South America Championship : 2024

It is good to see this series being held, presumably locally funded. Three evenly matched countries met in Argentina to decide the 2024 champion nation. If you want to watch the matches in full, then you can simply click here and then select the match you want to watch.

First up, Chile and Brazil met and Chile took a 24-12 lead into the half time break. In the second half Chile went on with the job for a handy 44-22 victory.

Then Brazil took on the hosts and with  6-4 lead to Argentina at half time, it was tight. With one quarter of the match to be played, Argentina was up 26-4 but an amazing comeback had Brazil narrowly take the win 28-26.

The hosts Argentina then played Chile and had to win well to take the title with a favourable points differential. With Chile ahead 18-4 at the turnaround it was all but impossible for Argentina to take the championship. They fought back to win 32-28 but Chile won the tournament with one win each but with a superior points difference.

Well done to the organisers of this event. 

South Africa RL : 2023/24 Season

Rugby League has been in the RSA since the 1950's but for reasons I won't go into here, things haven't worked out. It's been a history of false dawns. Will it ever be different? For a sport that generates all its income from television deals for just two professional leagues, the international game and expansion is overlooked. 

As best I can ascertain, there are two divisions, the first the Rhino Cup and the second the Prote Cup. There is also the Jans Prinsloo Competition which is a regional affair. I will see if all this can be confirmed.

As for the 2024 season, it is as below. It seems they get four points for a win and also bonus points but I don't know how they are earned. First up the league table final results from the official website which can be found by clicking here:

This led into a semi final and final scenario to the right. The Grizzlies narrowly took the title after coming second in the league. 

The regional competition was as follows:

British Colombia RL : 2015-21

2015 seems to have been the year that a consistent season by season league started. If anyone can add additional information about the history of RL in this province, please leave a comment. The 2022 season is a bit sketchy for me as well if someone can assist there too.

Six teams participated with the Capilano Cougars winning the league and doing so undefeated. The next best team, the Vancouver Dragons lost once to take second place. The Abbottsford Griffins were unable to secure a win.

The Cougars and Dragons played in the grand final with the Cougars winning that also, 30-6. 

The Vancouver Thunderbirds dropped out but the other five returned in 2016. Again, the Capilano Cougars won all four league games. In a surprise turnaround, last year's wooden spoon winners came second with just the one loss. It was the Valley Warrior's turn to go winless.

The Cougars won the final again, 48-12 over the Griffins. That was the double in both seasons so was there a dynasty in the making?

The Surrey Beavers went and in came the Kelowna Roosters. The latter took the league, winning all matches. The Valley Warriors got off the canvas and were second. The Griffins went back losing all games.

In the final, the Warriors took the final 20-0! Not bad for the team coming last a year earlier. First year Roosters had a good introductory year.

Kelowna Roosters decided one season was enough and then there were four. Each team played each other twice to make it the longest season yet. The Vancouver Dragons finally took the league title (undefeated) from the Cougars.

They also won their first grand final, 26-24 over the twice winners Cougars. 

The Abbotsford Griffins left after four years of competing, the Cougars appear to have changed their name to Coastal Cougars and the Point Grey Thunder joined the competition.

For the first time, no side went through the league undefeated. The newbies Thunder won the league on their debut season. The Cougars came second. That would usually be the final sides determined but this year semi finals were held. 

The top two from the league won their semis, the Cougars 32-22 and the Thunder 34-14 They then met in the final with the Cougars in their fourth appearance. That experience probably helped as they won their third grand final 38-28.

The five became six when the Whistler Wolves were added to the competition. The Point Grey Thunder won all five matches, the Valley Vipers just three but enough to secure second placing. All teams had at least one victory.

The Thunder went on to take out the double, with a narrow 38-34 result over the Vipers in the grand final. 

If I can find the full 2022 season, it will follow as will 2023. 

North American RL 2023

I have to say that the NA region here under consideration is huge so for teams to travel is costly and time consuming for what is an amateur sport. Regional leagues make sense but getting enough clubs playing to form a credible regional league is a challenge. I'm concerned I will find getting results to cover these various competitions difficult. 

I've been putting out articles on RL in the Americas region for some time and they can be found by clicking the Americas under Labels. I will try to cover the 2023 as best I can but if anyone can assist me please leave a comment or email me at rdc1234@gmail.com.

Pic: Jacksonville Axeman

USARL Conference (4 Teams): 

Jacksonville Axemen, Tampa Mayhem, SWFL Copperhards and the Atlanta Rhinos. It's good to see the Rhinos back but sad that the South Florida Speed are not playing this year.

RL United (4 Teams):

Boston 13's, Brooklyn Kings, DC Cavalry and the Delaware Black Foxes. Nice to have teams back in the NE playing in this new competition. The Philadelphia Flight goes back to 1998 but they have merged with the Black Foxes. 

Pacific Coast RL (6 teams):

La Bandidos, LA Mongrels San Diego Baracudas and the Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (really?) in Calfornia. In Utah there are the Herriman Roosters and the Riverton Seagulls*. There seems to be a club in Oregon but not playing games with the other four competitively. 

