Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup

Infobox sports league
pixels=150px
caption=Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup.
sport=Rugby league
founded=1986
teams=8
continent=International (Rugby League International Federation)
champion=flagicon|NZ New Zealand

The Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup first took place in 1986 in New Zealand, when the then five test nations each entered a side in what was the first non-first grade World Cup hosted by Rugby League.

The value of the Tertiary level to Rugby League in terms of spreading the sport, particularly in countries like Great Britain, France and New Zealand, lead to World Cup being created as a sweetener to help grow this particular level of the game.

Since 1986, five more tournaments have been held, and sixteen different nations have taken part. The benefits the tournament has provided to the sport cannot be doubted, with strong Tertiary competitions now existing in England, Wales, France, New Zealand, Australia, and new ones popping up all the time.

Whilst 2008 certainly wont be the largest Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup ever held, it will still play an important role in that particular level of our game and continue to give a platform for players and nations to strive for.

----

Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup History

Source: http://www.cymrurl.co.uk/
The Student Rugby League was founded in 1967 when Andrew Cudbertson, Jack Abernathy and Cec Thompson formed a team at Leeds University. They played in the Leeds and District Sunday League and were very much frowned upon by the hierarchy of the University. Gradually, it became clear that there were other like minded students based at other Universities.

Not always in the "heartt-land" of Rugby League, universities such as Liverpool, Swansea and even Portsmouth took up the game over the next ten years. At this time the League was administered by volunteers who held down full time jobs as well as organising the leagues.

Dave Chambers, a school teacher from Manchester did a great deal for the game in the late Seventies and early Eighties. Together with Ron Barnes and Don Bowes they started to make the game a force within the university sector.

In 1986 the game took a quantum leap as it went fully international and staged the first Student Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand. The hosts won the five-team competition but started one of the biggest success stories in the sport. John Yarker, who lived in Nottingham and was a Rugby League aficionado, took over as League Secretary and really began the expansion. He became and outstanding administrator and was the real architect of the modern Student Rugby League.

The game in this country grew to around 30 universities spread across the whole of the land. In 1989 there were two significant developments. The World Cup was held in York and included eight teams with the four Home Nations plus, Australia, New Zealand, France and Holland. The Aussies defeated England in the final at Wigan and started a domination of the world game that only ended in 1999. Secondly, the Rugby Football League appointed Bev Risman and Malcolm Reid as Associate Directors of Student Rugby League.

Their brief was to increase the supply of graduates with a leaning towards Rugby League. This they did with great style. There was a rapid increase in the number of Clubs, which has continued to the present day. Now the SRL has over 70 clubs who field almost 100 teams.

The Student World Cup has since been held in Australia, England and most recently in Europe with groups based in Paris, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and Hull. There are 12 nations playing student rugby league with more ready to come on stream. Virtually all the major universities in England and Wales have a club with plans to expand more into Scotland and Ireland over the next 12 months.

The first World Cup in New Zealand certainly reflected the dominant rugby league playing nations of the time, and also the strength and concentration of the student game in this country with Great Britain participating instead of individual Home Nations.

World Cup 2 came to these shores in 1989. Great Britain were now split into the Home Nations, with England applying themselves most successfully to lose narrowly to Australia in the Final. This World Cup also witnessed the first appearance of Holland on the world rugby league stage.

The 1992 World Cup moved to Australia, and in addition to the continuing strength of the Australian student game, also saw the rise of the Pacific Islanders. Their senior teams were to make a big impression in the Halifax Centenary World Cup in 1995, but in 1992, Fiji, Samoa and in particular, Tonga, proved to be an instant hit.

The Halifax Student Rugby League 1996 World Cup in England again saw an increase in the number of teams taking part, but unfortunately for the home nations, still no home success. Japan entered the rugby league world stage for the first time, and the USA carried on the good work of their senior side in 1995, by not only participating, but beating the Irish. France proved to be the most successful of the European teams.

