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2017 World Cup Thread

Gronk

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The Italian Federation of Rugby League announced the shortlist of players who will get ready to face the next World Cup qualifiers: in October, in fact, Italy League challenge in a group three Serbia in Belgrade and Wales in Monza; who will win will participate in the 2017 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while the runner-up will have another qualification opportunities: there will, in fact, a direct match between the two group runners-Europeans; the other is made up of Russia, Ireland and Spain. Italy League is preparing well to address this October with a very competitive team, made up of many athletes who play in the NRL, the highest Australian championship and as many athletes of the Italian championship; big news the presence of Mirco Bergamasco, star of rugby union, which was made available to the FIRL in order to qualify for the next World Championship event.

Simone Boscolo, Matthew Sands (Aries Este), Christian Bate (Asquith), Dean Parade (Blacktown), Patrik Ziliotti (Brianza Tigers), Joel Reithmuller (Cairns Brothers), Matthew German (Camden Rams), Paul Vaughan (Canberra Raiders), Joe Tramontana (Canterbury Bulldogs), Remi Fontana (Carpentras XIII), Jayden Walker (Cronulla Sharks), Ben Falcone (Hills Bulls), Terry Campese, Josh Mentallato, (Hull KR), Christophe Calegari (Lezignan Corbieres), Pierangelo Ceretti, Guiseppe Pagani, Luca Rossetti (Lions Brescia), Gavin Hiscox (Mackay Cutters), Luke Poselli (Manly Sea Eagles), Alex Mamonne, Marco Muscatello, Joseph Napoletano, Angelo Piccone (Mounties), Joel Celerino (Newcastle Thunder), Jordan Biondi-Odi Justin Castellaro, Ryan Ghietti, Col Wilkie (Northern Pride), Ty Carucci, Kieran Quabba (North Queensland Cowboys), Richard Lepori (Oldham Roughyeds), Santino Decaro (Oxford RL), Daniel Alvaro, Mason Cerruto (Parramatta Eels), Andy Saunders (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Brown (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Chris Vitalini (South Wales Ironmen), Igor Giammario, Salvatore Catania, Edward Pezzano, Matteo Mazzoleni, Asaf Hliwa (Spartans Catania), Shannon Wakeman (St George-Illawarra) Ryan King (Sydney Roosters), Tom Humble, Brenden Saints (Townsville Blackhawks), Blake Cavellarro, Andrew Critiano, Ethan Natoli, Richard Block (Western Suburbs Magpies), Rhys Sciglitano (Wests Tigers), Dario Esposito (Wests Warriors), Ryan Tramonte (Windsor Wolves), Chris Centrone (Wyong Roos), Diego Antl, Mirko Benelli, Lorenzo Luccardi, Emanuele Passera, Raffaele Della Ragione (XIII del Ducato), Francesco Di Trapani, David Spinnato (XIII Lovers Palermo), Mirko Bergamesco, Jonathan Marcinczak Matt Parade (unattached).

http://www.sportiamoci.it/index.php...icazioni-mondiali&catid=100:-rugby&Itemid=182
 

Gronk

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Brad Arthur Turns Down Offer To Coach Lebanon

Arthur was approached several weeks ago to lead a team into the 'Group of Death' againstAustralia, England and France.

He was excited about the prospect of working with the likes of Tim Mannah, Robbie Farah, Mitchell Moses, Josh Mansour and Michael Lichaa - who have all declared their availability.

But with Parramatta in need of serious attention after its most tumultuous season on record, Arthur this week decided the timing simply wasn't right.

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sp...rns-down-offer-to-coach-lebanon-at-world-cup/
 

Gronk

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INTERNATIONAL rugby league is set to be turned on its head, with eligibility rules being overhauled to ensure players aren’t forced to choose between Origin and their heritage country.

The Rugby League International Federation’s landmark decision means players such as Anthony Milford can represent a tier-two nation like Samoa, without ruling themselves out of Origin contention or playing for the ‘Big Three’ — Australia, New Zealand and England.

a player is not selected for one of the major nations, they are then able to represent nations including Fiji, Samoa and PNG and switch between the tiers without suffering any repercussions.

