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AUSTRALIA -
The Brisbane Broncos remain the only side to have featured in the
final series every year since the National Rugby League (NRL) was
formed in 1998. The Broncos joined the competition in 1988 and
reached the semi-finals for the first time two years later. They
missed out on a place in the play-offs in 1991 and have been ever
present since then. The Broncos have featured in the play-offs for
17 consecutive seasons and are on course to break the record held
by the St George club. |
COOK ISLANDS
- The island of Aitutaki are currently running their own four-team
competition in 2009 to help them prepare their players for the
start of the Cook Islands Rugby League competition in
mid-February. Tautu, Vaipae, USA (a combination of two villages)
and Nikaupara-Reureu held matches before a squad for the Aitutaki
Sharks was selected. Fringe players will continue to play for
their own local sides to help them maintain their fitness. Follow the Cook Islands
Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
CZECH REPUBLIC
- The Czech Rugby League Association has announced the formation
of a new club in Pardubice, which is set to make its debut in
their domestic championship when it commences next spring. The
Eastern Bohemian town with a population of around 90,000 is best
known for the production of the plastic explosive Semtex,
delicious frosted gingerbread and a series of formidable
ice-hockey teams who have been consistently outstanding over a
long period in their national competition. Follow the Czech
Republic
Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
ENGLAND
-
A group of Rochdale Hornets fans, in conjunction with London-based
author, economist and lifelong supporter Paul Ormerod, have
launched a bid to save the financially crippled Championship One
club. One of the founder members of the breakaway Northern Union
in 1895, Rochdale were voted into administration by their
shareholders earlier this month in order to stave off a winding-up
order by the Inland Revenue over an unpaid £55,000 ($A130,000) tax
bill. Follow the English Rugby League every month in Rugby
League Review. |
FIJI
- The FNRL wrote to the Rugby League International
Federation, asking to be included in the 2009 Quad Series
alongside Australia, New Zealand and England. The Fijians believe
they should have been the fourth side in the tournament after
reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup. Fiji will have to
qualify alongside Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands
for the right to play in the 2010 Quad Series in Australia. FNRL
chairman Peni Musunamasi has resigned from his post due to work
commitments.
Follow the Fijian Rugby
League every month in Rugby League Review. |
FRANCE
- France A, fielding a number of Super League players, thrashed
Great Britain Community Lions 58-4 before a crowd of 517 at Stade
Daniel Ambert in Pia. Two tries from Mathieu Mayans and one each
to Nicolas Piquemal and Nicolas Munoz gave France a 22-4 lead at
the interval. Follow all the
action of the French Rugby League every month in Rugby League
Review. |
GERMANY
- Continued expansion and interest in Rugby League, on the back of
the success of the recent World Cup, has seen the European
Federation advertise development officer posts for Germany and
Jamaica. The successful candidates - whose duties will include
furthering domestic competition, coordinating activities with
other international Rugby League bodies and acting as an
Ambassador for the sport - will bolster the extended RLEF
infrastructure to help cope with the increasing demand for
support. Follow all the action of the German Rugby League every month in Rugby League Review. |
GREECE
- Italy, Greece, Malta and Portugal have been confirmed as
starters in the Australian-based Mediterranean Shield later this
year. All matches will be staged at Marconi Stadium in Sydney’s
west on October 10 and 17. It was originally planned for Lebanon
