International RL Blog

Ambitious enthusiasts from all corners of the globe will converge on Sydney in November 2018 for the Rugby League Emerging Nations World Championship (ENWC) following a decision at today’s RLIF Board to award a grant of $100,000 to the event.  A celebration of the sport’s global expansion and diverse communities, the ENWC will feature Tier Two and Tier Three nations from around the world where the sport is developing. The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) event will be a two-week gathering of communities from a geographical spread never seen before in rugby league.   “The 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship will feature more global teams than any previous rugby league competition,”  RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood said.   “It will put the spotlight on the fact that rugby league is played in more than 60 countries and give recognition to the many volunteer players and offic...

Following the recommendation of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) Board to conditionally award the 2025 World Cup to North America the RLIF Congress, at its annual general meeting held in Liverpool on 17 November, endorsed the Board's recommendation. RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood commented: "The award of the 2025 World Cup to North America is a historic moment in the global development of Rugby League. The USA and Canada provides world class stadia allied to a significant multi cultural population which made the bid so persuasive. It is exciting that our sport is expanding into a new destination for our premier event the World Cup and we will work with our members in the USA and Canada and Moore Sports International to expand the presence of our sport in these countries during the lead in to the 2025 World Cup." "The Board will now work with Moore Sports International to complete the due diligence and exchange of contracts to complete the award."

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is delighted to announce that England has been awarded the rights to stage the 2021 Rugby League Men’s and Women’s World Cups. Following an exhaustive process, which included  strong competition  from other nations, the non-conflicted Directors of the RLIF Board met on 18 October to review presentations from the two shortlisted bidders, England and the Moore Sports International (MSI) USA/Canada Bid. Bids were assessed against seven criteria provided in the bid documentation. England scored heavily in respect of its supporter base and UK government support, both in terms of the £25 million government support of the event and its legacy, as well as in areas such as visas, security, international development and promotion of the event. The MSI USA/Canada Bid scored impressively in many areas, including but not limited to, the support of the RLIF strategy to extend the global reach of Rugby League as well as in marketing, ...

The weekend of the 24-25 September is set to be the most prolific in the history of the Rugby League European Federation. Five internationals across three age groups and two continents under the RLEF’s jurisdiction are scheduled, with matches taking place in Spain, Czech Republic, Serbia, Canada and Scotland. “This year has continued the trend that has seen RLEF members strengthening their cooperation with one another and seeking opportunities to engage in more competition,”   said RLEF general manager Danny Kazandjian.  “There have been a number of historic firsts, especially at youth level, which is an encouraging sign that the sport is establishing itself in a number of different nations. “More home-grown young players are demanding more rugby league and in increasing numbers our members, by working with neighbours and trusted partners, are able to satisfy that demand.” In recent weeks, Ireland has played their first match at U16 level and Jamaica hosted Canada...

I've written in the past about useless RFL officials who couldn't sell a blanket to an eskimo but were also immune from the sack.  http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/you-cant-handle-truth.html I've also written about my belief (my hope) that RL's best chance of real expansion would be to become popular in the USA and become fashionable. It  could then exported to other countries like they do with much of their lifestyle, culture etc… http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/born-in-usa.html The birth of Toronto Wolfpack might allow this to happen. Without kicking a competitive ball, they already have a TV contract to show home games and an X Factor style TV programme to recruit players. They have a wealthy backer, sponsorship and claim to be expecting  10 000 crowds to each home game. T hey have already progressed further commercially than 80% of our UK based teams, some with 120 years worth of history. Their assembled management team an...