The move is in the final stages of being formalised and has received unanimous support from the game’s 18 full member nations, with the changes to come into effect by October 1.

Next year’s Rugby League World Cup will benefit in a huge way, with the likes of Milford (Samoa), Jarryd Hayne (Fiji), James Tedesco (Italy) and Robbie Farah (Lebanon) just some of the players able to represent other nations if overlooked by Australia without hindering their chances of future rep selection.

“These rules will allow the best players to represent their countries and ensure that the fans will get to see the best product whenever international rugby league is played,” 2017 Word Cup CEO Andrew Hill told foxsports.com.au.

“As CEO of the Rugby League World Cup we welcome these changes because fans across Australia and New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will be able to watch the World Cup with confidence that the best players will be playing.”

The rule changes will not allow players to switch between countries during a tournament, or move between the top tier countries Australia, New Zealand and England like Tonie Carroll did over a decade ago.

As for Origin, players are still bound by the state-based contest’s own criteria, and once an eligible player such as Kieran Foran or Trent Hodkinson aligns themselves with New Zealand or England, they cannot represent NSW or Queensland.

A player such as Semi Radradra still could not represent the Blues as he did not play in NSW before the age of 13.

At junior level, representing the Junior Kiwis or Junior Roos does not automatically align a player to either nation, with the slate being wiped clean and a young player able to make a fresh decision on his allegiance — which is then binding — in senior football.

The new rules are aimed to avoid the farcical scenes in recent years, where players have made themselves unavailable for events like the mid-season Pacific Tests for fear of ruling themselves out of Origin, Australian or Kiwi representation.

Players will now be able to reap the financial benefits of playing Origin — $30,000 a game — without the heartache of having to snub second tier nations they take great pride in representing.

As well as the forecast changes, the RLIF also recently extended its residency qualifying period from three to five years following the furore surrounding Radradra’s recent selection for Australia.

While other sporting bodies such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee require only three years residency, the dominance of major nations like Australia on the rugby league landscape saw a push for the qualifications to be extended to seven years.

The five-year amendment was brokered as a compromise in protecting smaller nations and preventing the Big Three from stockpiling talent.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/fou...s/news-story/e8a10d4df0bac0222239e9cf11414931
 

Gronk

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CnsVhDwUsAArPDi.jpg_large.jpg
 

Gronk

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Ireland Rugby League has named a strong looking train-on squad for their 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Pool B Qualifiers against Russia and Spain in October.

Included in Mark Aston’s initial 40-man party are 10 Super League players, including Wigan youngster Jack Higginson for the first time and a trio that have helped lift the League Leaders’ Shield with Warrington, brothers George and Toby King and Joe Philbin.

Veteran Stuart Littler has been included in what would be his rugby league swansong and there are 15 players from the domestic competition including Conor Mackey and Alan McMahon from champions Galway Tribesmen.

RL Ireland director Richard Egan commented: “Having been a part of the World Cup since 2000, RLI knows what a great spectacle the tournament is and what a fantastic experience it is for the players and squad members. We hope that qualification in 2017 will increase exposure in Ireland and further engagement by the local media to help us continue the development we have been working so hard to achieve.”

IRELAND 40-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD
Onisi Burekama, Gareth Gill, Paddy James, Connor Phillips (Ballynahinch Rabbitohs), Adam Boyce, Sam Boyd, Chris Hall, Matt McKelvey (Belfast Met Scholars), Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls), Haydn Peacock (Carcassonne), Rob Armstrong (Cork Bulls), James Kelly, Mikey Russell (Dublin City Exiles), Colton Roche (Featherstone Rovers), Conor Mackey, Alan McMahon (Galway Tribesmen), Luke Ambler (Halifax), Scott Grix, Gene Ormsby, Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants), Matthew Cahoon, Jordan Hyltan (Ireland Students), Bob Beswick, Greg McNally (Leigh Centurions), Casey Dunne, Wayne Kerr (Longhorns RL), Will Hope, Michael Ward (Oldham Roughyeds), James Hasson (Parramatta Eels), Adam Docherty (Portadown Pumas), Danny Bridge (Redcliffe Dolphins), Gareth O’Brien (Salford Red Devils), Shannon McDonnell (St Helens), Stuart Littler (Swinton Lions), Liam Finn (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), George King, Toby King, Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves), Dave Allen (Whitehaven), Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors)

http://www.nospam18.com/2017-rugby-...n-squad-for-rugby-league-world-cup-qualifiers
 

Gronk

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Serbia rugby league name three NRL stars in World Cup Qualifiers train-on squad

Brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic and Brisbane Broncos rising star Tom Opacic have been included in Serbia’s initial train-on squad for matches against Wales and Italy, in Pool A of the European Qualifiers for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup next month.

