Amidst the euphoria of what was an enthralling opening match between England and Australia, the second match of tournament has slipped under the excitement radar of many Australians.
Televised live, Wales took on World Cup debutants Italy in what turned out to be a thrilling match.
The game aired early in the morning at 2.30 am.
Since most of the sane were sound asleep at this time, it is not surprising that the focus has so far been on the opening England vs Australia match.
The Welsh team, a nation full of rugby league history and pedigree, were matched in all aspects of the game by a willing, confident and, in hindsight, more than capable Italian team.
Supported by a smattering of Super League and NRL players, the Azzurri hit the lead early on before Wales fought back.
The lead changed a number of times before Italy eventually ran away with the match.
The victory must surely be a huge boost to Italy’s domestic competition.
From all reports, and despite their league splitting into two, the game in Italy seems to be going through a renewed vigour.
Wales showed character and glimpses of skill but it obvious that the NRL experience of the Italian side went a long way in achieving the nation’s first ever victory in a rugby league World Cup.
The use of professional players with Italian heritage will draw out its detractors, but the success of the team will ensure that the Italian media can have no excuse for not reporting on their national side’s success.
Italy’s victory is very much a case of any publicity is good publicity for the game of rugby league.
Mervyn Cuthbert
Guest
Argentina plays in the RUWC , with all its team playing in pro leagues overseas. How many countries have pro leagues upto the standard of either NRL ,or Super League? The RLWC is an outstanding success with yhe seeded groups allowing for his quality. The 2017 model will cement RL on the world stage.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's an interesting idea but you may be waiting a while if you are going to wait for someone with 'deep pockets'.
In Brief
Guest
Sleiman, can you imagine the benefits for Italian rugby league if guys like Gower and Minichello spent their twilight years competing in the Italian rugby league domestic competition? Sure you would need someone with deep pockets to sponsor their involvement, but the long term benefits would far outway the limited publicity you will get during the World Cup window.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Having each nation represented by a team that is made up entirely of players who play in that nation's domestic competition is an admirable goal but honestly, it is so far from reality that I don't see how anyone can think it is possible. All players, especially if they are good enough, will gravitate to earning their income and livelihoods from the bigger leagues in the NRL and the Super League. As long as each nation represented in rugby league World Cup has a domestic competition, then I have no problems with the current eligibility rules. As stands, it is exactly as you suggested, you get far more publicity this way, then if you went the longer route.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sorry Billy Bob but I didn't reference or edit out union once (or ever). In fact, it annoys me to read league fans pointing out so-called weaknesses of union when arguing for league. Unless the arguer is being humorous, those kinds of arguments are petulant at best. I don't dislike union (or AFL), I just like league. In anycase, union's history is not up for debate. It has one. Good luck to it. Similarly, rugby league also has a history. And Wales is part of that history with some fantastic players and performances to go with it. So, all in all, I'm not sure how you can infer that saying rugby league in Wales is full of history is somehow revisionist or deceitful.
Billy Bob
Guest
My words -'League is a great game' in no way suggests 'dislike' of the sport. The long history of league in Wales does nott licence the hyperbolic hype that accompanies the 'internationalization' of NRL. My point again. The hype, accompanied by the constant and deliberate editing of any reference to the elaphantine rugby code in the room, diminishes rugby league's credibility. Again, league is a great game, diminished by hype.
mushi
Guest
I think he's saying the "full" part. Sure it has ties but it is a bit hyperbolic to say it is a nation that is full of league history.
