Veteran Strickland became USA captain Jeremy Jones' first wild card pick, joining Skyler Woodward, Tyler Styer, Chris Reinhold, and vice-captain Shane Van Boening in the red, blue, and white of America ahead of the transatlantic showdown at Alexandra Palace -live on Sky Sports from December 7-10. There are few players who have taken as roundabout a route to Super League as Deon Cross, but the recent Salford Red Devils signing has learned plenty of valuable lessons along the way. Lowden's effort also bettered the "absolute record" of 48.159km which was set by the legendary Jeannie Longo back in 1996 using an aerodynamic position banned by the UCI. "I've been devastated, but it's all learning. I've taken so many losses in life and I always come back better.