International Rugby League

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Papua New Guinea
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has announced its 10-man squad for the 2004 Rugby League World Sevens. The squad is as follows:

Michael Marum
Joe Sipa
Ricky Sibia
Kawage Gagma
Geno Kima
Leroy Day
Derek Fletcher
Steve Francicus
Kevin Prior
John Reece

Coach is Bob Bennett and trainers are Ric Emmanuel and Bob Cutmore.

Whilst to most League fans the names above would be relatively unknown, it is quite a strong side which has been named and it will suit Sevens football well.

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European Nations and Tri-Series Info


The first provisional draw for the 2004 European Nations Cup and Tri-Series tournaments has been released, and whilst no venues have been announced, there is the indication that Australia and New Zealand will play their respective fixtures against each other downunder.

Tournament kicks off one day after the Super League Grand final, with Australia and New Zealand scheduled to play each other on Sunday October 17, and then match up again just five days later. Surprisingly Great Britain V Australia which would be one of the premier matches of the tournament is placed on a Tuesday night, with all other matches featuring on Saturdays.

Australia is pencilled in to play Wales and France during off weeks in the tournament, however that match against Wales may be changed to being against England A or another nation after Neil Kelly’s comments last year.

A match between New Zealand and France and even Great Britain and France are expected to be added to the final fixture list.

The provisional draw as released in the Guardian Newspaper:
Satuday 16 October Super League Grand Final
Sunday 17 October Australia v New Zealand
Friday 22 October Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 23 October Wales v Russia / Ireland v France (ENC)
Tuesday 26 October Great Britain v Australia
Saturday 30 October England v Russia / France v Scotland (ENC)
Sunday 31 October Great Britain v New Zealand
Monday 1 November Wales v Australia
Saturday 6 November Great Britain v Australia / Wales v England / Scotland v Ireland (ENC)
Saturday 13 November Great Britain v New Zealand / France v Australia
Saturday 20 November Tri-Nations Final
Sunday 21 November ENC final

[I_LUV_AFL]

Papua New Guinea.......again!A Rugby League resurgence isn’t only happening in Britain and Australia for 2004, with Papua New Guinea seeing the return of many former clubs which have collapsed in recent years, launching come back campaigns.

In Port Moresby, the West of Kerema club which collapsed in 2001, will join the DCA club from the Porebada Village in making a return to the Port Moresby Rugby League competition this year, in a South Sydney style return to the league. By South Sydney style return, I mean, both of the clubs are two of the oldest in the country, with over 50 years of history and have contributed a large number of players to the national side including Tara Gau, Mea Morea, Dairi Kovae and Arebo Taumaku who all came from DCA.

Dairi Kovae if you remember him, played two games for Norths in 1988, and 8 for Newcastle in 1989, scoring one try. He also made the ‘Rest of the World’ side that took on Australia in 1988 as a reserve.

Wests boast famous PNG players, Gideon Kouru, Haoda Kouru, Joshua Kouru and Tuksy Karu who all made the national side through its development programs.

Meanwhile, not all the resurgence has been in the Port Moresby with the Mt Hagen Tigers looking to return to its local league after a fall out last year.

The New Town Jets are returning to the Mt Hagan League after disappearing three years ago, and are currently holding an off-season Rugby League competition with a number of other clubs in the district.

Results from the Mt Hagan Off-Season competition on the weekend were:
New Town Trotters 15 – 10 Biapri Cowboys
Wipmul Tigers 16 – 4 Kolgma Warriors
Island Brothers 12 – 6 Kay Raiders
Barnhill Rats 12 – 6 ABM Bulldogs
Mambla Sharks 4 – 0 Kaiwe Knights
Pang Sole Roosters 4 – 4 Mil Wild Dogs




The need to help Papua New Guinea reach the next level in competitiveness has received a huge boost with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos uniting to form a pre-season tri-series between the two clubs and a PNG Select Side.

