• RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP

   

  
• RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP OVERVIEW

 

Host Nation - Australia

 

Number of Teams - 10

 

Highest Crowd - 50,599 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia (Final)

 

Average Crowd - 16,331

 

Total Crowd - 293,965

 

2008 World Cup Snapshot - The qualifying process for the Rugby League World Cup started in 2006. For the first time 15 nations competed for the five available World Cup positions. The other 5 places were filled by Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, England and France. The five teams that did qualify (Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Scotland, Ireland) were the most prepared teams in rugby league history. They had played throughout 2006 and 2007 to qualify. Having 15 nations take part in the qualification process was a indicator to how far the code had progressed since the 2000 World Cup.

 

The highly successful 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the 13th installment of the oldest rugby World Cup tournament on the planet. The World Cup saw the best 10 rugby league nations battle it out for the ultimate prize. For the first time games were broadcast to over 127 nations with a global television audience of 19.2million making it the most widely broadcast event in the game's history.

 

The tournament was hailed a new start for international rugby league. The goal of the RLIF was to use the World Cup as a stepping stone to fund the international game into the future. Games were played along the east coast of Australia from Townsville to Melbourne. The participating nations were split up into three Pools. This tournament differed from previous World Cup competitions with a Super Pool containing the four best rugby league nations. With the top 3 sides qualifying for the semi finals, the other two Pools battled it out for the remaining semi-final place. On back of the TV deals secured for the tournament the World Cup generated a profit of over 5 million Australian dollars which exceeded inital projections.

 

The games throughout the tournament provided highly entertaining rugby league. Papua New Guinea nearly defeated England in the opening game in Townsville. Ireland and Fiji tipped to finish last in their respective pools defied the odds to finish on top. Scotland won their first ever World Cup game. Fiji brought the Fiji Islands to a stand still by defeating Ireland to make their first ever Rugby League semi-final. The best was saved to last with the final putting the icing on the cake for World Cup organisers. New Zealand pulled off the biggest shock in World Cup history to defeat the raging favourites Australia. The Kiwis secured their first ever rugby league World Cup in front of a capacity crowd in Brisbane.

 

Dear Readers, if you would like to talk more about the World Cup with other rugby league fans please visit our international rugby league forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and have your say.

 

• RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP ARTICLES
• Final caps off successful World Cup - 29/11/08
• No divine intervention for England and Fiji in Semis - 18/11/08
• Third round of Rugby League World Cup produces upsets - 12/11/08
• Second round of World Cup showcases attacking brilliance - 3/11/08
• First round of World cup opens with a bang - 28/10/08

 



 

• RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MAP

 



 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS EUROPE (ROUND 1)

   

Game 1
Apr 28th 2006 Russia 40 - Netherlands 14
Location - Hoek Van Holland, Netherlands

 

Game 2

May 13th 2006 Georgia 45 - Serbia 10

Location - Belgrade, Serbia

 

Game 3

May 26th 2006 Georgia 57 - Netherlands 16

Location - Tblisi, Georgia

 

Game 4

Jun 4th 2006 Russia 44 - Serbia 6

Location - Belgrade, Serbia

 

Game 5

Jun 17th 2006 Netherlands 38 - Serbia 26

Location - Rotterdam, Netherlands

 

Game 6

Jun 22nd 2006 Russia 0 - Georgia 0

Game cancelled due to Visa issues with Georgia Team. Russia automatic winners

 

In a first for International Rugby League Georgia, Netherlands and Serbia played in the qualifying rounds. Russia finished top of the Pool as expected. The newer nations gained much needed experience from the matches. This exposure to International Rugby League will assist with local development and put nations in a better position for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers.

