2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP OVERVIEW
Host Nations – Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
Number of Teams – 14
2017 World Cup Snapshot – The 2017 Rugby League World Cup will be the 15th instalment of the oldest Rugby World Cup tournament on the planet. The games will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand with PNG hosting three games. Fourteen teams will participate.
In late July 2010 at the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) meeting in Singapore the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) made their intentions clear about co-hosting the tournament in 2017.
On October the 29th 2012 the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) released their 5 year strategic plan which included the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The Australian’s confirmed that they will co-host the 2017 tournament with their Pacific neighbour New Zealand. The ARLC also stated that they would be aiming to make the 2017 RLWC the best World Cup ever staged.
In April 2013 on the back of announcing broadcasting arrangements for the 2013 RLWC the BBC were confirmed as broadcasting partners for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Australian Broadcasters for the 2017 tournament are still to be confirmed.
From left field the South African Rugby League also submitted a bid application to the Rugby League International Federation to host the 2017 World Cup. South Africa have already established a history of playing in the Rugby League World Cup and participated in 1995 and 2000. The SARL have also been fighting a battle back home in South Africa to have Rugby League officially recognised so they can gain access to much needed government funding. Hosting the RLWC in their eyes would bring much needed exposure and funding to the game in South Africa and would also assist with offical recognition of the sport in South Africa. Unfortunately South Africa’s dream of hosting the Rugby League World Cup was not to be.
On the 19th of February 2014 the Rugby League International Federation announced Australia and New Zealand as joint hosts for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The Pool format would see 2 Pools hosted by Australia. One Pool hosted by New Zealand with another Pool co-hosted by New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
During the bidding process there were calls from Mal Meninga for Papua New Guinea to host some games during the tournament if Australia and New Zealand won the bidding process. On the 8th of October 2015 Mal Meninga’s request came to pass as the Rugby League International Federation announced that Papua New Guinea will be hosting three World Cup matches.
Australia and New Zealand will be looking to outdo their northern hemisphere brothers by staging the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup in the history of the Tournament.
2017 Rugby League World Cup Group Format / Results Table
The Pool format will be based on the 14 Team format used in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. The top 3 teams in Group A & B will progress to the quarter-finals. Only the top team in group C & D will progress to the quarter-finals.
|
Pool A |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
For |
Against |
Diff |
Points |
|
Australia |
3 |
0 |
0 |
104 |
10 |
+94 |
6 |
|
England |
2 |
1 |
0 |
69 |
34 |
+35 |
4 |
|
Lebanon |
1 |
2 |
0 |
39 |
81 |
-42 |
2 |
|
France |
0 |
3 |
0 |
30 |
117 |
-87 |
0 |
|
Pool B |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
For |
Against |
Diff |
Points |
|
Tonga |
3 |
0 |
0 |
110 |
44 |
+66 |
6 |
|
NZ |
2 |
1 |
0 |
134 |
42 |
+92 |
4 |
|
Samoa |
0 |
2 |
1 |
40 |
84 |
-44 |
1 |
|
Scotland |
0 |
2 |
1 |
24 |
138 |
-128 |
0 |
|
Pool C |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
For |
Against |
Diff |
Points |
|
PNG |
3 |
0 |
0 |
128 |
12 |
+116 |
6 |
|
Ireland |
2 |
1 |
0 |
76 |
32 |
+44 |
4 |
|
Wales |
0 |
3 |
0 |
18 |
156 |
-138 |
0 |
|
Pool D |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
For |
Against |
Diff |
Points |
|
Fiji |
3 |
0 |
0 |
168 |
28 |
+140 |
6 |
|
Italy |
1 |
2 |
0 |
68 |
74 |
-6 |
2 |
|
USA |
0 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
168 |
-156 |
0 |
2017 Rugby League World Cup Fixtures, Dates and kick-off times
Round 1
Friday 27/10/2017 Pool A – Round 1 Australia 18 vs England 4, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Crowd: 22,274. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 28/10/2017 Pool C – Round 1 PNG 50 v Wales 6, Port Moresby National Football Stadium, Crowd 14,800 (Sellout): For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 28/10/2017 Pool B – Round 1 New Zealand 38, vs Samoa 8 Mt Smart, Auckland, Crowd: 17,857 For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 28/10/2017 Pool D – Round 1 Fiji 58 vs USA 12, Townsville Stadium, Crowd: 5103 For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 29/10/2017 Pool CD – Round 1 Ireland 36 vs Italy 12 Barlow Park, Cairns, Crowd: 9216 For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 29/10/2017 Pool A – Round 1 France 18 vs Lebanon 29 Canberra Stadium, Crowd: 5492 For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 29/10/2017 Pool B – Round 1 Scotland 4 vs Tonga 50 Barlow Park, Cairns, Crowd: 9216. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Round 2
