Italy to play Rest of the World

[CQ Italia]

Italy to play Rest of the World in Southern Italy
​

The Federazione Italiana RFL (FIRFL) look set to create international rugby league history after announcing their Italia Azzurri XIII National Team will play their first International against a ‘Rest of the World’ team named the Barbarian Warriors Rugby League.

The international will be played at Stadio campo da Rugby Dan Giorgio in Palmi, Reggio Calabria right near the beach in Southern Italy bordering the Island of Sicily on May 25 at 5.30pm. On 3 May, the Palmi town council; deputy-mayor Giuseppe Mattiani , councillor Antonio Papalia and council Vice-President Carmelo Ciappina with FIRFL delegate Rocco Filippone met to present the International Test-match proposal to select local media.

Palmi Mayor Giovanni Barone stated "I welcome the proposal of the Federazione Italiana Rugby Football League for Palmi and a reality that this sport has given more,” elaborating about the value of the proposal showcasing the city to national and even international fans together with a new sport. Deputy Mayor Giuseppe Mattiani pointed out that "the importance of the test match which will take place on 25 May will open once the city to a top international Rugby tradition. The acceptance of the proposal will be established with only benefits (for us) without any burden.”

The match will be an historic occasion not only for the Calabrese who often fall shy of international events, but for Italian Rugby League as it will be the first international played outside the north, which includes a number of international or tour matches from 1949 to 1961 and since league returned to Italian soil in 2006.

The FIRFL’s national development approach has allowed the federation to feature players from Northern to Southern Italy as an Italian Tredici first. The squad was selected after training stages with the national based r-Evolution league clubs supervised by national coach Ty Sterry, along with selections from the recent Coppa Italia Finals. It will also feature an all Italian (domestic) born and bred Azzurri line-up for the first time since 1960 when Italy faced a touring star-studded world champions Australian Kangaroos and lost 67-22 in Treviso and 37-15 in Padova.

The Barbarian Warriors are a Rest of the World squad that is similar to concepts such as “Other Nationalities” (non-GB players in England) that competed mostly in the European Championship from 1949-1960 and also the “Exiles” from 2011-2013 (non-English players in the Super League). Also the Rest of the World played Australia and GB in 5 matches from 1957 to 1997. In what could be one of the most diverse international selections in the history of rugby league it will feature players representing at least five major regions, including the UK, Europe, South America, Australia and Pacific Islands.


Website: www.federleague.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItaliaRugbyFootballLeague
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItaliaRL

 

[CQ Italia]

Poster: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...33992.43381.174505405895067&type=1&permPage=1


Official FIRFL Rugby League Ball (by Stash Sportswear):

https://fbcdn-sphoThe-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphoThe-ak-ash3/945166_609633902382213_1181251146_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphoThe-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphoThe-ak-prn2/972083_609593339052936_1626821481_n.jpg

Jersey:

https://fbcdn-sphoThe-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphoThe-ak-ash4/407981_593510680661202_1639838506_n.jpg

 

[CQ Italia]

Italian Rugby Star shows support for Italian League cousins
In the lead up to the Italian Rugby League (FIRFL) national team’s international match against the Rest of the World on May 25 at 5.30pm in Palmi, Reggio Calabria at campo da Rugby San Giorgio an Italian Rugby star has lent his support to the Azzurri XIII.
Andrea Masi, a star for the Italian Azzurri Rugby Union team and 2011 6 Nations Player of the Year, as well as a leading contender for the 2013 honour has sent his support to the Italian Azzurri Rugby League squad (FIRFL) and national coach Tyrone Sterry for their International against the Barbarian Warriors.
In a sign of good faith between the two sports in Italy that matches an FIRFL movement belief and the process in how we develop the sport, Andrea sent the following to the squad via our social networking pages and personally to Tyrone Sterry “A big good luck for Saturday's match. To get a chance to play to defend the colours of your country is a great honour, be proud to wear the azzurri (blue) shirt! Forza Italia!”
The FIRFL than thanked Andrea, who now plays in London, for his support of the Azzurri and Tyrone with the Italian star surprising us with “it was a pleasure, I am a big fan of rugby league!”

Photo: https://fbcdn-sphoTheFilthySpammers...-prn2/971955_611887402156863_1440586787_n.jpg

 

[CQ Italia]

for the record I'll be flying to Italy (via Dubai) tonight form Brisbane so will be at the event. Personally hoping to see 1000+ at the international, sent off the official presser to alot of Italian Rugby/Sport media and the Calabrese media cotnacts this morning (aus time), on top of a small article yesterday. Websites picked up yesterday's article, so hopefully newspapers, radio, tv etc particularly in the region give us some great publicity! Expecting them to do so.

 

[CQ Italia]

could someone please post the photo of the jersey and sponsors on it with an article attached naming the italian lineup from the italia rugby football league fb. just at airport. strong company involved too. ps 10 nationalities represented in barbarian, 3 have played international union n 2 in wcs (the samoan rep has played league in nz). there are league players from scotland, eastern europe and aus travelling in. africa, South america, europe/uk and oceania all represented

 

[deal.with.it]

Team:

Magnifici
Simone Bianco
Jobel DeCastro
Gianluca Genua
Ferraro Luigi
Giuseppe Moncada

Sicilia
Di Maura Emiliano
Spina Alessandro
Caruso Antonino
Finocchiaro Alfio
Lodetti Aurelio
D'arrigo Emanuele


Albinea Rex Reggio Emilia
Bigi Luca
Lanzano Arturo
Russotto Francesco
Parrello Marco
Cristoni Stefano
Antonioli Benedetto
Poli Marco
De Pascali Giovanni


Gladiators Roma
Kasparek Nicholas
Lavini Cristiano
Carloni Simone
Sirbu Daniel
Gori Claudio
Martellucci Zimone
Lombardi Matteo
Gentile Pierluigi

Volpi Ceccano
Staccone Riccardo

 

[miguel de cervantes]

not sure what to think of all this....does anyone understand?