The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup 1999 was a memorable fortnight of tremendous action and excitement. Many treasured and lasting memories will have been made of the event, won impressively by New Zealand, but contributed enormously to by all who take part.

article by Neil Wood

Nations that have played in the Tertiary Student RLWC

Records

Biggest Win:
1996 Scotland Students 90 defeated Japan Students 4
1999 New Zealand Universities 88 defeated Canadian Students 0
1996 Samoa Students 82 defeated USA Students 6
1996 France Students 76 defeated Japan Students 0
1999 Australian Universities 74 defeated USA Students 2

Tournment Wins:
1986 New Zealand
1989 Australia
1992 Australia
1996 Australia
1999 New Zealand
2005 New Zealand

1986

GROUP GAMES:
Rnd 1 - France Students 14 defeated Great Britain Students 8
Rnd 1 - New Zealand Universities 22 defeated Australian Universities 14

Rnd 2 - New Zealand Universities 12 defeated France Students 10
Rnd 2 - Great Britain Students 40 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 8

Rnd 3 - Australian Universities 12 defeated Great Britain Students 4
Rnd 3 - France Students 20 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 4

Rnd 4 - New Zealand Universities 54 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 0
Rnd 4 - Australian Universities 35 defeated France Students 18

Rnd 5 - Australian Universities 50 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 16
Rnd 5 - New Zealand Universities 28 defeated Great Britain Students 12


CUP THIRD V FOURTH FINAL:
France Students 24 defeated Great Britain Students 10

CUP FINAL:
New Zealand Universities 14 defeated Australian Universities 10

WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. France
4. Great Britain
5. Papua New Guinea

1989

GROUP GAMES:
Rnd 1 - Ireland Students 16 defeated Scotland Students 12
Rnd 1 - Australian Universities 18 defeated England Students 10
Rnd 1 - New Zealand Universities 20 drew with France Students 20
Rnd 1 - Wales Students 48 defeated Holland Students 10

Rnd 2 - Australian Universities 36 defeated Scotland Students 22
Rnd 2 - England Students 65 defeated Ireland Students 12
Rnd 2 - New Zealand Universities 28 defeated Wales Students 10
Rnd 2 - France Students 42 defeated Holland Students 12

Rnd 3 - Australian Universities 78 defeated New Zealand Universities 8
Rnd 3 - England Students 54 defeated Scotland Students 4
Rnd 3 - New Zealand Universities 50 defeated Holland Students 16
Rnd 3 - France Students 18 defeated Wales Students 4

CUP SEMI FINALS:
England Students 20 defeated New Zealand Universities 10
Australian Universities 18 defeated France 2

CUP SEVENTH V EIGHTH FINAL:
Scotland Students 20 defeated Holland Students 10

CUP FIFTH V SIXTH FINAL:
Wales Students 48 defeated Ireland Students 12

CUP THIRD V FOURTH FINAL:
France Students 28 defeated New Zealand Universities 16

CUP FINAL:
Australian Universities 10 defeated England Students 5

WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. Australia
2. England
3. France
4. New Zealand
5. Wales
6. Ireland
7. Scotland
8. Holland

1992

GROUP GAMES:
Rnd 1 - England Students 38 defeated Ireland Students 4
Rnd 1 - Wales Students 20 defeated Fiji Students 18
Rnd 1 - Scotland Students 42 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 14
Rnd 1 - Australian Universities 32 defeated Tonga Students 6
Rnd 1 - New Zealand Universities 15 defeated Samoa Students 14

Rnd 2 - Tonga Students 36 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 12
Rnd 2 - New Zealand Universities 48 defeated Ireland Students 4
Rnd 2 - Fiji Students 34 defeated England Students 14
Rnd 2 - Australian Universities 38 defeated Scotland Students 10
Rnd 2 - Wales Students 7 defeated Samoa Students 6

