2014 in rugby league explained

Top-level rugby league in 2014 centred on Australasia's 2014 NRL Auckland Nines, 2014 NRL season and the Super League XIX. High-profile representative competitions included the 2014 Rugby League Four Nations (held in Australia and New Zealand) and the 2014 State of Origin series.

February

7: Super League XIX begins with the Huddersfield Giants upsetting last year's champions Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium in Wigan.[1]
14 & 15: Inaugural NRL Auckland Nines are held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The North Queensland Cowboys are inaugural champions after beating Brisbane 16–7 in the final.[2]
22: Sydney Roosters win the 2014 World Club Challenge after beating Wigan Warriors 36–14 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia.[3]
25: Europe's Bradford Bulls team are deducted six Super League competition points after entering administration.[4]

March

6: 2014 NRL season begins with the South Sydney Rabbitohs upsetting last year's champions Sydney Roosters at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.[5]

May

2: The 2014 ANZAC Test is played, with Australia defeating New Zealand 30–18 before 25,429 at Allianz Stadium.[6]
3: The Pacific Rugby League International is played, with Samoa defeating Fiji 32–16 before 9,063 at Sportingbet Stadium in Penrith, Australia. In doing so they also secured qualification as the fourth and final team to compete at the 2014 Four Nations later in the year.[7]
3: The City vs Country Origin is played, with City and Country drawing for only the second time since being 'Under origin selection rules'. The match finished 26 points apiece in front of a packed crowd at Dubbo's Apex Oval.[8]
17 & 18: The Northern Hemisphere's Super League held its special Magic Weekend. The Magic Weekend was held at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England. It made several records such as attendance with Day 1 recording the biggest ever attendance with 36,339 fans attending the ground on one day. While the total aggregate attendance of 64,552 is the biggest ever attendance recorded for Super League's showcase weekend.[9]

June

14: New South Wales made history, finally winning the State of Origin series after losing 8 consecutive. New South Wales won the historic third-match in the series 6–4 before 83,421 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales.[10]

July

13: London Broncos are relegated from the Super League.[11]
19: Canada have beaten Jamaica in the fourth annual Caribbean Carnival Cup.[12]
27: Barrow Raiders are relegated from the Championship.[13]

August

3: Swinton Lions are relegated from the Championship.[14]
10: Rochdale Hornets are relegated from the Championship.[15]
10: The lone Colonial Cup series match is played, with Canada making history and defeating USA 52–14 before 7,356 at Lamport Stadium to win their first ever Colonial Cup since the competition inaugurated in 2010.[16]
11: North Wales Crusaders are relegated from the Championship.[17]
23: The 2014 Challenge Cup final is played, with the Leeds Rhinos defeating the Castleford Tigers 23–10 before 77,914 at Wembley Stadium.[18]

September

7 : Keighley Cougars are relegated from the Championship on a dramatic final day of the regular season. They finished just one point behind 8th placed Batley Bulldogs and 9th placed Whitehaven.[19]
12: Bradford Bulls are relegated from the Super League. They have been participating in the Super League since its inauguration in 1996 and have won four titles being 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2005.[20]

October

5: 2014 NRL Grand Final is played and South Sydney are the new premiers after defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs 30–6 in front of a record 'Rectangular Shaped (ANZ) Stadium' crowd of 83,833 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. This is also the Rabbitohs' first premiership title in 43 years[21]
7: Hunslet Hawks win promotion to the Championship for the 2015 season.[22]
11: 2014 Super League Grand Final is played and St. Helens are the new champions after defeating a '12-man' Wigan Warriors team 14–6 before 70,102 at Old Trafford in Strentford, England.[23]
19: 2014 Hayne/Mannah Cup is played and Fiji are the champions after defeating Lebanon 40–28 at Remondis Stadium in Woolooware, New South Wales.[24]

