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AUSTRALIA -
The opening match of the 2008 World Cup will be contested in
Sydney but the venue is being fought between Aussie Stadium and
Telstra Stadium. The kick-off for the tournament, which will
commence on October 25, was expected to be held at the
82,000-capacity Telstra Stadium but could now be heading to Aussie
Stadium, which holds 42,000. While one of the semi-finals will be
staged at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, the other will be in Sydney
with both Telstra Stadium and Aussie Stadium Trusts locked in
talks with World Cup officials. |
COOK ISLANDS
- The Avatiu Eels are the 2007 Cook Islands champions after
beating the Arorangi Bears 22-17 before a crowd of 1200 at a wet
and slippery National Stadium. The Eels opened the scoring with an
early try to Matthew Pierre before the Bears replied with a
penalty goal. Eels went ahead 10-2 when centre Ailoa Samania
busted through the defence to score. Follow the Cook Islands
Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
CZECH REPUBLIC
- Rugby League European Federation Chairman and RFL Executive
Chairman Richard Lewis has hailed a day long festival in Beroun,
near Prague, as a fantastic advert for the sport. He attended a
series of games and exhibitions arranged by the Czech RL to
showcase the code at all levels. More details can be
found in Rugby League Review. |
ENGLAND
-
The
Rugby Football League are hoping to attract a large crowd to the
Great Britain and France clash at Headingley Carnegie on June 22
by offering special discounts for all League season ticket holders
and children's tickets costing just £5. It will be Tony Smith's
first in charge of the Great Britain team and the RFL is expecting
a massive demand for tickets. This will be the first Great Britain
vs France Test match since 2001 when the British emerged
victorious 42-12 before a crowd of more than 10,000 in the French
town of Agen. It will be the first Test between the two nations in
England since Britain thrashed France 72-6 in 1993.
Sky Sports commentator and former Penrith hooker Mike Stephenson
writes exclusively for
Rugby League Review.
You can follow the English Rugby League every month in Rugby
League Review. |
FIJI
- Round 14 action that was played on June 2 saw league
leaders Lautoka Crushers beat Nadi Eels 27-18 while the Saru
Dragons defeated the Sabeto Roosters 18-12. The Nadera Panthers
held on to second spot after edging out Makoi Bulldogs 27-26. In
other matches, Mango Bay thrashed Nausori 58-2 and Nabua Broncos
beat City Storm 28-22.
Competition points: Lautoka Crushers 26, Nadera Panthers 23, Mango
Bay Cowboys 21, Saru Dragons 20, Makoi Bulldogs 18, Nabua Broncos
16, City Storm 11, Korovou Raiders 8, Sabeto Roosters 6, Nadi Eels
5, Nausori Rabbitohs 4.
Follow the Fijian Rugby
League every month in Rugby League Review. |
FRANCE
- The Pia Donkeys emulated Villenueve's feat of 2002 and 2003 by
becoming only the second club in French Rugby League history to
achieve a second consecutive double when they defeated Lezignan
20-16. Played at a wet and slippery Stade Michel Bendidou in
Colomiers (near Toulouse), the Donkeys had to play with 12 men for
60 minutes after prop Dean Bosnich was sent off for insulting the
referee. Follow all the
action of the French Rugby League every month in Rugby League
Review. |
GERMANY
- The German Rugby League is aiming to have a domestic competition
set-up up and running in 2008. They know that the going will be
tough as clubs such as Heidelberg and Bad Reichenhall are six
hours apart by bus. The league is also looking at having 400
juniors playing Rugby League in Germany and hope to make the game
officially recognised in the country. Keep up to date with the
latest German Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
GREECE
- TThe Greek Rugby League (GRL) has recently moved to change its
name to the Hellenic Rugby League (HRL), in order to appeal to a
broader market, and better recognise the cultural heritage of
Greece. The team which takes part in international matches will
still be known as the Greek Titans. The HRL are now calling for
expressions of interest from players and officials who wish to
join the tour to Greece for the inaugural domestic competition in
Athens and Rhodes in October. Follow all the action of the Greek Rugby League every
month in Rugby League Review. |
IRELAND
- The Irish Wolfhounds opened their New Zealand tour with a 42-16
win over Bay of Plenty and followed it up with a narrow 24-22 loss
to Northland Marist Invitation at ITM Stadium in Whangarei. The
Wolfhounds finished their tour with a 34-6 loss to Auckland Marist
Invitation at Murray Halberg Park in Auckland after being down
22-0 at the break. Follow all the action of the Irish Rugby League every
month in Rugby League Review. |
ITALY -
The 2007 Simone Franchini Nines will be staged on June 23-24
following the Italian domestic tournament that will be contested
on June 16-17.
