International RL Blog

Trying to Put a VAR Genie Back in a Bottle

2025-06-19T15:18:00.001+01:00

When VAR was originally introduced, the idea was that it would be used to avoid "clear and obvious" errors and who could doubt the wisdom of that. Unfortunately, mission creep has occurred on a massive scale and now VAR (or TMO, video ref, big screen) is used on such a massive scale that it is allowed to disrupt games to a far greater extent than originally envisaged. We have reached a point where sport is no longer recognisable. The flow and continuity of the game is disrupted and any drama is often dissipated.

This is true for all major football codes (soccer, union and league) but it is particularly a problem in soccer where decisions are often analysed to such a minute degree that the game can be interrupted for up to ten minutes. This takes place in winter and players are left standing around in pouring rain or freezing cold. Spectators suffer in bad weather too and they are often oblivious to the VAR decisions being made.

Obviously, accurate decision making is important but surely drama and the flow of the game are important too especially when a very significant proportion of the decisions made do not have a definitive answer.

A good example would be the recent RL Challenge Cup Final between Hull KR and Warrington where Hull KR scored a late try to win the game. Many people, including the commentators thought that the Warrington player grounded the ball with his torso and the try should've been disallowed. The referee thought otherwise, awarded the try and that was the end of that but it wasn't clear cut. It was very subjective and we can look at footage for years without agreeing. It was a matter of opinion and there was no definitive answer. I personally thought that use of VAR reduced the drama of the situation.

In my opinion, the technical specifications of the VAR system used mean that it is not suitable for the sort of minute detail, in depth analysis which has developed. TV pictures are not continuous footage but in reality a series of still images called frames which are perceived as continuous by the human brain due to something called persistence of vision. Standard TV pictures are 50 frames per second which means there is 0.02 seconds between each frame. A fit, fast man can run 100 metres in approximately 10 seconds which is speed of 10 metres per second. This means that a fit, fast professional footballer could run 0.2 metres (which is 20 centimetres) between frames. A kicked football could move much faster. The position of a player or the ball could possibly vary by more than 20 centimetres between frames. It is ridiculous to zoom in and look at offside decisions which involve distances of a few millimetres. The system used isn't accurate enough.

In last year's RL World Club Challenge between Wigan and Penrith, towards the end Bevan French scored a try when Harry Smith kicked ahead from a scrum and he won the race to the ball. The referee awarded the try but ufortunately, VAR was used and the try was disallowed because French was judged to be millimetres offside. A great, well worked try which would've been a fitting, dramatic climax to an exciting game was disallowed on flimsy evidence. It was such a shame.

VAR has actually evolved into a scientific measuring device. Usually, scientific measurements are quoted to a specific accuracy e.g. + or - 2% and this is taken into account when used. The same should apply with VAR. The system is only accurate to the nearest 20 centimetres and shouldn't be used to judge distances less than that.

If (a very big if) you can identify the correct frame, measurement could be made from that and decisions made. In reality, how do you choose the correct frame? There are 50 per second with players and the ball all potentially in massively different positions on each one. It would be very difficult.

If it was up to me, I would abolish VAR altogether and let the referee make the decisions. Of, course, they would make mistakes but they do anyway, even with VAR. Matches would flow better, have better continuity and be more dramatic.

It won't happen. Most of the money in sport comes from TV and they will want it to continue. Too many important people would have to admit they were wrong.

You cannot put a genie back in a bottle.

Proud and Dignified

2017-12-22T13:36:00.000+00:00

This is still wonderful.

Proud, dignified and having a good time.

Merry Christmas

Jillaroos Win Woman's World Cup

2017-12-21T13:32:00.000+00:00

The Australian Jillaroos have won the 2017 Rugby League Women’s World Cup after surviving a physical encounter with the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns to finish champions 23-16.

A field goal on the stroke of fulltime from Australian livewire, Caitlyn Moran sehaled the game for the Jillaroos after holding off a late surge from a determined Kiwi ferns outfit.

Moran also bagged a double in the match which laid the platform for the Jillaroos to build a lead after spending much of the first half fending off New Zealand attacks.

