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 of a match on the weekend in Albi.
Two superb matches were played on the weekend. Wales and France faced off in what was effectively a final, though the European Cup did not have one as such. Through good fortune and planning it turned out that the final weekend had the two top placed teams fighting it out, and what a match it was. In one of the best games of Rugby league on the weekend Wales in the dyeing moments of the match were able to sneak a 12-11 win against France in front of over 10,000 people in Albi. In the other match Scotland was able to come back from a 1st half deficit against the Irish Wolfhounds in Dublin 42-22. The final standing for the European Cup were:
| Team | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 6 |
| 2 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 4 |
| 3 | Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -32 | 2 |
| 4 | Irealnd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -55 | 0 |
The 4 Nations kicked off on the weekend with the Kiwis taking on England in Wellington. After a strong first half the Kiwis led 18-0 and it seemed that the English had run out of steam. But in a great second half comeback the Pom’s cam back with two tries and were very unlucky not to have a third awarded, one which would have shifted the momentum their way. In the end the Kiwis won 42-10. While in Parramatta, Sydney showed once again why they are the but of all Rugby League jokes in Australia. With 4 great teams playing that day, a very vey poor crowd had turned up. The quoted 10,000+ was no where near amd on TV the Australia – PNG game looked like it was being played to a crowd of no more 5,000.
The Kumuls put in some unbelievably huge hits, their raw enthusiasm was intoxicating. Sadly, enthusiasm, semi-professionalism and noy your 1st squad was nop match for the Kangaroos who ran in a rough and bruised 42-0 scoreline.
| Team | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 3 | England | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -14 | 0 |
| 4 | Papua New Guinea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -42 | 0 |
In other non 4 Nations matches played the Junior Kangaroos were able to get one over the Junior Kiwis 24-16, while Samoa and Tonga played out a bruising enounter in Sydney with the Samoans getting some revenge for the World Cup, beating Tonga 22-6
The Atlantic cup is getting closer and closer. Its only 2 and a bit weeks till the USA, Jamaica and Canada kick off proceedings. This year there is added sponsorship and support of the tournament with Red Rock Ale coming on boards as well as the Hotels of Jacksonville. Rugby League International Scores will be in Jacksonville to cover the games and will have regular updates and interviews with players and staff at the tournament.
Round 7 saw St Helens beat the Bears B 32-24, Bears A beat ERP Falcons 52-16 and Elsburg had their first win against Germiston 24-20 while Kempton had the Bye. The points table is:
| Team | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | ERP | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 80 | 10 |
| 2 | Bears A | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 137 | 8 |
| 3 | St Helens | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 6 |
| 4 | Bears B | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -14 | 4 |
| 5 | Kempton | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -50 | 4 |
| 6 | Elsburg | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | -48 | 2 |
| 7 | Germiston | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | -142 | 2 |
Round 3 saw Kungweni beat the Tuks 2 by 26-16 and Defence scrape through in a high scoring thriller against the Silverbacks 46-44. The table stands as:
| Team | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | Tuks 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 152 | 4 |
| 2 | Silverbacks | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 2 |
| 3 | Tuks 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 4 | Kungweni | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -10 | 2 |
| 5 | Defence | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -52 | 2 |
| 6 | Mustangs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -48 | 0 |
| 7 | Northern | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -114 | 0 |
The Serbian Rugby League Season came to a close this weekend with the Championship Grand final played out between the Dorcol spiders and Red Star Belgrade. In what has been a superb season from the spiders, Dorcol won 50 (28) to 0 (0) and took out the minor premiership, Cup of Serbia and now the Championship. 500 were in Belgrade to witness the contest which is the stadiums full capacity apparently.
Just a quick word on the Rugby League International Scores TV. This week will have another two part video of the Czech Republic v Germany game from 2007. This is the world record match that the Keinhorst brothers this week were inducted to the Guinness Book of Records for. I have the highlights and there will be another Big hits and plays tomorrow. From then on I will have a video a week going up on the site to keep you entertained and it will the main feature on the website for easy access.
So am exploring the idea of having Rugby League International Scores Merchandise for sale next year. I have had some shirts and pullovers done up, so far in one colour but am exploring others. There will be T-shirts, long sleve shirts, hoodies and pullovers. So keep an eye out for this future exciting edition to RLIS!
If you were listening to the show on Tuesday night or morning where ever in the world you are, you will know that we will be taking a break over the Christmas – New Year period. The last show with be the Tuesday after the Atlantic Cup, so the 23rd of November and will be a round up of not only the Atlantic Cup but also what has went on in the world of Rugby league this year. The show will return in late February or early march around the World Club Challenge time.
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