Friday 3/11/2017 Pool A – Round 2 Australia 52 vs France 6 Canberra Stadium, Crowd: 12,293. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 4/11/2017 Pool B – Round 2 New Zealand 74 vs Scotland 6 Christchurch Stadium, Crowd: 12,130. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 4/11/2017 Pool B – Round 2 Samoa 18 vs Tonga 32 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Crowd: 18,156. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 4/11/2017 Pool A – Round 2 England 29 vs Lebanon 10 Sydney Football Stadium, Crowd: 10,237. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 5/11/2017 Pool C – Round 2 PNG 14 vs Ireland 6 Port Moresby National Football Stadium, Crowd 14,800 (Sellout). For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 5/11/2017 Pool D – Round 2 Italy 46 vs USA 0 Townsville Stadium, kick-off, Crowd: 7732. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 5/11/2017 Pool DC – Round 2 Fiji 72 vs Wales 6 Townsville Stadium, Crowd: 7732. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Round 3
Friday 10/11/2017 Pool D – Round 3 Fiji 38 vs Italy 10 Canberra Stadium, Crowd: 6733. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 11/11/2017 Pool B – Round 3 Samoa 14 vs Scotland 14 Barlow Park, Cairns, Crowd: 4309. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Saturday 11/11/2017 Pool B – Round 3 New Zealand 22 vs Tonga 28 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Crowd: 24,041 (Sellout). For fixture and team details click here.
Saturday 11/11/2017 Pool A – Round 3 Australia 34 vs Lebanon 0 Sydney Football Stadium, Crowd: 21,127. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 12/11/2017 Pool CD – Round 3 PNG 64 vs USA 0 Port Moresby National Football Stadium, Crowd 14,800 (Sellout). For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 12/11/2017 Pool C – Round 3 Wales 6 vs Ireland 34 Perth Rectangular Stadium, Crowd: 14,744. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Sunday 12/11/2017 Pool A – Round 3 England 36 vs France 6 Perth Rectangular Stadium, Crowd: 14,744. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here.
Quarter Finals
Friday 17/11/2017 Australia 46 vs Samoa 0, Darwin Stadium, Crowd: 13,473 (Sellout). For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here
Saturday 18/11/2017 Tonga 24 vs Lebanon 22, Wellington Regional Stadium, Crowd: 8309. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here
Saturday 18/11/2017 New Zealand 2 vs Fiji 4, Christchurch Stadium, Crowd: 12,713. For fixture and team details click here. For match report click here
Sunday 19/11/2017 England 36 vs PNG 6, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Crowd: 10,563. For fixture and team details click here. For Match Report click here
Semi Finals
Friday 24/11/2017 Australia 54 vs Fiji 6, Semi Final Brisbane Stadium, Crowd: 22,073. For fixture and team details click here. For Match Report click here
Saturday 25/11/2017 Tonga 22 vs England 20, Semi Final Mt Smart, Auckland, Crowd 30,003 (Sellout) For fixture and team details click here. For Match Report click here
World Cup Final
Saturday 2/12/017 Australia 6 v England 0, Brisbane Stadium, Crowd 40,033. For fixture and team details click here. For Match Report click here
Buckle up and get ready for Saturday’s #RLWC2017 Final!#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/ynowUkZWqU
— RLWC2017 (@RLWC2017) November 30, 2017
2017 Rugby League World Cup Squads
Australia
1.Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers), 2.Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm), 3.Boyd Cordner (Vice-Captain) (Sydney Roosters), 4.Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), 5.Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons), 6.Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons), 7.Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), ,8.Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos), 9.Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks), 11.Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), 12.Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm), 13.David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs), 14.Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos), 15.James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks), 16.Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers), 17.Jordan McLean (Melbourne Storm), 18.Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), 19.Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), 20.Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), 21.Cameron Smith (Captain) (Melbourne Storm), 22.Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), 23.Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), 24.Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers).