to participate but their spot will now be taken by Portugal. Follow all the action of the Greek Rugby League every
month in Rugby League Review. |
IRELAND
- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of RLI
Executive Director Niall Cantrell. RLI would like to extend our
deepest sympathies to all Niall’s family and friends during these
difficult times and to thank Niall for all the hard work he has
put in for RLI particularly during the last year while at the
helm. Follow all the action of the Irish Rugby League every
month in Rugby League Review. |
ITALY -
The Italians will take on Morocco in an international match in the
French city of Lyon on June 6. The domestic Italian Rugby League
competition will commence on June 13 and will run until July 5
when the grand final will be staged in Padova. A Rugby League
festival will be staged in Padova on June 18, a day before Italy
meets the Czech Republic. Keep up to date with the latest Italian Rugby League every month in Rugby League
Review. |
JAMAICA
- Continued expansion and interest in Rugby League, on the back of
the success of the recent World Cup, has seen the European
Federation advertise development officer posts for Germany and
Jamaica. The successful candidates whose duties will include
furthering domestic competition, coordinating activities with
other international Rugby League bodies and acting as an
Ambassador for the sport will bolster the extended RLEF
infrastructure to help cope with the increasing demand for
support. Keep up to date with the latest West Indian Rugby League
news every month in
Rugby League Review. |
JAPAN -
Rugby League European Federation Executive & Development Executive
Kevin Rudd met officials from Japan RL during a recent private
visit to Tokyo. Following on from a trip there mid-way through
2008, he presented a signed England shirt, donated by Head coach
Tony Smith to JRL officials Amane Konishi, Noriyuki Tainaka and
Kaoru Nakashima. Smith had previously assisted his friend and JRL
senior executive Max Mannix when the Japanese entered the Emerging
Nations World Cup in 2000, and was due to return to the country
when he applied for the coaching job at Huddersfield Giants the
following year. Keep up to date with the latest Japanese Rugby League news every
month in Rugby League Review. |
LEBANON
- The Lebanese American University (LAU) Immortals are undefeated
after six rounds of the Lebanon Rugby League Championship. Led by
skipper Robin Hachache, the Immortals thrashed Balamand 52-6 and
USJ Saints 30-8 in recent matches. Jounieh Al-Galctico, the
reigning champions, have suffered the loss of several forwards
including international second rower Ahmad El Masri. They defeated
the American University Beirut (AUB) 44-24 in a recent clash. Keep
up to date with the latest Lebanese Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
 MALTA -
The Maltese Rugby League Association will have two incoming tours
from the United Kingdom in 2009. A domestic competition will also
be staged as will a number of coaching and match official clinics
this year. Keep up to date with the latest Maltese Rugby League
news every month
in Rugby League
Review. |
NETHERLANDS
- After an absence of three years, international tournament
football is set to return to the Netherlands. Zuid Holland Rugby
League (ZHRL) in partnership with SV Nootdorp and Pijnacker
Nootdorp will host a full 13 a side competition on Saturday June
26th 2009. ZHRL were formed in 2008 as a branch of Rugby League
Holland with an aim to develop the game in the province. Keep up to date with the latest Dutch
Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
- Former NRL player Julian O'Neill will coach the Tari Hul Wigmen
team in the 2009 SP Cup competition if they get the green light
from the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. O'Neill is
currently working in Papua New Guinea and will bring a wealth of
experience to the club. He played 228 NRL matches for Brisbane
Broncos, Western Reds, South Sydney and the North Qld Cowboys.
