International rugby updates and match reports

The best 2 Rugby clubs uin the world -Leeds Rhinos fresh from teaching the England RU team how to run angles and create as well as defend face the Aussie giants Sydney Bulldogs (Doggies).Both sides have the best up and coming players from both hemispheres in players like GB 22 year old Danny Mcguire, 20 year old Kiwi and one of the hardest hitters and best ballhandler -Sonny Bill Williams as well as young Kangeroo Willy Tonga amongst others.The game has already sold 35.000 tickets.Wanna watch the best athletes in the world with non stop action, passion and running rugby then watch live and exclusive the World club challenge at the Arc at 9pm Friday 4th February courtesy of Sky Sports.Dont miss it!

Leeds 39 Sydney-Canterbury Bulldogs 32
Crowd 38.000

Plenty of good trys, some basic mistakes, 19 year old Sonny Bill Williams doing 2 absolute bellringers and Barrie Mcdermott knocking out Tony Grimoldi made it a great game to watch.The game often was very aggressive but also very skillful with many great offloads.Certainly there wont be any better running rugby played in the world this weekend! Rugby League is on at the Arc every friday evening at 21hr.

On 5th August 2005 in Rotterdam, Germany will make its international bow in Rugby League when it takes on the Dutch national team.Many of the German players will be from Munich.Rugby League in Germany is still at a very early stage as its only 6 months old but intends to work with Rugby Union to get more people playing Rugby full stop We aim to play in the summer months and for instance Stusta are looking to play maybe Oxford University as well as a Serbian side in the summer.

The Arc are to be part sponsors for Rugby League in Munich as well as Germany.Other sponsors include www.forty-twenty.co.uk and www.kiksport.com as well as other sponsors that we are still in discussions with.Also will hopefully in the summer be a Munich challenge match between Munich RFC and Stusta with a trophy up for grabs with a date and venue yet to be announced.

Also is the Munich 9s at Stusta with teams from Denmark, Scotland, England, the Netherlands, France and Germany.We are still looking for a sponsor if any firms want to support one of the fastest growing sports in Europe.With Georgia and Estonia this year also setting up playing Rugba League at last things are starting to grow in the sport as well as record crowds recorded in Australia, England, Wales this last year

Welsh Presidents Rugby League xiii 52 Lebanon Espoirs 12

In a game played on Friday 26 August at the Brewery Fields Ground Bridgend a Welsh Presidents side beat a young Lebanese domestic based National side 52-12.With the strong Lebanese community based in and around Sydney taking the game back to their homeland and forming a League there and with a surprisingly large number of people wanting to play Rugby League this was the first Lebanese international featuring No Australian/Lebanese players.There is now 7 teams in less than 5 years of the game being developed in the Lebanon.

The game shows how far the game of Rugby League has come in a short time with both Wales and Lebanon now having a domestic comp and with the Celtic Warriors going into the Semi Pro level in NL2 next year.The game was watched by the players and a number of fans from Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos who are playing in the Challenge Cup final later today at the millenium Stadium, Cardiff.Once again a full house for the final which should see Leeds Rhinos win the Cup despite a hull side that has defeated Leigh, St.Helens and Bradford Bulls.

Totalrl.com

To see some great hits from Rugby League click below.Likely some of the hits are illegal in Rugby Union like the Shoulder charge for example!great watching none the less!

Rugby League Hits

you ought to have posted thi sto thread about rugby vs american football to show the americans that is posiible to have hard contact tackles without wearing body armour.

and yes you are right the body charge tackle is illegal in rugby union ( you have to use your arms as well) but most tackles shown can be seen in Union (remember Gavín Henson's tackles on Taite)