 

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Russia	3	3	0	0	108	20	6
Georgia	3	2	0	1	102	50	4
Netherlands	3	1	0	2	68	123	2
Serbia	3	0	0	3	42	127	0

 


Europe (Round 2) Qualifiers

 

RUSSIA

 



 

GEORGIA - (Due to failure to play final game against Russia, Georgia did not progress to the next round)

 



 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS PACIFIC

   

Game 1

Sep 29th 2006 Tonga 56 - Cook Islands 14

Location - Campbelltown, Australia

 

Game 2

Sep 29th 2006 Samoa 30 - Fiji 28

Location - Campbelltown, Australia

 

Game 3

Oct 4th 2006 Fiji 30 - Tonga 28

Location - St Marys, Australia

 

Game 4

Oct 4th 2006 Samoa 46 - Cook Islands 6

Location - St Marys, Australia

 

Game 5

Oct 7th 2006 Fiji 40 - Cook Islands 4

Location - Penrith, Australia

 

Game 6

Oct 22nd 2006 Tonga 18 - Samoa 10

Location - Leeds, England

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Tonga	3	2	0	1	102	54	4
Fiji	3	2	0	1	98	62	4
Samoa	3	2	0	1	86	52	4
Cook Islands	0	0	0	3	24	142	0

Pacific World Cup Qualifiers (6th & 7th Qualifiers)

TONGA

FIJI

Pacific Repechage Round Qualifier

SAMOA

 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS EUROPE (ROUND 2) GROUP 1

   

Game 1

Oct 22nd 2006 Ireland 50 - Russia 12

Location - Moscow, Russia

 

Game 2

Oct 28th 2006 Lebanon 22 - Russia 8

Location - London, England

 

Game 3

Nov 5th 2006 Ireland 18 - Lebanon 18

Location - Dublin, Ireland

 

Game 4

Oct 20th 2007 Ireland 58 - Russia 18

Location - Carlow, Ireland

 

Game 5

Oct 27th 2007 Lebanon 48 - Russia 0

Location - Penza, Russia

 

Game 6

Nov 2nd 2007 Ireland 16 - Lebanon 16

Location - Dewsbury, England

 

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Ireland	4	2	2	0	142	64	6
Lebanon	4	2	2	0	104	42	6
Russia	4	0	0	4	38	178	0

 

Europe World Cup Qualifier 1 (8th Qualifier)

 

IRELAND

 

 

The Team that finishes at the top of the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 1 wins a spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup

 

Europe Repechage Round Qualifier

 

LEBANON

 

 

The Team that finishes 2nd in the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 1 gets another chance in the Repechage rounds to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup

 

In another first for International Rugby League Lebanon and Ireland drew both of their pool matches against each other. In the end the luck of the Irish prevailed and Ireland became the 8th team to qualify

 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS EUROPE (ROUND 2) GROUP 2

   

Game 1

Oct 29th 2006 Scotland 21 - Wales 14

Location - Bridgend, Wales

 

Game 2

Nov 4th 2007 Wales 18 - Scotland 16

Location - Glasgow, Scotland

 

Note: Georgia would have been included in this Group.

 

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Scotland	2	1	0	2	37	32	2
Wales	2	2	0	1	32	37	2

In one of the upsets of the qualifying rounds Scotland took the 9th spot in the World Cup and Wales were forced into the Repechage round. Wales won the 2nd encounter but could not make up the F/A difference. Scotland fielded a team with many part time players. This made the feat even more amazing, against a Welsh team with the likes of Lee Briers and Iestyn Harris.

 

Europe World Cup Qualifier 2 (9th Qualifier)

 

SCOTLAND

 

 

The Team that finishes at the top of the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 2 wins a spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup

 

Europe Repechage Round Qualifier

 

WALES

 

 

The Team that finishes 2nd in the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 2 gets another chance in the Repechage rounds to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup

 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ATLANTIC

   

Game 1

Oct 28th 2006 United States 54 - Japan 18

Location - Aston, United States

 

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
United States	1	1	0	0	54	18	2
Japan	1	0	0	1	18	54	0

 

Atlantic Repechage Round Qualifier

 

UNITED STATES

 

 

The Team that finishes 1st in the Pre World Cup Atlantic Qualifiers advances to the Repechage rounds for a chance to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup

 

With a big crowd at Aston, the US were rarely troubled by a Japanese side that showed plenty of heart. The US ran away with the game and booked a place in the Repechage rounds in 2007.

on for and against.

