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2015 has been a year so far filled with international rugby league thrillers and many upsets. Who would have imagined two years ago that Malta would edge out Belgium or the small island nation of Niue defeat South Africa?
International rugby league has grown drastically over the past few years and it will continue to grow with a total of 19 Tests being played so far this year between 27 countries across five continents.
The international rugby league calendar for 2015 still holds some tantalising fixtures with the European C Championship, 2015 Pacific Games, Ohana Cup, Asian Cup, Middle East and Africa World Cup Qualifier, Baskerville Shield and the conclusion of the European B Championship taking place over the next six months.
It was almost 120 years ago when representatives of 22 clubs met at the George Hotel, Huddersfield to form the Northern Rugby Football Union. The game didn’t venture outside of England until 1907 when the game was introduced to the All Golds and later to our shores.
The international game has endured many challenges such as the ban of rugby league in France during the Second World War, and the current feud between league and union through many parts of the world including the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Italy and Russia.
Our game will be faced with many more confrontations from union in the future, as the parents of the greatest game of all look to claim it as their own. Rugby league will march on despite the adversity and persevere toward a bright future for the international game.
The recent appointment of David Collier as CEO of the Rugby League International Federation serves as a huge step forward for the expansion of rugby league outside of traditional heartlands and will help to carry the game to new frontiers.
You only have to look at recent Tests to see how the gap between the ‘Big Three’, minnows and lesser minnows has closed. Last year’s Four Nations saw Samoa fall just two points short of eventual champions New Zealand, and England were just a fingertip away from defeating Australia. Italy defeated a first-tier Lions team in 2013 and now just two years later the likes of Serbia, Russia and Ukraine are up to the Azzuri’s level.
And the growth isn’t exclusive to the men’s game with the sport among women flourishing on the back of a strong Women’s Anzac Test and two-test series between England and France. The game could develop among women in other countries around the world including such growth regions as the Pacific Islands, Europe and the Americas in the coming years, hence expanding the Women’s World Cup outside of four nations and reaching to all corners of the globe.
The tables have turned in international rugby league with more competitive nations than ever before. International rugby league is gathering pace, and it is not about to slow down. Don’t be surprised if you see Malta or Greece taking on Australia in 2017, it’s a very real possibility and something that will please any diehard rugby league fan.
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