The New Zealand Rugby League side has been announced.The following Squad for the Tri Nation Series and the game against France is:
LOUIS ANDERSON (New Zealand Warriors), ROY ASOTASI (Canterbury Bulldogs), GEORGE CARMONT (Newcastle Knights), NATHAN CAYLESS (Parramatta Eels), LUKE COVELL (Cronulla Sharks), GREG EASTWOOD (Brisbane Broncos), DAVID FAIUMU (North Queensland Cowboys), JOE GALAVAO (Penrith Panthers), AWEN GUTTENBEIL (New Zealand Warriors), DENE HALATAU (Wests Tigers), BRONSON HARRISON (Wests Tigers), LANCE HOHAIA (New Zealand Warriors), STACEY JONES (New Zealand Warriors), DAVID KIDWELL (Melbourne Storm), WAIRANGI KOOPU (New Zealand Warriors), TEVITA LATU (Cronulla Sharks), PHILLIP LEULUAI (Cronulla Sharks), KYLIE LEULUAI (Manly Sea Eagles), PETER LEWIS (Parramatta Eels), JAMAAL LOLESI (Wests Tigers),STEVE MATAI (Manly Sea Eagles), HUTCH MAIAVA (Cronuula Sharks), BENJI MARSHALL (Wests Tigers), FRANK PITCHARD (Penrith Panthers), TONY PULETUA (Penrith Panthers), FRANK PULETUA (Penrith Panthers) PAUL RAUHIHI (Warrington Wolves), IAFETA PALEA´AESINA (Wigan), MARCUS PERANARA (Parramatta Eels), IOSIA SOLIOLA (Sydney Roosters), JEREMY SMITH (Parramatta Eels), CLINTON TOOPI (New Zealand Warriors), TAME TOUPO (Brisbane Broncos), GLEN TURNER (Melbourne Storm), NIGEL VAGANA (Cronulla Sharks), MANU VATUVEI (New Zealand Warriors) BRENT WEBB (New Zealand Warriors), JAKE WEBSTER (Melbourne Storm), PAUL WHATEIRA (Wests Tigers), RUBEN WIKI (New Zealand Warriors).

A strong side and glad Jones and Marshall are in but still missing are Vainkolo (Bradford Bulls), Shontayne Hape (Bradford Bulls) Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury Bulldogs) Matt Utai (Canterbery Bulldogs), Vinny Anderson (St.Helens) due to injury

Australian team for Tri Nations is

ANTHONY MINICHIELLO (Sydney Roosters), MATT KING (Melbourne Storm), TIMANA TAHU (Parramatta Eels), BRENT TATE (Brisbane Broncos), MATT COOPER (St.George Illawarra Dragons), MARK GASNIER (St.George Illawarra Dragons), DARREN LOCKYER (Brisbane Broncos), TRENT BARRETT (St.George Illawarra Dragons), ANDREW JOHNS (Newcastle Knights), SCOTT PRINCE (Wests Tigers), CRAIG GOWER (Penrith Panthers), JASON RYLES (St.George Illawarra Dragons), MARK O´MELEY (Canterbury Bulldogs),
PETERO CIVINICEVA (Brisbane Broncos), DANNY BUDERUS (Newcastle Knights), CRAIG FITZGIBBON (Sydney Roosters), LUKE O´DONNELL (North Queensland Cowboys), NATHAN HINDMARSH (Parramatta Eels), WILLY MASON (Canterbury Bulldogs), ANDREW RYAN (Canterbury Bulldogs), BEN KENNEDY (Manly Sea Eagles), TRENT WATERHOUSE (Penrith Panthers

Australia Junior Kangeroos 16 PNG 24! Darwin

Tonga 34 Samoa 20
Tonga snatched a win in a hard brutal game with London Broncos Tyrone Smith (Brother of Australian Union Star George Smith) and Parramatta Eels Youngster Faleti Mateo destroying Samoa with some magiacal interplay and scoring 16 points between them.With a Number of players plying their trade at one of the NRL Clubs the Standard was high and with Samoa being Coached by Former Roo Trainer Chris Anderson the future for both Nations looks good.Mu´a Saints are the current leading team in the Tongan Domestic Competition

Malta 24 Greece Exiles 22
In a Tough game with very little between the sides the Greek Exiles (mainly exiled Greeks living in Australia) were given a real tough game by the Maltese (who are a mixture of Maltese and Maltese Exiles living in Australia, UK, New Zealand).The game was very close throughout the 80 minutes with Daniel Spiteri diving over outwide in the last minute of the game to steal a victory from Greece.The Conversion was missed by Benjamin Sammut not that it mattered.Next game up for the Maltese is a home game in Valetta against the English Lionhearts.The Lionhearts are the amateurs who play in the Summer Conference in England.There is also an Amateur Winter Competition which is of a very very high Standard and feature a number of players who have played Professionally or had trial games.Malta should again secure another Victory against the Lionhearts later this month

U16s Comp in Russia

Australia unsurprizingly won the first ever U16s comp in Moscow by beating the French.Sadly New Zealand, England and Wales had problems getting visas and Holland, Ireland, Tonga, South Africa, America, had problems raising the cash to send a Team of 22 plus Coaches etc but the Event was still well attended.Some names to look out for in the future could be these players named in the Dream team U16

1.Arnaud Farres (France)
2.Revir Mirsaepou (Russia)
3.Daniel Nicastri (Italy Heritage)
4.Petera Tamarau (Australia)
5.Smokin Magini (Papua New Guinea)
6.Ryan Stig (Australia
7.Denis Makarov (Russia)
8.Dicksen Wallen (papua New guinea)
9.Alexander Napalkov (Russia)
10.Adam leslie (Australia)
11.Johnny Mannaia (Australia)
12.Samy Masselot (France)
13.Tom Mcmillan (Australia)