The Serbians have never appeared in a World Cup and just over half of the squad come from eight clubs in their domestic competition, Dorcol and Red Star supplying the most, with players also included from England and France.

Skipper Dalibor Vukanovic said: “We are so excited for this historic opportunity to compete for place at the World Cup. As one of the more experienced players, for me this is the culmination of the 15 years long evolution of rugby league in Serbia.”

The stand-off added: “It is wonderful that such high profile and talented players of heritage want to be a part of what we are building here. When we step on the field in October, we are not just fighting for ourselves and our country, but also for the all the hard work and sacrifice that thousands of enthusiasts gave for the sport in Serbia to get to this international recognition.”

His half-back partner Vladislav Dedic noted: “Four or five years ago, I could only see the biggest rugby league stars on TV and now I have a chance to be on the field, toe to toe with them. We will have to outperform ourselves to beat two great teams in Wales and Italy. We have the utmost respect for both nations, so we are preparing hard for the historic games that stand between us and possible World Cup glory.”

SERBIA 56-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Stevan Dobric (Belrose Eagles), David Andjelic (Blacktown Workers), Tom Opacic (Brisbane Broncos), Nikola Strbac (Bristol Sonics), Joshua Blenkinsop (Burleigh Bears), Ilija Cotric (Bush Rangers), Reece Grkenic (Cabramatta), Nikola Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Danilo Delic, Nebojsa Zivanovic, Zoran Pesic (Carpentras), Daniel Burke (Collegians), Jason Muranka (Dewsbury Rams), Aleksa Radic, Andrej Mora, Dalibor Samardzic, Dalibor Vukanovic, Radovan Tajsic, Relja Petrovic, Stefan Nedeljkovic, Stevan Stevanovic (Dorcol), George Vujanovic (East Tigers), Djordje Stosic, Filip Stosic (Falcon VR), Milan Radojevic (Fassifern), Adam Nedic (Gunghalin Bulls), Austen Novakovic (Huddersfield Underbank Rangers), Joshua Marjanovic (Kawana Dolphins), Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Moravas Cheetahs), Dario Abidinovic, Dragan Jankovic, Dzavid Jasari, Nikola Srbljanin, Pavle Vojinovic, Vlado Kusic (Partisan), Marko Milenkovic (Radnicki Nis), Pero Madzarevic, Zarko Kovacevic (Radnicki NP), Milos Calic, Milos Zogovic, Miodrag Tomic, Petar Milanovic, Slobodan Manak, Vladislav Dedic, Vojislav Dedic (Red Star), Chad Grant, Michael Stig (St Clair Comets), Djordje Gak, Stefan Nikolic (Tasmajdan Tigers), Vladica Nikolic (Villeneuve XIII Leopards), James Mircevski (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Dejan Lukenic, Ilija Radan (unaffiliated)

http://www.nospam18.com/2017-rugby-...-stars-in-world-cup-qualifiers-train-on-squad
 
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Serbia rugby league name three NRL stars in World Cup Qualifiers train-on squad

Brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic and Brisbane Broncos rising star Tom Opacic have been included in Serbia’s initial train-on squad for matches against Wales and Italy, in Pool A of the European Qualifiers for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup next month.

The Serbians have never appeared in a World Cup and just over half of the squad come from eight clubs in their domestic competition, Dorcol and Red Star supplying the most, with players also included from England and France.

Skipper Dalibor Vukanovic said: “We are so excited for this historic opportunity to compete for place at the World Cup. As one of the more experienced players, for me this is the culmination of the 15 years long evolution of rugby league in Serbia.”

