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RLWC '17 Qualifiers - Europe

jim_57

jim_57

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Pool A Preview http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1293/rlwc2017-–-european-qualifiers-pool

14th September 2016

Serbia, Wales and Italy have begun their preparations for the 2107 Rugby League World Cup Pool A European Qualifiers. The Welsh, current European Champions, start as favourites, whilst the Serbs are looking for a passage to the main tournament for the first time, and the Azzurri are attempting to build on their encouraging showing in 2013.

“Winning European Championship B last year and getting a chance to continue our quest to the World Cup 2017 is history making for Serbian Rugby League.,” said their president Predrag Pantic.“We are excited and honoured to be in this position but we won't be fazed by the great opportunity we earned with hard work and dedication.”

Pantic added, “We have come a long way in 15 years, it was not that long ago rugby league enthusiasts in Serbia practiced in a park with no changing rooms, watching Super League and NRL games on tape and dreaming of having a league of its own. Now, our national team is close to competing against some of those stars. Part of our plan was also to take every opportunity to learn from the bigger nations, educating not just players but also coaches, referees and management. The prime goal for SRL is to be a part of this World Cup but ultimately Serbia wants to become a European mainstay in the decades to come.”

Wales Rugby League is also looking to build structure as well as take their place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea next year. According to CEO Chris Thair: “We are geared towards improving the performance of the national team and improving the structure of the domestic league. An appearance at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup would provide a platform to do that. We want to gain financial reserves and make sure that 2018 is a turning point for the sport in Wales.

“We aim to accrue the wherewithal to organise a big event for the senior team in 2018 and we want to make them a profit centre for the governing body." Thair continued: “We are looking forward to taking our match against Serbia to Stebonheath Park in Llanelli, home of West Wales Raiders, and are delighted by the support we have received from them in promoting the match. It is an important period for Wales as we look to build for the future."

Orazio D'Arro, president of FIRL - Italian Rugby League Federation – expects their game in Monza, as part of a ‘festival of rugby league,’ to also be a turning point for the sport in the country.

“This is an important moment for us and our development, we have prepared well and created a strong and united group of players,” he noted. “We have worked hard to give stability to our domestic league and, at the same time, tried to create a large, proud, young national squad. Making the World Cup would give a strong signal of our intentions and the match against Wales is a showcase. We will try that day to show off all levels of the sport to a wide audience in a new sporting city for us, the potential is huge.”

2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS - POOL A

15 October 2016 – Wales v Serbia, Stebonheath Park, Llanelli

22 October 2016 – Serbia v Italy, Belgrade

29 October 206 – Italy v Wales, Stadio Bianteo, Monza
 
jim_57

jim_57

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Pool B Preview
http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1294/rlwc2017-–-european-qualifiers-pool

RLWC2017 – EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS POOL B - PREVIEW

16th September 2016

Russia, Spain and Ireland have begun their preparations for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Pool B European Qualifiers. Ireland, who have made the quarter-finals in the last three World Cup tournaments, start as favourites, whilst Spain are looking to progress for the first time, and the Russians were last involved in 2000.

Executive director of the Russian federation (ARLK), Denis Korolev, who took over from ARLK president Dmitry Belov during the summer, commented: “It is a great honour to take part in such a high level competition as the Qualifiers. We understand the importance and responsibility and will do our best, and are very much looking forward to being hosts when Spain come to visit. I hope all the nations will have a great time during this series of exciting games and wish everyone good luck!”

It is something of step into the unknown for the fledgling Spanish. “These matches are exciting times for Spanish rugby league,” said national team manager Matt Dulley. We have grown a lot in the last few years and our national squad improves with every game. Going to the RLWC would be a massive step for us and extremely important for making the sport here even more popular. This is our biggest challenge yet and we can't wait to show the world what we are capable of. The Qualifiers will help our development because it puts us on the map and gives us the publicity we need to continue growing.”

Ireland director Richard Egan is also expecting the Qualifiers to help further aid the profile of rugby league in the Emerald Isle. “In the build-up, we are continuing to play other developing nations using our domestic players to grow their experiences,” he said. “The World Cup Qualifiers give us a further chance to get more players involved. While the prize is participation in 2017, the real goal is to have rugby league being played by more people and participation in these events is key.

Egan added: “This year we have run an Ireland U16 side for the first time and continued the development of our U19’s and students and these players look to the World Cup as the pinnacle of what they can achieve. Spain and Russia are relatively unknown to us and we are not sure how their squads will be made up. We expect tough games and a lot of passion to make it to the southern hemisphere.”

Pictured: Ireland coach Mark Aston will be leading Ireland in the qualifiers.