RLBC (6 teams): 

Coastal Cougars, Point Grey Thunder, Vancouver Dragons, Vancouver Valley Vipers, Vancouver Valley Warriors and the Whistler Wolves. I don't know anything about this West Coast Canadian conference but will do some digging.

Ontario RL (4 teams): 

Brampton Beavers, Brantford Broncos, Ontario Ospreys and Toronto City Saints. Again I will do some investigating to learn more.

I believe there is some interest in the Chicago area but nothing seems to be happening there in terms of some sort of regular competition. I will try to put out something regarding the results of the respective conferences.

*Since this article was written, the Utah area has two new sides, doubling their numbers. The new teams are the Provo Broncos and the Glendale Storm. 

USA v Canada 2022

Both missed out on the World Cup. Seeing as both countries have limited domestic competition, the standard isn't high but important that such games are played. I won't reveal the final score.

South American Cup : 2018

In the men's game, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia men played for the Regional Championship. Last year Chile was also involved but this year they had to compete for World Cup qualification in the USA so their non-attendance was understandable.

Men's South American Cup:

23rd November. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil 52-14 Colombia

The Confederação Brasileira de Rugby League won their first ever RL match in defeating the Colombia Rugby League XIII in the opening round of the Federación Latinoamericana de Rugby League. It would have helped Brazil that Colombia only had twelve players and no interchange substitutes due to delays in travel. Still, you can only play what's in front of you.

24th November. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Argentina 28-16 Colombia

Colombia had to back up one day later against an Argentina side comprised of players from the Entre Rios region.

25th November. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil 22-20 Argentina

The hosts added to their tally of one international win with another, just two days after the first one. Brazil did have a break of one day between fixtures, whereas Argentina had to play on two consecutive days. I guess the host should get a slightly better draw. It may not have made a difference.

Below is the brief history of the cup.

	LATIN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
	YEAR	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
	2017	Chile	Argentina	Colombia	Brazil
	2018	Brazil	Argentina	Colombia	-

________________________________________________________________________

In the women’s South American Cup, Brazil and Argentina played in the first full sanctioned Women’s Rugby League International to take place in Latin America. Brazil was victorious 48-0. (more on this game and the other 2018 women's matches can be seen by clicking here).

America's Championship / Colonial Cup : 2009-2017

The first ever home game for Jamaica

The American RL international tournament that was held for the fourth time in 2017 has concluded. In 2009 there were two nations but the other three were a tri-series. Unsurprisingly the USA won it for the fourth time, but what did change was Jamaica returning to second spot. Playing at home for the first time helped the Reggae Warriors no doubt but is also testament to the hard work being done there.

To review the scores, the USA won the first match played in Jacksonville 48-6. Then in Kingston Jamaica won 28-14 in their encounter with Canada. Finally the USA traveled up to Toronto and came away with the victory 36-18.

		AMERICA'S CHAMPIONSHIP*
		YEAR	1st	2nd	3rd
		2009	USA	Jamaica	-
		2010	USA	Jamaica	Canada
		2016	USA	Canada	Jamaica
		2017	USA	Jamaica	Canada
		*Formerly the Atlantic Cup

The Colonial Cup (see historical results here) is played between Canada and the USA and for this year, the America's Championship game was also for this cup as well.

		COLONIAL CUP
		YEAR	1st	2nd
		2010	USA 1	Canada 0
		2011	USA 1	Canada 0
		2012	USA 2	Canada 0
		2013	USA 3	Canada 1
		2014	Canada 1	USA 0
		2015	Canada 2	USA 1
		2016	USA 2	Canada 0
		2017	USA 1	Canada 0

Picture credit: RL Planet.

The Toronto Wolfpack

As you will have noted in the game's history, expansion has been a low to non-existent priority. It has taken initiative from new nations to improve their game, not easy when there are no finances to facilitate that. However, in Canada something interesting has taken place.

With financial and commercial backing, a proposal was put to the RFL in England to admit a team from Toronto. That was accepted but the new side has to work its way up, from the third division (confusingly named League 1). Then when in division two (the championship) they can challenge for a first division place (Super League) in a eight team playoff scenario.

Until they reach the top flight, they have agreed to provide flights and accommodation for visiting teams to Toronto as well as their own to the UK. In addition, they have a base in England for when they are over there. It is a generous proposition that the RFL had no problem rubber stamping.

As the Toronto team needed to hit the ground running, they built a team around English and Australian players with experience. The bad thing about that is twofold, firstly they have been too good for third division English sides so some lopsided scores have been registered. Secondly, their haven't been places for North American players in the games. One would hope that now combinations and success have come, some local players could be added with minimal effect on the performance.

The time spent getting the setup on and off field up to scratch, starting lower down at division three has been a good thing. It takes time to build an organisation so by the time they are in Super League, a well oiled sports club will be in place.

Crowds have been around the 8,000 mark for games in Canada which is very good. I don't expect that to change much when they get promoted but could improve once they reach the big time. Keeping the game in the public's awareness is important and Canadian media have played their part in that.

So far it has all gone well, with local Canadians showing exceptional interest in a sport that they don't know. Expats living circa Toronto from nations that play the game have also quickly got on board. The fans are loving it and the Wolfpack players have mingled with fans informally after the games. It's still early days and I'll keep you apprised from time to time.

Picture credit: Toronto Wolfpack.