2017 Rugby League World Cup
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup was the fifteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup tournament and took place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea between 27 October and 2 December 2017.[1] The tournament featured the national teams of 14 Rugby League International Federation member countries who qualified through either standing in the previous tournament or a series of qualification play-off matches. In the final, defending champions Australia, playing in their 14th consecutive final, defeated England at Brisbane's Lang Park.
2017 | World Cup|
---|---|
Number of teams | 14 (22 qualifying) |
Host countries | |
Winner | |
Matches played | 28 |
Attendance | 382,080 (13,646 per match) |
Points scored | 1264 (45.14 per match) |
Tries scored | 230 (8.21 per match) |
Top scorer | |
Top try scorer | |
Host selection
At the 2010 Rugby League International Federation executive meeting, the New Zealand Rugby League made an early submission to co-host the 2017 tournament with Australia.[2] The Rugby League World Cup was last held in Australia in 2008.[3]
Two formal bids were subsequently received by the RLIF before a November 2012 deadline; the co-host bid from Australia and New Zealand and a bid from South Africa.[4][5][6] On 19 February 2014, it was announced that the joint bid from Australia and New Zealand had won hosting rights.[7]
Michael Brown, the CEO of several big name Australian sporting franchises and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, was originally appointed CEO of the World Cup in 2015, but resigned less than a year later due to 'workload' and 'homesickness'.[8] He was replaced by Andrew Hill.[9]
Qualification
It was announced on 3 August 2014 that 7 of the 8 quarter-finalists from the last World Cup would qualify automatically for the 2017 tournament; hosts Australia and New Zealand, plus England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland. The USA, who were also 2013 quarter-finalists, were denied automatic qualification after a long-running internal governance dispute saw their RLIF membership temporarily suspended in 2014; later, once the matter was resolved, they were accepted into the qualification process. Papua New Guinea were initially set to be involved in the qualifying competition but were later granted automatic qualification, due to becoming co-hosts of the tournament. In addition to the eight automatic qualifiers, the remaining six spots will come from four different qualification zones; three from Europe, one from Asia/Pacific, one from Americas and one from Middle East/Africa.[10]
Tonga were the first team to qualify from the qualification stage after winning the Asian-Pacific play-off. Lebanon were the second team to qualify from the qualification stage, after winning the Middle East-African play-off. The USA were the third team to qualify, winning the Americas qualification group.
Teams
Team | Captain | Coach | RLIF rank |
Previous appearances | Previous Best World Cup Result |
Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cameron Smith | 1 | 14 (list) | Winners (10 times) | Co-hosts | ||
Sean O'Loughlin | 3 | 5 (1975, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2013) | Runners-up (1975, 1995); Winners (as part of Great Britain) 3 times | 2013 semi-finalists | ||
Kevin Naiqama | 7 | 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013) | Semi-finals (2008, 2013) | 2013 semi-finalists | ||
Théo Fages | 6 | 14 (list) | Runners-up (1954, 1968) | 2013 quarter-finalists | ||
Liam Finn | 8 | 3 (2000, 2008, 2013) | Quarter-finals (2000, 2008); Winners (as part of Great Britain) 3 times | European qualifying group 2 winner | ||
Mark Minichiello | 12 | 1 (2013) | Group stage (2013) | European qualifying play-off winner | ||
Robbie Farah | 18 | 1 (2000) | Group Stage (2000) | Middle East-Africa play-off winner | ||
Adam Blair | 2 | 14 (list) | Winners (2008) | Co-hosts | ||
David Mead | 16 | 6 (list) | Quarter-finals (2000) | Co-hosts | ||
Frank Pritchard | 5 | 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017) | Quarter-finals (2000, 2013) | 2013 quarter-finalists | ||
Danny Brough | 4 | 3 (2000, 2008, 2013) | Quarter-finals (2013); Winners (as part of Great Britain) 3 times | 2013 quarter-finalists | ||
Sika Manu | 11 | 4 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013) | Group Stage (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013) | Asia-Pacific play-off winner | ||