New Zealand try scoring machine, Honey Hireme, also scored two tries but it wasn’t enough as the Jillaroos won their second straight Women’s World Cup.

As soon as play got underway, the Ferns flexed their muscles and tried to put the jillaroos on the back foot by sending their powerful forwards up the middle to try and gain some early momentum.

But despite controlling the opening minutes of the game, some brilliant creative play from the Jillaroos resulted in the first points of the final.

With two defenders on her back, Renae Kunst managed to get an offload to fullback Nakia Davis-Welsh who flew downfield before drawing the Kiwi fullback and finding Isabelle Kelly unmarked who crossed over for a brilliant team try.

Caitlyn Moran made no mistakes adding the extras to give Australia an early 6-0 lead just eight minutes into the match.

But New Zealand wouldn’t stay behind for long turning to Honey Hireme, who got her first of the day to level the scores just four minutes later.

Now with some momentum behind them, the Ferns started to regain control of the match with some quick line speed preventing the Jillaroos from moving up the field.

And as the clocked ticked into the back end of the first half, Hireme once again gave New Zealand the upper hand after she forced her way over for her second try of the day.

Despite dominating for most of the first half, New Zealand only held onto a slim 10-6 advantage before Australia finally broke through on the verge of halftime.

As she has done all tournament, Moran zigged and zagged her way to the try line and planted the ball down beside the posts before converting her own try to give the Jillaroos an unexpected 12-10 lead heading into the second half.

As both teams took the field for the final 40 minutes of the 2017 Rugby League Women’s World Cup, the match was still well and truly anyone’s for the taking.

And it was the Jillaroos who took control of the match following play getting underway, landing a swift double blow within four minutes of each other to gain a firm grasp on the game.

The first came from an Ali Brigginshaw grubber kick which deflected off a New Zealand defender, bouncing up perfectly Kelly who was in pursuit and put the ball down under the posts for her second try.

Then just four minutes later, forward Elianna Walton forced her way over next to the posts to give Australia a 22-10 lead with a little over 20 minutes yet to play.

But New Zealand were far from done and after finally making their way back down the right end of the field, New Zealand got themselves back into the match.

The Ferns moved the ball through the hands using quick passes and offloads to break up the Australian defence before Raecene McGregor finally found a way over the try line.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes and with just one converted try the difference, the energy of both teams lifted as they could sense a World Cup victory was just one play away.

And that play would come from two-try hero, Caitlyn Moran, who slotted a field goal from 15 meters out on the stroke of full time to secure a second straight Rugby League Women’s World Cup for Australia, finishing champions 23-16.

Australia Win 2017 RL World Cup

2017-12-19T13:29:00.000+00:00

The Australian Kangaroos are the 2017 Rugby League World Cup champions after narrowly edging out rivals England 6-0 in a physical and tense encounter.

No points were scored following Boyd Cordner’s 15th minute try as England threw everything they had at the Australians but failed to find a way through the green and gold defensive line as the Kangaroos won their second straight World Cup title.

In front of a packed house at Brisbane stadium, Australia put together another clinical performance from the opening whistle to lift the Paul Barrière trophy for the first time in 40 years on Australian soil.

As Australia kicked off to get the much anticipated clash underway, the physicality of the bout was evident from the first hit up as English forward James Graham, got up bleeding from the head after returning the kick off.

And as Graham’s head was cleaned up, Australia would also draw first blood on the scoreboard following repeated raids on the English goal line.

15 minutes into the match, Australia enjoyed four sets back-to-back in the English half, probing the determined defence before backrower Boyd Cordner finally found a way through.

Shifting the ball across the field, Michael Morgan gave the ball to Cordner who was steaming past the shoulder of the five-eighth to crash over the line for the opening points of the final.

Following Smiths successful conversion, Australia laid claim to a 6-0 advantage as the match once again fell back into an arm wrestle.

Despite completing 92% of their sets in the opening stanza and holding the ball almost twice as much as the English, Australia failed to find any more points in the half as England’s hard-hitting defence proved too good for the normally dominant Australian attack.

As the half-time siren was about to sound to bring the first half to an end, Australia had one last chance at points opting to shoot for a field goal off a scrum for it only to be charged down before the players returned to the dressing rooms.

