Iestyn Harris happy after split Four Nations training
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
Coach Iestyn Harris is pleased with training so far ahead of Wales' debut Four Nations tournament, despite his squad being separated by continents.
Six players are Australia-based, and training for other players has been split between north and south Wales.
A warm-up against Ireland on 22 October precedes tournament matches against England, Australia and New Zealand.
Harris said: "We won't actually see the full squad until the week before the Ireland game."
The Dragons begin their Four Nations campaign against England in Leigh on 29 October, before fixtures against the two southern hemisphere sides including Australia in Wrexham on November 13.
The 34-man training squad includes five potential new caps for the Wales side; Peter Lupton and Jamie Murphy from Crusaders, and South Wales Scorpion Dalton Grant.
Harris said those in Australia were still involved in training for the tournament.
"The six guys from Australia have all had weights and conditioning programmes sent across to them," he said.
"When they land here they'll be fully up to speed physically and they'll understand the way we want to play the game."
Also in the running for a debut cap are two Australian-born players, Matt Seamark from Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Tyson Frizell from Cronulla Sharks.
Frizell has represented Australia at youth level, and although Harris has not seen the two play in the flesh he is not concerned.
"I've seen videos of their matches, they've held their hands up, they're Welsh qualified and they desperately want to be involved with their national side," Harris said.
"They both look like high quality players and as they qualify and want to be involved, I'd be foolish to overlook them. We'll get them in the training camp, see what they're like in the flesh, see what intensity they train at and then see if we can put them into the side."
Harris described the challenge ahead as Wales' "toughest". He said although training numbers had been small during the first week - with sessions in Wrexham and Treforest - it had still been productive.
"It's early days but good to get out on the field with the guys... there should be good work going on in both ends of the country before we finally get together."
Wales Rugby League training squad:
Craig Kopzcak (Bradford Bulls), Chris Beasley, Ian Webster (both Central Comets, Australia), Tyson Frizell (Cronulla Sharks), Andy Bracek, Gil Dudson, Ben Flower, Jordan James, Elliot Kear, Peter Lupton, Jamie Murphy, Gareth Thomas, Lloyd White, Lee Williams (all Crusaders), Ross Divorty (Featherstone Rovers), Danny Jones (Halifax), David Mills (Leigh Centurions), Geraint Davies (Limoux Grizzlies, France), Neil Budworth (MacKay Cutters, Australia), Rhys Griffiths (Sheffield Eagles), Joe Burke, Chris Davies, Andrew Gay, Dalton Grant, Aled James, Rhodri Lloyd, Steve Parry, Jack Pring, Christiaan Roets (all South Wales Scorpions), Ian Watson (Swinton Lions), Mark Lennon (Thirroul Butchers, Australia), Lee Briers, Rhys Williams (both Warrington Wolves), Matt Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Australia).