Mark Offerdahl | 10 | 1 (2013) | Quarter-finals (2013) | Americas qualifying group winner | ||
Craig Kopczak | 9 | 4 (1975, 1995, 2000, 2013) | Semi-finals (1995, 2000); Winners (as part of Great Britain) 3 times | European qualifying group 1 winner |
Match officials
The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.[11]
Australia: Grant Atkins, Chris Butler, Matt Cecchin, Steve Chiddy, Ben Cummins, Adam Gee, Ashley Klein, Jared Maxwell, David Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Belinda Sleeman, Jon Stone, Bernard Sutton, Chris Sutton, Gerard Sutton, Michael Wise England: Phil Bentham, James Child, Mark Craven, Robert Hicks, Chris Kendall, Scott Mikalauskas, Liam Moore, Tim Roby, Ben Thaler New Zealand: Chris McMillan, Henry Perenara
Pre-tournament matches
Before the World Cup it was announced that France would face Jamaica in Perpignan,[12] England would take on the Combined Affiliated States in Perth,[13] Lebanon would take on Niue in Leichhardt,[14] and Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea would compete in a tri-series in Suva, with each game lasting 40 minutes.[15] The Australian Combined Affiliated States team was composed of players from the Northern Territory, South Australian, Victorian and Western Australian state rugby league competitions. Malta faced Italy at Marconi Stadium in Bossley Park, a suburb of Sydney.[16]
23 September 2017 | Papua New Guinea PM's XIII | 8 – 48 | National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
8 October 2017 | Malta | 24 – 24 | Marconi Stadium, Sydney |
13 October 2017 | Country U23s | 26 – 40 | McDonald's Park, Wagga Wagga |
13 October 2017 | France | 34 – 12 | Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan |
14 October 2017 | Fiji | 0 – 10 | ANZ National Stadium, Suva |
14 October 2017 | Australia | 20 – 4 | ANZ National Stadium, Suva |
14 October 2017 | Fiji | 0 – 18 | ANZ National Stadium, Suva |
14 October 2017 | Lebanon | 32 – 16 | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney |
20 October 2017 | Country U23s | 50 – 14 | Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina |
20 October 2017 | Italy | 6 – 16 | Callendar Park, Innisfail |
20 October 2017 | Combined Affiliated States | 12 – 74 | Perth Oval, Perth |
Venues
It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches.[17] The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented to the RLIF in September 2015, requesting to host three matches.[18] In October 2015 it was confirmed that Papua New Guinea would host three matches in the group stage.[19]
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne will host the opening game between Australia and England while Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane will host the World Cup Final.[20]
Australia
Brisbane | Sydney | Melbourne | Townsville |
---|---|---|---|
Brisbane Stadium | Sydney Football Stadium | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium | Townsville Stadium |
Capacity: 52,500 | Capacity: 45,500 | Capacity: 30,050 | Capacity: 26,500 |
Canberra | Perth | Cairns | Darwin |
Canberra Stadium | Perth Rectangular Stadium | Barlow Park | Darwin Stadium |
Capacity: 25,011 | Capacity: 20,500 | Capacity: 18,000 | Capacity: 12,000 |
New Zealand
Wellington | Auckland | ||
---|---|---|---|
Wellington Regional Stadium | Mount Smart Stadium | ||
Capacity: 34,500 | Capacity: 30,000 | ||
Hamilton | Christchurch | ||
Waikato Stadium[21] | Christchurch Stadium | ||
Capacity: 25,800 | Capacity: 18,000 | ||
Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby |
---|
National Football Stadium |
Capacity: 14,800 |
Group stage
Draw
The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016[22] and involved the same four group format as the 2013 tournament. The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the first two groups and the winners of the two smaller groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.[20]
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
---|---|---|---|
Key to colours in pool tables | |
---|---|
Advances to knockout stage and qualifies for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup |
Group A
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 10 | +94 | 6 | |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 4 | |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 81 | −42 | 2 | |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 117 | −87 | 0 |