As the final 40 minutes of the 2017 World Cup got underway, the match started much the same as the first with a bone-rattling hit up off the kick-off as both teams tried to gain the upper hand.

Australia once again enjoyed the bulk of possession but still had no answers to England’s desperate scrambling defence despite being denied a four-pointer in the 46th minute due to obstruction.

With just six points on the scoreboard after 65 minutes of play, the match was still up in the air as England started to create some chances and test Australia’s defence.

But as it had been all tournament, the clinical defence of the Kangaroos held off England’s efforts despite some close calls, setting up a tense final 10 minutes.

But England couldn’t break through the brick wall defence of Australia as the full-time siren sounded to crown Australia the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Champions, finishing winners in a tight game 6-0.

Smith Awarded 2017 Golden Boot

2017-12-18T04:00:00.000+00:00

Australian Captain Cameron Smith and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns star forward Teuila Fotu-Moala have received the prestigious individual international player awards at the official Rugby League World Cup 2017 Grand Final luncheon at the Sofitel Brisbane attended by all four finals teams.

The Australian hooker narrowly edged out Tongan forward Jason Taumalolo with England winger Jermaine McGillvary being named in 3rd place for the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) Golden Boot Award.

The presentation of the RLIF Golden Boot was made by RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood and caps an outstanding year for Smith who has led the undefeated Australian team with distinction, winning his 50th cap for the Kangaroos during 2017.

Smith also won the 2017 Dally M Medal, 11 years after winning his first Medal, and led the Melbourne Storm to the NRL Premiership. He has been an ever-present force in the Australia team during 2017, kicking 24 goals to date in the 2017 World Cup and surpassed Clive Churchill's record for most consecutive Tests.

RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood said:

“Cameron has secured his place as one of the greats in the history of Rugby League.

“His outstanding performances edged out Jason Taumalolo whose performances in this World Cup played a major role in the excitement and colour which Tonga brought to the 2017 World Cup.

“Cameron is a deserving recipient of the Golden Boot and is recognised by his peers and followers of our sport as a truly exceptional player.

“I join the nominations panel and my colleagues on the RLIF Board in congratulating Cameron.”

The presentation of the Women’s World Cup Player of the Tournament was made by RLIF Chief Executive David Collier to the New Zealand star forward Teuila Fotu-Moala.

Fotu-Moala has scored three tries in three games but it is the strength of her defence which has shone the spotlight on her performances.

Nicknamed “Jukebox” by former Australian captain Darren Lockyer, because

“the hits keep coming”,

she is among the leaders in most statistical categories per game in the World Cup - 3rd for run metres, 3rd for line-breaking assists, 5th for tackle breaks, 2nd for post-contact metres and 6th for line-engaged runs.

Teulia was also named New Zealand Women’s Player of the Year in 2017, establishing her as one of the top female players in the world game.

Collier said:

“Teuila has been devastating in both attack and defence and is a punishing runner of the football.

“She has laid the foundation for the Ferns’ outstanding run in the tournament and has been the leading forward in the competition.

“I thank the broadcaster of the women’s event for their role in the nominations process and Rugby League World Cup 2017 for their delivery of the first Women’s World Cup held in parallel with the men’s competition which has significantly enhanced the development of women’s Rugby League.

“I join the Board of the RLIF in congratulating Teuila on this well-deserved award.”

Best Ever Season for Norway RL

2017-12-16T13:20:00.000+00:00

In their first campaign, Stavanger Storm have finished top of the expanded Norwegian rugby league championship, ahead of Porsgrunn Pirates. The season saw a seven-team competition, with sides spread over 1,800km, complete all the scheduled games, along with the national side competing in four fixtures, all unbeaten, in what is the most successful Norge RL campaign to date.

“Forty games being played without a single forfeit is a major step forward,” said chairman Lee Johnson.

“We now look to the future with a strategic plan to develop better skills among the players. We also look forward to taking on new and stronger opposition within Europe and to do our best in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers.”

Norway also played their first junior international in 2017, against Serbia U18s, two 9s tournaments and now have 11 clubs actively training, with three newcomers set to play in the first 9s competition next year.