November

2: 2014 European Cup is won by Scotland for the first time. Scotland have therefore qualified to play alongside Australia, England and New Zealand in the 2016 Four Nations.[25]
15: 2014 Four Nations Final is won by New Zealand who defeated Australia 22–18 before 25,093 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.[26]

December

19: New Zealand halfback, Shaun Johnson is announced as the best official player in 2014 after being awarded the Golden Boot.[27]

Test Matches

2014 Four Nations

Final

Other Test Match results

Regional Tournaments – Europe

NameParticipantsFirst PlayedLast PlayedFrequencyHolderTier
European Championship C3 – Czech Republic, Greece, and Malta20082014Annual Greece3rd Tier
Balkans Championship4 – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Hungary, and Serbia20142014Annual Greece3rd Tier
Nordic Cup3 – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden20112014Annual Denmark3rd–4th Tier
Jerome Cup2 – Denmark and Belgium20142014Annually Denmark4th Tier

Regional Tournaments – Asia/Middle East & The Atlantic

NameParticipantsFirst PlayedLast PlayedFrequencyHolderTier
Colonial Cup2 – Canada, and United States20102014Annually Canada2nd–3rd Tier
Caribbean Carnival Cup2 – Canada, and Jamaica20102014Annually Canada3rd Tier

Trans-Continental

NameParticipantsFirst PlayedLast PlayedFrequencyHolderTier
Ohana Cup2 – United States and 1 pacific nation (2014 – Samoa)20122014Annually United States2nd Tier
Magellan Cup2 – Philippines and Latin Heat20142014Annually Philippines4th Tier

Domestic Competitions

Australasia

NRL Auckland Nines

See main article: 2014 NRL Auckland Nines.

The 2014 NRL Auckland Nines tournament will run over two days from 14 to 15 February 2014. All the matches are held at Auckland's Eden Park.

National Rugby League

See main article: 2014 NRL season.

The 2014 NRL Season will run from 6 March 2014 to 5 October 2014, with the latter date hosting the Grand Final at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

State of Origin

2014 State of Origin series

Europe

Super League XIX

See main article: Super League XIX.

The Super League is the top club competition in Europe. In 2014 there are thirteen English teams and one French team in the 2014 season, known as Super League XIX with the bottom two teams on the table set to be relegated at the end of the regular season.

PositionClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPts forPts agstPoints
1 St. Helens27190879656338
227181883442937
327173778562637
4 Castleford Tigers27172881458336
5 Warrington Wolves27171979351535
6271521068542132
7 Catalans Dragons271411273366729
8 Widnes Vikings271311361172527
9 Hull Kingston Rovers271031462766523
10271111560869523
11271021565358622
12271011655775021
13278019512984
  • 10
1427102643812372
(* – Bradford Bulls deducted 6 points on 25 February 2014 for entering administration)
 Teams in position to qualify for the Super League play-offs
 Teams in position to be relegated from the Super League to the Championship next season

Carnegie Challenge Cup

See main article: 2014 Challenge Cup.

The Rugby League Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in the world of Rugby League. It features teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia.

The final of the 2014 Cup is held at the prestigious Wembley Stadium in London on 23 August.

Australia & Oceania

NationsCompetitionTeamsInstituted Last SeasonWinnerTier/Division
Australia/ New ZealandNational Youth Competition (NYC)1620082014 New Zealand Warriors Youth
New South Wales Cup (NSWRL)1319082014 Penrith Panthers 2nd Tier
Australia/ Papua New Guinea Queensland Cup (QRL)1319962014 Northern Pride
Australia Ron Massey Cup1220032014 The Entrance Tigers 3rd Tier
FOGS Cup1120012014 Eastern Suburbs Tigers
Cook IslandsCook Islands League619942012 Titikaveka Bulldogs 1st Tier
Vodafone Cup1420102014 Saru Dragons 1st Tier
New ZealandPirtek National Premiership (NZRL)720102014 Canterbury Bulls 1st Tier
Papua New GuineaPNG Digicel Cup1019902014 Hela Wigmen 1st Tier
Samoa Rugby League6?2014 Apia Barracudas 1st Tier
TongaTongan National Rugby League121988? Lapaha Knights 1st Tier

