his fight with MND, Burrow had become a club legend with Leeds Rhinos, winning eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups. He was also named in the Super League Dream Team on three occasions and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.
His final match was the 2017 Super League Grand Final in which he helped his club take victory over the Castleford Tigers at Old Trafford.
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
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