“We also focus on staging an event rather than a game,”

added Johnson.

“The intention is to recruit more youngsters to take us to the next level. We have already booked a trip to Serbia for a school team, Nannestad Norsemenn. Clubs are reporting record numbers in training and the interest in rugby league has never been higher. Significantly, the sport has also had a lot of exposure in the media, especially after our Nordic Cup triumph.”

Cameroon Awarded Observer Status

2017-12-15T13:18:00.000+00:00

The RLEF board has awarded observer status to Cameroon Rugby League XIII, an association based in Yaoundé, the nation’s capital city.

“Rugby league will give Cameroonian youth strong human and social values; solidarity, courage and citizenship,”

said CRLXIII chairman Samuel Tayou.

“Physically, rugby league is well suited to Africans and the game is just spectacular.”

Tayou heads a seven-strong executive committee which was elected by its 26 Directors in 2017, in line with the French system. However, the Cameroon story is now in its sixth year and currently involves eight member clubs: Yaoundé-based Dragons RL, Bulls RL, Raiders RL, Petou Institut RL and Panthers RL; plus Nyété Bulls, Babadjou RL and Kumba RL. Another five clubs are in the process of being formed.

“Everything started in 2012 with (former Kangaroo international) Michael Hancock in Brisbane, who embraced my idea to set up rugby league in Cameroon,” explains Carol Manga, CRLXIII’s general and development manager, who worked in the medical profession in Australia.

“Back then I just wanted to give something back to the youth that they could enjoy at home.

“I brought a bit of Cameroon to Australia and now I’ve taken a part of Australia back with me! I would like to thank everyone involved, especially the Australian and Cameroonian governments and rugby league officials Tas Baitieri, Brad Fittler and Remond Safi who supported this idea. Now it’s representing hope to many young people in Cameroon, a way to teach and educate through rugby league.”

The CRLXIII’s current two-year development plan concentrates on four objectives: obtaining government recognition, a target being supported by the French rugby league federation, which is already in correspondence with the Cameroonian sports ministry; the creation of four geographical groups to administer the sport regionally; establishing competition, youth, technical education and development commissions, which will be charged with growing the sport at grassroots level; and entering the Emerging Nations World Cup in Sydney in 2018.

Cameroon is the latest African country to be accepted by the RLEF following Ghana in 2014 and joining Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. RLEF Middle East Africa director Remond Safi is also reviewing an application from two other African countries, and is in contact with others interested in developing the sport there. He is also drawing up plans to take each country from observer to affiliate member status.

“Africa is an important region for the sport,” said Safi. “It has 1.2 billion people and the African Union recognises 54 countries. Rugby league’s universality will be strengthened through African development and we have the opportunity to partner with many more governments which should eventually lead to IOC and GAISF full member recognition.”

Latest World Rankings

2017-12-14T13:14:00.000+00:00

Following the success of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, the new world rankings have been announced for the men’s game and, significantly, for the first time, the women.

Australia, after picking up the silverware in both tournaments, are at the head of the respective tables.

“One of our goals since 2016 has been to restore the Kangaroos to the position of number one in the world,”

said Kangaroos head coach Mal Meninga, in the afterglow of retaining the World Cup.

“We achieved that following the Four Nations Final last year and it has been enormously satisfying to stay there.

“We believe a strong international programme is essential and see our success, and the manner in which we fought for it, as a catalyst in continuing this push to prioritise Test match rugby league. The players have been central to this achievement and I know they are very proud and humble to maintain the status quo.”

Nine nations make up the inaugural Women’s rankings. Australia head coach Brad Donald commented:

“Not only is this a great result for our team, who have worked extraordinarily hard to win the World Cup, the formalisation of a rankings process is also great recognition for women’s sport in general. The Jillaroos are an incredibly talented and committed group of players and this has added significantly to their wonderful achievements through the tournament.”

In the men’s rankings, Lebanon are the main movers, up nine places from eighteenth into the top ten, whilst Tonga go from eleventh to fourth. Papua New Guinea rise six places to tenth and there is a welcome move for Chile, who won the first South American Championship, as they go from 37th to 32nd in a year when more internationals have been played than ever before.