14.Ross Byran (Scotland)
15.Artem Zelenin (Russia)
16.Vincent Lautrette (France)
17.Andrew Gallo (Italian Heritage)

Games coming Up in October
15 October
Australia v New Zealand (Telstra Stadium,Sydney)
16 October
Wales v Scotland (Brewery field, Bridgend)
France v Russia (Cannes)
New Zealand v Australia (Erikson Stadium ,Auckland)
22 October
Malta v England Lionhearts (Malsa Stadium, Malta)
23 October
Scotland v Ireland (Old Anniesland, Glasgow)
Russia v Georgia (Luzriki Stadium, Moscow)
Cook Islands v New Zealand Maoris (Cook Islands)
29 October
Great Britian and Ireland v New Zealand (Loftus Road, London)
Ireland v Wales (Tenemure Park, Dublin)
30 October
Georgia v France (National Stadium, Tblisi)

Australia 28 New Zealand 38 !

For the first time since 1959 New Zealand have beaten the kangeroos in Sydney despite lacking their European based players and 5 injured from the NRL based clubs.New zealand shot into an 18-00 lead before Australia clawed their way back to go in the sheds 18 a piece.

A likely Aussie backlash was feared and was justified as Matt King crashed over giving Australia the lead before New Zealand grabbed the lead back and Australia pulled a try back to set up a grandstand finish.Still the money was on the Roos with Johns and Lockyer causing problems and both centres in Tate and gasnier weaving magic as well.Tates second try was an 80 Metre effort involving most of his teammates!Sheer magic highlighting how good Rugby League is to watch.

One last push by the Kiwis saw them pull off one of the biggest shocks in the Sport for many years.Australia have been the best International Team for 30 years.Now that title is in great danger of going elsewhere.The next game in the Tri Nations is in Auckland next Saturday-any this should be interesting as the Aussies will want revenge but it will be hard to beat the Kiwis in Auckland!

I just saw the news...thats awesome.

Hopefully the kiwis can carry on. They have a history of winning one game then getting smashed in the next. But a great performance for the boys.

In the pregame New Zealand A belted a Kangaroos Invitational side 40-16.

Rugby League is doing well in NZ and its great to see them beat Australia.They reckon in 5 years over 20% of players in the NRL in Australia will be Kiwi born or have Kiwi parents!Would love to see a Wellington side jointhe NRL!

Euro Nations Cup
Group A
FRANCE 80 RUSSIA 0 (Arles)

Group B
WALES 22 SCOTLAND 14 (Bridgend)

Teams for New Zealand and Australia in Auckland this Friday Evening is:
NEW ZEALAND (KIWIS)------------------------AUSTRALIA (KANGEROOS)
1.Brent WEBB (New Zealand Warriors)------------Anthony MINICHELLO (Sydney Roosters)
2.Jake WEBSTER (Melbourne Storm)---------------Matt KING (Melbourne Storm)
3.Paul WHATUIRA (Wests Tigers)-------------------Mark GASNIER (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
4.Shontayne HAPE (Bradford Bulls)-----------------Matt COOPER (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
5.Manu VATUVEI (New Zealand Warriors)----------Brent TATE (Brisbane Broncos)
6.Nigel VAGANA (Cronulla Sharks)-----------------Darren LOCKYER (Brisbane Broncos)
7.Stacy JONES (Catalan Dragons, France)---------Andrew JOHNS (Newcastle Knight)
8.Paul RAUHIHI (Warrington Wolves)---------------Petero CIVONICIVA (Brisbane Broncos
9.Motu TONY (Hull FC)--------------------------------Danny BUDERUS (Newcastle Knights)
10.Ruben WIKI (New Zealand Warriors)-------------Steve PRICE (New Zealand Warriors)
11.David KIDWELL (Melbourne Storm)---------------Luke O DONNELL (North Queensland Cowboys)
12.David SOLOMONA (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats)--Craig FITZGIBBON (Sydney Roosters)
13.Louis ANDERSON (New Zealand Warriors)-------Ben KENNEDY (Manly Sea Eagles)

14.David FAIUMU (North Queensland Cowboys)-----Trent BARRETT (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
15.Roy ASOTASI (Canterbury Bulldogs)--------------Jason RYLES (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
16.Iafeta PALEA`AESINA (Wigan RLFC)---------------Mark O`MELEY (Canterbury Bulldogs)
17.Tony PULETUA (Penrith Panthers)------------------Trent WATERHOUSE (Penrith Panthers)

Coach Brian McClennen--------------------------------Wayne Bennett

New Zealand 26 Australia 28!
Close exciting game played in atrocious weather-typical Auckland weather maybe!New Zealand was unlucky to lose this game and it was really the Individual skills of the Kangeroos that pulled the game out the bag.Despite the weather some great trys again.

