RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 1960

International Team - Federazione Italiana Rugby League

Highest finish in World Cup - Runner-up Emerging Nations World Cup Final (2000)

Top level domestic competition - Starts in May 2008.

History - Rugby league was played in Italy during the 1950's and 1960's with teams from England, France and Australia touring. After the 1960's rugby league slowly disappeared from the sporting landscape in Italy.

In 1995 Australian's with Italian heritage formed the Italia Rugby league with the goal of assisting with the revival the game in Italy. Italy's big start came with the qualifying matches for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. Even though they failed to qualify the rival of the game had started.

Italy played in the Emerging Nations World Cup in 2000. The event ran along side the main World Cup. Italy preformed well winning their Pool games against the United States and Canada. In the final they played against BARLA going down 20 -14.

In 2003 Italy played an RLIF sanctioned game against new comers Greece. The game was played in Australia, NSW at Kogarah's Oki Jubilee Oval home to NRL club St George Illawarra Dragons. The teams were playing each other for the inaugural Ionio Cup. In a close and brutal game fitting for these two rivals, Greece were narrowly defeated 26 - 24 in the dying minutes of the game by the Italians.

In Febuary 2006 Italy A played against a touring team from the United States. The game was played at Marconi Stadium in Sydney's South West. Italy easily defeated the Tomahawks 38 - 6 taking out the inuagural Columbus Cup.

In 2008 Italy took part in the European Nations Shield against Germany and the Czech Republic. Mainly consisting of players from the local Italian clubs, Italy defeated Germany 58 - 26 in the opening match in Padula. They then went on to defeat the Czech Republic 38 - 18 in Prague to take out the European Nations Shield title for the first time.

The long term goal of the Italia Rugby League is to re-establish a league competition in Italy with a local competition kicking off in mid 2009. Italy currently has 3 clubs which provide a bulk of the players for the national team. Other Italian players are drawn from England and Australia.

The recent success of the Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout Europe. The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league's growth. With the right support many more nations including Italy could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. It is hoped that the establishment of a local competition in the north of Italy will allow them to participate in the 2013 World Cup qualifiers.

In early 2009 Italy were ranked 18th in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

Italy along with the Czech Republic and Germany took part in the European Shield in July 2009. Italy finished 1st on the ladder taking out the tournament. Italy continued with their good fortune by being called up to the European Cup. Russia withdrew from the competition due to financial issues. Italy the winners of the 2008 and 2009 European Shield were brought into the tournament as Russia's replacement. Italy were out of their depth during the tournament but managed to win the 5th place play-off against Serbia 42 - 14. By winning this they have secured their place in the tournament next year and will be better prepared with 12 months to plan and bring in more experienced players from abroad.

In late 2009 Greece, Italy, Portugal and Malta took part in the inaugural Australian Mediterranean 4 Nations Shield held at Marconi Stadium over two weeks. Greece defeated Italy 34 - 14 in the final to become the first team to win the Australian Mediterranean 4 Nations Shield.

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