Tongan head coach Kristian Woolf noted:

“The Mate Ma’a’s move is just reward for a very strong year including a great World Cup campaign. It is something we want to continue, with the opportunity to be involved in more International games in the future and the ability to compete against the top three nations.”

PNG chairman Sandis Tsaka added:

“The performance of the Kumuls during the 2017 World Cup has helped PNG get back up the world rankings and we now have the challenge of continuing to rise by playing more full international games. The PNG supporters and players have shown that they love international rugby league.”

David Collier OBE, chief executive of the Rugby League International Federation, commented:

“On behalf of the RLIF board I would like to congratulate Australia on retaining their position and the other major movers, in particular Lebanon, Fiji, PNG and Tonga who all lit up the World Cup.”

“The rankings are a statistically-weighted reflection of results over the past five years, with greater emphasis on recent displays. Scotland and Samoa have retained a top six place due to their recent performances against the tier one nations, and Ireland are improving on the field yet drop out of the top 10 because of the ranking of the opposition they faced.

“What we have seen is that the success of the World Cup has reinvigorated the international game, even more fixtures are being arranged across the tiers and that will have a reflection in future rankings as past results gradually degrade.”

The Test series scheduled for next autumn between England and New Zealand will, most likely, determine which nation will end 2018 as the second ranked side.

Hong Kong v Japan 2017 Highlights

2017-11-21T21:10:00.000+00:00

Partizan Belgrade Win Inaugural Balkan Super League

2017-11-20T21:05:00.001+00:00

The honours have been shared as the Serbian rugby league season comes to an end, after Partizan held on to defeat rivals Red Star 32-26 to win the inaugural, regional Balkan Super League title, at the FK BASK Arena in the capital city, in the second ‘battle of Belgrade.’

The competition, which is scheduled to expand in 2018 with more nations and teams involved, also featured sides from Turkey, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The week before, for the second time in their history, Red Star became Serbian champions after defeating Partizan 44-22 in the SRL Grand Final, held at the Ada Ciganlija Stadium.

The Balkan Super League decider saw the lead change hands four times in the first half. But touchdowns from the competition’s leading try scorer, Vladimir Milutinović, and Branko Čarapić in five minutes in the lead up to the break – which established a 28-16 for Admir Hadžić’s Partizan side – turned out to be crucial.

Red Star’s fight back was too late, Brodie Feeney with a brace of touchdowns.

“It was a wonderful match and an amazing victory for us,” said Hadžić, who was carried shoulder high by his side.

“The guys thought all week about what went wrong the previous Sunday and they played motivated from the start.”

SRLF general secretary and Balkan SL tournament director Slobodan Manak reflected on a highly satisfactory campaign. “Overall, including the inaugural season of Balkan Super League, Serbian clubs in both tiers of club competition played a total of 64 games,” he noted.

“It was important for the SRLF to strengthen club competition so that younger players have more chance to gain valuable experience and get quality matches, to prepare them for international tests and the next round of World Cup qualifying.

“That was the driving force behind the founding of the Balkan Super League, it was a challenging decision because of the increasing number of matches that clubs needed to partake in. This is now a semi-professional work load but it paid dividends because, for the first time, three teams equally challenged for the domestic title.”

Manak added: “Holders Dorcol started the season by winning the Super Cup but then their traditional dominance ended. Both Red Star and Partizan showed more during a season that had many surprising results, not least Radnicki Nis gaining historic wins against both Dorcol and Red Star.

“Partizan also won the Serbian Cup, led by the performer of the season, stand off Vladimir Milutinović, who is the leader in both points and tries scored.

“It was a hard and long season even though we didn’t have as many Test matches for our national team, which was the biggest difference from 2016. That’s why we composed a busy club schedule and the top Serbian clubs played as many matches as English or French second tiers sides, which is a great accomplishment.”