Internationals in Europe this weekend
England 22 France 12
Russia 48 Georgia 14
Scotland 6 Ireland 12
Malta 36 England Amateurs 6

Well if anyone is interested Great Britain are playing New Zealand in Rugby League. Nz started off strong and went into the half 24-8. Thirteen minutes in to the 2nd half its 30-20. You can listen to it here.

Gillette Tri Nations Series
Great Britain 26 New Zealand 42 (London)

-----------------P--W--L---F---A----Pts-----+/-
New Zealand--3--2--1--106--82----4 +24
Australia--------2--1--1---56--64----2 -8
Great Britain---1--0--1---26--42----0 -16

Great Britain v Australia Saturday 5 November 1915HRS (CET) Sky Sports 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia 0 France 60

Euro Nations Cup Group A
France-----2 2 0 140 00 4 +140
Russia-----2 1 1 48 94 2 - 46
Georgia---2 0 0 14 108 0 - 94

Ireland 10 Wales 31
Group B
Wales-------2 2 0 53 24 4 +29
Ireland------2 1 1 26 37 2 - 11
Scotland----2 2 0 20 34 0 - 14

Final France v Wales Saturday 5th November 1900HRS (CET)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cook Islands 24 New Zealand Maoris 16 (Fight during the Haka! )
Tonga 34 Samoa 20

Great Britain and Ireland face Australia this Saturday at 1915hrs.Both sides have suffered shock defeats to outsiders New Zealand who are missing a number of players.Australia are in big trouble of losing their "Invincibles" tag after near 30 Years of Domination through the various teams which included the Greatest Rugby Players in the world like Mal Meninga, Wally "The King" Lewis, Graeme "Changa"Langlands, Peter Sterling, Steve "The Pearl"Renouf, Allan"Alfie" Langer, Andrew"Joey" Jones, Brad "Freddie" Fittler, Laurie Daley amongst others.Dont miss this sure to be titanic struggle.

The Arc will be showing the game on Saturday at 1915HRS LIVE! Sadly i am in Carcasonne this weekend watching Wales and France playing.

Game from Yesterday (Tuesday 1 Nov) in Stade Moulin at Lezignan

France A 22 England Amateurs 26

This was a tough game and little to choose between the sides.The French were mainly Under 23 Players looking to impress for maybe a bench spot for the French national team who face both Australia and New Zealand in the coming weeks.The England Amateurs were from the top northern Clubs and all could easy be pro players but for various Cirumstances.The game was played in front of well over a thousand people who watched a titanic struggle in the Small Southern Town of Lezignan (near Carcasonne/Toulouse area).The French were as typical French as they can be by showing great flair and inventiveness as well as putting in some great tackles-but then often being ill Disciplined (Mainly Offside or trying to slow play down) as well as at times Naive and taking the wrong options!However the English lads showed their class by patiently taking their chances including the match winning Try 2 minutes from time breaking the Young French hearts.

oh, you poor thing

Topsy I have a European RL Meeting there and the French always play very Open Rugby.Wales have 3 Players from Halifax RLFC so it should be a good weekend

France 38 Wales 16 Euro Nations Cup

On a freezing cold night in Carcasonne France beat Wales by doing the basics in attack-Supporting the man or any half breaks-better.The French stormed into an early 10-0 lead and increased it to 26-6 at Half Time.Wales came back with 2 Tries in two Minutes after the break but some strange Refereeing Decisions from Kiwi Ref Glen Black and some Excellent Rugby League got France a Try through Les Catalan Dragons Recent Signing from Wigan Jerome Guisset and then the next try from the French involved nearly every player being involved as they stretched the lead even more.More Strange Decisions followed by a all inj 26 Man Brawl didnt help the Welsh cause.

Next up for France is the visit of Australia in Perpignan on Saturday Night that will again be broadcast across France and beyong on Sport+

By the way if anybody gets the chance they should visit Carcasonne.Great town with a very old walled city/Castle in full tact and even with 120 plus inhabitants with the rest of the 50.000 Population lower down the hill and across the river.Major wine area and flights are available to Carcasonne Airport direct from Dublin, Brussels and London Stansted

Great Britain 6 Australia 20

The Arc will be showing live at 1830hrs on Saturday the Great Britain v New Zealand game.This is a vital game as GB MUST win to have a chance of being in the final in 2 weeks.New Zealand are on a high despite something like 12 Players out through injury although GB also have 6 Internationals out! Many players are in need of surgery on shoulders and knees

Australia are in Perpignan facing a potential tricky game against France and with Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer both injured may struggle.Sydney Roosters Craig Wing got a call up during the week to replace Lockyer.There are still doubts over the fitness of Nathan Hindmarsh as well.The french are in good form under new coach John Monie and looked impressive last week against the Welsh in Carcasonne.

