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Showing posts from July, 2014

Koukash plans Dubai Nines

As part of his plans to make RL a global sport, Salford owner Dr Marwan Koukash is planning a Nines tournament to be held in Dubai. It would augment the Auckland Nines and would involve both SL and NRL clubs CLICK HERE  for more details In 2011, I wrote about nines on this blog  " It is a good showcase for our game, an excellent way of introducing newcomers and great way of spreading the word" CLICK HERE to see the original post I really like Dr Koukash, he's obviously very enthusiastic, is brilliant at generating publicity, he wears his heart on his sleeve and is a breath of fresh air to our sport. Dr Koukash is a very bright bloke and has been very successful in his business careeer. He's a doer rather than a watcher and we need more people like him in our sport. OK, maybe some his proclamations have been naive and possibly unwise but most aren't serious and should be taken with a pinch of salt. I wish him every success

A Step in the Right Direction

Regardless of your your views on the situation, some good news emerged recently from the middle east A team of Rugby League players and administrators are working together and hope to join the RLEF with regard to playing international matches in 2015. They will join the Middle East and Africa (MEA) section of the RLEF whose membership is growing as RL becomes increasingly popular in these areas. It might not happen because, as far as I'm aware, Palestine isn't officially a country and some dirty deals get done but we can only hope. The situation in the middle east is usually portrayed as big bully Israel acting as the aggressor against its poor defenceless neighbours. In reality, Israel is massively overwhelmed in terms of population, resources and land by surrounding countries and does well to survive. As in Northern Ireland, the turmoil is continually prolonged so that others can take advantage at their will. Some strong leadership would help I personally doubt a sett

Canada defeat Jamaica in Toronto

Canada defeated Jamaica 24-20 in rainy condition in Toronto in front of a 3000 crowd.  It was a winning start in his first game in charge for Canada head coach, the former Leigh, Halifax, Huddersfield and Castleford stand-off Stuart Donlan  CLICK HERE  for more info

USA defeat Samoa in Hawaii

The US Tomahawks played their first match since the 2013 World Cup and gained an 18-12 win over a Samoa Residents team in Hawaii. CLICK HERE for more info

Pacific Boost as a Fiji XIII joins the NSW Cup

A Fiji based XIII, led by Petro Civoniceva will join the NSW Cup in 2016 and he believes the  project could eventually lead to a Fiji based NRL  francise.team . This is a big boost to RL in the Pacific region and they support the PNG Hunters who recently joined the Queensland Cup CLICK HERE  for more info

Wales appoint John Kear as National Coach

Wales RL have announced that current Batley and former England and France coach will take charge of their national team. Wales are scheduled to meet France, Scotland and Ireland in a European Championship competition this autumen. CLICK HERE to read more

RL takes off in Mexico

RL seems to be expanding in South America with welcome news about Mexican RL. Formed 6  months ago, it is has about 80 registered players and is planning 9s competition in Mexico City on 9/8/14. They hope to play international matches soon and likely opponents include Jamaica, USA and Canada CLICK HERE to read more

Czech Republic 8 Malta 34

12/7/14     Czech Republic 8  Malta 34          Havlickuv Brod      A crowd of more than three hundred witnessed Malta beating the Czech Republic and  a  hat trick from full back Andrew Muscat was the highlight. Malta produced their second win from two games in European Championship Group C at Tis RL Field, Havlickuv Brod. CLICK HERE for more info

International RL - Round Up of Recent Matches

8/6/14 Spain 54-10 Belgium  Spain powered to a second win in their second ever international, scoring nine tries in front of a raucous crowd in Valencia as they beat Belgium 50-10. CLICK HERE to read more 21/6/14 Russia 20  Serbia  6 Russia maintained their unbeaten start to the competition with a testing win in rain-sodden Naro-Fominsk. Conditions were tough throughout with the game played in a relentless downpour, the Bears making the perfect start when Mikhail Nisiforov and Kiril Kosharin exchanged passes down the left on a 50 metre break, Kosharin sliding over in the first minute, Aleksandr Lysokon converting. CLICK HERE to read more 28/6/14     Norway 10  Denmark  16 Norway were edged out by visiting Denmark in the first game of the 2014 Nordic Cup, in Bislett Stadium, Oslo. Despite taking 7th and 47th minute leads the Vikingen were twice pegged back and then overhauled by a resilient Danish side. CLICK HERE  to read more 28/6//14 Malta 18  Greece  32 Pres

GB Students Cause a Huge Stir in Ghana

The Great Britain Student Pioneers have created a huge stir on tour in Ghana After delays caused by a tropical storm, the squad ran coaching sessions to introduce RL to around 180 children and they loved it  In their opening game, GB Student Pioneers beat a Ghana All-Stars 48-10 selection in Legon at the Presbyterian Boys’ School. CLCK HERE for more info

PNG win the Commonwealth RL Championship in Glasgow

PNG beat Australia 22-8 to win the gold medal in the first ever Commonwealth RL Championships. The two-day international U-19 Nines tournament took place at the Broadwood Stadium in North Lanarkshire and was an official Commonwealth event endorsed by the Commonwealth Games Federation.  A Glasgow  summer of sport began in good style in front of an enthusiastic crowd who were treated to some excellent RL with some shock results including Canada's 24-4 victory over England, Scotland's 18-18 draw with the favourites Australia and the result in the final   CLICK HERE to read more