International Update

[I_LUV_AFL]

EUROPEAN LEAGUE - DEVELOPMENT NATIONS TRI-SERIES
Sat Jul 22, 12:28pm (NSW) (Archive year: 2006) by Matt Dwyer
Source: RLEF.com

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Friday 21 July 2006

Match 2 : Estonia - Germany, Saturday 22nd July, KO 2pm Viimsi Stadium, Tallin, Estonia

Estonia will face Germany for the second match of the inaugural Euro development Tri Nations Tournament.

The Estonians embraced the game last year for the first time in Tallin, with a convincing performance against a touring side of GB Students pioneers.

The locals are eager to impress their crowd and get their first win on the international stage.

The Germans led by brothers Paul and Leo Berngruber, are expecting to score their second win in the row after a well deserved victory against neighbouring Austria in Bad Reichenhall in June for the opening game of this tournament.

Made of with a bulk of players from Bavaria and Heidelberg, the Germans will be reinforced by a few Exiles based in UK.

The game will start at 2pm. The crowd will be entertained by the Estonian Border Guard before the kick-off. Both teams will be invited at the prestigious Athena Hotel for a seat down meal and after match presentation.

This game is another great step forward in the development of Rugby League on the European Stage.

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

EUROPEAN WC QUALIFYING MATCHES.
Sat Jul 22, 12:31pm (NSW) (Archive year: 2006) by Matt Dwyer
Source: www.rlcup.com


The European Qualifying stages for the Rugby League World Cup will begin in October and November this year, and continue in October 2007.

Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Lebanon, Georgia and Russia will be competing in a home and away series within two groups. The highest ranked team in each group will then qualify for the World Cup Finals to be held in late 2008.

The second placed team in each group will also have the chance to take a place in the World Cup finals through a repocharge round to be held in November 2007.

The fixtures have been announced by the RLEF as follows.

October 21st/22nd
Qualifier 2 v Lebanon

October 21st/22nd
Scotland v Qualifier 1

October 28th /29th
Lebanon v Ireland

October 28th /29th
Wales v Scotland

November 4th/5th
Ireland v Qualifier 2

November 4th/5th
Qualifier 1 v Wales

Please note that venues are to be confirmed, and that Georgia and Russia have qualified for this stage by finishing as the top two teams from the recent European Preliminary WC Qualification Group.

The 2nd ranked teams from the two European qualifying groups will play off as part of the Repecharge Round in November 2007. The winner will then play the winner of the 3rd ranked Pacific qualifying team and highest placed Atlantic team to become one of the ten teams to compete in the World Cup finals.

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

ATLANTIC REGION - WC QUALIFYING MATCHES
Sat Jul 22, 12:32pm (NSW) (Archive year: 2006) by Matt Dwyer
Source: www.amnrl.com


The Atlantic Group Qualifying stages for the Rugby League World Cup will be held in New Jersey USA in October this year.

West Indies, South Afrcia, Japan and the United States will be competing in a round robin series where the highest ranked team will have a chance to take a place in the World Cup finals to be held in late 2008.

The fixtures have been announced by the AMNRL as follows.

Saturday 21st October
West Indies v South Africa
USA v Japan
at Sand Castle Staidum, New Jersey

Wednesday 25th October
Japan v West Indies
USA v South Africa
at Sand Castle Staidum, New Jersey

Saturday 28th October
South Africa v Japan
West Indies v USA
at Sand Castle Staidum, New Jersey

The highest placed Atlantic team will compete in a Repecharge Round in November 2007, against the 3rd ranked Pacific qualifying team and the 2nd ranked teams from the two European qualifying groups. The winner of that knock-out series will become one of the ten teams to compete in the World Cup finals.

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

FIJI RL NEWS
Sat Jul 22, 12:50pm (NSW) (Archive year: 2006) by Matt Dwyer
Source: Fiji Times

Aussie Fijians eyed for World Cup bid

Friday, July 21, 2006
THREE Australian first-grade players are lined-up for the Fiji Bati for the Rugby League World Cup play-offs in October.
Dragons centre Wes Naiqama, nephew of former goalkeeper Bale Raniga, is ruled out with an ankle injury but three others featuring in the National Rugby League Down Under are available.
Parramatta Eels hooker James Tora, South Sydney wing Wais Kativerata and Akuila Maqisai of Newcastle are being monitored.
"Former Bati manager Shane Morris, a development officer with the Melbourne Stormers, is keeping an eye on the players in Australia with Phil Brown, chairman of Australian Fiji Rugby League," said Bati manager Rusi Ratakele.
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands will feature in the Oceania play-offs in October in Sydney.
The top two qualify for the Rugby League World Cup in 2008 and the third team goes through another qualifying round in the European region.
"It will be tough so we have to get the best players," Ratakele said.
A Fiji Residents side will take on Australian Fijians on September 20 to select the Bati side.
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup will be held in Australia to mark the sport's 100 years.