Follow the Italian Rugby League every month in Rugby League
Review. |
JAMAICA
- The West Yorkshire Police were given a huge scare when they were
held out Jamaica 26-12 before a crowd of 600 at the University of
West Indies in Kingston. The English tourists led 16-6 at the
break and finished the game with five tries to Andy Eastham (2),
Jeff Mullins, Danny Burton, and Mark Dunn, while Sash brook kicked
3 goals.
Follow the West Indian Rugby League every month in
Rugby League Review. |
JAPAN -
A New South Wales Tertiary Rugby League side will tour Japan for a
two-match tour in September 2007. One of those matches will be
contested against the Japanese national side, who are hoping to
return to Australia to compete in the 2008 Orara Valley Sevens.
Keep up to date with the latest Japanese Rugby League news every
month in Rugby League Review. |
LEBANON
- The Immortals emphatically kept their do-or-die push to the
Spring Championship final alive, dispatching the visiting Balamand
Razorbacks with a strong second half display to leapfrog them into
second spot. Both teams are level on four points with the pressure
now on the northerners, who if they lose to AUB, will need to beat
LAU by at least 21 points in the final round match of the season
to qualify for the final.
Competition points: Club Libanias 10, Lebanese American University
4, University of Beirut 4, American University of Beirut 2.
Follow all the action of the
Lebanese Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
 MALTA -
The Maltese Rugby League Association (MRLA) has never been in a
stronger position since its inception into the Rugby League world
a mere three years ago. Rugby League played on the Maltese
Islands, a three man committee based in Malta committed to the
code's development and a domestic competition set to kick off in
October with no less than four teams at one of the few grassed
pitches on the island. Follow the Maltese Rugby League every month
in Rugby League
Review. |
NETHERLANDS
- Season 2007 will see the long awaited domestic competition kick
of in the Netherlands. The NNRLB are now working towards
introducing a minimum of four teams into the "Nationale Premier
Divisie". In a ground breaking move the 12 provinces of the
Netherlands will be the target areas with each Province being
invited to enter a side. The aim is for setting up four of the
Provinces with expansion into all twelve planned within the next
five years. Zuid Holland, Utrecht, Noord Holland and Noord Brabant
are the initial targets. Keep up to date with the latest Dutch
Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
- The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League has placed a ban on
any media commenting on referees after a vicious attack on one of
their officials saw a game called off with 15 minutes remaining.
Referee Richard Mathews was hit around the neck and face by a
Warriors player and supporters, knocking him out for several
minutes. What made it even worse was that a security guard was
also alleged to have hit the referee. The game was held at the
Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby for the game between Wari Vele
Raiders and the Kundiawa Warriors SP Cup match last month. The
Raiders were leading 16-12 at the time and were awarded the game. Follow the Papua New
Guinea Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
 PORTUGAL -
There are positive signs for Rugby League to be played in Portugal
in the future after officials from the 13-a-side game met with
Portuguese Rugby Union officials last month. Both League and Union
are in their infancy stages and could help each other when it
comes to international and domestic matches. The Portuguese Rugby
League (PRL) would be looking at staging a Rugby League tournament
in early June ahead of Portugal competing in the Italian League
Nines. Follow the Portuguese Rugby League every month in Rugby League
Review. |
RUSSIA
- Locomotiv defeated Moscow Vereya 28-16 and Empire beat Kazan
Arrows 16-6 in the Russian Cup semi-finals. The final will be
played later this month. In the local competition, Imperia leads
the competition, just ahead of Locomotiv and Kazan Energy.
