Rugby League –Contributing to New Zealand’S Future

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Rugby League –Contributing to New Zealand’S Future Rugby League –Contributing to New Zealand’s Future Report of the Independent Review Committee | February 2009 The Status of Rugby League at the Time of the Review • No shared vision for the game nationally and no meaningful Strategic Plan exists for the sport • Player numbers are declining with the greatest decline being in the 6-11 year age group • Registered player numbers in 2008 are approximately 17,000 which is very low compared to other team sports • Seven of the 15 Districts have very modest numbers, with Tasman and Otago having no teams at the time of the Review • NZRL has accumulated losses of $2.2M for the 2006 and 2007 periods and now has no cash reserves • NZRL has lost support from key funding and sponsorship partners • NZRL lost $2.0M as a result of its decision to invest in bars in the early 2000s • Four governance and capability Reviews undertaken since 2002 identified that significant changes were required but evidence suggests many of the recommendations identified were not implemented by the Board responsible at the time 30 30 • NZRL has no sustainable programmes in place to support the “grass roots” game • No sustainable national representative competition currently exists • NZRL accepts that high performance is “outsourced” to Australia, but has no effective strategies in place to mange this • The Review consultation process identified that major changes are required for the sport “to have a future” • The “Kiwis” became the World Cup champions for the first time in 2008 which demonstrates the remarkable talent and potential for the sport in New Zealand Things have to change Imagine Rugby League In Five Years Time • As a vibrant growing sport, which is renowned as a cornerstone team sport in New Zealand alongside Rugby, Cricket, Netball and Soccer. Mums and Dads of all socio- economic groups and ethnic backgrounds and their children consider Rugby League as one of their sporting options from a very young age • As a sport that has ethics/standards which the wider community (schools, sports trusts, iwi, local authorities, parents, etc) are proud to support • As a sport that plays a major role in the development and well-being of families and communities • Where player numbers have increased significantly year on year across all ages with strong active Clubs found in all areas of New Zealand • Where Kiwi kids from anywhere in New Zealand believe that they could wear the black and white “Kiwis” jersey, and understand the pathway to get there • Having a sustainable strong national competition which provides a stepping stone for some of New Zealand’s elite players on a pathway through the national competition to the NRL and “Kiwis”, plus providing a high quality competition for the next tier of New Zealand based players. • Having an effective high performance strategy which has ensured sustained excellence at the international level • Having paid capable administrators and development personnel in each of the new Zones year30 on year running well structured development programmes30 for juniors, youth and senior players, as well as for team managers, referees, and coaches • Having “locked-in” sustainable funding arrangements are in place which support the participation and high performance goals and programmes in the sport. These funding arrangements exist with a number of reputable providers (including domestic and international broadcasters, large corporate sponsors, community trusts, community groups, and local authorities) • Where NZRL is recognised as the facilitator of the significant growth of the sport, and the contribution this has made to the lives of young New Zealanders • Where the NZRL Board and senior management are held in high regard for their outstanding vision, leadership and integrity All this is possible if the sport embraces making significant changes now 1.0 Executive Summary When the great scorer comes To tally the score against your name He marks, not whether you’ve won or lost But how you’ve played the Game Rugby League (RL) is a “gladiator” game and its structure and practice has evolved from its working class roots in Northern30 England. Research has shown that while League is the30 third most important game New Zealanders want to win as a nation, it has the potential to play an even greater role in the lives of New Zealanders over the next decade. Rugby League is one of the many sport pathways supporting the development of all New Zealanders, including Maori and Pacific Island people who SPARC surveys identify as major participants in Rugby League. Effective governance of the sport will grow the sport so that it can respond to increase participation from all ethnic groups in New Zealand, including growth within the Maori and Pacific Island population, as well as Europeans. The sport will help ground, anchor and develop individuals “giving our young people a place”. Despite this importance, NZRL, the national sporting organisation (NSO) for Rugby League, has experienced