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Rugby league at the Commonwealth Games just got a step closer with the inaugural under 19s Championships concluding in dramatic style.
Papua New Guinea defeated an Australian team made up of Roosters SG Ball members 22-8 in the gold medal match.
» FULL GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCHEDULE
The two-day international nines tournament was played at Broadwood Stadium in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It was an officially endorsed event by the Commonwealth Games Federation and included a wide-spread representative number of Commonwealth countries: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Scotland, England, South Africa, Jamaica and South Africa.
The pleasing aspect of this tournament was that many more countries could have joined if not for financing problems. Also, the aim to highlight the sport and showcase membership in the key regions, was a reason for membership being limited.
Though a short tournament, as part of the Homecoming Scotland festival of events, it was deemed a success and provided some key highlights. First was Canada’s opening win 24-4 over England, a seismic victory considering the junior Wolverines short history.
Second was Scotland’s 18-all draw with eventual finalists Australia. They were leading 18-8 into the second half but the potential giant killing victory was thwarted as the Roos stormed back to clinch the draw.
The third key highlight was the Kumuls of Papua New Guinea, who had overcome Wales in a ferocious semi-final 12-6, to beat the Australians in the final and claim gold.
All bodes well for rugby league in Papua New Guinea with the heavy investment in junior and schools academy rugby league starting to pay off.
Canada had reached the semis and only exhaustion coupled with rugby league inexperience saw them bow out and claim a respectable and unexpected fourth spot. Montreal-born Gold Coast Titans prop James Iodice, aged 19, was surrounded in the Wolverines team by players new to the league code, having played years of union, Canadian football and ice hockey.
Iodice played hockey back in Montreal before his family moved to the Gold Coast at aged 11.
The disappointing team of the event perhaps were the Jamaicans, where fans may have been expecting Usain Bolt- like performances in the more open 9-a-side format.
In the place matches, Scotland defeated South Africa 34-6, England beat Jamaica 28-8, Scotland stunned England 14-4 to finish fifth despite only losing one of their five games, a tremendous effort from the hosts. Lastly, Jamaica got their first win beating the luckless South Africans 12-4 to finish seventh, and the Rhinos eighth.
Wales took some pride with winger James Mercurius-Taylor the tournament’s top try scorer with seven, while Ben Jones was top point scorer with 32.
The event was also televised by the UK’s Premier Sport and further good news was announced with Fox Sports Australia set to televise highlights.
Rugby league just got one step closer becoming part of the Commonwealth Games. The next games on the Gold Coast should see an expanded tournament of rugby league before hopefully realising full inclusion as an official Commonwealth Games sport.
Saturday’s fixtures
Pool A results
Australia 26 Jamaica 4
Wales 18 Scotland 6
Australia 34 Wales 10
Scotland 4 Jamaica 0
Wales 34 Jamaica 0
Scotland 18 Australia 18
Pool B results
Papua New Guinea 22 South Africa 8
Canada 24 England 4
Canada 24 South Africa 16
Papua New Guinea 16 England 10
Papua New Guinea 26 Canada 6
England 22 South Africa 6
Sunday’s fixtures
England 28 Jamaica 8
Scotland 34 South Africa 6
Semi-final: Papua New Guinea 12 Wales 6
Semi-final: Australia 20 Canada 0
7/8th place game Jamaica 12 South Africa 4
5/6th place game Scotland 14 England 4
3/4th place game Wales 20 Canada 4
Papua New Guinea 22 Australia 8 – gold medal match
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