International RL Blog

Ireland and Wales will contest the Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) after both countries topped their respective Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) qualifying groups with victories overnight. As RLEF qualifying Group A winners, Wales, will take position “EQ1” in Pool C of the RLWC2017 tournament draw, with Ireland taking the place of “EQ2” as Group B winners. RLWC2017 CEO, Andrew Hill, welcomed the addition of both teams to the sport’s pinnacle international event which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with three pool games in Papua New Guinea, from 27 October until 2 December 2017. “I’d like to congratulate both Ireland and Wales on qualifying for next year’s Rugby League World Cup. “With large expat communities in Australia, we know these two teams will receive strong support and win over a legion of new fans during their respective campaigns. “With less than 12 months to go until the tournament kicks-off on Friday 27 October 2017, we look forward to conf...

“It’s really pleasing, if you are going to achieve things it’s got to be difficult but the collective spirit, desire and passion was there for all to see,” said victorious Wales coach John Kear as his side qualified for the 2017 World Cup after beating Italy 20-14, in a tense thriller at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza. Kear, who led England in the 2000 World Cup and has also taken charge of France added: “We’ve had a lot of adversity over the qualifiers, we’ve had to bring new players in because of injuries and lost a half-back so had to reshuffle, as well as losing Rhodri Lloyd to a hamstring injury here early on, but we showed a collective will to get the job done and finished the stronger. “At 14-6 down going into half time we needed something and Anthony Walker came up with a special play. People like Matty Fozard have come of age in these games and I’ve been delighted to see how much he’s improved, and Phil Joseph was a giant in the middle.” Wales debutant Danny Ansell cam...

Wales Dragonhearts fought hard to earn a 40-32 win over the German national side that contained some professional players. The Dragonhearts, the representative side of the community ranks in Wales, were disappointed to have their first match of the tour against British Army Germany called off on the day, so were extra determined to do well in this game. It was deadlock at half-time after both sides scored three tries and converted twice. Ethan Coombes, who has scored tries in almost every game he’s played this season in his debut rugby league campaign with Valley Cougars and South Wales Scorpions Development, opened the scoring in Osnabrück on Saturday with Mike Hurley converting. Dafydd Phillips and Sam Baker each added scores for Wales before the break, Hurley converting the first.  Germany replied with tries from Andy Hoggins, Ben Dent and Ben White, Dent converting the first two, to set up an action packed second half, which Wales edged, scoring five tries to three. Dean Higgs ...

A late, hat-trick try from winger Aaron Jones-Bishop, from a terrific offload by skipper Wayne Reittie, saw Jamaica pull off a sensational draw with Wales in front of almost 1,400 vociferous fans in Wakefield. The Reggae Warriors, who led 12-8 at the break, produced, arguably, the most important result in their history, having also beaten Ireland last weekend on their first games in Europe. Team manager Glenn Morrison was full of praise for his men who cranked up the volume in their dressing room post-match in celebration.  “We’ve come a long in the few months we’ve been together and in these couple of games,” he said. “We dug deep, were pretty solid defensively and had each other’s back, especially when we were a man down – the character in the bunch to put that aside and come back for the equalising score said everything about us.” Morrison was keen to stress the legacy aspect. “To come out with a result like that, I don’t think anybody expected it, we’ve got to take a...

Wales will secure their place at next year’s World Cup with a win over Italy in Monza in a fortnight’s time, after a comprehensive nine-try triumph over Serbia in Llanelli. The drive of forwards Rhodri Lloyd and Phil Joseph combined the guile of half backs, two-try Ollie Olds and Courtney Davies, allied to the speed at the back from man of the match Elliot Kear and young St Helens wing tyro Regan Grace saw John Kear’s men home. “I’m really pleased with what the players have turned up today,” said Kear.  “I’ve been delighted with how they’ve prepared for the game; the two mini camps that we’ve had in North Wales were exceptionally good. “Today, they’ve turned up with a very good team performance. We felt that, if our contact was good and we controlled the ruck area, we could restrict them.” Kear, who guided the Welsh to a trophy in 2015 added:  “It’s continued from last year; we conceded four tries in three games in the European Championships and we’ve again held ...

Brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic and Brisbane Broncos rising star Tom Opacic have been included in Serbia’s initial train-on squad for matches against Wales and Italy, in Pool A of the European Qualifiers for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup next month. The Serbians have never appeared in a World Cup and just over half of the squad come from eight clubs in their domestic competition, Dorcol and Red Star supplying the most, with players also included from England and France. Skipper Dalibor Vukanovic said:  “We are so excited for this historic opportunity to compete for place at the World Cup. As one of the more experienced players, for me this is the culmination of the 15 years long evolution of rugby league in Serbia.”   The stand-off added:  “It is wonderful that such high profile and talented players of heritage want to be a part of what we are building here. When we step on the field in October, we are not just fighting for ourselves and our country, but also...

Italy have named a cosmopolitan train-on squad for their 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Qualifiers Pool A games with Wales and Serbia next month. A total of 65 players have been included from teams in their domestic competition, England, Wales, France and Australia, as the Azzurri look to qualify for their second successive World Cup. The headliners are Canberra Raiders’ prop Paul Vaughan who was a stand-out in 2013 and is hoping to make the NRL Grand Final with the Raiders and Hull K.R. pair Terry Campese and Josh Mantellato. A total of 18 players from six clubs illustrates the growing interest in the sport in Italy, including representatives from their newest clubs, XIII Lovers Palermo and Spartans Catania, in Sicily. Versatile Ryan Ghietti, who played half-back for the Italians in the last World Cup commented:  “To be named in the Italian team has been my goal this year after being a part of the one that qualified for Italy's first World Cup, that was a tremendo...

Wales’ first 2017 World Cup European Pool A qualifying match against Serbia, at Parc Stebonheath Llanelli, on Saturday 15 October, is to be shown live on S4C. It is the first time that the Welsh language broadcaster has shown live rugby league since 2008 and the first time that the Welsh national side has featured live on the station since the 1995 World Cup. The match kick-off time will now be at 3pm rather than 6pm, with S4C coverage starting at 2.45pm, and will be available in both Welsh and English language throughout the UK, with the English version available on the red button service. The winner of the pool, which also includes Italy who Wales face in Monza, goes straight through to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup finals in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the runners up taking on the second place side from Pool B, involving Ireland, Spain and Russia, in a play-off at Leigh Centurions, on 4 November. Wales’ head coach John Kear commented:   “This is tremend...

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.

1 st  January 1908               Wales 9    New Zealand  All Golds 8                Aberdare In 1907-08, Albert Henry Baskerville organized a group of  New Zealand  players for a professional tour to the  UK  against  Northern Union  opposition. Dubbed the All Golds they included Australian susperstar Dally Messenger as a guest and played a total of 46 matches including the first RL international against  Wales . Although the All Golds led 8 -3 at half time the Welsh came back strongly and Dai Jones scored a try with only minutes to go. They held on for a famous victory although Dick Wynard of the All Golds missed a great opportunity         Dally Messenger                               ...

France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will meet in the autumn as the fixtures were confirmed for the 2014 European Championships.  The winners will qualify for the 2016 Four Nations tournament to be held in the northern hemisphere. RL 2014 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP  17/10/14  Scotland v Wales    Workington      18/10/14  Ireland v France      Dublin  2 5/10/14  Ireland v Scotland    Dublin    25/10/14  France v Wales      Albi 31/10/14  Scotland v France   Galashiels    2/11/14    Wales v Ireland       Wrexham

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

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

Good to be back both personally and after a quiet period for International Rugby League. There have been a few recent announcements including some incomplete information delivered in a half arsed manner about the the 2013 World Cup. CLICK HERE  for more details Wales will play there first mid season international for many years against France in Wrexham in June CLICK HERE  for more info A two match exiles series is planned during the summer with a Tri-Series involving England, Wales and France planned for the Autumn CLICK HERE  for more details I very much have my doubts about the long term viability of the Exiles team but if they get paid enough, who knows?  Maybe we should consider playing matches against unofficial Australia and NZ teams drawn from players based over here? The players involved would be much more committed although player numbers would be a problem unless we could tempt some interested parties from down under. Maybe we should ask f...