Former Goroka Lahanis coach Peter Danga will assist O'Neill as
they prepare for the opening match in March. The Wigmen are based
in the Highlands near the town of Mt Hagen. Keep up to date with
the latest PNG Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
 PORTUGAL -
Portugal will host a friendly match in the Portuguese town of
Algarve on June 25 before playing a promotional match in Lisbon
four days later. The opposition is still to be confirmed. Keep up
to date with the latest Portuguese Rugby League news every month in Rugby League
Review. |
RUSSIA
- Russia proved far too strong for a young, inexperienced Cedars
outfit, running in 15 tries to take the Euro-Med title. Leading
the spree, winger Nikolay Zagoskin crossed for a hat trick, as the
Bears moved the ball wide to devastating effect. They got off to a
rip-roaring start, with four touchdowns in the opening ten
minutes, Baskakov profiting from a fine flick pass, Sergey
Dobrynin finishing a long range break with a fine step and
Zagoskin on the end of some from mesmerising work out of dummy
half by Roman Ovchinnikov. Keep up to date with the latest Russian Rugby League
news every month in Rugby League Review. |
SAMOA
- The Marist Saints are the 2008 Samoan champions after they
defeated Saleimona Steelers 18-8 in the grand final held at Apia
Park. Taualagi Lepuapa opened the scoring as the Saints piled on
three tries to lead 16-2. Pati Tauvae got the Steelers back in the
game with a try in the second half before Karl Sala kicked a
penalty goal for Marist to extend their lead by 10 points. Marist
took home a cheque for $3000 courtesy of sponsors SamoaTel and SAS
while Saleimona Steelers collected $2500. Keep up to date with the
latest Samoan Rugby League news every month
in Rugby League Review. |
SCOTLAND
- Scottish champions Edinburgh Eagles have been paired with the
student team representing the competition sponsors in the second
round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. Scotland Rugby League
celebrate Hogmanay by announcing their annual Player of the Year
for each national team, with Iain Morrison lifting the Dave
Valentine Award as top performer in the senior team. Keep up to
date with the latest Scottish Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
SERBIA
- The Belgrade-based Dorcol Spiders won the 2008 Serbian National
Championships after thrashing Podbara from Novi Sad 60-18 in the
final held in Belgrade. Podbara shocked the favourites when they
opened the scoring with a try from Grbic in the 19th minute.
Radovanovic levelled up for the Spiders in the 21st minute before
Jevtovic was sent off for the Novi Sad side four minutes later.
Using the one man advantage, Dorcol ran riot, scoring five tries
in 13 minutes to lead 32-6 at the interval.
Keep up to date with the latest Serbian Rugby League news every
month in Rugby League Review. |
SOUTH AFRICA -
The South African Rugby League (SARL) have made a plea for any
team international or club side to consider touring the African
nation. SARL President Dave Van Reenan is keen to get as much
exposure for the game in South Africa and help the game grow.
South Africa is very cheap and any team coming over will have a
great time, said Van Reenan. Keep up to date with the latest South African
Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
 SPAIN -
In readiness for Catalans Dragons Super League clash with
Warrington in Barcelona in mid-June, the famous Spanish city
hosted its first Rugby League coaching course on January
31-February 1, 2009. Run by the Rugby League Catalan Association,
and taken by RFL Coach Educator Carl Harrison, the three day
course took place at the Catalan Sports University, INEFC, near
the Olympic Stadium that will host the round 17 encounter. Keep up to date with the latest
Spanish Rugby League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
TONGA
- The Kolomua Warriors, Fatumu Hurricanes and Vaini Doves are the
front-runners in the Tongan Rugby League competition. The
competition will go into recess in early June for the Tongan Rugby
League to stage a selection trial to choose a squad that will take
on the Australian Affiliated States on June 20 at the National
Stadium. Keep up to date with the latest Tongan Rugby
League news every month in Rugby League Review. |
USA
- On a bitterly cold December day, the Aston Bulls beat the
Fairfax Eagles 70-6 in an American National Rugby League
exhibition game in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The game was an
off-season match set to keep players and teams sharp, as well as
to introduce new players to the game of Rugby League. There were
many regular starters on both sides, however, there were also a
few Rugby Union converts and a handful of former American Football
players getting their first hit-out in League. Keep up to date
with the latest American National Rugby League news every month in
Rugby League Review. |
 WALES -
In front of a 500 strong crowd, Valley Cougars were crowned Welsh
Champions for the very first time as they beat Blackwood Bulldogs
26-12. The previously unbeaten Bulldogs, despite scoring first in
each half, failed to rise to the big occasion, as the hard working
and well drilled Cougars, who this season have played out of
Nelson RFC, deserved their Grand Final success. Keep up to date
with the latest Welsh Rugby League news every month in
Rugby League Review. |
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