SOMETIMES certain situations pop up to serve as an inspiration, pricking at your very soul. For those in the know, there was one such experience on a windy Saturday afternoon, blanketed with intermittent showers.
When Manoj announced that Kalaveti Naisoro was going to play for the Lautoka Crushers rugby league side, I thought to myself, 'Sa maybe Manoj got it wrong'.
As a secondrower for the Namoli Steelers a few years back, I remember having set my sights firmly on Kala everytime we met on the field. I know most of my mates did as well.
But it was easy keeping him in your sights. The hardest bit was trying to catch this elusive nuggety centre.
I remember him as a strongly built player with a low centre of gravity which probably made it all the more difficult to catch him.
He had quads the size of some of our hips and calves that were twice as big as our biceps, and if that wasn't enough, he packed pace to burn.
So in reality, there we'd be, keeping him firmly in our sights, but most of the time watching a clean pair of heels whenever he made one of his runs through the tiniest of gaps.
So it was with a little trepidation that I made my way over to a wet and soggy Suva Grammar School grounds.
The Crushers were scheduled to play the Makoi Bulldogs.
The Crushers won that game, 18-12, and Kala played a major role.
Now the amazing bit is that this man from Nanoko in Navosa was still playing a sport that is arguably the toughest contact sport in the world, at the age of 37.
After about seven years, I noticed the quads were still there.
Even the calves were still there, as big as ever. He was still hovering around the 5ft 7" mark, but I didn't get to see his pace considering the heavy underfoot conditions.
There was no doubt about his passion and love for the game.
He'd played as an understudy to former national rugby union centre Noa Nadruku at the 1991 Rugby World.
Prior to that Kala had been the centre for the national Under 19 rugby union side that toured Australia in 1988.
He later switched to league and won test caps, playing for the Fiji Bati at the 1995 and 2000 World Cup in England.
Personally, the thought of him playing raised many questions. Especially as age catches on.
I remember this bit off the web, it points out that to 'help keep your brain young and prevent memory loss, avoid living on autopilot doing the same things day after day. If you stretch yourself mentally, you'll actually avoid brain shrinkage. The classic way to do that is to learn something new whether it's speaking Spanish or playing the harmonica. Like muscles, your brain grows when it's working beyond its normal routine.'
Kala was doing everything right on Saturday. He lurked on the fringes of the ruck, taking the first ball. He probed gaps, drew the defence before offloading for support runners to carve up territory through the tiniest of gaps.
At an age when most players overseas are either contemplating retirement or already having hung up their boots, here's a man still playing with tonnes of passion.
There was a piece in our sports pages of national sevens coach Waisale Serevi, at 38, already contemplating a foray at next year's Rugby World Cup.
But what keeps these men going?
Kala,reckons it comes from within. When the spirit is willing.
Former Steelers frontrower Ilisoni Rogoyawa reckons Kala is an example of what the mind can do.
While the play-the-ball area was scrappy in most of the games on Saturday, Kala was leaving the opposition for dead with his probing runs.
With forward enforcer Frank Wye out injured, the onus was on Kala to hold things together.
Exciting 23-year-old secondrower Ilisoni Vonomatairatu stood out with a number of line breaks in the leading tackle counts and complemented an impressive allround effort with bone crunching defence.
Prior to that game I'd watched Semesa Cadrakilagi lead Saru's assault on the Nadera Panthers. Semesa was inspirational, leading his young side from the hills of Lautoka well under pressure.
I came off inspired on Saturday.
The Crushers team had shrugged off many odds to reach Suva for the minor semi-finals in the Fiji National Rugby League competition.
Frank says they almost didn't make it. They'd had to pull out of the pre-season competition this year because "we didn't have any money, boy".
"We were fortunate to get $100 from Kemueli Qoro the lawyer, and $50 from Eparama Turaga for this trip," he says.
"The boys pitched in with $10 each for this trip which cost us $380 to hire a small bus.
Another former Steelers man, Joe Tuvuki offered them his rugby union club's jumpers and they were off to Suva.
"It's all in the heart man," Frank says.
"We all love this sport. We are having problems playing it, but where there's a will, there's a way, eh," he laughes.
Their story is one of commitment, passion, enthusiasm, and of a positive attitude.
It's a tale of playing against major odds to come off as one of the best teams in Western Division.
"We have a lot of players who have potential, talent and the love for the sport," Frank says.
"All they need is an opportunity to display their talents."
I can only wish the Crushers well in the tough world of sports sponsorship deals.
I watched as the Crushers, fresh from their win, washed up at the Nasese seafront because there was no bathroom available, cleaned themselves under a tap at the outdoor courts at Veiuto and changed into their travelling clothes before hopping into the bus, packed as sardines, for the four hour journey back home to Lautoka. I marvelled at the happy faces that packed the bus. For a minute there, I felt an overwhelming sense of emotion. I felt sorry for them. But then again, they play rugby league, arguably the toughest contact sport in the world. It was not meant for the faint hearted.
FRED WESLEY is a Sub-Editor with The Fiji Times

