2017 Rugby League World Cup Explained

Year:2017
Rugby League World Cup
Finalists:14
Country:Australia
Country2:New Zealand
Country3:Papua New Guinea
Winners:Australia
Count:11
Matches:28
Attendance:382080
Points:1264
Tries:230
Topscorer-Flag:Australia
Topscorer:Cameron Smith (50)
Top Try Scorer-Flag:Australia
Top Try Scorer:Valentine Holmes (12)
Tournaments:Rugby League World Cup
Last:2013
Next:2021

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.

Host selection

See also: Rugby League World Cup hosts. 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]

Teams

Qualification

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying. 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.

TeamCaptainCoachPrevious
Previous best resultQualification
method
World
Ranking
Cameron Smith Mal Meninga14Champions Co-hosts1
Wayne Bennett5Runners-up (1975, 1995)Automatic3
Kevin Naiqama Mick Potter4Semi-finals (2008, 2013)Automatic7
Théo Fages Aurélien Cologni14Runners-up (1954, 1968)Automatic6
Liam Finn Mark Aston3Quarter-finals (2000, 2008)Europe 28
Mark Minichiello Cameron Ciraldo1Group stage (2013)Europe play-off12
Robbie Farah Brad Fittler1Group stage (2000)Middle East-Africa play-off18
Adam Blair David Kidwell14Champions (2008)Co-hosts2
David Mead Michael Marum6Quarter-finals (2000)Co-hosts16
Frank Pritchard Matt Parish4Quarter-finals (2000, 2013)Automatic5
Danny Brough Steve McCormack3Quarter-finals (2013)Automatic4
Sika Manu Kristian Woolf4Group stage (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)Asia-Pacific play-off11
Mark Offerdahl Brian McDermott1Quarter-finals (2013)Americas play-off10
Craig Kopczak John Kear4Semi-finals (1995, 2000)Europe 19

Draw

The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016[11] 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.

width=25%Group Awidth=25%Group Bwidth=25%Group Cwidth=25%Group D










Squads

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup squads. Each team submitted a squad of twenty-four players for the tournament, the same as the 2013 tournament.

Venues

See main article: Rugby League World Cup venues. It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches.[12] The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented to the RLIF in September 2015, requesting to host three matches.[13] In October 2015 it was confirmed that Papua New Guinea would host three matches in the group stage.[14]

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne hosted the opening game between Australia and England included an Aboriginal selection and a New Zealand Mãori side. and while Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane hosted the World Cup final.[15]

Australia

BrisbaneSydneyMelbourneTownsville
Brisbane StadiumSydney Football StadiumMelbourne Rectangular StadiumTownsville Stadium
Capacity: 52,500Capacity: 45,500Capacity: 30,050Capacity: 26,500
CanberraPerthCairnsDarwin
Canberra StadiumPerth Rectangular StadiumBarlow ParkDarwin Stadium
Capacity: 25,011Capacity: 20,500Capacity: 18,000Capacity: 12,000

New Zealand

WellingtonAuckland
Wellington Regional StadiumMount Smart Stadium
Capacity: 34,500Capacity: 30,000
HamiltonChristchurch
Waikato Stadium[16] Christchurch Stadium
Capacity: 25,800Capacity: 18,000

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby
National Football Stadium
Capacity: 14,800

Officiating

The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.[17]

Group stage

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 Group A and B, and the winners of Group C and D 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.[15]

Group A

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A. --------

Group B

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B.

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Group C

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C.

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Group D

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D.

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Inter-group matches

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches.

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Knockout stage

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup 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.[18] 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.[19]

Quarter-finals

Australia vs Samoa

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Tonga vs Lebanon

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New Zealand vs Fiji

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England vs Papua New Guinea

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Semi-finals

Australia vs Fiji

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Tonga vs England

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Final: Australia vs England

See main article: 2017 Rugby League World Cup final.

Statistics

Top try scorers

12 tries
9 tries
7 tries
5 tries
4 tries
3 tries
2 tries
1 try

Top point scorers

PlayerTeamTotalDetails
Cameron Smith6500250
Valentine Holmes6481200
Shaun Johnson4442180
Gareth Widdop6412161
Rhyse Martin4402160
Suliasi Vunivalu538910
Taane Milne532480
Sio Siua Taukeiaho4320160
Liam Finn3281120
Apisai Koroisau5280140
Jermaine McGillvary628700
Josh Mantellato3282100

Final standings

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.[20]

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.[21] 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 Union World Cup, mentioning that Rugby Union World Cup organisers engaged with community groups 18 months beforehand, whereas this tournament was "scrambled around".[22]

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.[23]

There was criticism on how Samoa and Lebanon qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup, while Ireland missed out. Samoa played in Pool B where three sides qualify for the finals and only one misses out. Samoa lost to both New Zealand and Tonga, and drew with Scotland. Lebanon was in Pool A which had the same format as Pool B. Lebanon lost to both Australia and England and beat France. Ireland played in Pool C where there are only three teams and the winner is the only team that goes to the finals. Ireland beat both Italy and Wales and only just lost to Papua New Guinea and didn't qualify for the finals. Irish captain Liam Finn, said "I don't know if it's unfair, it probably makes sense, but to me: try and explain that to someone who's not rugby league,", "That's how we judge it. I tell someone 'we didn't go through, we won two games; someone got through by drawing one," and "That's where we should be focused: how do we attract new fans when that's how you're explaining the game to them?" in the press conference after his team's victory over Wales.[24]

Broadcasting

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.[25]

Country or regionBroadcasterBroadcasting
Seven NetworkAll 28 matches live (via Channel 7, 7mate, or streamed from the 7Live app)[26]