2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS - POOL B


15 October 2016 – Russia v Spain, Fili Stadium, Moscow

22 October 2016 – Spain v Ireland, Polideportivo Quatre Carrares, Valencia

29 October 206 – Ireland v Russia, Carlisle Grounds, Bray
 
morningstar

morningstar

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Wales train on squad...

http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/14769/super-league-stars-return-boosts


Wales' 29-man train-on squad is as follows: Dan Fleming (Bradford Bulls), Dalton Grant (Dewsbury Rams), Michael Channing (Featherstone Rovers), Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Andrew Gay (Mackay Cutters), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Joe Burke (Oldham), Phil Joseph (Vice Captain) Craig Kopczak (Captain) (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Olds (South Logan Magpies), Courtney Davies, Connor Farrer, Ian Newbury, Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace, Morgan Knowles, Calvin Wellington (St Helens), Jake Emmitt, Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Morgan Evans, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece (University of Gloucestershire All Golds), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Wildcats), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Gil Dudson, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings) and Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors)
 
jim_57

jim_57

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morningstar said:
Wales train on squad...

http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/14769/super-league-stars-return-boosts


Wales' 29-man train-on squad is as follows: Dan Fleming (Bradford Bulls), Dalton Grant (Dewsbury Rams), Michael Channing (Featherstone Rovers), Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Andrew Gay (Mackay Cutters), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Joe Burke (Oldham), Phil Joseph (Vice Captain) Craig Kopczak (Captain) (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Olds (South Logan Magpies), Courtney Davies, Connor Farrer, Ian Newbury, Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace, Morgan Knowles, Calvin Wellington (St Helens), Jake Emmitt, Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Morgan Evans, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece (University of Gloucestershire All Golds), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Wildcats), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Gil Dudson, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings) and Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors)
Click to expand...
Could make a decent 17 out of that side, one that should walk a spot in the WC at least. Vs Italy should be a good game, be interesting to see who Italy call on.
 
paulmac

paulmac

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After seeing the Russian squad I
expect Russia to finish bottom of their group leaving Spain a win away from making the RLWC.Remarkable achievement considering how new RL is in Spain.
 
PaulyTom

PaulyTom

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Not sure they will beat Russia. Any heritage type players playing for Spain from either the ESL or NRL/ state leagues?
 
jim_57

jim_57

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Copied and Pasted from another forum, couldn't find a link...

Did Spain just name France's coach?



Posted Today, 05:44 PM

SPAIN NAME 40-MAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Spain has named a 40-man squad for their 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Pool B Qualifiers against Russia and Spain in October.

Coach Darren Fisher’s men are aiming to make the finals for the first time, the sport only having been formally played in the country for three years. Adding experience are former French internationals Aurelien Cologni, Mathieu Griffi, Nicolas Munoz and Laurent Carrasco, whilst the son of Catalans Dragons owner Bernard Guasch, Juan, is also included.

Super League Hull FC youngster Joel Laynez is in line for his first call-up whilst six Spanish domestic clubs provide representatives.

Daniel Garcia, Spain’s international Player of the Year and Players’ Player commented: “So far I’ve had an incredible experience playing for my country and the journey is far from over. It’s a very exciting time for rugby league in Spain with people mentioning the World Cup and the opportunity we have to be on the world stage. The qualifiers will be a massive test for us and the world is looking to see what we can do, it’s up to us to put on a good show.”

Spain’s Young Player or the Year, Irreductibles Ivan Ordaz added: “Being involved in the World Cup will make us proud and show all of the hard work has paid off over the past few years. It will be difficult but we will make it happen. We need to believe, play with passion and enjoy the opportunity to test ourselves with some of the best.”

SPAIN 40-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Chris Lopez (Army Rugby League), Antonio Puerta, Daniel Moreno, Hugo Fernandez, Isaac Pulgar, Pedro Andujar (Custodians Madrid), Richie Perrello, Ivan Ordaz (Irreductibles), Joel Laynez (Hull FC), Aurelien Cologni, Benjamin Tort, Jordan Boudebza (Lezignan Xlll), Clement Laguerre (Los Gossos), Matias Hubert-Garcia (Nantes XV), Alex Doutres, Cedric Bringuier, Leandre Torres, Nicolas Munoz (Palau Xlll), Kevin Aparicio (Paris XV), Matt Dulley (Paterna Dragons), Miguel Charters-Blanco (Seaton Rangers), Juan Guasch, Mathieu Griffi, Pierre Negre (St Esteve), Gonzalo Morro (Tonneins), Aitor Davila, Aitor Romero, Daniel Morales, Juan Pablo Rango, Raul Simo, Ruben Romero, Vicent Cubes (Torrent Tigres), Remy Bueno (Toulouse Broncos), Adria Alonso, Andrew Pilkington, Antonio Tolmos, Hadriel Mehamed, Luis Thorp (Valencia Warriors), Laurent Carrasco (Villeneuve Xlll), Daniel Garcia (Woolston Rovers)
 
paulmac

paulmac

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You'd think Spain with that squad of French based players should get past Russia and give Ireland a scare.
 
E

Evil Homer

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Has to be some mistake there. Laurent Carrasco is 40 years old while Cologni has been retired for almost 10 years and is the current coach of France!
 
jim_57

jim_57

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Good to see they have a mix of domestic and Elite 1 players, some of those must be a joke though!

Certainly a stronger squad that could give Ireland a decent hit out depending on how "heritage" the Ireland team is. Be interesting to see what Ireland and Italy name, a few of their NRL/SL players and they could both walk a spot in to the WC.
 
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