The tournament, has benefits for all involved. First off, it gives the Papua New Guineans at least two more guaranteed internationals a year, something they have been starved off in recent years due to financial problems. Next it gives both Melbourne and Brisbane the perfect opportunity to collect some of the young and upcoming talent from the region, and add it to their junior ranks.

Both Brisbane and Melbourne have had long associations with different aspects of PNG Rugby League. Wayne Bennett’s brother, Bob Bennett, is the national coach for the Kumuls, whilst all Storm fans will remember Marcus Bai and what he offered to the Victorian based club.

The planned competiton may kick off as early as this year.

PNG in 2003 recorded their first ever victory over an Australian side in 2003, with the PNG Select XIII winning 22 – 20 in Port Moresby, after only losing 24 – 22 in Darwin the week before. The amazing part of both those victories was it was against the Junior Kangaroos, who boast a number of players who have played NRL, as well, PNG fielded two weaker sides than they would in a full on test match.

PNG were without the services of players like Stanley Gene, Adrian Lam and Marcus Bai who would all feature in their top side, as well two different PNG outfits played in both games. The game in Darwin featured a number of PNG players who currently play in Queensland and NSW competitions, whilst the Port Moresby game featured players from their local competition.

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Ireland

Rugby League Ireland's ambitious plans for an 18-team inter-provincial championship will be boosted by a fund-raising dinner at Huddersfield's historic George Hotel on March 20 2004 - with Great Britain & Ireland Test star Brian Carney confirmed as the guest of honour.

Rugby League Ireland (RLI), the sport's governing body , recently announced ambitious plans to launch a dramatically expanded domestic competition in 2004 to help establish rugby league as a major sport in the country. Now RLI has teamed up with the fund-raising group 1895 International to stage a gala dinner in order to raise the necessary funds push forward this exciting new development.

Wigan Warriors winger Carney will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will double as a St Patrick's Day celebratory dinner and a landmark promotional event for Rugby League Ireland, while a number of other high-profile guests are expected to be confirmed shortly.

"We are proud to have Brian at this function," commented Rugby League Ireland chairman Dave Southern.

"We aim to raise funds to assist the Ireland Wolfhounds A Team to travel for the Four Nations International Tournament in Wales next June/July, and to enable the winning team in the All Ireland Summer Conference club championship to play in the UK.

"This is an exciting time for us, with our game reaching an ever-widening public. Increasing numbers of Rugby Union players are showing an interest in playing League during the summer, which augurs well for both codes. We have a product that is spectacular and entertaining, and which is grounded in a strong community ethos. We have every reason to feel confident about the future."

Contact: Dave Southern, ED RLI, Dave Southern, dave.southern@diabetes.ie, 00 353 876 727 911.

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West Indies

The West Indies Rugby League Federation (WIRLF) has officially released its four year strategic plan for the development of Rugby League in the West Indies and Caribbean region on its official website.

The strategic plan, which provides an indication to stakeholders of the WIRLF for the direction the organisation wishes to take over the period of 2004 – 2007, outlines planned fixtures for both the senior representative team, as well as age group sides and the most important goal for the Federation, the establishment of domestic Rugby League competitions in the region.

Some initiatives the WIRLF intends to implement include the creation of a regional based competition for Rugby League nations in North and South America, and regular clashes against the Nigerian national team in London.

The WIRLF has also listed the nations in which it will be targeting to setup Rugby League competitions.

Whilst what is listed in the strategic plan is not concrete, it does at least provide a guide to the stakeholders of the Federation of the direction it intends to take.

To see the strategic plan, visit the WIRL official website at www.wirlf.com

[I_LUV_AFL]

WORLD SEVENS in Sydney, Australia

Two of the oldest sides in Rugby League will kick off the World Seven’s Qualifier at St Mary’s on Wednesday January 21 with the New Zealand Maori taking on the Newtown Jets. Tournament will kick off at 3:20pm, and the top two sides both earn a spot in the World Sevens tournament.