Rnd 3 - Australian Universities 32 defeated Papua New Guinea Students 0
Rnd 3 - Tonga Students 56 defeated Scotland Students 12
Rnd 3 - New Zealand Universities 38 defeated Fiji Students 20
Rnd 3 - Wales Students 38 defeated Ireland Students 10
Rnd 3 - England Students 24 drew with Samoa Students 24

CUP QUARTER FINALS:
Tonga Students 44 defeated England Students 20
New Zealand Universities 24 defeated Scotland Students 18
Wales Students 57 defeated Fiji Students 20
Australian Universities 74 defeated Samoa Students 14

CUP SEMI FINALS:
Tonga Students 34 defeated New Zealand Universities 16
Australian Universities 35 defeated Wales Students 7

CUP FINAL:
Australian Universities 32 defeated Tonga Students 0

WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. Australia
2. Tonga
3. New Zealand
4. Wales
5. Scotland
6. England
7. Fiji
8. Samoa
9. Papua New Guinea
10. Ireland

1996

GROUP GAMES:
Rnd 1 - France Students 29 defeated England Students 2
Rnd 1 - Scotland Students 90 defeated Japan Students 4
Rnd 1 - Samoa Students 16 defeated New Zealand Universities 4
Rnd 1 - Russia Students 57 defeated South Africa Students 30
Rnd 1 - Australian Universities 50 defeated Wales Students 4
Rnd 1 - USA Students 22 defeated Ireland Students 20

Rnd 2 - Scotland Students 10 defeated England Students 4
Rnd 2 - France Students 76 defeated Japan Students 0
Rnd 2 - New Zealand Universities 62 defeated USA Students 10
Rnd 2 - Samoa Students 42 defeated Ireland Students 16
Rnd 2 - Australian Universities 68 defeated South Africa Students 12
Rnd 2 - Russian Students 12 defeated Wales Students 8

Rnd 3 - Samoa Students 82 defeated USA Students 6
Rnd 3 - France Students 36 defeated Scotland Students 2
Rnd 3 - New Zealand Universities 66 defeated Ireland Students 0
Rnd 3 - England Students 76 defeated Japan Students 18
Rnd 3 - Australian Universities 52 defeated Russia Students 5
Rnd 3 - South Africa Students 30 defeated Wales Students 28


BOWL SEMI FINALS:
South Africa Students 44 defeated Scotland Students 16
England Students 32 defeated Russian Students 18

BOWL PLAY OFF:
Russian Students 26 defeated Scotland Students 20

BOWL FINAL:
South Africa Students 22 defeated England Students 20

PLATE SEMI FINALS:
Wales Students 42 defeated USA Students 18
Ireland Students 66 defeated Japan Students 10

PLATE PLAY OFF:
USA Students 54 defeated Japan Students 10

PLATE FINAL:
Wales Students 20 defeated Ireland Students 12

CUP SEMI FINALS:
Samoa Students 28 defeated France Students 22
Australian Universities 26 defeated New Zealand Universities 6

CUP PLAY OFF:
New Zealand Universities 22 defeated France Students 20

CUP FINAL:
Australian Universities 38 defeated Samoa Students 16

WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. Australia
2. Samoa
3. New Zealand
4. France
5. Wales
6. Ireland
7. USA
8. Japan
9. South Africa
10. England
11. Russia
12. Scotland

1999

GROUP A GAMES:
Oct 3 - Russian Students 50 defeated Japan Students 8
Oct 6 - France Students 27 defeated Russian Students 10
Oct 9 - France Students 62 defeated Japan Students 14

GROUP B GAMES:
Oct 3 - Wales Students 72 defeated Canadian Students 12
Oct 6 - New Zealand Universities 88 defeated Canadian Students 0
Oct 9 - New Zealand Universities 46 defeated Wales Students 10

GROUP C GAMES:
Oct 3 - Scotland Students 26 drew with South Africa Students 16
Oct 6 - England Students 34 defeated South Africa Students 18
Oct 9 - England Students 20 defeated Scotland Students 4