BALKAN SUPER LEAGUE FINAL

PARTIZAN 32

Pavle Vojinović, Ronaldo Bitići, Nikola Srbljanin, Vlado Kušić, Žarko Kovačević, Vladimir Milutinović, Džavid Jašari, Petar Kovač, Dragan Janković, Mihajlo Ilić, Denis Bibić, Dario Abidinović, Jasmin Bibić

Subs: Dušan Milutinović, Denis Bajrami, Branko Čarapić, Milan Despinić

Tries: Dušan Milunitović (’7), Vlado Kušić ’(16, ’48), Mihajlo Ilić (’20), Vladimir Milutinović (’34), Branko Čarapić (’39)

Goals: Džavid Jašari 4/6

RED STAR: 26

Miloš Zogović, Ilija Krstić, Mark Pulen, Petar Milanović, Dragan Vasiljević, Stefan Nikolić, Vojislav Dedić, Danilo Kasanović, Vladislav Dedić, Slobodan Milenković, Miloš Ćalić, Adam Pavlović, Jack O’Brian

Subs: Brodie Feeney, Niall Braniff, Nenad Žujić, Slobodan Manak

Tries: Jack O’Brian (’5), Petar Milanović (’13), Miloš Zogović (’32), Brodie Feeney (’55, ’62)

Goals: Vojislav Dedić 2/4, Stefan Nikolić 1/1

Sin bin: Dragan Janković

Half time: 28-16

Referee: Radoslav Novaković

Chile win Latin American Championship

2017-11-19T22:37:00.001+00:00

Chile win Latin American Championship

Wins for Argentina and Chile at Day 1 of Latin America Championship

2017-11-18T18:10:00.001+00:00

Wins for Argentina and Chile at Day 1 of Latin America Championship

Brave Hong Kong lose narrowly to Japan

2017-11-06T21:32:00.000+00:00

Hong Kong lost against Japan 22-24 in a thrilling encounter that saw Japan hold off a spirited second half comeback by Hong Kong to claim the inaugural East Asia Cup.

Hong Kong, playing in their first ever international RL match, started off slowly in the first half, struggling with a high error count and low set completion rate that allowed Japan to dominate territory and possession. Japanese hooker Kazuki Fukushige and half back Kenshin Tsutsui controlled the game well, Fukushige in particular causing Hong Kong plenty of problems with his quick snipes out from dummy half. Japan raced ahead to a 14-0 lead through scores by Fukushige, Itaru Matuso and Tsutsui, who scored collected his own kick to go over for a brilliant individual score. Hong Kong looked to gain back some possession through some strong running in the middle and eventually scored their first ever international try through barnstorming forward Ben Ryan, who was a standout performer from both sides. However, another score just before half time by Japan’s Kohei Ishikawa meant Japan went into half time a comfortable 4-20 up.

Another score for Japan by Royoji Kitabayashi at the start of the second half meant the score line was beginning to look ominous for Hong Kong. However, a knock on by Japan on the Hong Kong 30 proved to be the turning point for the game. From the resulting scrum, Hong Kong worked their way downfield allowing Hong Kong’s youngest player and half back Gus Spence to weave through a gap in the defence to touchdown. Spence, despite his age and relative lack of size, was one of Hong Kong’s best players showcasing an array of wonderful distribution and kicking to get his team going. The score sparked the Hong Kong team into life and was the catalyst for a thrilling 30 minute performance.

Encouraged and cheered on by a passionate and increasingly vocal home crowd, Hong Kong began to impose their physical superiority with a number of big runs and tackles. Hong Kong got another score when ex-Sydney Rooster Toby Lei crashed over front short range and the team looked well on course for a spectacular comeback, with the noise from the crowd acting as a 14th man. Another score quickly followed when a great interchange between forwards Lei and Ryan allowing the latter to crash over, bringing the score to 22-24 with just six minutes to go. However, Hong Kong couldn’t create the final score and Japan held on to claim a historic win.

“It’s real mixed emotions for us. I think probably the first half we were a bit fazed by the occasion and the lack of experience showed. But the second half was an incredible effort. We started to focus on set completions and just kept fighting, and I think we can be incredibly proud of the spirit we showed. And to have that support at the game in our first ever game was unforgettable. They really drove us on,” said Hong Kong captain Ringo Lung.

“There are things we need to work out on the pitch, but this is just the first step in our journey and we’ll learn huge amounts from today”.

“Although we didn’t get the win, everyone can be hugely proud of what we achieved today. To host our first international, broadcast to over 20,000 people and with such passionate home support was simply incredible – we’ve created sporting history” said HKRL Chairman Neville Metcalfe.