USA 54 Jamaica 4.   The USA Hawks played their first competitive game of the year and proved just too strong for the developing Jamaica Reggae Warriors.  Jamaica will head home from this series having suffered two defeats but had invaluable time together as a squad and this will set them up for future encounters. The deciding game of the Americas RL Championship will be the USA vs. Canada in Toronto on Sept 24

Canada made an impressive start to the new America’s Championship, with a comprehensive, seven-try win over the Reggae Warriors in Levittown, Pennsylvania, USA, home of the Bucks County Sharks.   Both sides were very different to the squads that played in the World Cup Qualifiers seven months ago, the Wolverines forced into further last minute changes which saw coach Jamie Lester come out of retirement after young half Barak Pauls failed his fitness test at the captain’s run a few hours before the game.   “ Our forwards laid the platform with some strong running and the whole team defended well which was most pleasing,” said Lester.  “To keep your opposition from scoring a try is always what you hope to achieve."  The match was disrupted by a thunderstorm which forced the sides to leave the field for half an hour, by which time Canada were 24-0 ahead. The power of prop Denny McCarthy close to the line opened the scoring, Josh Kelly converting, Ro...

Professional sports club seeks athletes for playing contracts  All Suitable Applicants Welcome The Toronto Wolfpack are the newest professional sports club in North America and they are seeking athletes to play one of the most demanding and spectacular sports on the planet – Rugby League. They are hosting open trials in eight separate venues across the USA and Canada in August, September and October 2016 The Toronto Wolfpack are based at Lamport Stadium, Toronto Canada and are a brand new club which has been admitted to the British Rugby League for the 2017 season.  Visit http://lasttacklemedia.com/  to sign up for this unique opportunity

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.

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

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

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

The run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature RL as an exhibition sport with an U19s 9s Championship involving five of the six Commonwealth Regions.  The RL Commonwealth Championship 2014 will be contested by SA, Canada, Jamaica, England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and PNG with the teams split into two groups.  The matches will take place over the 27-28 th  June as the 9s format looks to continue to spread the sport on the international stage. CLICK HERE for more information

South Africa prepared for the upcoming 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers with a 36-22 win against Canada in Toronto.  Although not much was known about them, the South Africans proved to be big, fast and strong. CLICK HERE for a full match report

Canada 18  USA  16     Markham, Ontario Canada RL received a big boost when the Wolverines secured a stunning, first-ever win over the USA in their Colonial Cup clash in Toronto. Canada, for whom Matt Gleed was outstanding until forced off with injury, triumphed 18-16 in front of an ecstatic crowd, in a match televised on national television as part of the second annual Sports Day in Canada. It was their first success over their neighbours since matches started between them in 1993. The decisive penalty for the hosts was kicked by 20 year old Harlequins second rower Louis Robinson after Canada led 12-6 at halftime and they eventually outscored the visitors by four tries to three. Louis Tulio, Michael Garvey and Ian Elliott crossed for the Tomahawks, Garvey converting two of the tries. For Canada, Danny Tupou and Robin Legault were their try-scorers. CLICK HERE  for more info

31/7/11     Canada 40  Jamaica 10     Toronto Canada gained revenge for the Atlantic Cup defeat in November with a convincing 40-10 victory over Jamaica in the Caribbean Carnival Cup. It was the Wolverines’ first victory in international rugby league and according to CRL chairman Eric Perez, “signals Canada’s intentions to be a force in international rugby league.”

The 2010 Atlantic Cup concluded with a game between Canada and the USA. Only a few short years ago, this would've been way beyond our wildest deams. I firmly believe that a professionally marketed RL competition in the USA could put us on the map. The country is free from the class dominated obstacles that have been so frequently put in our way and it's leaders are immune from the petty, parochial arguments that have held us back for so long. The people will love the drama and excitement produced by our sport and will sell it enthusiastically to the rest of the world. We should all support RL in the USA

The 2010 Atlantic Cup continued in Jacksonville, USA. The second match of a closely fought competition took place between Canada and Jamaica Mug White " USA Rugby League Football / MAP " Sports

The recent Atlantic Cup took place in Jacksonville, USA and involved USA, Jamaica and Canada. The opening game was between the host nation USA and Jamaica We should all support RL in the USA