International RL Blog

Lebanon are aiming to retain the Mediterranean Cup when they face Italy in Beirut on 3 June. Originally played for in 2002, the Cup was relaunched last season when the Cedars edged a superb game, 26-22, against the Azzurri in Sicily. That encounter was between teams comprised of only domestically-produced players and the same stipulation will apply this year as the Federazione Italiana Rugby League and Lebanese Rugby League Federation continue to strengthen a bilateral relationship that also saw an historic women’s Test match played in February. Lebanon’s Director of Performance Tarek Houchar who, as interim head coach, led the Cedars to a 24-4 win against Malta earlier this month, commented: “The players take nothing for granted in Lebanon; their passion, commitment and attitude towards representing the nation is exemplary. I’m excited to see some fresh new faces in our train-on squad. “Our biggest aim is to create a culture amongst the players that can hopefully leave a grea...

A dominant first half performance saw Lebanon take the next step in preparing for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, as they defeated Malta 24-4 at the New Era Stadium in Cabramatta. They will play in the same group as Australia, England and France come the tournament. The Cedars led 18-4 at the break, Malta containing the hosts to just a converted try in the second period. Star of the show was Lebanon stand off Abbas Miskie who crossed for a hat-trick of tries and kicked a perfect four goals. “With limited time together leading into the game, we came together well and everyone performed,” Miskie said. “There’s always an extra bit of drive inside of you when you’re representing your country and the boys definitely showed that passion. “The tactical side will come with time but it was definitely pleasing to see the comradery shown among the group which I think is one of the main recipes for a successful campaign come the World Cup.” Stand in coach, LRLF director of performance ...

Italy played Lebanon in the Med Cup on 11/6/16 in Catania

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 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

Seven automatic qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup have been announced. They are:-  Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland    The seven nations all reached the quarter finals of the 2013 tournament. The next World Cup will be held in Australia and NZ and will involve 14 teams. The remaining seven participating nations will be selected from four regions; three from Europe, two from Asia Pacific, one from the Americas and another from MEA. The  four regions will reveal their qualification programmes by October 2014 and the process will be open to Affiliate Member nations who gain Full status before then USA were the only 2013 quarter finalist excluded but they do not have full member status A decision has obviously been made to increase the geograpical spread of the tournament at the expense of the Pacific nations leaving the Cook I as a potential loser. The opportunity to include a Middle East or African nation e.g. Lebanon is very ...

In general. RU people are very self confident if not arrogant and continually talk themselves and their game up despite seemingly obvious reality. It could be argued that this arrogance was the main cause of the 1895 split and the resulting chip on the shoulder of RL people who continually accentuate the negative and talk our game down. We need to be more confident, to think bigger and sell ourselves to the world This was demonstrated last weekend when Fiji defeated PNG 26-12 in yet another low key, unpublicised international. France showed us how it should be done when another good crowd of 10000+ saw France beat Scotland 46-10 in Perpignan. The potential is massive if only France could be competitive again against the top nations. It's a great pity that both Lebanon and Jamaica couldn't be included in the RL World Cup 2013 because we need some variety and exposure to new markets. The qualifying rounds were an undoubted success though and should be encouraged and e...