International RL Blog

Just as an Exile Kangaroo XIII could be selected from players based in Europe, an Exile Kiwi XIII could be selected too.  What about this team for starters and again I realise that some "might" be considered Samoan, Tongan or even English. If any problems occur  we could ask  we ask for volunteers in NZ and I'm sure some would jump at the chance to represent their country. 1  Webb 2  Lulia 3 Soliola 4 Sa 5  Meli 6  Hohaia 7  T Leuluai 8  Lima 9 Faiuma 10 Moa 11  Manu 12  Puletua 13  L Anderson  With V Anderson, K Leuluai, Solomona, Webster, Chase, Isa, Witt, Kite, Lauititi, Temata, L Paea and other in reserve a strong squad could be selected to  compete internationally with England, France, Wales, Exile Australia and others. It would be nice to have official backing from the NZRL but if not, they could be called the "All Golds" who were formed in similar circumstances  The Ex...

I've expressed my doubts in the past about a bunch of mercenaries playing under an Exiles banner which could become increasingly weak depending upon currency valuations and player quotas. Players would be much more likely to represent their country and perhaps England  could consider playing matches against unofficial Australia and unofficial NZ teams drawn from players based over here.  What about this for an Exile Kangaroo team to play England in 2012? 1  Hodgson 2  Robertson 3  McDonnell 4  J Monaghan 5  Richards 6  Finch 7  Gower 8  Kaufusi 9  M Monaghan 10 Clinton 11 Waterhouse 12  Galea 13  Rodney With Perry, O'Meley, Laffranchi, O'Donnell, Dobson, Delaney, Patten, Green, Dureau, Randall, Dorn, Howell, Holdsworth and others in reserve.  I realise that some of these players "might" be Irish, Scottish, Italian ... etc but we haven't bothered with things like that in the past. In for a poun...

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...

England are due to play the "Exiles" next month in a match dubbed an international and evisaged as necessary preparation for the end of season, Four Nations competition. I am personally uneasy about the concept and would prefer international matches to be competitions between sovereign nations but I am also unhappy about the name because, even allowing for the way use of language changes, the word "exile" has connotations of penal servitude which is obviously insulting to our Australian friends. The concept actually deomonstrates how history has a habit of repeating itself England's first International RL match took place in 1904 when they  defeated the Other Nationalities 9-3 at  Bradford. It was not a spectacular start for International RL as the game was played in poor weather on a Tuesday afternoon at the same time as a Broughton Rangers v Bradford cup tie which caused player withdrawals and affected the attendance. Only 6000 spectator...

Just like the X Factor, we were all quivering with anti........cipation and finally.......... it was announced, Widnes would be re-entering the Super League competition next season. We should all applaud this because it begins to rebalance the competition away from Yorkshire and back towards the former Lancashire Rugby League stronghold. Although they haven't got massive potential, Widnes have got good facilities, will get reasonable crowds and will be competitive on the field of play. Warrington are in the process of becoming a major Super League power and Widnes are their natural derby opponents. This is a major advantage in it's own right. We should not applaud the decision (which apparently has been made) to abandon the mid season international against France and play an Exiles XIII instead. Although I can understand the need for England to play competitive matches in preparation for the Four Nations this is a step backward for Int...