27 October 2017 | Australia | 18 – 4 | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne | |
29 October 2017 | France | 18 – 29 | Canberra Stadium, Canberra | |
3 November 2017 | Australia | 52 – 6 | Canberra Stadium, Canberra | |
4 November 2017 | England | 29 – 10 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | |
11 November 2017 | Australia | 34 – 0 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | |
12 November 2017 | England | 36 – 6 | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
Group B
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 44 | +66 | 6 | |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 134 | 42 | +92 | 4 | |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 40 | 84 | −44 | 1 | |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 138 | −114 | 1 |
28 October 2017 | New Zealand | 38 – 8 | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland | |
29 October 2017 | Scotland | 4 – 50 | Barlow Park, Cairns | |
4 November 2017 | New Zealand | 74 – 6 | Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch | |
4 November 2017 | Samoa | 18 – 32 | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
11 November 2017 | New Zealand | 22 – 28 | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
11 November 2017 | Samoa | 14 – 14 | Barlow Park, Cairns |
Group C
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 12 | +116 | 6 | |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 76 | 32 | +44 | 4 | |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 156 | −138 | 0 |
28 October 2017 | Papua New Guinea | 50 – 6 | National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, | |
5 November 2017 | Papua New Guinea | 14 – 6 | National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | |
12 November 2017 | Wales | 6 – 34 | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth |
Group D
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 168 | 28 | +140 | 6 | |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 68 | 74 | −6 | 2 | |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 168 | −156 | 0 |
28 October 2017 | Fiji | 58 – 12 | Townsville Stadium, Townsville | |
5 November 2017 | Italy | 46 – 0 | Townsville Stadium, Townsville | |
10 November 2017 | Fiji | 38 – 10 | Canberra Stadium, Canberra |
Inter-group matches
29 October 2017 | Ireland | 36 – 12 | Barlow Park, Cairns | |
5 November 2017 | Fiji | 72 – 6 | Townsville Stadium, Townsville | |
12 November 2017 | Papua New Guinea | 64 – 0 | National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
Knockout stage
Three teams from each of Groups A and B and one team from each of Groups C and D advanced to the quarter-finals. All quarter-finalists automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[23] The quarter-final fixture were finalised at the conclusion of the pool stages, to ensure that Australia played in Darwin on 17 November and New Zealand in Wellington on 18 November.[24]
Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
17 November – Darwin | ||||||||||
46 | ||||||||||
24 November – Brisbane | ||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||
54 | ||||||||||
18 November – Wellington | ||||||||||
6 | ||||||||||
2 | ||||||||||
2 December – Brisbane | ||||||||||
4 | ||||||||||
6 | ||||||||||
18 November – Christchurch | ||||||||||
0 | ||||||||||
24 | ||||||||||
25 November – Auckland | ||||||||||
22 | ||||||||||
18 | ||||||||||
19 November – Melbourne | ||||||||||
20 | ||||||||||
36 | ||||||||||
6 | ||||||||||
Quarter-finals
Australia vs Samoa
Australia |
46 – 0 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: Holmes (9', 17', 51', 57', 74') 5 Morgan (31', 36') 2 Slater (24') 1 Goals: Smith 7/8 (10', 19', 26', 33', 38', 53', 58') |
1st: 30 – 0 2nd: 16 – 0 |
Darwin Stadium, Darwin Attendance: 13,473 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Man of the Match: Valentine Holmes (Australia) |
Tonga vs Lebanon
Tonga |
24 – 22 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: Fusitu'a (19', 33') 2 Lolohea (4') 1 Hopoate (23') 1 Goals: Hingano 4/5 (5', 24', 34', 53' pen) |
1st: 22 – 16 2nd: 2 – 6 |
Tries: 2 (40', 69') Miski 1 (9') Doueihi 1 (30') Elias Goals: 3/4 Moses (10', 31', 70') |
Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 8,309 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Man of the Match: Mitchell Moses (Lebanon) |
New Zealand vs Fiji
New Zealand |
2 – 4 | |
---|---|---|
Goals: Johnson 1/1 (45' pen) |
1st: 0 – 2 2nd: 2 – 2 |
Goals: 1/1 Koroisau (15' pen) 1/1 Milne (62' pen) |