England
1.John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), 2.Kevin Brown (Warrington Wolves), 3.Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 4.Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 5.Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), 6.Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers), 7.James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs), 8.Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), 9.Chris Heighington (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), 11.Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), 12.Jonny Lomax (St Helens), 13.Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), 14.Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers), 15.Sean O’Loughlin (Captain) (Wigan Warriors), 16.Mark Percival (St Helens), 17.Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves), 18.James Roby (St Helens), 19.Scott Taylor (Hull FC), 20.Alex Walmsley (St Helens), 21.Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), 22.Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), 23.Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), 24.George Williams (Wigan Warriors).
Fiji
1.Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), 2.Salesi Faingaa (Parramatta Eels), 3.Jarryd Hayne (Gold Coast Titans), 4.Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm/Sunshine Coast Falcons), 5.Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), 6.Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles), 7.Joe Lovadua (St George Illawarra Dragons), 8.Henry Raiwalui (Mounties), 9.Taane Milne (St George lIlawarra Dragons), 10.Sitiveni Moceidreke (South Sydney Rabbitohs/North Sydney Bears), 11.Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs), 12.Kevin Naiqama (Captain) (Wests Tigers), 13.Ben Nakubuwai (Gold Coast Titans/Tweed Heads Seagulls), 14.Mikaele Ravalawa (Canberra Raiders), 15.Junior Roqica (London Broncos), 16.Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), 17.Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves), 18.Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), 19.Pio Seci (Nabua Broncos), 20.James Storer (Port Kembla Blacks), 21.Akuila Uate (Manly-Sea Eagles), 22.Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters/ Wyong Roos), 23.Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm), 24.Brayden Wiliame (Catalans Dragons).
France
1.Bastien Ader (Toulouse Olympique), 2.Olivier Arnaud (SO Avignon XIII), 3.Lucas Albert (Catalans Dragons), 4.Jason Baitieri (Catalans Dragons), 5.William Barthau (Toulouse Olympique), 6.Guillaume Bonnet (SO Avignon XIII), 7.Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), 8.Clement Boyer (Toulouse Olympique), 9.Damien Cardace (FC Lezignan), 10.Nabil Djalout (Catalans Dragons), 11.Theo Fages (Captain) (St Helens), 12.John Boudebza (London Harlequins), 13.Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons), 14.Maxime Herold (XIII Limouxin), 15.Benjamin Jullien (Warrington Wolves), 16.Thibault Margalet (Catalans Dragons), 17.Anthony Maria (Toulouse Olympique), 18.Hakim Miloudi (Doncaster/Hull FC), 19.Mark Keirallah (Toulouse Olympique), 20.Roman Navarette (Catalans Dragons), 21.Eloi Pelissier (Leigh Centurions), 22.Mickael Rouch (XIII Limouxin), 23.Gadwin Springer (Castleford Tigers), 24.Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons).
Italy
1.Daniel Alvaro (Parramatta Eels), 2.Mirco Bergamasco (Saluzzo Roosters), 3.Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels), 4.Christophe Calegari (Palau XIII Broncos), 5.Terry Campese Queanbeyan Blues), 6.Justin Castellaro (Northern Pride), 7.Chris Centrone (Wyong Roos), 8.Geole Cellurino (Saluzzo Roosters/Tully Tigers), 9.Mason Cerruto (Penrith Panthers), 10.Ryan Ghietti (Northern Pride), 11.Gavin Hiscox (Central Qld Capras), 12.Jack Johns (Newcastle Knights), 13.Richard Lepori (Oldham Roughyeds), 14.Josh Mantellato (Wyong Roos), 15.Mark Minichiello (Captain) (Hull FC), 16.Nathan Milone (Wests Tigers), 17.Joel Riethmuller (Northern Pride), 18.Brendan Santi (Sydney Roosters/Wyong Roos), 19.James Tedesco (Vice-Captain) (Wests Tigers), 20.Joel Tramontana (Canterbury Bulldogs), 21.Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons), 22.Jayden Walker (Cronulla Sharks), 23.Colin Wilkie (Northern Pride), 24.Shannon Wakeman (Huddersfield Giants).