Lance Hohoia has injured ankle ligaments so Stacy Jones is back in-(Jones is waiting for the birth of his 2nd child which is why he wasnt in originally).Stacy Jones will give the kiwis a massive lift and is one of the best Rugby Players in the world.If New Zealand make the final in 2 weeks its sadly Unlikely Jones will be there.Still New zealand have easily been the best side so far in the comp and with both the Aussies and Brits losing top stars to injury like Johns, Sculthorpe, Lockyer etc it makes it very interesting!

Gilette Tri Nations

Great Britain And Ireland 38 New Zealand 12!

After 2 average performences already in the Gilette Tri nations Series and With New Zealand having been on fire in their previous games you would automatically think New Zealand would beat the Brits/Irish-Wrong!Rugby League is getting very hard to predict as has been shown in Club Comps both in Australia and Europe.Great Britain and Ireland lost Half back Paul Deacon With a Serious Facial Injury that will see him miss the rest of the games, Irishman Brian Carney who had a great game until Pulling a hamstring scoring his 2nd try which saw the ball pass through a number of players with such speed and skill.Paul Wellens at Fullback also oicked up an Injury in the game seeing him leave the field.Surely with such odds new Zealand would Win?Failure to do the basics as well as great handling and a aggressive defence from GB and ireland stunned the Kiwis.It leaves it all open for the final Group game next week before the Almighty Australian Kangeroos against GB and Ireland.It is very interesting as still all 3 teams have a great chance to qualify for the final in 2 weeks time at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds

P--W--L----F-----A--PT
Australia-----------3--2--1----76---70--4 +6
New Zealand------4--2--2---118--120--4 -2
GB and Ireland---3--1--2-----70---74--2 -4

France 12 Australia 44 (Perpignan)

A full strength Australian side missing Lockyer and Johns through injury aside were made to work hard against a French side that some predicted would get whitewashed as well as hammered!The French who are mainly Semi Professional gave a fantastic account and with Les Catalan joining in the Super League next year and with many French Players switching to Full Time Professionals will only get better.With the Rugby league World Cup being set for 2008 in Australia there is still time for the French to get even better and possibly record a shock win against one of the top 3.The French will face New Zealand next weekend

GB absolutely pulled NZ apart in the first half. Second half they went off the boil a bit but the result has thrown the Tri-Nations wide open. Here's to another win against the Aussies next weekend!

Great Britain and Ireland v Australia
Kingston Communications Stadium
Kick Off 7.15pm (Central European Time)
The Arc will be showing the game live!

In a fascinating Tri Nations Series the Final Group game is extremely delicate as New Zealand, Australia and Hosts Great Britain and Ireland are all in with a chance of making the final or losing out.Gone are the days when Australia won everytime and the rest fought for the leftovers.Australia are still favourites to qualify BUT if in Tomorrows game the following happens then

Australia beat GB & Ireland=Final Next Week Australia v New Zealand
Australia lose by 9 Points or more=Great Britain and Ireland v New zealand
Australia lose by 8 Points or less=Australia v Great Britain and Ireland

With Australia missing Injured legends Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer as well as Workhorse and tackling machine Nathan Hindmarsh anything could happen.Struggling to fill the gap left by Shane Webckes Representative Games Retirement the Roos are looking not that Strong as in previous years.They beat the French last week 44-12 in Perpignan but the game was alot closer than the Scoreline Suggests!Steven Price has been dropped for Jason Ryles

Cork born Winger Brian Carney is also likely to start after recovering from the Hamstring he pulled last week while scoring his 2nd try.Paul Deacon is out after breaking his Nose,Fracturing the Roof of his Mouth and fracturing his cheekbone last week! Richard Horne (Hull FC) replacing the Scrum half and also St.Helens Fullback Paul Wellens has a knee problem picked up in the New Zealand game last week so Leon Pryce Switches from the Wing to Fullback with Hull FC winger Gareth Raynor earning a firstever call up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Zealand make the Trip to Toulouse to face France who are improving each year and whilst unlikely to beat the Kiwis they certainly will make it tough!Nigel Vagana is suspended.

