International RL Blog

Chile looked set for a second win in International Rugby League and a first against a non-Latin American a opponent as the Weichafes led Thailand 20-8 with less than 25 minutes to play. Unfortunately, Thailand centre Suhttirak Choengkhiri had other ideas and scored a match-turning try with only two minutes left on the clock. Thai fullback Matthew Waugh had a chance to steal the result with a conversion from out wide but the kick pulled up short very windy conditions and the two nations were left level. The game was played on 1/10/17 in Liverpool, West Sydney and Chilean five-eighth Nick Doberer received the Coach’s Player Award. He left soon after and rushed to the hospital where he welcomed the birth of his first child a few hours later. Chile fielded arguably their strongest side to date but were still without approximately ten top class rugby league players identified with Chilean heritage. The Chilenos are very optimistic and will host the inaugural Latin American Rugby Le...

In November, Australia will go into RLWC2017 (which they co-host with NZ) further strengthened in their World Rankings Number 1 position after their recent ANZAC Test victory. Two new nations appear for the first time with the inclusion of Thailand and Uruguay. This takes the total to 42 and reflects the greater number of sanctioned internationals being played globally. Leilani Latu’s last-gasp try for Tonga to beat Fiji 26-24 in last week’s Pacific triple-header saw them move up one rung on the ladder, whilst the biggest gainers are Hungary who rise five places to 33.

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...

Malta were set to play for the Inaugural Ajan Vinai Sucharit Memorial Trophy at Chiang Mai’s Princes Royal College Stadium on October 28. But the recent passing of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has plunged the Kingdom of Thailand into a state of grief. In addition to a year of mourning, the Thai government has ruled a 30 day moratorium on state events. Entertainment will be heavily toned down and “festivities” avoided for this period. While officials from both countries extensively explored options of relocating the game, the Sports Association of Thailand (SAT) was also consulted. Ms. Ratalalin Kaewpan, the Chairperson of Rugby League XIII Sports Association (Thailand) published an official press release over the weekend and has ordered the cancellation of the Rugby League International. A decision was reached by both parties yesterday afternoon (Bangkok time) that the International will be rescheduled, to be played within the ne...

The Sports Authority of Thailand has recently approved (September 15) the Rugby League XIII Sports Association as the registered body govern the game of Rugby League in the Kingdom of Thailand. David Collier, CEO of the Rugby League International Federation, was delighted with the news and looking forward to further advancement in the ASEAN region. The Thai board is comprised of several well-known and credible local personalities including sports legend and female athlete Ratalalin Kaewpan, as the Chairperson of the new board. Joining Ms Kaewpan on the board are respected local individuals, Pornnapa Chaiwangrach, Vice Chairperson and owner of the Mountain View Group of Companies as well as academic lecturers Nitiwat Puaprasert and Siripan Kiattong as Association Secretary.  Rugby League in Thailand has had a slow start but quickly gained momentum due to the physical nature of the sport and the entertainment value seen on TV via the NRL Australian Com...