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

Great Britain Students 34 bt Czech Republic 22 in Olomouc, Czech Republic

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

Germany 38 bt Estonia 24 in Tallin

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

Cambridge University Tour of USA
Glenn Mills Bulls 34 bt Cambridge University 12
Cambridge University 16 bt US Country Allstars 14
Cambridge University 42 bt Emerging Young Tomahawks 18

Other domestic results:
Glenn Mills 32 bt Delaware 6
Philadelphia 36 bt Washington DC 10
Conneticut 26 bt New Haven 24
New Jersey 28 bt Jacksonville 24
Utah 28 bt New York 6

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

France A 31 bt Scotland A 16 in Glasgow

 

[Calthorpe14]

this is great coverage...thanks heaps

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

this is great coverage...thanks heaps

No probs. Im glad its appreciated, Ill keep the updates coming.

 

[Spewing]

Top stuff mate .

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Belgian Rugby League.

Not much of a site, but it's a start.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h....rugby13.free.fr/FBR.htm&prev=/language_tools

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

HOLLAND 34 CZECH REPUBLIC 28

A superb try saving tackle by outstanding Dutch full back Rudy Stanford-Smyth prevented the Czech Republic from a possible share of the spoils on their first foray onto foreign soil.
There were huge positives for both nations in a terrific, flowing encounter; the Dutch fielding a predominantly home-based side showing great resolve to secure victory while the European newcomers proved that they have the talent to be competitive.
Holland made a great start, racing to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter hour as the Czech’s failed to complete their sets of six giving good field position to the men in Orange.
Nottingham Outlaws’ Phil Parkinson opened the scoring, with the excellent Stanford-Smyth crossing twice in three minutes as he linked decisively from the back.
The visitors, initially suffering from the after-effects of a 1000km bus journey, began to find their feet, with stand off Mikhal Kucera at the heart of their best work.
Prop Přemek Brádle skittled the defence to power his way over and strong running second rower Josef Kucera posted the first of his three tries to reduce the gap to four points.
On the stroke of half time, experienced Dutch scrum half Jorik Moree skipped clear and away for a fine solo try, Aaron de Jager’s second conversion making it 20-10 at the break.
Within ten minutes of the re-start the Dutch had doubled their advantage, confidently spreading the ball wide to create touchdowns for wingmen Cameron Stewart and Jamie Groeneweg.
Mikhal and Josef Kucera replied, with Mikhal converting both efforts to bring the score to 30-22, only for Moree to produce another expertly timed dart on the 70th minute for the hosts.
Josef Kucera deservedly completed his try treble to set up a tense finish, Standford-Smyth securing victory with his heroic late tackle.
European Rugby League Development Officer Kevin Rudd, who oversaw the clash, commented; “I would like to pay tribute to the Czech squad who conducted themselves superbly on and off the field and made great efforts to play the match. Their sporting spirit was admirable and they are a welcome addition to the growing European Rugby League family.”
Czech General Secretary Milan Mrtynek added, “That was a great learning experience for us and all the guys enjoyed the game. We look forward to more Rugby League and welcoming more teams to Prague to give us further experience.”
Netherlands RL President Ian Thompson was equally enthusiastic, “It was a fantastic display of open rugby with great flair and attacking play from both sides. With ninety per cent of our squad from Holland, that was a great development for us” he said.

 

[1908]

I think that photograph is actually of Marseille RLFC in France. Looks like a possible junior day.

They wear the blue colours and are known as the Lions.

 

[Spewing]

Isn't it great to see young lads get involved in the game of rugby league good luck to them from now and the future.....