Les catalans from Perpignan will join the Super League in the Summer and this will give the game of Rugby League in France a huge boost!It will be the first fulltime professional Rugby League team in France.They have a mainly French based team but Les Catalan have signed Kiwi Legend Stacey Jones as well as Ian Hindmarsh (Canberra Raiders) and Alex Chan (Melbourne Storm) to add experience.Jerome Guisset the Top French player is also there after playing in Australia and later in the UK with Warrington and Wigan

France 22 New Zealand 38

The Kiwis struggled in this game they were expected to win.Only 3 late tries in the last 10 minutes made the Score more convincing for New Zealand.With the Kiwis all Full time and the French are mix of Full time and Part time players the fitness told at the end of the game.However the French have made big progress in the last couple of years.With a new Full time Club in Les Catalans the Fitnerss and standards will rise alot more.Toulouse who hosted the game are also aiming for a Full Time team in Super league for 2009.

Stacey Jones was agin the main threat from the Kiwis but some poor discipline by others sometimes stop them from being even better.Jerome Guisset, Julien Rinaldi, Jamal Fakir, Daniel Ferriol again served France well

Great Britain & Ireland 14 Australia 26

In a Game that failed to live up to expectations the Roos again showed whos boss with a strong defence often frustrating the Lions team.With both sides missing key players it was a chance for fringe players to make a case and one such player micky Higham from Wigan did that.He wasnt on the pitch long but he did enough to constantly cause problems for the Roos which ended up with Cork-born Winger Brian Carney show great upperbody strength to grab a try after Cooper had gone over earlier.

Man of the Match Anthony "The Count" Minichello showed why he is strongly tipped to collect the Golden boot award for best player in the world this year with some great Fullback work and constantly being a thorn in the Lions side.He set up the second Roos Try by Running in at full pace and a speculative over the shoulder pass to Mark "Shrek" O´Meley saw the Roos ahead 8-14 at the break

The Second Stanza was all Australia as they strangled any hopes the GB Irish had of making a comeback with solid defence and then Tait raced 80 Metres after sending Senior the Wrong way with a dummy and side step.Gasnier then further added to the Lions misery.Horne finally grabbed a try for the Lions but it was too little too late.

Its now up to the Kiwis to thwart yet another Australian success.New Zealand have beaten Australia already in Sydney this year as well as a narrow 2 Point loss in Auckland.The Final will be played on Saturday in Leeds, England

Australia v New Zealand Tri Nations Final 1915hrs Saturday 26 November The Arc

World Cup 2008

Been Confirmed today that Australia will hold the 2008 Rugby League World Cup with only 10 teams in the final Phase.There will be a Qualification Phase as well!Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea are guaranteed a place with

Serbia, Russia, Georgia, USA, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Netherlands, Morocco, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, West Indies, Lebanon , Cook Islands and Fiji set to fight it out for the remaining 6 Spots.Germany who are also eligble to apply for the World Cup (Must have atleast 3 Clubs in the Nation as well as other Criteria) wont be taking part in the Qualifications as we dont have the Finance or Structure in place yet to take on such a project.We will be concentrating on Domestic competition first.Greece, Itally and Malta must get Domestic Clubs set up in their homelands before they are allowed to enter as at Present they are basically Australians with a Parent or Grandparent from the Homeland.

Each Nation must include 5 Native Players so as to stop Mations trying to fill its team only with Aussies or Brits which has happened and still does in a number of Sports today.More Details are set to follow and will post them when I have been given the Green Light to.Every State in Australia wants atleast one game from the World Cup to be played there and the Interest is high.

2006 Tri Nations
Is to be held in New Zealand and Australia with likely Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington hosting games.Exact details to be released in the new year.

Australia 0! New Zealand 24!

A massive shock for Australia after having been Rugby Leagues Number 1 Nation for over 30 Years got hammered tonight by New Zealand in the Tri nations Final.Nilled for the first time in decades and having 24 Points put past them tho could easily have been more. Australia will need to be rebuild after a disasterous Tri Nations where New Zealand have beaten them in Sydney, although the Roos scraped a late win in Auckland but tonight has likely ended many Players careers on the International scene.

Stacey Jones Kicking caused Problems all Night and with Ruben Wiki-winning a record 50th Cap and Roy Asotasi in the forwards smashing the Roos of the park it gave Jones the time and Space often to create havoc.The kiwis defence was Rock Solid through Out which resulted in the Roos often giving away needless penalties or dropping the ball.16 Points up at Half time and most would of expected Australia to come back-they didnt and credit again New Zealand for that with an aggressive defence.

Despite lacking Top Youngsters like Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leulai and more experienced players in Lesley Vainkolo, Matt Utai, Jason Cayless etc New Zealand have proven to be the best side Rugby League this year.The question is now will they keep it going for 2006 and even more so for 2008 for the World Cup

International

USA 48 Japan 10
Fiji 6 NZ Maori 12 ( Coffs Harbour, Australia)

3 Serbs sign for Warrington Wizards

NL3 semi-pro side Warrington Wizards have signed 3 young Serbians. They are the first Serbians to play at the NL3 Level in England. (There is Super League, NL1,2,3 then the many amateur leagues.). Dalibor Vukanovic (19 Years old), Soni Radovanovic(17 years old) and Zoran Pesic (22 years old) are the 3 Serbs hoping to to make the grade in England.

