RL Internationals: Late June 2022

Three big tests down under, featuring nations welcoming a run before the World Cup later in the year. Some rivalries developing between these nations. Want to see them if you haven't already? Below a very brief comment, then a full replay. 

It's best to watch the video at YouTube which you can do by clicking the start arrow in the middle of the video, then clicking on the YouTube logo at the bottom of the picture. 

Fiji vs PNG: Prior to this game, they had played each other eleven times, PNG ahead 7-4. Rugby league is popular in Fiji despite not having a long history there but it is the national sport in PNG, with daylight second. Expected winner: PNG marginal favourites. 

NZ vs Tonga: I believe this was the seventh encounter between these nations, NZ winning five of the previous six. Tonga has become more competitive in recent times with more players who could play for other nations choosing to represent the country of their heritage. Expected winner: NZ marginal favourites. 

Samoa vs Cook Islands: They had met six times before this encounter, Samoa winning all but the last of them way back in 2009. The Cook Is have also played American Samoa twice but that's a different nation. So over a decade since they last played. Expected winner: Samoa. 

Women NZ vs Tonga: If you want to see the women's version of the one of the above men's game, well here it is. Despite the Kiwi Ferns having played a fair few tests, this was only their second meeting together. The last was way back in 2008 so this was well overdue. Expected winner: NZ.

RL Internationals: Mid June 2022

Three internationals were held last weekend with a real mixture of participants. Each has a link to a video, best watched if you click on the Youtube logo and see it there. Then you can have a larger view of the games. First click on the start button in the middle of the screen and then the Youtube logo appears if you wish to go to the site. 

Men's Wheelchair: France v England.

France is the top ranked side and they went to Manchester, England for this fixture. It was a valuable game as the World Cup is coming soon and this will be a part of that. The link below is for highlights but be warned, the action is non-stop.

Next, it was the women's international between England and france. Again a most useful fixture ahead of the World Cup. I believe England are ranked second and France seventh but England's ranking is higher than it should be. A tough match and it's a full replay.

Finally, down at Avignon in France Wales traveled to take on the local team. The conditions were very ho and Wales is in a building process whereas France has more players at the top level of the sport. Another full match coverage.

France Elite 2 Finals Series : 2022

Of the ten teams in the Elite 2, the top six progressed to the playoffs. A summary of the regular Elite 2 season can be read by clicking here. The quarter finals were played between the teams finishing third to sixth in the league, the two top sides having a bye. 

QF: Both matches went the way of the higher placed sides, the 3rd ranked Villegaihenc defeating 6th side Lescure Arthes 49-12. The 4th placed finisher Ille-sur-Têt accounted for US Entraigues 34-16.

SF: In came the top two league teams, taking on the winners of the above matches. Both games were much closer, the second ranked Baho defeating Villegaihenc 44-30 and league winner Pia just getting through 36-33 over Ille-sur-Têt.

Grand Final: The two best in the league met and a tight struggle ensued. Baho led 12-6 at half time but it finished 14-14 so extra time was required to break the deadlock. Baho missed a drop goal attempt but when Pia got their first chance, they succeeded. 

The league winner won the grand final too, but the last two games they played were close affairs. Congratulations to Pia and commiserations to a game Baho side. 

Challenge Cup 2022

The competition required nine rounds, the first one comprised of just amateur sides. In round two League One (division three) teams were added and that remained the same for the next round as well. In round four, Championship (division two) sides joined. 

When the sixth round draw was held, Super League (division one) teams came into the competition, with 16 sides taking part. Then onto the quarter finals which is where the chart below kicks in. This was the last round that games were played at one of the team's home ground. Hull KR, Huddersfield Giants, St Helens and Wigan progressing from those matches.

The semi final was a double header played at the neutral Leeds ground. The Huddersfield Giants expectedly went into the final with the Wigan Warriors defying the odds in winning the other game.  

Both finalists have a fine history of Cup appearances. Huddersfield won it three years out of four in the early 1900's and had won the cup six times in seven finals they contested by 1953. Since then they lost three finals coming into this one. 

Wigan made their first cup appearance in 1911 (which they lost) and then also missed out in their second attempt, ironically to the Giants in 1920. In all they have lost 12 finals but had won 19 coming into this encounter. They were victors for an unprecedented eight consecutive cups between 1988 and 1995. 

51,628 turned up at Tottenham's home ground in London for a double header event. The first match was for a lower division cup trophy and then the Challenge Cup itself. Huddersfield outplayed Wigan but some poor goal kicking and inability to press home their territorial advantage had Wigan snatching a late match winning try. That's a record 20 cup victories for the Warriors.