Atlanta looking ahead to Axemen clash

By Julian Clarkstone

Seeing as 2014 was their first season of competing, the Rhinos have had a rapid rise into being a highly competitive force in the USARL.

Their 2016 campaign began last Saturday against the Central Florida Warriors, which finished up in a high quality 28 all draw at Spec Martin Stadium, Deland.

Rhinos' captain, Nick Newlin, was satisfied with the team's first game of the year, labelling it a "solid" performance.

"It was back and forth all night and I was happy with the team as we answered back every time Central Florida would get some momentum."

"We had solid debut efforts from a couple of guys such as Mike Williams, the return of Kyle Lesser after injury last season, the return of Darius Taylor from a year off in the UK and a great Rhinos and USARL debut from our import Joe Hales," Newlin said.

Getting on the field for round one would have come as a welcome relief to the players who had been itching to get back on the field since the 2015 season's completion.

Whilst the results on the field will now take precedence, the Rhinos have had an important off-season, which has provided some new and exciting challenges for the team.

The Rhinos are now exclusively run in Atlanta after previously being seen as somewhat of an expansion club to the Jacksonville Axemen, but 2016 has seen Newlin and CEO, Bob Taylor, take the reins.

"I think this is an improvement for us as it really gives us all of the decision power and lets us grow as a team, although some of the growth is accompanied with pains."

We have improved our local recruiting and after the Grand Final we have really raised some eyebrows in the area as a club the players want to be part of," Newlin stated.

If the Rhinos want to improve on their 2015 result, the only way to do this on the field is by winning the Championship.

The club have set out plenty of other areas to improve however, which will help them grow as a club not only for 2016, but long term as well.

"We want to improve in all the little areas."

"Better promoting and earning bigger crowds at home games, securing more sponsorships and awareness in the Atlanta area and then being a more disciplined Rugby League team on the field," Newlin added.

In fact, the Rhinos have done a great job of raising awareness already as they are now hoping to have enough numbers this year to provide a reserve grade team this season.

"We will have to see if the other teams in the south have the numbers to be able to play."

"We are in constant contact with Atlanta Youth Rugby and the local high schools to get Rugby League introduced and Randall Joseph, one of the founders of the team, has great connections with the youth and high school teams in the state," Newlin said.

With numerous positives both on and off the field, USARL fans can expect strong results from the Rhinos, which make culminate in representative honors for their players.

Newlin has assured that he will continue pushing forward to ensure that he is chosen in the Hawks squads again later this year and he also expects improvements from his teammates.

"Hiko Malu should be making a strong effort to get onto the (Hawks) team and I'm also expecting some new recruits to put their names into the pool."

"I expect big improvements from our wings Kwame Little and Max Pierce as well as our big man in the middle, Matt Wade, who has really been working to improve his conditioning this year," Newlin exclaimed.

For now though the Rhinos will be concentrating on their round two clash with the Jacksonville Axemen and they are prepared for a tough battle in what will be their first home game of the year.

"Jacksonville is coming off a disappointing season for them and they are going to be back in full force this year, especially after we came out with the win against them at home last year," Newlin said.

The Atlanta Rhinos will take on the Jacksonville Axemen at 5pm this Saturday at Silverback Stadium