 

• PRE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS REPECHAGE

   

  Game 1

  Nov 9th 2007 Lebanon 50 - Wales 26

  Location - Widnes, England

   

  Game 2

  Nov 9th 2007 Samoa 42 - United States 10

  Location - Widnes, England

   

  Repechage Final

  Nov 14th 2007 Samoa 38 - Lebanon 16

  Location - Featherstone, England

   

  Repechage World Cup Qualifier (10th & Final Qualifier)

   

  SAMOA

   

  

   

  The team that wins the Repechage Final qualifies for the 10th and final spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup

   

  In Game 1 Lebanon showed courage when they came from behind in the second half. Wales went to sleep after half time and Lebanon ran away with the game. In Game 2 USA surprised many people when they held their own against a Samoan side with many big name players. In the end Samoa were to strong. In the Repechage Final Samoa raced to an early lead in the first half which was always going to make it hard for Lebanon. At full time Samoan's celebrated their win with flags flying and the legendary Samoan haka.

   

2008 WORLD CUP SQUADS

 

Australia

Terry Campese (Canberra), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Michael Crocker (Melbourne), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Israel Folau (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Darren Lockyer (capt, Brisbane), Joel Monaghan (Canberra), Josh Perry (Manly), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Scott Prince (Gold Coast), Billy Slater (Melbourne), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Brett Stewart (Manly), Glenn Stewart (Manly), Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Anthony Watmough (Manly), David Williams (Manly).

 

England

Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Mark Calderwood (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos), Mauire Faasavalu (St Helens), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington Wolves), James Graham (St Helens), Mickey Higham (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Jones Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Langley (Bradford Bulls), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves), Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos), Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins RL), James Roby (St Helens), Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Jon Wilkin (St Helens)

 

Fiji

Nick Bradley-Qalilawa (Manly Sea Eagles) Jason Bukuya (Cronulla Sharks) Iowane Divavesi (Terrigal Sharks) Aaron Groom (Canterburry Bulldogs) Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)* subject to eligibility change from RLIF Sevania Koroi (West Magpies) Josua Koroibulu (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs) Jone Macilai (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Daryl Millard (Canterburry Bulldogs) Wes Naiqama (Newcastle Knights) Vula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau (Terrigal Sharks) Kaliova Nauqe (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Alipate Noilea (Parkes Spacemen) Josateki Ravueta (Sawtell Panthers) Osea Sadrau (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Ashton Sims (Brisbane Broncos) James Storer (Cronulla Sharks) Waisale Sukanaveita (Terrigal Sharks) Semi Tadulala (Bradford Bulls UK) Semisi Tora (Parkes Spacemen) Malakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs) Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights) Suguturaga Nemani Valekapa Ilisoni Vonomateiratu Jone Wesele (Darlington Point)

 

France

Backs: Jared Taylor (Lezignan), Justin Murphy (Catalans Dragons), Teddy Sadaoui (Carcassonne), Sebastien Raguin (Catalans Dragons), Sebastien Planas (Toulouse), John Wilson, Dimitri Pelo (both Catalans Dragons), Christophe Moly (Carcassonne), James Wynne (Lezignan), Maxime Greseque (Pia), Thomas Bosc (Catalans Dragons). Forwards: Laurent Carrasco (Villeneuve), Gregory Mounis (Catalans Dragons), Eric Anselme (Leeds), Jamal Fakir (Catalans Dragons), Jean-Christophe Borlin (Saint-Gaudens), Olivier Elima (Catalans Dragons), Adel Fellous (Lezignan), Jean-Philippe Baile, Jerome Guisset (both Catalans Dragons), Julien Rinaldi (Harlequins), Remi Casty, Matthieu Grifi (both Catalans Dragons).

 

Ireland

Scott Grix (Wakefield, captain), Pat Richards (Wigan), Damien Blanch (Wakefield), Stuart Littler (Salford), Shannon McDonnell (West Tigers), Karl Fitzpatrick (Salford), Graham Holroyd (Halifax), Wayne Kerr (London Skolars), Eamon O'Carroll (Wigan), Bob Beswick (Halifax), Brett White (Melbourne Storm), Ross Barbour (Carlow Crusaders), Simon Finnigan (Bradford), Lee Doran (Leigh), Ben Harrison (Warrington), Ryan Tandy (West Tigers), Gareth Haggerty (Harlequins), Liam Finn (Dewsbury Rams), Sean Gleeson (Wakefield), Mick McIlorum (Wigan), Michael Platt (Bradford), Mick Cassidy (Barrow), Steve Gibbons (London Skolars), Ged Corcoran (Sheffield Eagles)

 

New Zealand

Nathan Cayless (Parramatta, captain), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney), Nathan Fien (New Zealand Warriors), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Steve Matai (Manly), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors), Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Jeremy Smith(Melbourne), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Brent Webb (Leeds).