Groups:
Group A: NZ Maori, Newtown, Jim Beam Composite
Group B: NSW Country, Balmain, Italy
Group C: Cook Islands, Western Suburbs, Japan
Group D: NASCA Aboriginal All Stars, American Samoa, North Sydney

Draw:
NZ Maori v Newtown :: A :: 3:20pm
NSW Country v Balmain :: B :: 3:40pm
Cook Islands v Western Suburbs :: C :: 4:00pm
NASCA Aboriginal All Stars v North Sydney :: D :: 4:20pm
Schoolboys Sevens Tournament Games :: 4:40pm – 5:20pm
NZ Maori v Jim Beam Composite :: A :: 5:20pm
NSW Country v Italy :: B :: 5:40pm
Cook Islands v Japan :: C :: 6:00pm
NASCA Aboriginal All Stars v American Samoa :: D :: 6:20pm
Newtown v Jim Beam Composite :: A :: 6:40pm
Balmain v Italy :: B :: 7:00pm
Western Suburbs v Japan :: C :: 7:20pm
North Sydney v American Samoa :: D :: 7:40pm
GAME (ENTERTAINMENT) BREAK 8:00pm
Semi Final 1: Victor Pool A v Victor Pool B 8:10pm
Semi Final 2: Victor Pool C v Victor Pool D 8:30pm
GAME (ENTERTAINMENT) BREAK 8:50PM
Wildcard Final 9:00pm

[I_LUV_AFL]

Scotland

Three Scotland ‘A’ internationals are in County Cup Final action south of the border tomorrow (Sunday 28 Dec). Skipper Ash Carroll will be at prop for Haydock as they take on Halton Simms Cross in the Tetley’s Lancashire Cup Final at Liverpool St Helens; youngster Barry McGuffog, who made his Scotland A debut under Carroll’s captaincy in Italy last summer, hopes to continue his prolific try-scoring form in the Jennings Cumbria Cup Final at Workington’s Derwent Park ground, as his Barrow Island side take on Seaton Rangers of the Youngers Scotch Bitter Cumberland League; and hooker Chris Fletcher plays what could be his last game in Britain before heading off to Sydney, for Leeds side Queens against Elland in the Tetley’s Yorkshire Cup Final at Batley’s Mount Pleasant ground.

SCOTLAND captain Wayne McDonald got his domestic season off to a winning start when he set up the opening try for Danny McGuire in Leeds Rhinos’ 20-12 win over Castleford Tigers in the Tetley's Festive Challenge at Headingley on Boxing Day.

SCOTLAND international Scott Logan has shocked his club Hull FC by revealing that he will be out of action until May. The former Sydney City Roosters star missed five months of last season after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle against Wigan last April but returned for Hull’s last two Super League games. Now prop Logan has had to have further surgery on his ankle after is flared up during training in Australia. Hull’s director of rugby, former Scotland head coach Shaun MCRae, was hoping to welcome Logan back for the pre-season friendly with local rivals Hull KR on January 11.

SCOTLAND Students hooker Craig Fisher scored two tries on his return to Gateshead Thunder as they hammered a North East Students XIII 82-0 in a pre-season friendly at the Thunderdome. Gateshead were without Player of the Year and Scotland international Damien Reid, who has joined York City Knights, but hope to re-sign two other Scots who are currently playing union: Boroughmuir’s Nigerian-born threequarter Peter Oshagbemi and Kiwi second-rower Clint Brown. Oshagbemi has played for Scotland at Students and A team level while Brown, currently in Sydney, was voted Best Defensive Player at the 2001 Europa Cup in Tatarstan after helping Scotland Students to the semi-finals.

[I_LUV_AFL]

Lebanon/ Medditeranean Cup

Lebanon have been confirmed hosts for their third Mediterranean Cup tournament in a row, and in what should be Rugby League’s largest Mediterranean Cup to date. The Mediterranean Cup was part of the original Rugby League World Cup dream, the establishment of small regular tournaments around the world to both raise interest in the sport, together with an aim to improve the competitiveness of national sides.

