International RL Blog

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...

Ireland Rugby League has named a strong looking train-on squad for their 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Pool B Qualifiers against Russia and Spain in October. Included in Mark Aston’s initial 40-man party are 10 Super League players, including Wigan youngster Jack Higginson for the first time and a trio that have helped lift the League Leaders’ Shield with Warrington, brothers George and Toby King and Joe Philbin. Veteran Stuart Littler has been included in what would be his rugby league swansong and there are 15 players from the domestic competition including Conor Mackey and Alan McMahon from champions Galway Tribesmen. RL Ireland director Richard Egan commented:  “Having been a part of the World Cup since 2000, RLI knows what a great spectacle the tournament is and what a fantastic experience it is for the players and squad members. We hope that qualification in 2017 will increase exposure in Ireland and further engagement by the local media to help us continue th...

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...

The Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) Organising Committee today announced that for the first time in the sport’s history the Women’s Rugby League World Cup will be held concurrently with the men’s tournament. With NSW Government funding, Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2017 pool matches and semi-finals will be played at Southern Cross Group Stadium, the home of NRL Premiership team the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, from 16 November next year, with both the women’s and men’s finals played as a double-header at Brisbane Stadium on 2 December 2017.   RLWC2017 Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Hill, said this historic announcement for international rugby league provides the women’s game with the perfect platform to demonstrate their world-class prowess.   “It has always been the Board’s vision to have the Women’s Rugby League World Cup played concurrently with the men’s tournament and through the strong support of the NSW Government, we have been able to create what is a mileston...

The first ever official game of Rugby League took place in Bulgaria on Saturday September 10th 2016, when local team Locomotive Sofia welcomed their neighbours from Serbia, Radnički (Niš). Whilst the result was officially recorded as 44-16 - the full story of the day was that the newcomers put up a spirited performance and scored three tries against their more experienced visitors. The match came about after a chance meeting on holiday but was promoted once again by the excellent development work undertaken in the region by the Serbian Rugby League Federation. It is hoped that with continued support, Bulgaria may form its own federation and join the growing family of Rugby League playing nations in Europe.

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...

The great rugby split happened in 1895 when, put simply, the southern based bosses wouldn't play fair with the northern based working class players. The Northern Union was formed which became Rugby League and it prospered although concern was expressed about whether the new code was financially viable without international competition. The All Golds  arrived in 1907  and their tour was a big success. It facilitated the introduction of the new code in New Zealand and Australia who provided the required international competition. In the UK, Rugby League is now played in the summer and, without doubt, this has many advantages. However, the move destroyed the traditional and very successful international calendar involving regular Kangaroo/Lions/ Kiwi tours and as a sport we haven't really found an acceptable replacement. Tri/Four Nation tournaments are poor replacements which don't attract enough sponsorship, crowds or media attention.  Ruby League internationals used...

Prior to the arrival of   The All Golds  in 1907, Northern Union officials were concerned that the new code would not be able to survive financially without international competition and the gate receipts produced. Of course, The All Golds  tour was a big success and it facilitated the introduction of the new code in New Zealand and Australia who provided the required international competition. As a result, the new code went from strength to strength and was eventually renamed Rugby League. Despite peaks and troughs, Rugby League has generally prospered and, last year it celebrated its 120th anniversary. Times have changed and progress has been made. The game is now played in the summer by full time professionals and is beginning to spread around the UK and further afield. In 2016, grass root games between Oxford, Coventry, North Wales, South Wales, Hemel Hempsted and London took place. In the next few months Serbia, Spain, Russia, Italy, Malta, Thailand, Scotland and ...

O n the night of August 8, 1907, the most celebrated sportsman in Australia stepped off a tram in Sydney’s George Street.  He pulled up his collar against the cool breeze and, satisfied he wasn’t being followed by the press, walked briskly towards the four-storey brick hotel in front of him. As he approached, the door was opened from within and with a final furtive glance behind him he hurried inside. George Bateman, the licensee of the hotel shook the man’s hand and said, “Good evening, Mr Trumper.” CLICK HERE  to read more about The Birth of Australian Rugby League

03/09/16     Palazzolo Sull’Oglio, Brescia Captain Casey Dunne scored a hat-trick as the Irish Wolfhounds kicked off the International RL season with an 11-try victory in Brescia. The team of Irish-based players finished strongly in an entertaining match which, despite the final scoreline, was competitive for more than an hour and provided a great work out for the Wolfhounds. I t was only when they scored three times in the final 10 minutes that Ireland ran away with it. It means the Wolfhounds continue their unbeaten streak from last season and will head into home international matches against Malta (October 8th) and Jamaica (October 15th) in Bray next month full of confidence. Several players will be keen to continue their fine form from this match to press for inclusion in the full squad, which includes overseas-based players, for the vital World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Russia, also next month. With ideal, balmy conditions and a large and vocal crowd, ...

Ireland  kick off their international rugby league season this weekend when they take on  Italy  in Brescia. The match will provide leading home-based players with an opportunity to show they are worth a place in the squad for the vital  World Cup  qualifiers next month. All but one of the 18-man squad selected by coach Carl du Chenu took part in last month’s State of Origin series, in which the Northern  Ireland  Elks defeated the Republic of  Ireland  Eagles for the first time. The selection signals a move by coaches towards picking more home-based players for the  Ireland  team in order to grow rugby league throughout the island. The players will be fighting for inclusion in next month’s home international friendlies against Malta and Jamaica in Bray, and  World Cup  qualifiers away to Spain and at home to Russia, when more established internationals who play abroad will also be involved. Coach Carl du Chenu said: Afte...

Nordic Cup winners Norway will travel to the Czech Republic later this month, the fixture being held at RLC Dragons Krupka Stadium on 24 September (kick off 4pm). They last met three years ago as part of the European Bowl, the Norwegians winning 26-14 in Oslo. “We are very happy for every opportunity to play an international game as it helps us to promote our sport here in the Czech Republic,” said CZRLA president Jaroslav Bzoch.   “We have every respect for the Norwegians and what they have already achieved this year. We also want to take this opportunity to test our young and new players before our rematch against Ukraine in October.” Norwegian team manager Anne Haigh commented: “After couple of years only playing against Denmark and Sweden in Nordic Cup, we feel this will be a significant test and step up to assess how we are progressing.”