 

Papua New Guinea

Paul Aiton (Penrith), Macali Aizu (Hull KR), Jay Aston (Melbourne TC), Michael Bani (Manly), Wayne Bond (Redcliff), Tom Butterfield (Brisbane TC), Richard Cambo (Wentworthville), Jason Chan (Windsor), Neville Costigan (Canberra), Trevor Exton (Ipswitch), Steve Franciscus (Banyo Bris), Stanley Gene (Hull KR), Rod Griffin (Cairns), Sam Joe (Melbourne TC), George Keppa (Brisbane North), Tuu Maori (Sydney TC), David Moore (Gold Coast TC), Ames Nightingale (Windsor), Merv O'Flanagan (Logan), Keith Peters (Penrith), Kevin Prior (Wentworthville), John Wilshere (Salford), Dion Aiya (Bingtangor), Dominic Angra (Bingtangor), Sigfred Gragande (Bingtangor), Nigel Hukula (Bingtangor), Jessie Joe (Rangers), Benjamin John (Rangers), Gimapau Keimelo (Rangers), Geno Kima (Agmark), Nickson Kolo (Rangers), Anton Kui (Bingtangor), Larsen Marabe (Agmark), Michael Mark (Rangers), Mark Mexico (Mioks), George Moni (Muruks), Thomas Ninkama (Vipers), Joseph Omai (Muruks), Charles Onguglo (Rangers), Benny Pamunda (Bingtangor), Kingston Pisep (Lae), Rodney Pora (Muruks), Francis Ray (Bingtangor), Elizah Riyong (Vipers), Rodney Ropra (Bingtangor), Niko Ubile (Bingtangor),Charlie Wabo (Muruks), Menzie Yere (Gurias), Simon Young (Muruks).

 

Samoa

George Carmont (Wigan), Dave Faiumu (Huddersfield), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Tuaalagi Lepupa (unattached), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds), Wayne McDade (Auckland Vulcans), Francis Meli (St Helens), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Frank Puletua, Tony Puletua (both Penrith), Ben Roberts (Canterbury), Tangi Ropati (East Tigers), Smith Samau (Gold Coast), Lagi Setu (St George Illawarra), Terrence Seuseu (Cronulla), David Solomona (Bradford), Willie Talau (St Helens), Alby Talipeau (unattached), Misi Taulapapa (Cronulla), Ben Te'o (Wests Tigers), Tupu Ulufale (unattached), Matt Utai (Canterbury), Nigel Vagana (South Sydney).

 

Scotland

Chris Armit (Bulldogs), Danny Brough (Wakefield Wildcats), Dean Colton, Paddy Coupar (Edinburgh Eagles), Dean Cowan, John Duffy (Widnes Vikings), Ben Fisher (Hull KR), Andrew Henderson (Castleford Tigers), Ian Henderson, Kevin Henderson (Wakefield Wildcats), Jack Howieson (Sheffield Eagles), Paul Jackson (Huddersfield Giants), Wade Liddell (Brisbane Easts), Scott Logan (Canberra Raiders), Neil Lowe (Keighley), David McConnell (Leigh Centurions), Duncan MacGillivray (Wakefield Wildcats), Iain Morrison (Widnes Vikings), Gareth Morton (Widnes Vikings), Mick Nanyn (Oldham), Lee Paterson (Widnes Vikings), Michael Robertson (Manly Sea Eagles), Jonathan Steel (Hull KR), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Wildcats).