[/u]Maori TV to show Monday Night Football (Rugby League) in 2006

Maori TV are to show games from the New Zealand Bartercard Cup in 2006 and 2007. A big bonus for Rugby League New Zealand as with New Zealand probably the best side on the International Footy stage and with League gaining popularity there this will help the game there. The other bonus is Maori TV is free to air

Irish Rugby League 2006
LEINSTER LEAGUE

Athboy Longhorns
Dublin Blues.
Dublin City Exiles
Eastcoast Eagles
Kildare Dragons
Portadown Panthers
Portlaoise Panthers
Tullamore Knights

MUNSTER LEAGUE

Cork Bulls
Kerry Kings
Kilkenny Wildcats
Treaty City Titans
Waterford Vikings

Welsh Rugby League 2006

[b]West
West Wales Sharks (Llanelli)
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Aberavon Fighting Irish
Swansea Valley Miners
Swansea RLFC

East
Newport titans
Torfaen Tigers
Cardiff Demons
Pontypridd Valley Cougars
Blackwood

French team report massive interest in first Super League game!

Les Catalans from Perpignan have reported massive interest in their first ever Super League game against arguably the greatest Rugby club name in the World-Wigan RLFC. With top Kiwi Stacey Jones on board along with the best of the French players like Jerome Guisset who was at Wigan last year, Les Cats wont be an easy team to beat especially when the English teams must go to Southern France in the Summer

Gold Coast Titans getting ready for NRL 2007[/u]

Gold Coast titans are gearing up nicely for their debut in the NRL comp in Australasia in 2007. Exactly 12 months before kick off they have announced the signings of a number of Rugby League stars including Irish International Brian Carney, St.George and NSW rep player Luke Bailey and highly rated five eight/Stand off Preston Campbell. Also have announced the design of the new Jersey they will play in. For more Gold Coast Titans Rugby League

WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE

Bradford Bulls (EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS) 30 Wests Tigers (AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONS) 10

USA League 2006

Group A

Connecticut Wildcats
Connecticut Hartford
New York Knights
Northern Raiders
Boston Wolfhounds

Group B

Jacksonville (Florida)
New Jersey Sharks
Philadelphia Fight
Glen Mill Bulls
Delaware Manta Rays
Washington Slayers

Top 2 teams from each group playoff for the right to play in the Grand Final

European World Cup Preliminary Qualification

The Rugby League World Cup will be in Australia 2008. Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea are already through as the best 5 Nations.5 other nations must qualify first!

Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Lebanon, Serbia, Netherlands, Russia and Georgia are aiming to qualify from Europe
USA, West Indies and South Africa are aiming to qualify from Atlantic Group
Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga aiming to qualify from Pacific Group

Estonia, Germany, Italy, Czech Republik, Argentina, Morocco, Greece and Malta have no domestic competition or dont feel ready to take on trying to qualify for the World Cup. This is alot of time, money and effort which these Nations at the moment arent ready for hopefully 2012 will be more realistic.Each nation must have 4 teams and each Nation MUST have 6 Domestic players in the team-i.e not a Nation full of Australians or Brits which has happened in Rugby League and other sports before.

Rugby League was the first Rugby Code to have a World Cup in 1954 when Great Britain beat France in Bordeaux in the Final 16-12. Australia and New Zealand struggling against the European nations. France then went downhill mainly due to Rugby Union officials causing problems and continue to do so even in France today which is why Rugby League is small in France now. The Rugby League World Cup has been hit and miss for a few reasons upto now tho it has been played 13 times since 1954!
Paul Berriere was the main instigator of it. Monsieur Berriere who won the Croix de Guerre for his work with the French resistance turned down often attempts to name the Trophy after him-saying "he doesnt deserve a Trophy of such importance to be named after himself-a humble servant of the game."

Go on then, I will rise to the bait. Who on earth (except black-pudding chomping, whippet racing, cloth cap wearing, northern, working class (albeit unemployed) people actual watch RL.

If one attends RU one does not have to mix with the likes of such people, can watch a game that is actually interesting (as opposed to a load of steroid taking blokes running at a "brick-wall" and one can feel at home eating ones lunch off the tailgate of ones Range Rover in the car park at "Twickers"

I saw a documentary, many years ago, about a RL team and the supporters. The team were talking about moving stadium and a Northern "oik" stood up and said "you can't move stadium, we, the fans built that stadium when we were on strike" It sums up the game and the supporters

Rugby league...you have reminded me that I have to go and watch some paint dry! thanks!!