GROUP D GAMES:
Oct 3 - Ireland Students 50 defeated USA Students 0
Oct 6 - Australian Universities 74 defeated USA Students 2
Oct 9 - Australian Universities 40 defeated Ireland Students 10

PLATE SEMI FINALS:
Scotland Students 70 defeated Japan Students 10
Canadian Students 16 defeated USA Students 12

PLATE PLAY OFF:
USA Students 46 defeated Japan Students 16

PLATE FINAL:
Scotland Students 26 defeated Canadian Students 16

BOWL SEMI FINALS:
Russian Students 22 defeated South Africa Students 10
Ireland Students 26 defeated Wales Students 16

BOWL PLAY OFF:
Wales Students 26 defeated South Africa Students 24

BOWL FINAL:
Russian Students 25 defeated Ireland Students 24

CUP SEMI FINALS:
England Students 10 defeated France Students 7
New Zealand Universities 25 defeated Australian Universities 14

CUP PLAY OFF:
Australian Universities 78 defeated France Students 0

CUP FINAL:
New Zealand Universities 46 defeated England Students 16


WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. New Zealand
2. England
3. Australia
4. France
5. Russia
6. Ireland
7. Wales
8. South Africa
9. Scotland
10. Canada
11. USA
12. Japan

2005

GROUP A GAMES:
July 2 - Australian Universities 66 defeated Scotland Students 4
July 2 - New Zealand Universities 46 defeated Wales Students 0
July 6 - Australian Universities 32 defeated New Zealand Universities 14
July 6 - Wales Students 31 defeated Scotland Students 16
July 10 - Australian Universities 74 defeated Wales Students 6
July 10 - New Zealand Universities 70 defeated Scotland Students 4

GROUP B GAMES:
July 4 - England Students 35 defeated France Students 18
July 4 - Pacific Islanders 48 defeated Ireland Students 46
July 6 - England Students 26 defeated Ireland Students 4
July 6 - France Students 28 defeated Pacific Islanders 6
July 10 - England Students 30 defeated Pacific Islanders 24
July 10 - France Students 82 defeated Ireland Students 18

SHIELD SEMI FINALS:
July 12 - Wales Students 25 defeated Ireland Students 10
July 12 - Pacific Islands 30 defeated Scotland Students 16

SHIELD THIRD V FOURTH FINAL:
July 15 - Scotland Students 13 defeated Ireland Students 4

SHIELD FINAL:
July 15 - Pacific Islands 74 defeated Wales Students 18

CUP SEMI FINALS:
July 13 - Australian Universities 20 defeated France Students 0
July 13 - New Zealand Universities 34 defeated England Students 8

CUP THIRD V FOURTH FINAL:
July 16 - France Students 31 defeated England Students 12

CUP FINAL:
July 17 - Australian Universities 8 lost to New Zealand Universities 17

WORLD CUP RANKINGS:
1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. France
4. England
5. Pacific Islands
6. Wales
7. Scotland
8. Ireland

2008

A minimum of eight teams will participate in the 2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales, Ireland, France and Scotland have already confirmed their participation with a series of others indicating their intent to play.

Nations also in the mix for the 2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup, pending on finances, time, qualifications are: Tonga, Fiji, Greece, Russia and Papua New Guinea.

Pool A
Australia,
England,
Scotland,
Greece

Pool B
New Zealand,
France,
Ireland,
Wales.

ee also

*Rugby League International Federation
*RLIF World Rankings
*List of International Rugby League Teams

External links

* [http://worldcup.aurl.com.au/ Official Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup Website]
* [http://www.cymrurl.co.uk/studentst.html/ Wales Tertiary Student Rugby League Website]
* [http://www.busa.org.uk/page.asp?section=00010001000200010001&sport=000100010002000100010021&x=10&y=8/ British Universities Sports Association - Rugby League]