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Showing posts from June, 2016

Rugby League Continues to Expand in Chile

Rugby League continues to expand in South America with significant efforts being made in the Bio Bio region of Chile. In a joint initiative between Latin Heat and the Chile Rugby League XIII, efforts are continuing to establish a domestic competition to follow on from Chile's first full international against El Salvador earlier this year. Development has been focused around the region of Bio Bio with the cities of Negrete, Santa Barbara and Cabrero embracing the efforts to establish the code. In the city of Cabrero, the local Chilean Rugby League has been conducting a series of junior clinics, engaging around 100 juniors from the local area and educating in the skills of Rugby League. Negrete and Santa Barbara have both established Rugby League clubs, with both teams conducting training twice a week with aims for the two cities to play each other later in the year. Chile is the latest Latin American nation to take efforts to establish Rugby League locally in the past two

Valencia to Host World Cup Qualifier

In addition to the RL World Cup qualifier being staged in Monza this autumn, Valencia has been announced as the venue for Spain’s v Ireland on 22 October.  This is another first for the sport and the round two game could potentially be decisive for Spain following on from their away encounter in Moscow seven days earlier. Spanish coach Darren Fisher said: “ The Ireland game will not only be against our highest-level opposition in our history but it’s possibly our chance to progress through to the Antipodes next year ,”  “ Spain is well known for the ex-pat community here and I’m sure Irish supporters will be out to enjoy the match in Valencia, it is a terrific city ." “ It’s exciting to be part of the qualifying rounds, we will try not to get carried away too much in the emotion of the occasions. I will be preparing the squad for two very challenging, different styles in Russia and Ireland. The game has already attracted a lot of interest .” Ireland RL director Richard

Ukraine defeat Czech R.

UKRAINE 46-6   CZECH R.     Rivne  Ukraine defeated Czech Republic 46-6 in front of a crowd approaching 1500 in the first leg of European Championship C. Ukraine made a great start scoring three times in the first thirteen minutes with centre, Shalaiev their star player scoring two tries in each half.  The Czech Republic team took time to acclimatise in hot conditions after a long journey but they responded well and narrowed the gap to six points before Khrusiuk and Troiyan crossed for a 24-6 half time lead. The Czech defence held firm for the next twenty four minutes and they conceded possession four times when threatening the Ukraine line. They also lost the services of Valenta and Sluka to injury and Ukraine began to take advantage.  Shakura scored a try to add to his five goals and Skorbackh, whose midfield creative play was vital, completed the scoring. Ukraine RL president Artur Martyrosyan said. “ It was fantastically organised with the club here, regional government an

Ukraine to Meet Czech Republic in RL European Championship C

European Championship C will begin in Rivne, Ukraine next weekend when the hosts meet the Czech Republic.  The return match will be in Havlickuv Brod in October. Ukraine were relegated from Euro B last season. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP C 25/6/16     Ukraine vs Czech R.     Rivne, Ukraine 8/10/16     Czech R. vs Ukraine     Havlickuv Brod, Czech R.

International RL - Round Up

Lebanon defeated Italy 26-22 in a closely fought game in Catania, Sicily to retain the Mediterranean Cup. The first ever international RL match between South American countries took place in Sydney when Chile defeated El Salvador 58-20. Serbian second division side Novi Beograd beat Kodikoy Bulls 40-6 as the Bulls (from Turkey) made the first international RL appearance by a Turkish side and scrum half Demir scored their first points with a fine break and conversion.   The Ohana RL Festival will take place on 20/8/16 at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii and it will include Tonga v Samoa and Fiji v Canada Italy will host Wales on 22/10/16 at the 18 000 capacity, Stadio Brianteo in Monza. The game is a World Cup qualifier with both Wales and Italy in the same group as Serbia and the winners guaranteed a place in the 2017 tournament in Australia.

Niue to tour SA and Lebanon

Niue have announced ambitious plans to tour SA and Lebanon at the end of the season. The Niue national team will travel in Oct/Nov and play two internationals in a tour which will be the first by a Pacific RL nation to either Africa or the Middle East.  The players will also conduct a series of workshops with local schools to assist the development work being done. A  Go Fund Me page  has been set up to help raise funds. Schedule: 29/10/16     SA v Niue 5/11/16       Lebanon v Niue

Turkey Set to Become the Latest International RL Playing Nation

Turkey are set to become the latest international RL playing nation when club side Kadikoy Bulls visits Belgrade in Serbia this weekend. A 27 man party, including players, management and officials will undertake coaching and match official training courses in Serbia and they will play a game against Serbian second division team New Belgrade on Sunday. They will also attend the Serbian Cup final. "So far we have four clubs and Bulls of Kadikoy is the nucleus of rugby league in Turkey,” said Kadikoy Bulls coach Julien Treu. “We are following all the guidelines of the Ministry of Sports to form a Federation, we have a player’s association and the next step is to have five registered clubs to complete our application.” “This is great step forward for the rugby league in the Balkans with the start of the process that should see Turkey become a member of the European rugby league family,” added Jovan Vujosevic, RLEF Regional director for East and Central Europe. “Turkey is ver

New RLIF World Rankings - PNG are biggest movers

Papua New Guinea will host a group in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and they the were big winners when the new RLIF World Ranking were announced. They move up three places to eleventh CLICK HERE to view the new RLIF World Rankings