 

Tonga

Fraser Anderson (Cronulla), Louis Anderson (Warrington), Andrew Emelio (Canterbury), Richard Fa'aoso (Newcastle), Awen Guttenbeil (Castleford), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Antonio Kaufusi (Melbourne), Toshio Laiseni (Newtown), Taniela Lasalo (unattached), Epalahame Lauaki (NZ Warriors), Tevita Leo-Latu (Wakefield), Willie Manu (Hull), Manase Manuokafoa (South Sydney), Feleti Mateo (Parramatta), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Eddie Paea (South Sydney), Lopini Paea (Sydney Roosters), Mickey Paea (Sydney Roosters), Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney), Joel Tauf'ao (unattached), Esikeli Tonga (Gold Coast), Taniela Tuiaki (unattached), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Etuate Uaisele (Newcastle), Cooper Vuna (Newcastle), Tony Williams (Parramatta).

 

• WORLD CUP GROUP ONE SUPER POOL RESULTS

 

Game 1

Oct 25th England 32 - Papua New Guinea 22

Location - Townsville, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 10,780

 

Game 2

Oct 26th Australia 30 - New Zealand 6

Location - Sydney, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 34,157

 

Game 3

Nov 1st New Zealand 48 - Papua New Guinea 6

Location - Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 11,278

 

Game 4

Nov 2nd Australia 52 - England 4

Location - Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Crowd - 36,297

 

Game 5

Nov 8th New Zealand 36 - England 24

Location - Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 15,145

 

Game 6

Nov 9th Australia 46 - Papua New Guinea 6

Location - Townsville, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 16,239

 

 

 

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Australia	3	3	0	0	128	16	6
New Zealand	3	2	0	1	90	60	4
England	3	1	0	2	60	110	2
Papua New Guinea	3	0	0	3	34	126	0

 

Group One Semi-Final Qualifiers

 

AUSTRALIA

 

 

NEW ZEALAND

 

 

ENGLAND

 

 

WORLD CUP GROUP TWO RESULTS

 

Game 1

Oct 26th France 36 - Scotland 18

Location - Canberra, ACT, Australia

Crowd - 9,287

 

Game 2

Nov 1st Fiji 42 - France 6

Location - Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 9,213

 

Game 3

Nov 5th Scotland 18 - Fiji 16

Location - Central Coast, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 9,720

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Fiji	2	1	0	1	58	24	2
Scotland	2	1	0	1	36	52	2
France	2	1	0	1	42	60	2

WORLD CUP GROUP THREE RESULTS

 

Game 1

Oct 27th Tonga 22 - Ireland 20

Location - Parramatta, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 6,165

 

Game 2

Oct 31st Samoa 20 - Tonga 12

Location - Penrith, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 11,787

 

Game 3

Nov 5th Ireland 34 - Samoa 16

Location - Parramatta, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 8,602

Pool Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Ireland	2	1	0	1	54	38	2
Tonga	2	1	0	1	34	40	2
Samoa	2	1	0	1	36	46	2

WORLD CUP RANKING GAMES

 

Ranking Game 1

Nov 8th Tonga 48 - Scotland 0

Location - Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 5,930 (Sellout)

 

Ranking Game 2

Nov 9th Samoa 42 - France 10

Location - Penrith, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 8,028

 

Ranking Game 1 (7th Place Winner)

 

TONGA

 

 

Ranking Game 2 (9th Place Winner)

 

SAMOA

 

 

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING SEMI-FINAL PLAYOFF

 

Qualifying Semi-Final Playoff

Nov 10th Fiji 30 - Ireland 14

Location - Skilled Park, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 8,224

 

Semi-Final Qualifier

 

FIJI

 

 

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

 

Semi-Final 1

Nov 15th New Zealand 32 - England 22

Location - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Crowd - 26,659

 

Semi-Final 2

Nov 16th Australia 52 - Fiji 0

Location - SFS, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Crowd - 15,855

 

World Cup Final Qualifiers

 

NEW ZEALAND

 

 

AUSTRALIA

 

 

• WORLD CUP FINAL

   

  World Cup Final

  Nov 23rd New Zealand 34 - Australia 20

  Location - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

  Crowd - 50,599 (Record test crowd in Brisbane)

   

  World Cup Champions

   

  

   

  NEW ZEALAND