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 12,713 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Man of the Match: Kevin Naiqama (Fiji) |
England vs Papua New Guinea
England |
36 – 6 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: McGillvary (13', 20') 2 Watkins (68', 72') 2 Walmsley (33') 1 Currie (56') 1 Hall (79') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/7 (34', 57', 69', 80') |
1st: 14 – 0 2nd: 22 – 6 |
Tries: 1 (60') Lo Goals: 1/1 Martin (61') |
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 10,563 Referee: James Child (England) Man of the Match: Jermaine McGillvary (England) |
Semi-finals
Australia vs Fiji
Australia |
54 – 6 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: Holmes (18', 24', 42', 51', 65', 75') 6 Gagai (31', 69') 2 Slater (14', 48') 2 Goals: Smith 7/10 (15', 19', 33', 43', 49', 53', 67') |
1st: 22 – 2 2nd: 32 – 4 |
Tries: 1 (59') Vunivalu Goals: 1/2 Koroisau (7' pen) |
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 22,073 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Man of the Match: Cameron Smith (Australia) |
Tonga vs England
Tonga |
18 – 20 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: Pangai Junior (73') 1 Havili (76') 1 Lolohea (77') 1 Goals: Taukeiaho 3/3 (73', 76, 77') |
1st: 0 – 12 2nd: 18 – 8 |
Tries: 1 (11') McGillvary 1 (16') Widdop 1 (68') Bateman Goals: 4/4 Widdop (12, 17, 50 pen, 69) |
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 30,003 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Man of the Match: Gareth Widdop (England) |
Final: Australia vs England
Australia |
6 – 0 | |
---|---|---|
Tries: Cordner (15') Goals: Smith 1/1 (16') |
1st: 6 – 0 2nd: 0 – 0 |
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 40,033 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Man of the Match: Boyd Cordner (Australia) |
Try scorers
- 12
- 9
- 7
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 2
Boyd Cordner Josh Dugan Michael Morgan John Bateman Gareth Widdop Jarryd Hayne Marcelo Montoya Bastien Ader Oliver Roberts James Tedesco Joseph Tramontana Adam Doueihi Abbas Miski Travis Robinson Shaun Johnson Jason Nightingale Jordan Rapana Watson Boas Lachlan Lam Garry Lo Rhyse Martin Will Hopoate Peni Terepo Daniel Tupou
- 1
Tyson Frizell Tom Trbojevic Matt Gillett Tom Burgess Ben Currie James Graham Ryan Hall Mark Percival Stefan Ratchford Alex Walmsley Kane Evans Salesi Junior Fainga'a Joe Lovodua Ben Nakubuwai Brayden Wiliame Akuila Uate Eloni Vunakece Damien Cardace Benjamin Garcia Mark Kheirallah Kyle Amor Liam Finn George King Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook Michael McIlorum Michael Morgan Api Pewhairangi Joe Philbin Justin Castellaro Mason Cerruto Ryan Ghietti Josh Mantellato Nathan Milone Paul Vaughan Anthony Layoun James Elias Nick Kassis Mitchell Moses Jason Wehbe Nelson Asofa-Solomona Kenny Bromwich Issac Liu Kodi Nikorima Russell Packer Brad Takairangi Joseph Tapine Elijah Taylor Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Dean Whare Paul Aiton Wellington Albert James Segeyaro Rod Griffin Stargroth Amean Kato Ottio Tim Lafai Ken Maumalo Joseph Paulo Junior Paulo Ben Roberts Jazz Tevaga Young Tonumaipea Matthew Wright Danny Addy Frankie Mariano Oscar Thomas Lewis Tierney Ata Hingano Manu Ma'u Sika Manu Ben Murdoch-Masila Jason Taumalolo Tevita Pangai Junior Siliva Havili Matt Shipway Junior Vaivai Regan Grace Morgan Knowles Ben Morris
Attendances
Criticism and controversy
The lack of games in New South Wales, the heartland of rugby league in Australia, drew some criticism. Only one of the 13 confirmed tournament venues was in New South Wales (Sydney Football Stadium) and it is only hosting two group-stage fixtures, both featuring Lebanon. This was due to the refusal of the New South Wales Government to bid for hosting rights. Despite the so-called 'Sydney Cup snub', the RLWC organisers backed their decision and the venues they were using.[25]
In the buildup to the Samoa vs. Tonga game in Hamilton, controversy occurred after fans from both countries were caught having brawls in South Auckland. At least 6 people were arrested from the brawls resulting in a massive security increase for the game. Both teams, celebrities, and police urged fans to calm down.[26] Following the results of the controversial incident, a Tongan Advisory Council member lashed out at organisers, saying that this tournament is poorly organised compared to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, mentioning that Rugby World Cup organisers engaged with community groups 18 months beforehand, whereas this tournament was "scrambled around".[27]