Competition points: Imperia 13, Locomotiv 12, Kazan Energy 10,
Kazan Arrows 9, Moscow Kosmos 8, Kazan Strela 4, Nevskaya Zastava
3, Kristall 3, Dinamo 1, Volgodonsk 1.
Follow the Russian Rugby League
every month in Rugby League Review. |
SAMOA
- Six nations will officially compete in the South Pacific Games
Nines competition, which will be held in the Samoan capital of
Apia on September 5/6. The nations competing will be Samoa, Fiji,
Tonga, Niue, Tokelau and Cook Islands. Follow the Samoan Rugby League every month
in Rugby League Review. |
SCOTLAND
- The Scottish domestic competition began on May 12 when
Easterhouse beat Paisley 43-26, Edinburgh thrashed Moray 50-12 and
Fife Lions shut-out Glasgow Bulls 24-0. Scotland will meet France
on October 28 as a warm-up match before playing Wales in the World
Cup qualifier on November 4 in Glasgow.
Competition points: Fife Lions 4, Edinburgh Eagles 2, Easterhouse
Panthers 2, Moray Eels 2, Paisley Hurricanes 2, Glasgow Bulls 0.
Follow
the Scottish Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
SERBIA
- Following a meeting of associate members of the Rugby League
European Federation at the Stoop, prior to Harlequins Super League
clash with Bradford, it has been confirmed that a European Shield
Tournament will be staged during the summer featuring Czech
Republic, Germany and Serbia.
RLEF 2007 EUROPEAN SHIELD:
7th July - Germany vs. Serbia, Heidelberg;
4th August - Czech Republic vs. Germany, Prague;
18th August - Serbia vs. Czech Republic, Belgrade.
Keep up to date with the latest Serbian Rugby League news every
month in Rugby League Review. |
SOUTH AFRICA -
The South African Rugby League still went ahead with their Rhinos
trial match despite pulling out of the World Cup qualifiers due to
financial reasons. The 25 players selected after the trial match
will go into camp for future international matches. In the trial
match, Probables defeated Possibles 28-12. Follow the South African
Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
 SPAIN -
Espagne Origine, champions of the 2006 Lezignan Nines, will be
bidding to complete a unique European 'double' by winning the York
Nines title this coming July. And they are hoping that their
growing profile in the Nines format of the game could hold the key
to establishing a Rugby League foothold in the previously
unchartered territory of Spain. Keep up to date with the latest
Spanish Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
TONGA
- The Tongan national side will take on Fiji in Nuku'alofa on
October 12 as part of their World Cup build-up. Tonga will also
host the NSW Country Under 18s in two matches in early July. The
Tongan domestic competition will kick-off on June 9. Follow the Tongan Rugby
League every month in Rugby League Review. |
USA
- The 2007 American National Rugby League will kick off it's tenth
anniversary season in June to launch what should be the most
evenly contested competition ever in the short history of Rugby
League in the USA.. Follow the American National Rugby League every month in
Rugby League Review. |
 WALES -
The 2007 Welsh competition commenced last month with the Demons
beating Steelers 43-12, Blue Bulls thrashing Tigers 54-24, Valley
Cougars overpowering Sharks 74-12 and Titans outclassing Bulldogs
51-36. The second round clash saw the Titans defeat Steelers 30-12
and the Bulldogs edge out Demons 19-18. Follow the
Welsh Rugby League every month in
Rugby League Review. |
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