Ireland
1.Liam Finn (Captain) (Wakefield Trinity), 2.Scott Grix (Vice-Captain) (Wakefield Trinity), 3.James Hasson (Wakefield Trinity), 4.Kyle Amor (St Helens), 5.Liam Kay (Toronto Wolfpack), 6.Will Hope (Sheffield Eagles), 7.Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants), 8.Ed Chamberlain (Widnes Vikings), 9.George King (Warrington Wolves), 10.Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls), 11.Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves), 12.Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors), 13.Anthony Mullally (Leeds Rhinos), 14.Tyrone McCarthy (Salford Red Devils), 15.Brad Singleton (Leeds Rhinos), 16.Micky McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), 17.Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St Helens), 18.Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos), 19.Matty Hadden (Rochdale Hornets), 20.Shannon McDonnell (Camden Rams), 21.Michael Morgan (Canterbury Bulldogs), 22.Casey Dunne (Athboy Longhorns), 23.James Kelly (Sheffield Eagles), 24.Alan McMahon (Waterford Vikings).
Lebanon
1.Robbie Farah (Captain) (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 2.Mitchell Moses (Vice-Captain) (Parramatta Eels), 3.Danny Barakat (Wentworthville Magpies), 4.Jamie Clark (Auburn Warriors), 5.Adam Doueihi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 6.James Elias (West Newcastle), 7.Ahmad Ellaz (Auburn Warriors), 8.Nick Kassis (Blacktown Workers), 9.Andrew Kazzi (Wests Tigers), 10.Anthony Layoun (Parramatta Eels), 11.Michael Lichaa (Canterbury Bulldogs), 12.Mitchell Mamary (Wentworthville Magpies), 13.Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), 14.Abbas Miski (North Sydney Bears), 15.Tim Mannah (Parramatta Eels), 16.Ray Moujalli (Canterbury Bulldogs), 17.Reece Robinson (unattached), 18.Travis Robinson (Newtown Jets), 19.Chris Saab (Blacktown Workers), 20.Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC), 21.Jaleel Seve-Derbas (Wests Tigers), 22.Elias Sukkar (Wentworthville Magpies), 23.Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), 24.Jason Wehbe (unattached).
New Zealand
1.Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), 2.Gerard Beale (Cronulla Sharks), 3.Adam Blair (Captain) (Brisbane Broncos), 4.Kenneath Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), 5.Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles), 6.Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves), 7.Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors), 8.Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors), 9.Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights), 10.Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), 11.Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), 12.Te Maire Martin (North Queensland Cowboys), 13.Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), 14.Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos), 15.Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons), 16.Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), 17.Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels), 18.Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), 19.Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles), 20.Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers), 21.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors), 22.Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), 23.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), 24.Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers).
Papua New Guinea
1.David Mead (Captain), Brisbane Broncos), 2.Ase Boas (Vice-Captain) (PNG Hunters), 3.Enoch Maki (PNG Hunters), 4.Garry Lo (Sheffield Eagles), 5.James Segeyaro (Cronulla Sharks), 6.Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm/Sunshine Coast Falcons), 7.Kato Ottio (Canberra Raiders), 8.Kurt Baptiste (Canberra Raiders), 9.Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters), 10.Luke Page (Burleigh Bears), 11.Moses Meninga (PNG Hunters), 12.Nene MacDonald (St. George Illawarra Dragons), 13.Nixon Put (PNG Hunters), 14.Paul Aiton (Catalan Dragons), 15.Rhyse Martin (Canterbury Bulldogs), 16.Rod Griffin (Canterbury Bulldogs), 17.Stanton Albert (PNG Hunters), 18.Stargroth Amean (PNG Hunters), 19.Thompson Teteh (Redcliffe Dolphins), 20.Wartovo Puara Jnr (PNG Hunters), 21.Wellington Albert (PNG Hunters), 22.Watson Boas (PNG Hunters), 23.Willie Minoga (PNG Hunters).