The first ever Mediterranean Cup was held in 1999 in the South of France, with Morocco, Italy, Lebanon and the French competing. France was in the tournament simply so the French Federation could test a number of its young upcoming players on the international stage, their results did not matter, as it was a battle between Morocco, Italy and Lebanon in terms of who would have the chance to challenge for a spot in the Rugby League World Cup. France finished on top of the ladder which was no surprise, with Lebanon finishing second, and progressing to a show down between them and the United States for the 16th spot in the 2000 World Cup.

A surprise result in the inaugural Mediterranean Cup was Italy’s win over France, after the Italians had lost to Lebanon in the opening clash.

The Mediterranean Cup concept then laid dormant till 2002 when a match between France and Lebanon was organised in Tripoli to decide the Mediterranean champions. Lebanon won, and also won the right to hold the last tournament in 2003.

2003 saw the inclusion of Serbia, and the reintroduction of Morocco into the tournament. France and Lebanon again met in the all important final match, and again Lebanon surprised everyone and won the tournament.

Now in 2004, at least one new nation will take part in the tournament, with the Greek Rugby League being invited to compete against last years four competitors. The Greeks, who played two internationals in 2003, are a very competitive outfit, defeating New Calendonia, and then only just losing to Italy in the matches.

Italy, who in 2003 had their first ever Rugby League matches played in the European Nation, with Veneto taking on Marche & Lazio in a North V South State of Origin concept, and a Padova Selection taking on the touring Scotland students, have also been thought to have been re-invited back to the Mediterranean Cup, however this has not yet been confirmed.

The expansion of this tournament, together with the Victory Cup, and the retaining of the European Nations Cup for 2004 has promised a very big year for European Rugby League.

[I_LUV_AFL]

Netherlands/ International 9's

The NNRLB have agreed terms with Sunergy/Rotterdam and Rotterdam City council to hold an International Nines tournament in the city on 7th August 2004.Plans are at an advanced stage with a world wide selection of developing League Federations showing interest.

Ian Thompson from the NNRLB explains the situation.
"We need help in our efforts to develop the game here in Holland and these International Nines are planned to give us a bigger profile both in the country and internationally. We have had tremendous interest from some real development countries and if we can get only half of them to come to Holland we will have a great tournament. The limit for entries is set at sixteen with the format of the competition being four groups of four playing a round robin before progressing onto major and minor knockout competitions played over the one day".

Invitations have also been sent to top BARLA clubs in the UK and Dutch Union clubs to give the competition a real international flavour. The NNRLB are being tight lipped about which federations and clubs who have expressed an interest.

"After a couple of false starts over the last twelve months the NNRLB will have all their plans and competing teams set in concrete before an official Launch of the 2004 Rotterdam International League Nines in early February 2004” continues the NNRLB spokesperson, "but we are very excited about this tournament.”

“Rotterdam is a great city and we are grateful to both the city council and the Rotterdam Rugby club for all their assistance in making this possible. The cost of travel to Holland is very reasonable and we are looking for a good mix of developing Nations and more experienced clubs to come and see what Holland Rugby League has to offer".

After the success of the international games against Scotland "A" and the Scottish Students in 2003
and the ground breaking "North Sea Challenge" between Dutch club Ter Werve and Essex Eels, the NNRLB are looking for more International football to help them expand in the soccer mad nation.

[I_LUV_AFL]

France- Domestic

LYON-VILLEURBANE RHONE XIII vs AS CARCASSONNE


XIII LIMOUXIN 12
defeated FOOTBALL CLUB LÉZIGNAN 10



OURS DE SAINT GAUDENS 16
defeated TOULOUSE RUGBY XIII 8



UNION TREIZISTE CATALANE 78
defeated VILLEFRANCHE DE ROUERGUE 4



VILLENEUVE LEOPARDS 41
defeated PIA SALANQUE MÉDITERANNÉE XIII 10

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Powergen Challenge Cup (Scotland, Wales, France, England, Ireland, Russia)

SHARLSTON ROVERS 14
defeated OLDHAM ST ANNES 9
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Jamie Leahy (Dewsbury)



LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 34
defeated SIDDAL 6
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: N Young