The stand-off added: “It is wonderful that such high profile and talented players of heritage want to be a part of what we are building here. When we step on the field in October, we are not just fighting for ourselves and our country, but also for the all the hard work and sacrifice that thousands of enthusiasts gave for the sport in Serbia to get to this international recognition.”

His half-back partner Vladislav Dedic noted: “Four or five years ago, I could only see the biggest rugby league stars on TV and now I have a chance to be on the field, toe to toe with them. We will have to outperform ourselves to beat two great teams in Wales and Italy. We have the utmost respect for both nations, so we are preparing hard for the historic games that stand between us and possible World Cup glory.”

SERBIA 56-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Stevan Dobric (Belrose Eagles), David Andjelic (Blacktown Workers), Tom Opacic (Brisbane Broncos), Nikola Strbac (Bristol Sonics), Joshua Blenkinsop (Burleigh Bears), Ilija Cotric (Bush Rangers), Reece Grkenic (Cabramatta), Nikola Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Danilo Delic, Nebojsa Zivanovic, Zoran Pesic (Carpentras), Daniel Burke (Collegians), Jason Muranka (Dewsbury Rams), Aleksa Radic, Andrej Mora, Dalibor Samardzic, Dalibor Vukanovic, Radovan Tajsic, Relja Petrovic, Stefan Nedeljkovic, Stevan Stevanovic (Dorcol), George Vujanovic (East Tigers), Djordje Stosic, Filip Stosic (Falcon VR), Milan Radojevic (Fassifern), Adam Nedic (Gunghalin Bulls), Austen Novakovic (Huddersfield Underbank Rangers), Joshua Marjanovic (Kawana Dolphins), Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Moravas Cheetahs), Dario Abidinovic, Dragan Jankovic, Dzavid Jasari, Nikola Srbljanin, Pavle Vojinovic, Vlado Kusic (Partisan), Marko Milenkovic (Radnicki Nis), Pero Madzarevic, Zarko Kovacevic (Radnicki NP), Milos Calic, Milos Zogovic, Miodrag Tomic, Petar Milanovic, Slobodan Manak, Vladislav Dedic, Vojislav Dedic (Red Star), Chad Grant, Michael Stig (St Clair Comets), Djordje Gak, Stefan Nikolic (Tasmajdan Tigers), Vladica Nikolic (Villeneuve XIII Leopards), James Mircevski (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Dejan Lukenic, Ilija Radan (unaffiliated)

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/2017...-stars-in-world-cup-qualifiers-train-on-squad
Serbia RL Hahaha, the RL WC is really an embarrassment, its one thing union has RL easily covered, the RU world cup is stunning.
 

Happy MEel

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Serbia RL Hahaha, the RL WC is really an embarrassment, its one thing union has RL easily covered, the RU world cup is stunning.
The Union World Cup has its fair share of minnows and games that are a waste of time as well. Namibia, Uruguay, Romania and Canada come to mind. At least Servia will have two genuine NRL first graders in their top 17.
 
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Gronk

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Serbia RL Hahaha, the RL WC is really an embarrassment, its one thing union has RL easily covered, the RU world cup is stunning.

You might as well have a go at netball, baseball, ice hockey, NFL, AFL and cricket too. What's your point ?

Baseball have had a world series for 100+ years and they only play Yank teams (ok Totonto) for f**ks sake.
 

Twizzle

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yeh, they have a world series but no other countries can play, that's one way to make sure no one else can beat you
 
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You might as well have a go at netball, baseball, ice hockey, NFL, AFL and cricket too. What's your point ?

My points fairly simple even for you mate, the RL world cups a joke.

Baseball have had a world series for 100+ years and they only play Yank teams (ok Totonto) for f**ks sake.

Gronk you always post like you've got somethings wedged deep in your ass, you've always got an issue with something or want an argument little man, my points simple for even you to understand, the RL world cup is a joke, i compared it to its fellow Rugby code, thats pretty simple buddy.
 

Gronk

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Gronk you always post like you've got somethings wedged deep in your ass, you've always got an issue with something or want an argument little man, my points simple for even you to understand, the RL world cup is a joke, i compared it to its fellow Rugby code, thats pretty simple buddy.
And I compared it to a shitload of other sports, little man. RL is not Robinson Crusoe.
 

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