Friday night saw the first game in the much anticipated Four Nations series and Australia beat NZ at Warrington in a game played with very slow play the balls. A neutral referee was in charge so nobody can have any complaints but, as we've seen many times before, SL officials are often intimidated by the Australians.  Tim Sheen's comments after the game illustrate why this happens and he should be disciplined for what he said.  Any NRL/SL coach or Premiership manager (even Alex Ferguson) would be fined for criticizing a referee. Nothing will happen and we will never have any credibility or make any progress when one team is so obviously above the law.  England beat Wales at Leigh in a game with slow play the ball but again a neutral referee was in charge who did quite a good job  under the circumstances. Let's hope we see more of Mr Perenara We now move on to Wembley for two big matches on a big stage and a good opportunity to sell ourselves.     Inte...

Recent matches have seen good victories for Wales, Scotland and the newly formed England Knights against Ireland and France before very small crowds in low key events with little publicity. The French showed us how it should be done with a 17000 crowd to watch the France v England game in Avignon which was very competitive. Although they look good on paper, France are weak in some positions and lack competition for places but they are definitely moving forward. If only Toulouse were in SL and could contribute another dozen players of international standard then matches involving France could be very, very interesting. There was a good turnout for the Australia v NZ game in Newcastle in Darren Lockyear's last game on Australian soil and USA have qualified for the 2013 RL World Cup with victories against SA and Jamaica. Either Lebanon or Italy will fill the remaining place after their winner takes all decider in Belgrade next weekend. It's a pity that room could not be fou...

Crusaders  withdrew their application  for a new three-year SL licence in July due continuing financial problems.   They have announced that they intend join the other Welsh professional outfit, South Wales Scorpions, in the second tier of the RL pyramid. Campaign groups supporting the Crusaders have backed the move. CLICK HERE for more information      

The Crusaders fiasco was very depressing for all true RL fans Does this signal the end of RL expansion for good? Will we retreat to the M62? I hope not. We must move forward or die and the alternative is a slow painful death where we gradually contract and eventually disappear up our own collective rectal aperture (as they say in Hull) Expansion is possible if handled correctly. Despite some setbacks, Les Catalans have been a great success and are now one of the strongest clubs in SL. Let's tell Toulouse they can join in 2014 as soon as we can and give them every opportunity to prepare. They are a big vibrant club from a big city and can bring far more to the table than the other likely applicants which are, from at best medium sized depressed towns.           I still think Wales could be a big success to if handled correctly. The problem in Wrexham was lack of funds but why that should be a problem when the RFL receives millions from it's sponsors...

17/7/11     Crusaders  20  Castleford  26     Wrexham This fixture turned out to be the last match Crusaders played before the grim reaper tolled the death knell on their SL existence. It might turn out to be the last match they ever play. They welcomed back seven players who were suspended for breaking the clubs disciplinary code which seems laughable now but they were keen to get some wins under their belt before the end of the season. Castleford were without star player Rangi Chase through suspension but welcomed back ex-Crusader Nick Youngquest after a long injury break Castleford opened the scoring through Jordan Thompson before Jason Chan, Lloyd White and Jordan Tansey gave Crusaders a 14-6 half time lead although they were clearly the better side and were very unlucky to see two tries disallowed by the video ref especially one by Stuart Reardon in the corner. After the break Youngquest and Jarrod Sammut swapped tries while Crusaders cont...