Samoa
1.Frank Pritchard (Captain) (Parramatta Eels), 2.Bunty Afoa (NZ Warriors), 3.Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons), 4.Fa’amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), 5.Herman Ese’ese (Brisbane Broncos), 6.Pita Godinet (Manly Sea Eagles), 7.Tim Lafai (St George Illawarra Dragons), 8.Joseph Leilua (Canberra Raiders), 9.Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Sam Lisone (NZ Warriors), 11.Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), 12.Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels), 13.Peter Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights), 14.Ken Maumalo (NZ Warriors), 15.Zane Musgrove (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 16.Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), 17.Joseph Paulo (Canberra Raiders), 18.Junior Paulo (Cronulla Sharks), 19.Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers), 20.Sam Tagataese (Cronulla Sharks), 21.Jazz Tevaga (NZ Warriors), 22.Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm), 23.Frank Winterstein (Manly Sea Eagles), 24.Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles).
Scotland
1.Alex Walker (London Broncos), 2.Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), 3.Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), 4.Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR), 5.Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls), 6.Callum Phillips (Workington Town), 7.Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), 8.Danny Addy (Hull KR), 9.Danny Brough (Captain) (Huddersfield Giants), 10.David Scott (Batley Bulldogs), 11.Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers), 12.James Bell (NZ Warriors), 13.Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters), 14.Johnny Walker (Darlington Point Roosters), 15.Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), 16.Kieran Moran (Hull KR), 17.Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers), 18.Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors), 19.Luke Douglas (St Helens), 20.Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves), 21.Oscar Thomas (Bradford Bulls), 22.Ryan Brierley (Toronto Wolfpack), 23.Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers), 24.Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders).
Tonga
1.Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks), 2.Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), 3.David Fusitu’a (NZ Warriors), 4.Siliva Havili (St George Illawarra Dragons), 5.Ata Hingano (NZ Warriors), 6.Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs), 7.Konrad Hurrell (Gold Coast Titans), 8.Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels), 9.Solomone Kata (NZ Warriros), 10.Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers), 11.Samisoni Langi (Leigh Centurions), 12.Tuimoala Lolohea (Wests Tigers), 13.Sika Manu (Hull FC), 14.Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels), 15.Sam Moa (Catalans Dragons), 16.Ben Murdoch Masila (Salford Red Devils), 17.Joe Ofahengaue (Brisbane Broncos), 18.Tevita Pangai jnr (Brisbane Broncos), 19.Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield Giants), 20.Sio Siua Taukieaho (Sydney Roosters), 21.Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), 22.Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels), 23.Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), 24.Manu Vatuvei (Salford Red Devils).
USA
1.Jonathan Taylor Alley (Central Florida Warriors), 2.Ryan Burroughs (Toronto Wolfpack), 3.Charles ‘CJ’ Cortalano (White Plains Wombats), 4.Joseph Eichner (Toronto Wolfpack), 5.Bureta Faraimo (NZ Warriors), 6.Gabriel Farley (Philadelphia Fight), 7.Kristian Freed (White Plains Wombats), 8.Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies), 9.Stephen Howard (Mounties), 10.Martwain Johnston (Delaware Black Foxes), 11.Andrew Kneisly (Philadelphia Fight), 12.Corey Makelim (Mounties), 13.Fotukava ‘Hiko’ Malu (Atlanta Rhinos), 14.David Marando (Belrose Eagles), 15.Nicholas Newlin (Atlanta Rhinos), 16.Mark Offerdahl (Captain) (London Broncos), 17.Edward Pettybourne (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 18.Joshua Rice (New York Knights), 19.Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle), 20.Samuel Tochtermann-Talbott (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 21.David Ulch (Tampa Mayhem), 22.Taioalo Junior Vaivai (Illawarra Wests Devils), 23.Matthew Walsh (White Plains Wombats)
Wales
1.Courtney Davies (Gloucestershire All Golds), 2.Steve Parry (Gloucestershire All Golds), 3.Chester Butler (Halifax), 4.Danny Ansell (Hunslet), 5.Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions), 6.Michael Channing (London Broncos), 7.Ben Evans (London Broncos), 8.Dalton Grant (London Broncos), 9.Elliot Kear (Vice-Captain) (London Broncos), 10.Rhys Williams (London Broncos), 11.Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), 12.Joe Burke (Oldham Roughyeds), 13.Gavin Bennion (Rochdale Hornets), 14.Craig Kopczak (Captain) (Salford Red Devils), 15.Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), 16.Andrew Gay (South Wales Ironmen), 17.Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), 18.Regan Grace (St Helens), 19.Morgan Knowles (St Helens), 20.Ben Morris (St Helens), 21.Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), 22.Josh Ralph (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 23.Phil Joseph (Vice-Captain) (Workington Town), 24.Matty Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls).
