This week saw some great games of Rugby League played throughout the world. With World Cup qualifiers and also the opening to the 4 Nations as well as the European Tri Nations. Fiji and PNG also played a game in PNG while some interesting YouTube clips of the Russian Rugby League have surfaced. Also the Rumour mill resurfaces today with significant news. But first some news from the Malta Rugby League.
Gozo rugby league player Clifford Debattista has been named the Ray Morris Medal winner for Maltese Rugby League Player of the Year in London tonight.
The Malta vice-captain was announced as the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) convened for its annual awards while the international player of the year was also announced.
Speaking from his native island of Gozo, 25-year-old Debattista said the award was a great surprise for the player in only his third year of rugby. “Rugby league has given me a lot over the past two years and this adds further testament to that” said Debattista.
“I never expected this award, and taking into consideration the standard of players we have representing the national team that include the best rugby players in Malta as well as players from abroad including Super League, then to be considered for this award is an achievement in itself”
Former medal winner and national team captain Chris Parker said Maltese based players have a player that sets the standards and that they too should aspire for no less. “Clifford is a prime example of what rugby league can do for a player. Clifford came to rugby league as an inexperienced rugby player. Less than 24 months later, Clifford has off the field become a Level 2 coach, started his own club on Gozo, and on the field developed into a strong national team player” said the Gateshead Thunder prop.
“He’s a player that other Malta based players can look to and take inspiration from. He has shown a lot of commitment and dedication to get to where he is now”
The European world Cup Qualifiers have finally been decided. Lebanon and Italy had a 19-19 draw, which means that the Italians go through to the world Cup on Points difference. They join the USA in filling the last two spots of the World Cup in 2013. RLIS wants to congratulate both nations in qualifying for the World Cup. The Serbia v Russia game was also the final match in the Slavic Cup with Russia winning that and taking the title.
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 5 |
| 2 | Lebanon | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 5 |
| 3 | Russia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -110 | 2 |
| 4 | Serbia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -146 | 0 |
In the European Tri-Nations on the weekend the French were victorious over the Scots 46-10. This puts the French at the top of the table despite having played only one match. Its unfortunate that this tournaments has fallen by the way side in terms of fans interest and promotion. This weekend sees the Irish taking on France in Ireland.
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 36 | 2 |
| 2 | Scotland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 3 | Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -20 | 0 |
The 4 Nations has kicked off with a cracker of a game in the opener at Warrington. Australia and New Zealand did battle once again. This time it was a vastly improved performance from
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | PD | Pt | |
| 1 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
| 2 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -14 | 0 |
| 4 | Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -38 | 0 |
Some interesting clips about Russian Rugby League. Though My Russian is not great, the first one I think is talking about the Russian Domestic Comp, while the second is a expet panel discussion on the World Cup Qualifiers. You can tell that they are talking about Italy and Minichello.
So I am hearing from a few sources that by the end of the year there will be an audit into rugby league nations by the RLIF … and I mean ALL NATIONS. Basically its all about making sure that nations are operating the way they should be an nothing dodgy is going on. As far as I know the main nations will not be immune and it will be interesting to see the report and outcomes from this. Hopefully such an audit will also sort out issues in countries where the sport has been fractured. Be interesting to see if this actually eventuates and what will come out of it.
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