After Scotland's 68 point thrashing to New Zealand in Christchurch, captain Danny Brough, Sam Brooks, and Jonathan Walker were sent home for violating code of conduct after being all deemed too 'intoxicated' for their team's flight to Cairns for Scotland's next game against Samoa. Italian players James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman were under investigation by the World Cup integrity unit for a brawl at a Cairns nightclub.[28]
Media coverage
Seven Network was the Australian and worldwide host broadcaster, winning the rights for the event in July 2016, beating the likes of Foxtel and Optus.[29]
Country or region | Broadcaster | Broadcasting | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Seven Network | All 28 matches live (via Channel 7, 7mate, or streamed from the 7Live app) | [30] | |
ProSieben Maxx ran.de |
6 matches live (ProSieben Maxx) All 28 matches live streamed (ran.de) |
[31] | |
Sportdeutschland.TV | All 28 matches live streamed | [31] | |
Fiji One | All 28 matches live | [32] | |
beIN Sports | All 28 matches live | [33] | |
PCCW | All 28 matches live | [34] | |
eir Sports | All 28 matches live | [35] | |
DAZN | All 28 matches live | [34] | |
Astro | All 28 matches live | [34] | |
Middle East | OSN Sports | All 28 matches live | [34] |
Sky Sport | All 28 matches live | [36] | |
EM TV | All 28 matches live | [37] | |
BBC Sport | All England matches live; Ireland, Wales and Scotland matches delayed; highlights from all 28 matches | [38] | |
Premier Sports | 27 matches Live (Delayed coverage of NZ vs Tonga due to football match) | [39] | |
Fox Sports | All USA matches and knockout matches live | [34] |
References
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- PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill keen to host Rugby League World Cup matches smh.com.au, 27 September 2015
- "Papua New Guinea to co-host Rugby League World Cup in 2017". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australian Associated Press. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- "Rugby League World Cup 2017 draw: Every game, every venue". The Courier Mail. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- "Hamilton to make history by hosting first ever rugby league tests in 2017 World Cup". stuff. stuff. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
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- "Statement from the RLIF Board meeting – March 28th 2017". Rlif.com. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- "RLWC2017 announces quarter-finals draw | Rugby League World Cup". Rlwc2017.com. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
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- "Tonga vs Samoa: Security beefed up at rugby league match after street brawls". nzherald.co.nz. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- "Watch: 'Poorly organised' – Tongan Advisory Council member slams lack of foresight at Rugby League World Cup". tvnz.co.nz. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- "RLWC 2017: Three Scotland players including captain Danny Brough sent home from World Cup". foxsports.com.au. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- "Seven named as broadcaster for 2017 Rugby League World Cup – Mumbrella". 18 July 2016.
- Eoin Connolly (8 April 2016). "Channel Seven wins Rugby League World Cup TV rights". Sportspromedia.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- "ran Rugby". 10 October 2017.
- "Fiji TV secures RLWC rights". rlwc2017.com. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- "COUPE DU MONDE DE RUGBY XIII". beinsports.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- "BROADCAST". rlwc2017.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- TVGuide. "When is Rugby League World Cup () on TV next? – TV Guide UK TV Listings". TVGuide.co.uk.
- "SKY SPORT OFFICIAL BROADCASTER – NZ". rlwc2017.com. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "EM TV secures broadcasting rights". rlwc2017.com. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- "Rugby League World Cup 2017: BBC TV, radio & online coverage". bbc.com. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- "Rugby League World Cup 2017: results, fixtures, odds and how to watch on TV". theweek.co.uk. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.