I was lucky enough to witness a sensational day of rugby league on Saturday, as Peru, Ecuador, Chile, El Salvador, Uruguay and Colombia went to battle in sevens, nines and a Test match at Henson Park.
I thought I’d drop down to have a look and be out within an hour or so; instead, I was absorbed in the day, including the amazing food and pure passion from the 500-strong crowd.
The sevens and nines tournaments were between the nations with smaller groups of players, including Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. Each contest was hard fought, with some scintillating offloads and hits usually reserved for Sunday afternoon at 4pm.
Each nation did themselves extremely proud and I daresay would be ready to compete against stiffer competition in years to come.
In the showpiece of the day, Chile and El Salvador faced off in a historic Test match, the first between the two nations. With most of the squads appearing to play rugby league regularly, the game was justified as a preamble to Newtown and Wentworthville a short time later.
Chile put plenty of points on the board and ran out easy winners in the end, 58-20, but credit must go to both teams for their effort.
A special mention to the El Salvador halfback, all the skills of a number 7 with the build of a prop forward. It’s exactly what rugby league is all about, anyone having a go!
In times dominated by reporting on negativity around the game, from referees to off-field indiscretions, days like this make you fall in love with the game again.
I would love to see Australian-based European players involved in a similar event. Teams like Russia, Portugal, Greece and Germany could round up teams and put on a display similar to their South American counterparts.
Who knows what it could do for the international game – perhaps Steve Mascord could get involved?
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