 

[deal.with.it]

The FIRFL (Not-recognised body) has selected their national team. They are playing a "rest of the world" team in Palmi. The rest of the world team seems to be a big mix of players from everywhere. Other nationalities playing in Italy will most likely make up the bulk of the squad, but there is expat rugby union players in italy playing, as well as some guys from outside of Italy flying in for it. I assume they have been invited.
The local government/council is supporting the game, but not financially.
They like the idea because they never hold international events and because there is no financial burden for them.

 

[CQ Italia]

10 nationalities represented. three have played test ru and two in rwcs. a scottish rl, serbian, aus and nz have the bulk ok the league exp in barbs.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

10 nationalities represented. three have played test ru and two in rwcs. a scottish rl, serbian, aus and nz have the bulk ok the league exp in barbs.

can we have names?

 

[NickY]

Loving the whole idea that the game is spreading! Go Italy

 

[CQ Italia]

most barbarian arrive thid evening and tomorrow morning. but slobodan manak from red star Belgrade is here (serbian u18 u23 and now serbian origin player), carl manu (samoan ru but played league in nz), vaki (tonga 03 & 07 ruwc) based in reggio emilia, a scottish leaguey is coming, others from nz, aus, spain, Argentina, south african (durant greber, plays pro ru n played for italy)

 

[dorcolrugby]

If you ask anyone from Serbian Rugby League Federation, Slobodan is neither representing SRLF nor his club nor Origin select. He is there during his free time and having fun for his own money. I wouldn't advertise his involvement like Serbia has something with this event, because SRLF, as full member of RLIF and RLEF, doesn't recognize FIRFL.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

If you ask anyone from Serbian Rugby League Federation, Slobodan is neither representing SRLF nor his club nor Origin select. He is there during his free time and having fun for his own money. I wouldn't advertise his involvement like Serbia has something with this event, because SRLF, as full member of RLIF and RLEF, doesn't recognize FIRFL.

fair enough, but probably best to just let it slide.

 

[Bronco Rob]

At the end of the day if it promotes the game of Rugby League and reaches more people then I am happy that the game is proceeding, I just wish they'd sort their differences out for the betterment of the game.

 

[ghani]

If you ask anyone from Serbian Rugby League Federation, Slobodan is neither representing SRLF nor his club nor Origin select. He is there during his free time and having fun for his own money. I wouldn't advertise his involvement like Serbia has something with this event, because SRLF, as full member of RLIF and RLEF, doesn't recognize FIRFL.

Hi Dorcol
Thanks a lot for the NON Recognition, it was quite clear, but it is always right to point it out.

It should be very clear to everyone already, but I would like to point out my opinions.

It has been very difficult to organise this international event for FIRFL for a lot of reasons that we share with all the other RL organizations but the biggest point to turn was to find a challenger ... it is really difficult to chatch someone that the RLEF has not said to not play with FIRFL ... really hard.

FIRFL has its problems with FIRL, we have tried to explain them but most of the time we have found a gum wall and the problem it still on the table - RLEF knows it, FIRL knows it: one team one vote: the majority decide, easy like a pie.

For dorcolrugby and SRLF. I wish you all the best, really, but when you will play next time Italy (the recognized one) full of Pro-Aussie-Players and you will lose your opportunity to go to RLWC, think about us just for a moment

Another two points:
- In the meantime when FIRL do two or three camps for teach some RL, FIRFL did play their third Winter/Spring season, play its first International and will play its fourth championship ... can you find another italian RL organization so active?

- My name is Matteo Visonà. NO MORE involved with FIRFL, plaese say to RLEF that it doesn't need to protect FIRL with another statement, this is MY OWN opinion not FIRFL's one

Cheers

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I don't understand why the RLEF or the RLIF don't have a constitution that all member leagues must adopt in order to be recognised that clearly outlines best practicies with regards to elections etc.

 

[Evil Homer]

I don't understand why the RLEF or the RLIF don't have a constitution that all member leagues must adopt in order to be recognised that clearly outlines best practicies with regards to elections etc.

I don't understand why the RLEF aren't getting involved in sorting out this problem.

 

[Bronco Rob]

FIRFL has its problems with FIRL, we have tried to explain them but most of the time we have found a gum wall and the problem it still on the table - RLEF knows it, FIRL knows it: one team one vote: the majority decide, easy like a pie.

Cheers

Matteo, I'd love to know and I'm sure many others too, what is the impediment or hinderence for both sides to come together. Obviously the big issue is voting rights but can you please explain this in further detail?

 

[deal.with.it]

The FIRL want to have an Italian, French, English and Australian division of the management. Each with the same amount of power.
So basically, rather than Italy-based development being the priority, it is being split equally amongst all. Meaning the President could reside in Australia.
I'm finding the FIRL are only just stepping up their domestic activity since the FIRFL started succeeding so much. They have no choice but to play catch up.
But like the AMNRL, they release press statements saying a new team has been established, with the organiser's name. But the actual details are hard to come by. Has anyone ever seen footage of a FIRL game?