Golden Points - Wednesday 16 June 2021

Welcome to the latest edition of “Golden Points”, your place for recent, bite sized rugby league news from around the globe, proudly brought to you by Minas Coffee.

Philippines Tamaraws vs Brazil Caracas

International rugby league fans enjoyed a vibrant event hosted by the Coogee Dolphines at Kensington Oval, Sydney last Sunday 13^th of June.

The Filipino side made a triumphant return against an inform Caracas side with a physical 40 to 8 affair.

But to steal an old clique, “Rugby League was the winner” and in particular International Rugby League,  with traditional food stands, cultural entertainment, merchandise from Chasing Kangaroos, and a guest appearance from the Kaiviti Silktails, highlighting the unique atmosphere this version of our game can provide. 

Read the match review from Everything Rugby League here; https://everythingrugbyleague.com/philippines-return-to-international-rugby-league-with-a-bang/ and watch our vlog from the day here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C38YDYXxe0

Lebanon Vs Malta

Of the back of the Tamaraws vs Caracas event, international rugby league fans in Sydney are calling for MORE! And they will get it on Saturday 26th June at Belmore Sports Ground.

The festival of rugby league will include a three way battle when Malta, Lebanon and Fiji women’s squads play in 3 x 40 minutes halves.

In the main event, The Lebanon Cedars will take on the Malta Knights for the first time since 2015 where the Cedars were 34-16 winners.

Czechia

Over to Europe, where the Czech Republic domestic rugby league season kicked off on 12 June with Division 1 newcomers RLC Dragons Krupka hosting fan favorites, Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels. The home team taking the honors 36-0.

In other news for the Czech’s, a squad of 33 junior players are in training for an under 20’s tri-series in July where they will face Serbia and Ukraine.

Celtic Cup

Wales have retained the Wheelchair Celtic Cup for the fifth consecutive seasons since the competition’s inception in 2016.

The dominant display from the Welsh puts their side on target to achieve at least a semi final finish at the 2021 World Cup.

Match 1 - Scotland 32 Ireland 52

Match 2 - Wales 96 Ireland 16

Match 3 - Scotland 18 Wales 102

France

Lezignan have defeated their neighbours Saint-Esteve Catalan and will now face the competition favourites Carcassonne in the Grand Final at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse next Sunday June 20 at 3.00pm local time.

Australia

Congratulations to Boyd Cordner on an incredible career including 20 test caps for the Kangaroos. We will remember the Aussie captain most as the only try scorer in the 2017 World Cup Final devasting England.   

PNG

The PNG Digicel Cup continue over the weekend. Here are the results from the land of rugby league lovers;

Mt Hagen Eagles 10 - 11 Hela Wigmen
Goroka Lahanis 20 - 34 Central Dabaris
Rabaul Gurias 22 - 22 Kimbe Cutters
Port Moresby Vipers 25 - 24 Enga Mioks
Mendi Muruks 34 - 28 Gulf Isou
Lae Tigers 26 - 14 Waghi Tumbe

Greece

Syncharitiria! South Sydney Rabbitohs young gun Peter Mamatzulis made his first grade debut last weekend. The number 9 becomes the second Greek rep (along side Billy Magoulias) to play in NRL this season.

NRLW

The NRL announced a 6 team compeititon for the NRLW 2021 recently. The Parramata Eels, Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans will join champions The Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons.

New Zealand Warriors drop out due to travel concerns, but we hope to see the kiwi ladies again in 2022 (along with an eighth club).

ROYAL REBRAND

Our friends at the Queen City Royals have rebranded to the Carolina Lightning. Expect to see the club building a mens and women’s squad in the USA soon. They have been working hard quietly in the background and have a bright future in our opinion.