WEST HULL 76
defeated HEWORTH 4
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: S Kilgallon
Click here for this game's match page


INCE ROSE BRIDGE 28
defeated HUNSLET WARRIORS 14
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Dave Merrick (Castleford)
Click here for this game's match page


CROSFIELDS 20
defeated COTTINGHAM TIGERS 12
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)
Click here for this game's match page


CASTLEFORD PANTHERS 11
defeated ECCLES & SALFORD JUNIORS 6
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Chris Dean (Selby)
Click here for this game's match page


ELLAND 28
defeated EASTMOOR DRAGONS 4
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: P Ward
Click here for this game's match page


ROCHDALE MAYFIELD 20
defeated LEIGH EAST 10
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Chris Hatton (Selby)
Click here for this game's match page


BRADFORD-DUDLEY HILL 46
defeated BIRKENSHAW 6
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Ian Graydon (Halifax)
Click here for this game's match page


ROYAL NAVY 46
defeated EAST HULL 18
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: R Hicks
Click here for this game's match page


FEATHERSTONE LIONS 18
defeated EAST LEEDS 12
Date: Sat Dec 13 1.30pm
Referee: Matthew Thomason (Warrington)
Click here for this game's match page


CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE 13
defeated IDEAL ISBERG 6
Date: Sat Dec 13 2.30pm
Referee: Andy Leonard (Leeds)
Click here for this game's match page


DYNAMO MOSCOW 22
defeated WEST BOWLING 18
Date: Sun Dec 14 1.30pm
Referee: Richard Stockdale (Leeds)
Click here for this game's match page


THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS 32
defeated ROYAL AIR FORCE 0
Date: Sun Dec 14 1.30pm
Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham)
Click here for this game's match page


OULTON RAIDERS 18
defeated WATH BROW HORNETS 10
Date: Sat Dec 20 1.30pm
Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford)
Click here for this game's match page

[Fire Storm]

THanks Tutaki. Always good to hear RL news from around the globe.


It really is becoming the 'world game' after soccer isnt it?









(gallop. gallop)








Here comes noodnuts...........................................

[littleduck]

Originally posted by Mark Rudd
THanks Tutaki. Always good to hear RL news from around the globe.


It really is becoming the 'world game' after soccer isnt it?









(gallop. gallop)








Here comes noodnuts...........................................

the level of funniness in this post has plumetted to new depths.

RL is far more popular around the world than AR, its a no contest.

RU is far more popular around the world than RL, its a no contest.

Soccer is far more popular around the world than RU, its a no contest.

[I_LUV_AFL]

Originally posted by littleduck
the level of funniness in this post has plumetted to new depths.

RL is far more popular around the world than AR, its a no contest.

RU is far more popular around the world than RL, its a no contest.

Soccer is far more popular around the world than RU, its a no contest.

I agree, in saying that I think rugby league has the potential to be outright number 2. Were not even close yet but many nations are switching from union to rugby league and rugby league has also expanded by more than 15 nations in the past 3-4 years since the RLWC.

[I_LUV_AFL]

World Club Challege- Bradford RLFC

The UK’s most successful Rugby Club, Bradford Bulls have this morning left for Portugal as they prepare for the World Club Challenge game against Penrith Panthers on February 13th.

The Bulls will once again be staying at Brown’s Sport’s and Leisure Club in Vilamoura, where they had a successful pre season camp last year. The entire Bulls First Team Squad, together with youngsters, Nicky Saxton and Brett Ferres, with spend a week training together in preparation for the new season. The trip has been arranged by Bradford based CTI travel who have organised the Bulls training camps for the past four years.

Bulls Coach Brain Noble said:

“This part of the season is very important for us and it is vital that we make the correct preparations. We have a very tough World Club Challenge game against Penrith and then we are straight into the Tetley’s Super League and the Powergen Challenge Cup competitions, so we have to make sure our preparation is of the highest intensity and this camp will allow us to do this without recourse to the weather, which can be difficult at this time of year in England.”