2017 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers
On 3rd of August 2014 the Rugby League International Federation released the details of the qualifying process for the World Cup. Seven nations, who were all quarter finalists in the 2013 tournament, Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland have automatically qualified. The remaining seven places are up for grabs via qualifiers from four regions around the world. Three nations from Europe, two nations via Asia Pacific, one nation from the Americas and another nation from Middle-East Africa will make up the remaining seven places.
Asia Pacific Qualifiers (2 Nations)
With Papua New Guinea being awarded the right to host three games in early October 2015 they automatically qualified securing one of the Pacific qualifying places that was up for grabs.
On the 17th of October at Campbelltown Stadium Tonga defeated Cook Islands 28 – 8 in the final and only Pacific qualifying match securing their place in the 2017 RLWC and taking the remaining Pacific qualifying place.
Middle East Africa Qualifiers (1 Nation)
South Africa hosted Lebanon in a two game qualifying series to determine who will secure the one place available in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup for the Middle East Africa qualifier. The matches took place in Petoria on the 25th and 31st of October 2015. Lebanon won the first leg of the qualifiers defeating South Africa 40 to 12. Lebanon won their 2nd match 50 – 16 and also secured their place in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Americas Qualifiers (1 Nation)
In December 2015 Canada, Jamaica and the United States battled it out for the one place available to the winner of the Americas qualifying leg. On December 4th the United States took on Jamaica at Jacksonville. Jamaica surprised everyone and the USA only just got home winning 20 – 14. Then on the December 8th Canada and Jamaica’s clash finished in and 18 all draw in Deland. The last qualifier which decide the team through to the World Cup, took place on December the 12th between United States and Canada in Jacksonville. Canada where in the box seat after half time but the USA clawed their way back to defeat Canada 34 – 24 and also secure their 2nd consecutive World Cup appearance.
European Qualifiers (3 Nations)
It wasn’t until the 18th of October 2015 that the make-up of the final 6 teams to contest the European qualifying leg was confirmed. Newcomers Spain become the six side in the European qualifiers set to take place in late 2016. Spain will join Ireland, Wales, Serbia, Russia and Italy in the 2017 European RLWC qualifiers.
The draw, which is seeded, will create two pools of three nations:
Pool A Pool B
Wales Russia
Serbia Spain
Italy Ireland
One seed is placed in each group.
Once the two pools where created the positions within each will be allocated – Team A, Team B and Team C – which will give the order of play for the fixtures, with each nation having one home fixture.
The group winners will qualify automatically and the third nation from Europe, making up the 14th in all in the World Cup, will be determined after a play off.
Results:
Oct 16th Russia 40 v Spain 6, Fili, Moscow, Russia, Pool B (RLWCQ)
Oct 15th Wales 50 v Serbia 0, Llanelli, Wales Pool A (RLWCQ)
Oct 23rd Spain 6 v Ireland 46, Quatre Carrero, Valencia, Spain, Pool B (RLWCQ)
Oct 22nd Serbia 14 v Italy 62, Makis Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia, Pool A (RLWCQ)
Oct 29th Italy 14 v Wales 20, Stadio Brianteo, Monza, Italy, Pool A (RLWCQ)
Oct 30th Ireland 70 v Russia 16, Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Ireland Pool B (RLWCQ)
Nov 4th 2nd Pool A (Italy 76) v 2nd Pool B (Russia 0), Leigh Sports Village, England (RLWCQ)
Wales became the 12th team to qualify for the 2017 RLWC after beating Italy 14 -20 in Monza and finishing top of Pool A. Ireland were 13th team to qualify with a big win over Russia 70 -16. The following week Italy were confirmed as the 14th and final team by crushing Russia 76 – 0.
