• RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP

     

  • RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP OVERVIEW

    •  

    Host Nation - Australia

     

    Number of Teams - 10

     

    Highest Crowd - 36,297 Melbourne, Australia (To Date)

     

    Average Crowd - 14,293 (After 17 Games)

     

    Total Crowd - 242,989 (After 17 Games)

     

    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 five teams that qualified 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 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 around the World giving 112 million households the chance to see the greatest game of all. 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 spot. All this will concluded at the best rugby stadium in the world, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

     

     

  • 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 POOL OVERVIEW

     

    2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Format

     

    The 2008 Rugby League World Cup will be hosted by Australia. 10 teams will be split up into three groups. The tournament will differ from previous events with a super pool including the top 4 rugby league nations.

     

    Group One - - - -

     

    Group Two - - -

     

    Group Three - - -

     

    2008 Rugby League World Cup Finals Format

     

    The finals format will differ from previous World Cup tournaments. The teams that finish in the top 3 within Pool one (Super Pool) will qualify for the semi finals.

     

    The teams that finish 1st in both Pool Two & Three will play each other in the semi final playoff qualifier. The winner will secure the 4th spot in the semi finals. The winner of both semi-finals will play each other a week later in the World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium

     

    In the build-up to the World Cup the preliminary squads were announced during the first week in August 2008. England and Scotland also caused controversy by not releasing preliminary squads in August. The final 24 man squads were named early October 3 weeks before the World Cup started.

     

  • 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

     

    In the opening game of the World Cup in Townsville, Papua New Guinea took on the might of England. In one of the most courageous efforts seen in international rugby league. England nearly became the victim of the biggest upset in World Cup history. Papua New Guinea shocked England and ambushed the overwhelming favourites, leading 16 - 12 up until the 51st minute. England scored a try to level the scores and scored again to take the lead from Papua New Guinea in the 58th minute. England held onto the lead and finished up victors winning 32 - 22. Unluckily for Papua New Guinea, a try was called back in the 47th minute which would of put the Kumuls ahead 20 - 12 and could have changed the outcome of the game.

     

     

    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