Europe

NationsCompetitionTeamsInstitutedLatest YearWinnerTier/Division
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia & Herzegovina Championship320132014 RLC Bjeli Zecevi 1st Tier
Czech RepublicCZRLA First Division720112014 Lokomotiva Beroun 1st Tier
CZRLA Second Division420112014 Chrudim Rabbitohs 2nd Tier
/Championship1220032014 Leigh Centurions 2nd Tier
/Championship 11420032014 Hunslet Hawks 3rd Tier
/ SwedenPan-Scandinavian Cup320132014 Skåne Crusaders/ 1st Tier
Danish Rugby League Championship220132014 Copenhagen RLFC 1st Tier
FranceElite One Championship819312013–14 Toulouse Olympique 1st Tier
Elite Two Championship1319822013–14 RC Baho XIII 2nd Tier
National Division 12119762013–14 Realmont XIII 3rd Tier
National Division 23419782013–14 Val de Dagne XIII 4th Tier
Hellenic Championship?20142014 Rhodes Knights 1st Tier
Hellenic Championship B Division?20142014 Neapoli Lakonia 2nd Tier
All-Ireland Championship1020012014 Barnhall Butchers 1st Tier
Latvian Rugby League Crown42013 Valmieras Fēnikss 1st Tier
MaltaMRL Dove Men+Care Championship??2013 Malta Origin RL 1st Tier
NRLB Nationale Kampioenschap22014 1st Tier
NorwayNorge National Championship520102013 Oslo Capitals 1st Tier
Russian FederationRussian Championship619912014 Vereya Bears 1st Tier
Deuchars IPA National League419972014 Aberdeen Warriors 1st Tier
Serbian Championship620022014 Red Star RLC 1st Tier
Campeonato Nacional de Liga420142014 Irreductibles Edetans 1st Tier
Copa España620142014 Ciencias Valencia
SwedenSweden Super League420112013 Spartacus Reds 1st Tier
UkraineUkrainian Championship820122014 Legion XIII 1st Tier
South Wales Premiership820032014 Torfaen Tigers 1st Tier
North Wales Conference420122014 Conwy Celts

Africa

NationsCompetitionTeamsInstitutedLatest YearWinnerTier/Division
GhanaGhana Championship620142014no final played 1st Tier
Protea Cup820132013–14 TUKS Blues 1st Tier
Rhino Cup420112014 TUKS Reds 2nd Tier

Asia & the Middle East

NationsCompetitionTeamsInstitutedLatest YearWinnerTier/Division
Lebanon Championship520022013–14 Jounieh Al-Galacticos 1st Tier
Philippines National Rugby League (PNRL)920132013 MAAP Warriors 1st Tier
ThailandThailand Rugby League Premiership620142014TBC 1st Tier
Emirates Rugby League (ENRL)?20132014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1st Tier

The Americas

NationsCompetitionTeamsInstitutedLatest YearWinnerTier/Division
CanadaBritish Columbia Rugby League (BCRLC)620122014 Surrey Beavers 1st Tier
Ontario Rugby League (ORL)420102014 Toronto Centruions
JamaicaJamaican Club Championship520052014 GC Foster College 1st Tier
United StatesUSA Rugby League (USARL)820112014 Philadelphia Fight 1st Tier