Matt_S
Guest
Bob, rugby league has a long history in Wales and though the minor code has had some wonderful moments. The majority 16,000 capacity Welsh crowd who attended Vetch field in Swansea still talk about Wales v Samoa as a time they came to notice league. 10,000 Welsh attended Old Trafford in the 1995 Semi Final against England, and have occasionally got good crowds over the past 100 years. many famous Welsh players are legends in the UK rugby league scene like Billy Boston who will be immortalised in bronze at Wembley, and so many other Welsh union converts who remained in their league towns after retirement. The current head of Welsh rugby league is a former Welsh union international. Please don't be ignorant of history even if you dislike a sport.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Surprise, surprise there are cynics In brief has come up with a scoop well not really a scoop.Ideally it would have been better to have all local players form a local comp,oh wait some didn't realise there was a domestic comp in Italy.So local players for future comps have something in which to aspire.Seeing their team get walloped is hardly the way to go. When you try to promote or market something you try to put your best product up for show. 2000,all Lebanese players were heritage players and there was no local comp to speak of.Their appearance in that World Cup,as enabled the sport to grow at a faster rate than they would have done otherwise.Why? Because appearance in these events gets far more publicity,than just trying to develop the game locally.
In Brief
Guest
Looks like not everyone in Italian rugby league is content to have a bunch of Australians representing their country. Australians who have never played in the Italian domestic league: http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com/topic/5246907/1/
Billy Bob
Guest
'The Welsh team, a nation FULL? Of rugby league history'? There might be another Welsh code that would argue with that. League is a great game, a great game lessened by hype. As Gus would say (if he hated the hype as I do) 'No no no no no'
russell johnson
Guest
Well done Italy! Well deserved win, hope you kick on from here! There's been a lot of talk about the Italianess of the Azurri but if those critics took a look at the money involved for those players maybe they'd think again. But then again I have yet to be convinced about the reasonableness of such people! As opposed to............. "That's why you see so many guys working their arse off to be an All Black, as soon as you get an All Black cap, bang, see you later, you get a million dollars over in Japan. You've played five minutes in the All Blacks, but it doesn't matter, you're an All Black. "I wouldn't come to league either, why would ya? It's physical, it's hard, every week, it's 26 rounds, you don't get paid as much as when you can just f... around in France or Japan, bash all the Japanese guys around and get a few million dollars for 14 games."
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Err, insightful that one. Bring back the Legions...
Ra
Guest
so what's the tune then Vincent ????
Vincent
Guest
The highlight of the tournament so far was the Italian national anthem. Apart from the goofy grin guy (an Italian Hobbit), the Minichello brothers and a few others chose not to sing or lip synch. However, I was able to lip read a couple of the players and I believe the words (sung silently) to the first verse of the anthem go like this: I don't know the words, I don't know the words. Pasta, Lasagne. I don't know the words. La la la la, la la la la. PIzza, Ferrari. I don't know the words. Spaghetti with meatballs, Something and something mumble, mumble, mumble, I don't know the words.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I should have edited that earlier. What I wanted to say was that you shouldn't be ridiculed for starting somewhere.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I wish that too but you have to start somewhere.
Matt_S
Guest
Wish they had domestic players in the team as no nation should rely totally on overseas talent. If the domestic competition is not up to standard then they should really not be included in the RLWC. Wales have made progress, and I hope Italy give assurances that domestic players will feature in future cups if/when they qualify.
Johnno
Guest
I enjoyed Italy V Wales. Every Italian player was ESL/NRL/NSW-QLD Cup standard: Pro or semi-pro. Not amatuer was playing for Italy last night, same with Wales, and the standard showed. Was good to watch. Cook Islands every player pro or semi-pro. Italy won't beat the big 3 in the tournament, but I can't see Italy being blown of the park if there committed. OZ/NZ/Eng are about a 20 point- to 30 point max better side. I'd probably back Parramatta Eels 2013 side to beat Italy maybe, but boy it would be close. Add Craig Gower and Terry Campese to that Italian squad then I'm not so sure, but that Italian sqaud had alot of ESL/NRL frontline players, Aiden Guerra will push for aussy jumper next year, Raiders Paul Vaughan was outstanding, and Anthony Laffracnhi former Blues and Kangaroo forward still hasn't lost it since going to ESL. Tonga's side would have been even better if they didn't have any injuries pre-world cup. At full strength Tonga could have a NRL Top 4 side. Willie Mason, T-Rex Tony Williams, Feleti Mateo,Richard Fa'aso, Anthony Tuopo,Will Hopoate,Micheal Jennings all missing from Tonga squad.