Madagasca Rugby XIII

[Heritage XIII]

Came across this. Apparently the game was very popular on the Island in the 1950's-60's. Perhaps the decline of French rugby league saw the decline of RL there. I heard touring teams coming home from Aust/NZ stopped off to play in Madagascar in the 50-60's.

http://flah-madagascar.org/index.php/vote/item/227-finale-rugby-xiii-65

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

Hmmm... looked like Union to me. Didn't see a single Play the ball but a couple of mauls / Union rucks...

 

[Heritage XIII]

Hmmm... looked like Union to me. Didn't see a single Play the ball but a couple of mauls / Union rucks...

Might be the union influence or players converted from union. Sometimes I've seen union players playing league accidently release the ball etc. Commentary was referring to Rugby a Treize.

 

[clarency]

Probably Union. They have huge support there.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sxARXRqSHUA

 

[miguel de cervantes]

definitely looks like union but the commentary and text refer to league. scoring is union too. seems like a mistake to me.

 

[deluded pom?]

I've never heard of a touring RL team stopping off at Madagascar on their return from Australia.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I think what has happened here is they player rugby union with 13 players which has caused some confusion. That is all.

 

[kdalymc]

Madagascar National Rugby Football League

 

[deluded pom?]

Madagascar National Rugby Football League

And????????

 

[yakstorm]

Scoring for Rugby League and Rugby Union were the same back in the 50-60's with 3 points for a try and 2 for converting a try. The only difference was Union gave 3 points for a penalty kick versus RL's 2 points.

Considering there are no penalty shots on the vision, based upon scoring it could have been either.

The offloading at tackles makes it look more like RU although there were only 26 players on the field.

First hybrid coee anyone? Or could it have been like Nova Scotia in Canada that switched from RU to RL, hence the mixed style of play?

 

[deluded pom?]

Then why is there no record of any touring teams calling there on their way back from Australia and New Zealand?