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2021 Qualifiers

Robert B

Juniors
Messages
67
Yeh but they'll need to win a couple of games against higher ranked opposition to have any chance of overtaking phillipines in the rankings.
 
Messages
14,139
Next steps on road to World Cup 2021 revealed for Europe & Americas

The next stage of qualification for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, to be staged in England, has been revealed for Europe and the Americas.

France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will meet in the 2018 European Championship, over three weekends in October/November, with the top two automatically qualifying for the main tournament – joining the eight quarter finalists from 2017.

The nations finishing third and fourth will face Italy, the two top teams from Euro B (featuring Russia, Serbia and Spain) and winners of Euro C (comprising six nations) in a competition in October/November 2019, comprising of two pools.

The top two from the three-team pools will make the 2021 finals, taking the total European representation up to seven of the 16 nations – the 2021 tournament expanded overall by two from 2017.

In the Americas, four nations are eligible for the qualifying tournament to be held towards the end of this year, with the recent granting to Chile of affiliate membership of the Asia Pacific confederation. The first South Americans to be included, they join Canada, Jamaica and the USA.

The winners will qualify for the World Cup finals, with the runners up having the option to host a World Play Off group in late 2019.

RLIF chief executive David Collier commented: “The Rugby League International Federation is delighted to welcome new nations competing for World Cup qualification as the road to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup commences, in what we anticipate will be a highly competitive process.

“The integration of the calendar, with confirmation of fixtures for the next two years, is vitally important for all nations to plan their course and for the international game to continue to grow.”

Venues and dates are to be finalised, but the European Championship fixtures have been drawn as follow:

Round One:
France v Wales
Ireland v Scotland

Round Two:
Scotland v Wales
Ireland v France

Round Three:
France v Scotland
Wales v Ireland
Scotland.

FMD.
 

Pommy

Coach
Messages
14,657
2 nations isn't great progress in 4 years. But 2025 will likely have a bigger jump

It’s not just about quantity but also quality, look at what happening in the Balkans etc and I would much rather have that progress than a few more token effort nations.
 
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11,354
35076549_1709626259114654_6127622432384614400_n.png
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,546
Next game tonight Malta v Ukraine

Malta warmed up last weekend v South Africa
 
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11,354
Mikhailo Troyan’s last-action try - taking Oleksandr Skorbach’s fine cross kick - ensured that Ukraine remain undefeated at this level after seven matches, fending off a late Maltese challenge to win 34-22 in front of 500 fans at Marsa Sports Complex.

Troyan had been sin-binned just after the hour for a inappropriate reactions after AAron Grech high tackle on Troyan and, in his absence, the galvanised Knights crossed twice, through Nicky Maylor and outstanding Nathan Falzon, to cut the deficit to eight points.

But as Troyan (pictured) prepared to come back, and with the visitors out of substitutes in 31 degree heat, winger Anatolii Grankovskiy’s clearing run and Falzon being called back on an interception for being offside, saw the visitors hang on, before finally breathing easy with their sixth try on the final play.

“It was a difficult game, but our bench really helped us,” said Ukraine head coach Gennady Veprik. “Our experienced players who were among our substitutes really helped us get through. Greece will be an even harder game for us even though it is in Kharkiv, but we have time to prepare, this experience will do us good and, hopefully, we will play even better.”

In their first game on home soil for almost three years, the hosts fell behind in the seventh minute, hooker Dmytro Semerenko crossing from close in, Volodimir Mazepa with the conversion. Malta hit straight back, Falzon, whose runs were a constant threat, finding a hole and ghosting through, Shaun Chircop with the extras to level.

More powerful up the middle, the visitors took the lead and control on the half hour, skipper Skorbach darting over and Andrieichenko Sviatoslav breaking clear just before the break, Mazepa’s third goal making it 6-18 as the sides went to cool off.

With a slight breeze accompanying them on their return, Malta made a poor start to the second period, losing possession and conceding a penalty, Skorbach’s fine inside pass sending ever-involved loose forward Oleksandr Scherbina over.

With Malta struggling to make headway, another superb run from Falzon set the position for hooker Jake Attard to snipe over from dummy half, Malcom Attard converting, but the Knights put the re-start out on the full, Grankovskiy weaved past three would-be tacklers and Semerenko crossed for his second, Mazepa maintaining his perfect record with the boot.

Troyan’s yellow card immediately lifted the home resolve, victim Jake Attard staying on the field as Falzon’s great soft pass sent in Nicky Maylor out wide, the conversion missed. Another high tackle gave Malta position and this time Ian Catania sent Falzon between defenders for a deserved score, Malcolm Attard with the goal from an acute angle.

Back up to their full complement for the closing stages, Ukraine kept the ball tight, Troyan ensuring victory at the finale.

Malta head coach Sam Blyton-Keep commented: “I can’t criticise the guys, the heart, passion and commitment they showed was phenomenal, the final scoreline doesn’t reflect their effort. Every one of them gave their all and I couldn’t ask for more.

“Nathan and Jake were outstanding but I’m especially proud of the domestic boys, they’ve done all that could have been asked of them in the last three months and put everything on the line today. We can push on from here against Greece – we’ll give them a fair shot.


http://rlif.com/article/8432/ukraine-prevail-over-malta-in-euro-c-championship#
 

adamkungl

Immortal
Messages
42,955
Did anyone watch it?

Malta seem to only played 3 Aussies.. was there a limit in the rules or was this a deliberate choice?
 

yakstorm

First Grade
Messages
5,295
There are revised heritage limits for all levels of European competitions now.

The lower the tier (I'm this case Euro Championship C), the less heritage players that can be used.

I have to admit, I thought the limit was higher than 3, but maybe Malta also made that call.
 
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