ProSieben Maxx
ran.de
6 matches live (ProSieben Maxx)
All 28 matches live streamed (ran.de)
[27]
Sportdeutschland.TVAll 28 matches live streamed
Fiji OneAll 28 matches live[28]
beIN SportsAll 28 matches live[29]
Hong KongPCCWAll 28 matches live[30]
eir SportsAll 28 matches live[31]
DAZNAll 28 matches live
MalaysiaAstroAll 28 matches live
Middle EastOSN SportsAll 28 matches live
Sky SportAll 28 matches live[32]
EM TVAll 28 matches live[33]
BBC SportAll England matches live; Ireland, Wales and Scotland matches delayed; highlights from all 28 matches[34]
Premier Sports27 matches Live (Delayed coverage of NZ vs Tonga due to football match)[35]
Fox SportsAll USA matches and knockout matches live

Notes and References

  1. News: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Overview . RUGBY LEAGUE PLANET . 27 September 2015.
  2. Web site: NZ prepares bid to co-host 2017 World Cup . Kilgallon, Steve . 1 August 2010 . . 15 September 2011.
  3. News: Australia, NZ to host 2017 World Cup . nrl.com . 27 September 2015.
  4. News: South Africa to face joint bid from Australia and New Zealand to host 2017 Rugby League World Cup . insidethegames.biz . 21 October 2012 . 27 September 2015.
  5. http://www.3news.co.nz/Australia-NZ-Rugby-League-World-Cup-bid-progresses/tabid/415/articleID/318035/Default.aspx Australia-NZ Rugby League World Cup bid progresses
  6. News: South Africa's shock bid to host World Cup . dailytelegraph.com.au . 22 October 2013 . 6 July 2015.
  7. News: Australia and New Zealand unite to stage RLWC2017 . rlif.com . 19 February 2014 . 27 September 2015.
  8. News: Michael Brown resignation . NRL . 22 July 2016 . 24 July 2016.
  9. News: Andrew Hill appointed CEO Rugby League World Cup 2017 . NRL . 10 August 2016 . 12 August 2016.
  10. Web site: Qualification details for 2017. 3 August 2014. The RFL. 5 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054645/http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/30809/qualification-details-for-2017-rlwc. 8 August 2014. dead.
  11. News: Venues for 2017 Rugby League World Cup to be announced at official launch on July 19 . inside the games . 16 June 2016 . 17 June 2016.
  12. News: Papua New Guinea may host 2017 rugby league world cup matches . The Sydney Morning Herald . 11 October 2014 . 27 September 2015.
  13. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/png-prime-minister-peter-oneill-keen-to-host-rugby-league-world-cup-matches-20150927-gjvs2q.html PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill keen to host Rugby League World Cup matches
  14. Web site: Papua New Guinea to co-host Rugby League World Cup in 2017 . . 8 October 2015 . . . 8 October 2015.
  15. News: Rugby League World Cup 2017 draw: Every game, every venue . The Courier Mail . 19 June 2016 . 19 June 2016.
  16. News: Hamilton to make history by hosting first ever rugby league tests in 2017 World Cup. 19 July 2016. 20 July 2016. stuff.
  17. Web site: 9 October 2017. RLWC2017 Match Officials Announced. RLWC2017.com. 9 October 2017.
  18. Web site: Statement from the RLIF Board meeting – March 28th 2017 . Rlif.com . 2017-11-08 . 2017-11-17.
  19. Web site: RLWC2017 announces quarter-finals draw | Rugby League World Cup . Rlwc2017.com . 2016-10-27 . 2017-11-17.
  20. News: Sydney Snubbed at Rugby League World Cup . TRIPLE M . 19 June 2016 . 20 June 2016.
  21. News: Tonga vs Samoa: Security beefed up at rugby league match after street brawls . nzherald.co.nz . 3 November 2017 . 3 November 2017.
  22. News: Watch: 'Poorly organised' – Tongan Advisory Council member slams lack of foresight at Rugby League World Cup . tvnz.co.nz . 3 November 2017 . 3 November 2017.
  23. News: RLWC 2017: Three Scotland players including captain Danny Brough sent home from World Cup . foxsports.com.au . 5 November 2017 . 5 November 2017.
  24. Web site: Mascord. Steve. 2017-11-12. Rugby League World Cup: Ireland miss quarters while winless Samoa go through. 2020-10-09. The Sydney Morning Herald. en.
  25. Web site: Seven named as broadcaster for 2017 Rugby League World Cup – Mumbrella. 18 July 2016.
  26. Web site: Eoin Connolly . Channel Seven wins Rugby League World Cup TV rights . Sportspromedia.com . 8 April 2016. 6 June 2016.
  27. Web site: ran Rugby. 10 October 2017.
  28. Web site: Fiji TV secures RLWC rights. rlwc2017.com. 14 March 2017. 7 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170931/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=392796. 7 October 2017. dead.
  29. Web site: COUPE DU MONDE DE RUGBY XIII. beinsports.com . 4 November 2017.
  30. Web site: BROADCAST. rlwc2017.com . 4 November 2017.
  31. Web site: When is Rugby League World Cup on TV next? – TV Guide UK TV Listings. TV Guide. TVGuide.co.uk.
  32. Web site: SKY SPORT OFFICIAL BROADCASTER – NZ . rlwc2017.com . 10 March 2017. 11 March 2017.
  33. Web site: EM TV secures broadcasting rights . rlwc2017.com . 10 March 2017. 11 March 2017.
  34. Web site: Rugby League World Cup 2017: BBC TV, radio & online coverage. bbc.com . 2 November 2017. 4 November 2017.
  35. Web site: Rugby League World Cup 2017: results, fixtures, odds and how to watch on TV. theweek.co.uk . 3 November 2017. 4 November 2017.