The americas cup

[Foreign Legion]

Following the success of their meetings in the Rugby League World Qualifiers last season - which saw Brian McDermott’s USA make the finals in 2017 - Canada, Jamaica and United States have unveiled a new tournament, ‘The Rugby League Americas Cup.’ The nations will play the other to determine the champions of the region, at venues in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Toronto. The aim is to play The Rugby League America Cup annually which will be discussed at the completion of this tournament.

USARL Chairman Peter Illfield commented: “The previous games between us in the World Cup qualifiers were sensational; we only just beat Jamaica who then held Canada to a draw, with the Wolverines leading us at half time in the decider. Having rivals in such close proximity provides a healthy environment for success, extra motivation for our players, and further expansion of the sport.”

The opening Rugby League Americas Cup clash will see Canada face the Reggae Warriors on 16 July at Levitown, Pennsylvania, USA. The following Saturday night, USARL Hawks play against Jamaica in Conshohocken, Philadelphia, USA. The final match, between Canada and the USA on 24 September at Lamport Stadium, Toronto will also count as the first leg of the Colonial Cup between the old rivals. The second leg will be in the USA on 1 October.

“This competition is crucial to the development of the game in the region, gaining us increased exposure and credibility,” said Canada captain Steve Piatek. “It will provide a pathway for the athletes being produced by each nation.”

Jamaica head coach Romeo Monteith added: “The Americas Cup will give our players a meaningful international calendar, which we hope will become a regular series.”

RLIF chairman Nigel Wood, who attended the deciding World Cup qualification match in Jacksonville last December, noted: “This is a very significant initiative in the development of our sport internationally. All three nations are to be congratulated for taking the World Cup qualifying process onto the next logical level. The introduction of this tournament together with the admission of Toronto Wolfpack club into the Rugby Football League competition structure in 2017 represents a step-change in the position of rugby league in the Americas.”

Rugby League Americas Cup
Canada vs Jamaica - July 16th 3pm (Levitown PA) USA
USA vs Jamaica - July 23rd 7pm (Conshohocken, Philadelphia) USA
Canada vs USA - Sept 24th 7pm (Toronto) Canada

http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1242/rugby-league-announces-its-own

 

[The Partisan]

Will be in North America for first two games ....though unfortunately on West Coast so can't get to them !

Hope this is start of many years of tradition !

 

[siv]

Lookinh forward to when Chile joins

 

[alien]

one day mexico might join. i'm sure the big door in the trump wall will open for them

 

[yakstorm]

The most important thing for this region is ensuring that this becomes an annual competition. We've already had a few attempts at this Tri-Series concept (under different names like Atlantic Cup, etc) however unfortunately it has fallen through after 1-2 years.

If there are key international tournaments that the RLIF want to invest in then this should be one.

 

[The Partisan]

Agree wholeheartedly with you Yakster !


Real evidence of existing competition and potential for growth in all 3 countries.


No need to rush a fourth country in ( e.g a South American country) ....let this trip-series grow and hopefully a South American equivalent will also become a reality one day soon.

 

[latingringo101]

Agree wholeheartedly with you Yakster !


Real evidence of existing competition and potential for growth in all 3 countries.


No need to rush a fourth country in ( e.g a South American country) ....let this trip-series grow and hopefully a South American equivalent will also become a reality one day soon.

Mexico would be the most logical choice in the current climate (being right next to all 3 neighbours).

Hopefully one day we'll see more countries (from Latin America) involved in the Amercas cup!

 

[Big Picture]

Mexico would be the most logical choice in the current climate (being right next to all 3 neighbours).

Hopefully one day we'll see more countries (from Latin America) involved in the Amercas cup!

Hopefully yes, then we could have a genuine American Championship in RL.

 

[Sinman]

Yeah keeping it going is massively important but if this can be done then the next step is getting a 4th nation in there.. That would be a huge step forward in the Americas..

 

[jim_57]

Mexico would be perfect, even of for the first few years they cop a few byf scores. That could then be the main comp with any new teams entering a South and North American shield comp with a playoff for promotion.

 

[yakstorm]

Mexico makes sense when you're looking at the US, but once you start including Canada and Jamaica it suddenly adds a lot of travel time and cost to the an event like this.

Considering Mexico is 5-10 years behind the other three in RL Development and aren't flush with funds, honestly I think they would be better trying to get a regular series against the US to begin with before trying to join series like this.

 

[latingringo101]

I think the logical choice would be to split it to North and South America first (like they do in Soccer). Then maybe 10 or 20 years down the road when more nations are better funded and developed have them join together to a combined Cup competition.

Later this year us (Latin Heat) are hoping to have Chile, Brazil and Argentina play a tri series against one another!

 

[The Partisan]

Game one now just over a week away so hopefully we will start seeing some media reports, promoting or advertising for the game.

Assuming both teams will be dominated by locals learning the code due to the the mid season ( for Oz / GB comps) timing.

 

[adamkungl]

Bump.

Canada vs Jamaica is tonight/today.. some time. I don't know if there's a stream or anything

 

[yakstorm]

No stream unfortunately. Seems there was a pretty major thunderstorm which stopped play during the first half for 30 minutes.

Canada were dominant in the game regardless running out 38 - 2.

 

[adamkungl]

USA spanked Jamaica 54-4.

What has changed since the fairly tight WC Qualifiers of last year?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Jamaica had a heap of ring ins last year.