“Hopefully what we produced today was a great advert for rugby league, for both our local audience as well as on the international scene. We want people to stand up, take notice and hopefully support what we’re doing and we think we managed to achieve that today”.

Hong Kong – 22 (4)

Tries: Ben Ryan (2), Gus Spence, Toby Lei
Goals: Kin Chong (3)

Japan – 24 (20)

Tries: Kazuki Fukushige, Itaru Matuso, Kenshin Tsutsui, Kohei Ishikawa, Royoji Kitabayashi
Goals: Dai Fujitaka (2)

Referee: Robert McDonald (Australia)

FIRST 9S TOURNAMENT PLAYED IN ISTANBUL

2017-11-04T14:04:00.001+00:00

FIRST 9S TOURNAMENT PLAYED IN ISTANBUL

SPANISH SEASON SET TO KICK OFF

2017-11-03T16:43:00.001+00:00

SPANISH SEASON SET TO KICK OFF

RL World Rankings Updated

2017-11-03T14:07:00.001+00:00

The Rugby League World Rankings have been updated prior to the kick-off of the 15th World Cup.

Two of the participants, Lebanon – up three places to 18th and Italy – who rise two to 12th – are amongst the main movers since May; along with the Netherlands, Hungary and Vanuatu.

Cedars head coach Brad Fittler commented:

“It’s really encouraging news on the verge of the tournament, to hear that we are rising in the rankings. It’s a great boost as we go into our group games with Australia, England and France and a further yardstick to measure ourselves by – it gives us encouragement to aim even higher and break into the top ten.”

Results in the World Cup could see Australia, co-hosts New Zealand or even England – if they win the World Cup for the first time since 1972 and the Antipodeans both have poor tournaments – end the campaign as the number one ranked nation.

Should they make the quarter finals, Scotland will most-likely retain their high spot of fourth gained after their showing last year’s Four Nations tournament.

The biggest movement is expected to be between positions 6 and 12 which gives every group game added importance, allied to the fact that the eight quarter finalists in 2017 will automatically qualify for the 2021 World Cup in England, which will be boosted to 16 nations.

CLICK HERE for full rankings

Australia

New Zealand

England

Scotland

Samoa

France

Fiji

Ireland

Wales

Tonga

Italy

Jamaica

Serbia

Canada

Malta

Lebanon

Russia

Belgium

Norway hold on to record historic win in Czech Republic

2017-10-24T19:55:00.001+01:00

Norway hold on to record historic win in Czech Republic

CZECHS PREPARE FOR VISITING NORWEGIANS

2017-10-17T08:53:00.000+01:00

The Czech Republic and Norway have announced their squads to play in Saturday’s international in Krupka, close to the east German border. It will be the third meeting between the nations, with each having won once.

Thirteen of Ladislav Cintler’s Czech squad played in the victory against Hungary earlier in the year, Bruno Jasiczek the only debutant this time. Captain Jan Heininger said: “We are really looking forward to testing ourselves once more against Norway. We had a narrow victory over them last year but since then they have won the Nordic Cup and are in good form. We have had a fantastic and long season of rugby league in the Czech Republic this year and we are looking to round it off in style with a win for our home fans.”

In a sign of the progress being made in both countries, the combined squads are collectively drawn from 17 clubs, with Vikingene coach Dave Hunter selecting his team from a record 10 sides. Porsgrunn are contributing the largest number, including sole debutant Arne Torsen.

“We are aiming to end our international season on a high,” noted Hunter. “We have the opportunity to complete it undefeated but we will need to be at our very best to come away with a victory against a strong Czech team. Our preparation has been good. All clubs have trained hard throughout the year and are now gearing up for our semi-finals later in the month. All the players are match fit.”

Norway defeated the Czech Republic 26-14 in the 2013 European Championship C, but the Czechs got their revenge last year winning 12-6. History will be made, if Norway triumph it will be the first time they have won three consecutive games, whilst if the Czech Republic win they will have registered unprecedented consecutive victories.