What are you on about bait? Fact my friend. And if you have never played Rugby League dont bother trying to understand it as you wont have much idea. Funny how your mind forgets that your complex code looks to League for Coaches (John Muggleton, Shaun Edwards, Mike Ford, David Ellis, Denis Betts for example!)I invite you to play Rugby League in the summer and to come training. This is just another attempt my game is better than yours! Each are different games and should remain so. Who cares if one is bigger or better? Anyway just to give you personally some facts to look at see below.

Rugby League fans are also very passionate and vocal and say what they think. Ever watch St.Helens, Wigan, Leeds, Hull FC , Warrington, Castleford and you can hear the crowd. I was recently at the London harlequins v St.Helens game for the Harlequins League set up first game there and even the national papers said how unusual it was for the Stoop to hear the fans of a team so vocal and this was the Saints fans! Rugby League is a community game with deep roots. Maybe you would be surprised to know that there are more London Rugby League clubs than in West Yorkshire (Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Wakefield, Castleford). Celtic Crusaders from Bridgend are predicting a 3 000 crowd for their Cup game against Lokomotive Moscow. There are League teams in Leicester, Gloucester, Bristol, Telford, Bedford, Coventry, Ipswich, Oxford, Cambridge etc. Rugby League isnt a Northern Sport.

Who watches union games? According to England International many who are doing business or drinking beer and not watching the game. More people watch Rugby League on Sky than the Guiness Premiership. Look at www.barb.co.uk for evidence. They report TV average audience ratings. Super 14s cant even get on free TV in Australia compared to the NRL (Rugby League) and the Aussie Football

I have nothing against Union just people like yourself with your high and mighty attitude. Rugby League is a working class sport-so what?Either you like a Sport or not. I play Union but its too slow and not hard enough for me personally but thats only my opinion. If somebody prefers union good on them i have no problem with it just the attitude like yours I hate

I watch it and in fact I'm playing it tomorrow and I'm not northern (well, northern but not that northern ). There are others here that do as well.

How are your trials for the Scottish Student team going mate?

good thanks mate i'll email you about it soon.

Dally...read your quote above and tell me which one of us has the highest and mighties attitude??!!

As I told you in a previous post, I tried to watch and enjoy rugby league but I just dont like the game, sorry.

Besides, my SUV will look better in the car park at Twickers than up North somewhere

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! I find most Union games boring to watch in comparison to League as its so slow and just Kick Kick Kick or the ball buried under aload of players. Where are the tries? Will only watch SH Union as least they try and run it. NH Rugby is awful. Hope NZ win the WC as they run with the ball not hoof it or play just among the forwards like England and most NH lot do! Also many Union players struggle with League because of the fitness required to play at a decent standard and thank god League is investing money in Youth and not on some alleged good player from Uion-Enough money was wasted in the past on terry Holmes, John gallagher, Tuigamala, Jonathon Davies, Stuart Evans, etc-some success most not. Union would be best wasting money on Youth rather than has beens like Andy Farrell who is still yet to play a game!

When League fans go to see a game they go for the game nothing else-certainly not to do business like in Union. Try listening to a Rugby League game and you can hear the crowd-the same cant be said of a Union game especially club level.

We are all different and no one sport is better than another just different sports for different people.

Is Alan Tait the current Scotland RU defence coach? Was my favourite player for a while would be interesting to know if this run of fortune for Scots in 6nations is due to his coaching.

Dally. NZ dont kick?? You obviously havent got sky sports or you would be watching the southern hemisphere games at the moment which would dispel your belief.
Now, where is that paint I have drying???

Believe he is the defence coach. Decent Fullback when at Leeds Rugby League. A few decent Rugby Union players that have played Rugby League and done well include George Fairbairn ( Hull KR, Wigan), Charlie Renilson (Halifax), George Graham (Carlisle) and the legendary Dave Valentine (Huddersfield). The Scottish Rugby League player of the year collects a trophy named after Dave Valentine. Many of the Scottish Rugby League players were originally from the borders area of Scotland and played Rugby Union but some went to play League for the money others for a new challenge.
The latest Scottish Rugby Union player to make the switch to Rugby League is Jon steel who is playing for Hull KR. The Scottish Domestic League is still not that strong and is amateur as you well know. There is a book called Rugby League Bravehearts written by Gavin Willacy and is about Scottish Rugby League and the players who have come from Scotland to play professional Rugby League. Might be worth you buying. Costs 10 Pounds from www.forty-twenty.co.uk ( Go to Entertainment-books-history)