Another Year of International Rugby League is Complete

By Daniel Andruczyk So we are at the end of 2010 and all the International Matches for the year are also complete. Over the last week there were only two Schoolboy matches to be done in France, which saw the Aussies end their tour on a high. France, with the Elite 1 has gone into recession with only 1 match to be caught up and that was done on Sunday. So a quick review of where things have gone internationally this...

Wales Retain Title and Spot in 4 Nations

By Daniel Andruczyk So what to make of the weeks results? The European Cup certainly has thrown up some interesting, yet positive debate I feel. For the first time in a long time I think we can genuinely talk about who really is the 4th best country in the world of Rugby League? There are now three contenders Papua New Guinea who are in the current 4 Nations and Wales and France who played out an absolute thriller...

No Rest for the Best

By Daniel Andruczyk This weekend the best sport in the world continues to show off its talents. Not only are there the international tournaments continuing but the only Christmas Professional domestic comp is well into its season. France In France the fourth round of the Elite 1 was played. Carcassonne lost to Pia 26-33. Lezignan trounced the St Gaudens/Toulouse merger 76-6. Limoux and Villeneuve played out a...

Photos from Wales Matches

Photos by Ian Lovell Ian Lovell at Wales Rugby League has been kind enough to provide some of his photos he has taken. Wales vs. Italy – Friendly – Wrexham, Wales Dominic Nasso – Italy Fabio Nannini – Italy Scotland vs. Wales – European Cup Round 1 – Glasgow, Scotland Jordan James – Wales Lloyd White – Wales Wales Celebrates Ian Henderson – Scotland Ben Fisher –...

The 2010 International Season is Finally in Full Swing

By Daniel Andruczyk A slightly delayed blog with results from last weekend and a few results already from this weekend, particularly in the internationals. This weeks domestic results I will publish in a few days. So the International season is in full swing with the European Cup and some friendly internationals being played. France In France the third round of the ELITE1 was played with Lezignan running out 54-10...

Lets Talk International Rugby League

By Daniel Andruczyk A few days ago I had a rant about the treatment International Rugby League was getting from many of the commentators and even the players now that state of Origin is upon us. I mentioned at the end of that rant 3 points where the game needs to be fixed up. I had a flood of comments and email from people agreeing and disagreeing with me and also coming up with some suggestions – this is all...

Frustration in Europe Builds

By Daniel Andruczyk Now I am not one to be  negative about Rugby League, but sometimes its a sport that can frustrate the hell out of you. This week I have been hammered with emails expressing the frustrations of nations that nothing has been announced in Europe. It seems that with Kevin Rudd’s leaving the RLEF seems to be a ship without a rudder. No news on his replacement, no news on this years tournaments and...

The Simulation – Rugby Leagues International Tournaments – Year 2.

By Daniel Andruczyk Last blog I started a simulation that is based on the 4 ways to fix international rugby league. I covered the qualifiers for regional tournaments in Year 1 and now in year 2 of the four year cycle we look at the Finals of these regional championships. At the same time, teams that did not make it to the regional championships they embark on their world cup qualifying. Pacific Nations Cup From the...

The Simulation – Rugby Leagues International Tournaments – Year 1.

By Daniel Andruczyk Back in October and November I set out a four part series of blogs that outlined my views on how to fix International Rugby League (Read them here). One of the points I made that Rugby League needs a structured four year cycle of tournaments that allows teams to participate and have a chance of sitting at the table with the big boys. This weeks blogs I have done a simulation to create scores and...

Controversies reign.

By Daniel Andruczyk Despite the major international tournaments winding down much is still happening in rugby league around the world, from domestic competitions to lower tier internationals to controversies. Its all happening in the sport! Discovery Challenge The four nation discovery challenge continued with week with The Australian Institute of Sport taking on the French Juniors and running out very, very narrow...