Norwegian captain Kristoffer Milligan added: “Myself and the team have a job to do keep our current form going. We have had a great season so far where a number of players have stepped up their game several notches. We need to keep building on this foundation.”

CZECH REPUBLIC SQUAD

OldřichChrbolka, Ondrej Preninger (Chrudim Rabbitohs), Jaroslav Bzoch (RLC Dragons Krupka), Pavel Mejstrik (Lokomotiva Beroun), Vladimir Pleskač (Orli Havlickuv Brod), Tomas Adamec, Ladislav Cintler, Richard Gach, Jan Heininger, Marko Mecava, Pavel Pavlik, Jan Riha, Adam Vojtech (Slavia Hradec Kralove), Martin Kostal (Vlci Trutnov). Jakub Hudrlik, David Lahr, Ales Pour (Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels), Bruno Jasiczek (Unattached)

NORWAY SQUAD

Bendik Nilsen Kalvik, Sjur Håvard Strand, Lucas Zuniga (Bodø Barbarians), Stephen Skofteland (Farsund Bobcats), Kristoffer Milligan, Leif Andreas Nilsen (Flekkefjord Tigers), Reidar Flage, Kristian Nordin-Skipnes, Joshua Skidmore-Hornby (Lillestrøm Lions), Isaac R. Schmidt (Oslo Capitals), Kevin Båtnes, Nils Kristian Holte, Christoffer Stalsberg, Arne Oma Torsen (Porsgrunn Pirates), Torbjørn Thorsen Egaas (Sandnes Raiders), Mathias Vada Stenseth-Holm (Sparbu Lumberjacks), Ravn Arvidsønn, Nathan Cummins (Stavanger Storm), Ole Magnus Brekk (Trondhjem)

Chile Host Inaugural Latin American Rugby League Championship

2017-10-05T12:13:00.000+01:00

Chile will host the inaugural Latin American Rugby League Championships in Los Angeles, Chile, on November 17-18 2017.

Argentina, Mexico and Colombia the other teams taking part.

First Win for El Salvador against Uruguay

2017-10-04T12:11:00.000+01:00

El Salvador registered an historic first win in international RL against Latin American opponents Uruguay.

On Saturday 1/10/17, in fine but blustery conditions in Sydney, El Salvador fought hard for a resounding but unexpected 46-10 victory.

The big win has immense significance for El Salvador, a nation of just 6.5 million people which has fared poorly for decades in football and Rugby Union.

The Trueno Azul (Blue Thunder) were coming off a 32-12 loss to Thailand and a 58-20 loss to Chile in their only previous International RL appearances. But after devoting themselves to a three-month preparation before the Uruguay game, the Salvadorenos reaped the rewards of hard work in a clash that was expected to be tight and go either way.

Making the win ever more meritorious, El Salvador played most of the game with just two interchanges, after one player fell gravely ill hours beforehand and another suffered a serious shoulder injury in the first half.

Gold Coast-based fullback Anthony Maatouk was a star on debut with three tries for El Salvador, while former prison inmate Oscar Mendoza continued his remarkable personal transformation by posting the opening try and kicking four goals from four attempts, several from the sideline.

Uruguay had been level 6-all until the 24th minute courtesy of a try by their own star on debut, Joel Smith but fell away in the 20 minutes before and after halftime. In a heated affair that displayed plenty of fiery Latino spirit, two players were sin binned for fighting after a second half melee.

Thailand Snatch Draw against Chile

2017-10-03T12:08:00.001+01:00

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 League Championships in Los Angeles, Chile, on November 17-18, with Argentina, Mexico and Colombia the other teams taking part.

Following that, they aim to take part in the qualification matches for the 2021 World Cup.

Balkans Championship announced for October

2017-09-29T20:52:00.001+01:00

Balkans Championship announced for October

Balkans Super League heads into Semi-Final Weekend

2017-09-28T19:23:00.001+01:00

Balkans Super League heads into Semi-Final Weekend

Italy name train-on squad for RLWC2021

2017-09-27T22:44:00.001+01:00

Italy name train-on squad for RLWC2021

USA Hawks name 23 man squad for RLWC2017

2017-09-25T08:12:00.001+01:00

USA Hawks name 23 man squad for RLWC2017