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Super League: Wigan Warriors 8–24 Huddersfield Giants . BBC Sport . 2014-02-07 . 2015-08-28.
  2. News: Auckland Nines: North Queensland Cowboys win tournament . The New Zealand Herald . 2014-02-16 . 2015-08-28.
  3. News: Sydney Roosters overpower Wigan Warriors to win World Club Challenge . The Guardian . 2014-02-22 . 2015-08-28.
  4. News: Bradford Bulls deducted six competition points . superleague.co.uk . 2014-02-25 . 2015-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140313185942/http://www.superleague.co.uk/article/29586/bradford-bulls-deducted-six-competition . 13 March 2014.
  5. News: Souths run Roosters ragged in 28–8 whipping . nrl.com . 2014-03-06 . 2015-08-28.
  6. News: Australia weather strong New Zealand start to take Anzac Test . The Guardian . 2014-05-02 . 2015-08-28.
  7. News: Samoa beat Fiji to secure Four Nations spot . The Guardian . 2014-05-03 . 2015-08-28.
  8. News: City Origin scores three late tries to draw 26–26 with Country Origin in Dubbo . ABCGranstandSport . 2014-05-03 . 2015-08-28.
  9. News: Records tumble on a Magic Weekend to remember . theRFL . 2014-05-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140910200219/http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/30247/records-tumble-on-a-magic . dead . 10 September 2014 . 2015-08-28 .
  10. News: State of Origin: New South Wales wins series with 6–4 win in game II in Sydney . ABCGrandstandSport . 2014-06-19 . 2015-08-28.
  11. News: Broncos relegated after Wolves battering . SPORTAL . 2014-07-14 . 2015-08-28.
  12. News: Canada defeat Jamaica to win 4th straight Caribbean Carnival Cup . CRL . 2014-07-19 . 2015-08-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200212/http://www.canadarugbyleague.com/site/eng/news/article.php?id=10273 . 23 September 2015 . dead.
  13. News: Barrow Raiders Relegated . thebay . 2014-07-28 . 2015-08-28.
  14. News: Swinton suffer relegation . sportinglife . 2014-08-03 . 2015-08-28.
  15. News: Who Are Ya? – Rochdale Hornets . Keighley Cougars . 2014-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907101833/http://keighleycougars.com/who-are-ya-rochdale-hornets/ . usurped . 7 September 2020 . 2015-08-28.
  16. News: Canada defeat USA 52–14 to win 2014 Colonial Cup . CRL . 2014-08-10 . 2015-08-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200213/http://www.canadarugbyleague.com/site/eng/news/article.php?id=10276 . 23 September 2015 . dead.
  17. News: Match Report: North Wales Crusaders 17–20 Halifax . North Wales Crusaders . 2014-08-11 . 2015-08-28.
  18. News: Challenge Cup Final match report: Leeds Rhinos 23–10 Castleford Tigers . YORKSHIRE Evening Post . 2014-08-23 . 2015-08-28.
  19. News: Keighley Cougars relegated from Rugby League's Championship . itv NEWS . 2014-09-07 . 2015-08-28.
  20. News: Once dominant Bradford Bulls have one last hurrah before relegation . The Guardian . 2014-09-12 . 2015-08-28.
  21. News: Rabbitohs break long drought with fairytale win . nrl.com . 2014-10-05 . 2015-08-29.
  22. News: Hunslet Hawks win promotion! . SouthLeedsLife . 2014-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907152720/https://southleedslife.com/hunslet-hawks-win-promotion-2/ . dead . 7 September 2020 . 2015-08-28 .
  23. News: St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan’s Ben Flower is sent off . The Guardian . 2014-10-11 . 2015-08-30.
  24. News: Fiji Outmuscle Lebanon in Hayne Mannah Cup . PARRAMATTA EELS . 2014-10-20 . 2015-08-30.
  25. News: Scotland win rugby league European Championship . The Scotsman . 2014-11-03 . 2015-08-30.
  26. News: Kiwis down Kangaroos to clinch Four Nations . Stuff . 2014-11-15 . 2015-08-29.
  27. News: Shaun Johnson wins Golden Boot as league's best player . Stuff . 2014-12-19 . 2015-08-29.
  28. News: Mature Mata'utia braced for biggest Test . nrl.com . 2014-11-13 . 2015-08-30.