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

American Rugby League Finals


FERRAINOLA CUP IX FINALS SERIES


The American National Rugby League Semi Finals will see the top four seeded teams from the regular season face off in the most exciting playoff match ups in the history of the C.D. Ferrainola Cup.

Saturday, August 12
Glen Mills Bulls (1) v New Jersey Sharks (4) at Jack Pearson Stadium, Glen Mills Schools at 2pm
Connecticut Wildcats (2) v New York Knights (3) at Charlie Cassagrande Stadium, CT at 2pm

With both games featuring teams from respective conferences, Ferrainola Cup IX will present the top placed Lincoln Conference club facing the top placed Franklin Conference club on Saturday, August 19 at 7pm at Jack Pearson Stadium in Glen Mills, PA.

Defending premiers Glen Mills Bulls, will face a tough test against the perennial playoff contenders, the New Jersey Sharks. The Sharks will be desperate to finally break through and make the Championship Final after suffering a number of heart breaking losses in past semi finals. Number two seed, Connecticut Wildcats will be attempting to reach a fourth consecutive final by overcoming a resurgent New York Knights who want to return to Cup Final night having last appeared in 2002.

An exciting fortnight of Rugby League in America will present high quality entertainment as all four teams challenge to lift the C. D. Ferrainola Cup on August 19.

Past Ferrainola Cup results:-
1998 - Glen Mills Bulls 66 d Philadelphia Fight 12
1999 - Glen Mills Bulls 28 d New Jersey Sharks 12
2000 - Glen Mills Bulls 36 d Philadelphia Fight 24
2001 - Glen Mills Bulls 26 d Delaware Mantarays 16
2002 - New York Knights 18 d Glen Mills Bulls 12
2003 - Connecticut Wildcats 36 d Glen Mills Bulls 30
2004 - Glen Mills Bulls 34 d Connecticut Wildcats 28
2005 - Glen Mills Bulls 32 d Connecticut Wildcats 30

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

LONDON MX9s

International teams from Europe and beyond are set to descend on north London later this month for one of rugby leagues fastest growing and most international of tournaments.

This year's annual London MX9s, an initiative led by local National League club London Skolars, the RFL and the Rugby League European Federation, is the most ambitious tournament yet, with invitations accepted from fifteen teams - including eleven international federation teams.

In addition to teams from England, Ireland and Scotland, the event also includes Holland, Serbia, Russia, Tartarstan, France and even South Africa, as well as representatives of the student and armed forces game.

There will also be a European IX entered comprising of leading players from developing nations, including Italy, Germany, Estonia, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The tournament, to be held at New River Stadium in Wood Green, will involve the largest number of international sides in the UK since the 2000 World Cup.

Taking place on Sunday 27th August - the day after the Powergen Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham between Huddersfield Giants and St. Helens - the event will form the climax to the biggest weekend of rugby league the capital has seen for many years.

"The Rugby League European Federation are delighted to support the London MX9s event" said Kevin Rudd from the RLEF.

"This tournament will bring together both experienced and emerging nations. Their participation in 9s rugby shows the growing strength of the game at a European level, and we applaud such a dynamic initiative."

The action-packed day will also include a CAMRA Beer Festival and family entertainment, in addition to the international rugby league on offer.

The organisers call on all rugby league fans to support the event and encourage the burgeoning international league family of nations

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

RESULT

Great Britain 66 bt Portugal 6

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

Monday 14 August 2006
SLAVIC CUP


CZECH REPUBLIC 28 SERBIA XIII 36
RC Slavia Praha, Vladivostocka, Prague

Serbia withstood a spirited rearguard action from the rapidly improving Czech Republic to take the inaugural Slavic Cup in Prague.

Taking advantage of a disappointing start by the hosts, and inspired by man of the match Mate Granic, Serbia scored 18 unanswered points in the opening spell, capitalizing on the home team's handling errors.

Down 24-4 at the break, the Czechs gave a much improved performance in the second half, inspired by tough-tackling Andrew Mulhall, an Australian-born Czech resident, and Michal Kucera, who the Czech RL association named as their outstanding player.

Thanks to three late tries, two of them to Kucera, the gap was eventually reduced to eight points, as the visitors began to tire.

Delighted Serbia RL official Jovan Vujosevic commented, “I am delighted with the victory as we blooded several new players to build up our strength in depth.”

“It has been the most challenging year yet for Serbia RL but we have competed successfully at a number of levels and we hope to start further work at under 16’s next year.”

SERBIA ARE THE 2006 SLAVIC CUP CHAMPIONS