difficult times over recent years. During the course of this Review, the New Zealand high performance mens team won the World Cup for the first time since the competition was established in 1954. This was a great achievement. However, despite this success the Review Committee found a sport in total disarray, with the national body having lost the confidence of its members, funders, investors and sponsors. There was no history of sustained development, performance or success within the sport, nor the capacity to fully leverage the recent World Cup success. Members openly stated that they have no trust or confidence in the governance and executive leadership of NZRL and readily shared stories of behaviours such as manipulation, retribution and “ticket-clipping”, as well as the lack of leadership and direction from the administrators of the game. The Review Committee observed that the current Board has made significant progress in starting to stabilise the position and reputation of the game and has put in place a number of important initiatives which will support the game in the future. However, the Review Committee found that fundamental structural flaws still exist which must be addressed. The current Board has set a positive platform and provided the opportunity to enable the sport to make the changes that are needed for a sustainable future for the sport. The game is plagued by the secrecy surrounding past investments in gaming related activities and bars (which resulted in an investment loss of $2M), and the PWC Governance Review carried out in 2007 which was never made public. The Review Committee has detailed these investment activities and the findings of the PWC Review in this report as it is time for the sport to understand what happened and to move on. The consultation undertaken by the Review Committee had one unanimous message “The current structure and modus operandi for the sport is not viable. The future requires defining a vision for the sport of Rugby League in New Zealand and putting in place a strong national organisation to facilitate delivering this”. The same issues were identified over and over again from people within Rugby League | Contributing to New Zealand’s Future 4 the game and outside the game. They signalled a strong mood for change and a strong desire for the Review to provide the mandate for this, and for the Rugby League community to embrace the necessary change. In the years 2006 and 2007, NZRL lost over $2M and at the time of the Review it was “cash strapped” with no cash reserves. In regard to the past decade, the lack of appropriate financial governance has led to excesses, including losses on investments and costs of trips, in particular the All Golds trip in 2007. The Review Committee found that no meaningful sustainable national game development programmes are in place, player numbers had declined from 2002-07 with possibly a small increase in 2008, the 15 District structure is breaking down from poor administration support (with several of the Districts being smaller than the average size Club in Auckland), and there was no sustainable national competition structure in place nor recognisable pathways to high performance. Numerous examples were found of the sport accepting poor standards which would not be tolerated in other sports. These influence the choices individuals, parents, families, and communities make in regard to participating in Rugby League. The examples given demonstrated the absence of a culture within the sport that respects, values and pursues excellence and high standards in all aspects of the sport. The Review Committee concluded that if major governance and structural changes are not made, the sport over time would be reduced to a localised social game and as a result could not add the potential benefit to New Zealand that has been identified. The major changes needed must be able to be “locked-in” over time. The Review Committee identified eight components that would underpin the long term success for the sport as illustrated below: SOUND CREDIBLE GOVERNANCE including robust appointment process for NZRL board and best STRONG practice processes INFRASTRUCTURE to QUALITY support the game “on SUSTAINABLE the ground” including REVENUES sustainable regional structure SOUND STANDARDS OF SUCESS OF ADMINISTRATION EXCELLENCE in everything executed NZ RUGBY including high calibre CEO by Rugby League LEAGUE and sound financial management STRONG & STRONG SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMMES NATIONAL “on the ground” to COMPETITION STRONG support the grass INTERNATIONAL roots development
Recommended publications
  • Sir Peter Leitch Club at MT SMART STADIUM, HOME of the MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS
    Sir Peter Leitch Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 21st September 2016 Newsletter #140 By David Kemeys Former Sunday Star-Times Editor, Former Editor-in-Chief Suburban Newspapers, Long Suffering Warriors Fan RIKEY DID the Vodafone Warriors get hammered at the weekend. The constant theme was that we Cneed a player clearout. That is hardly groundbreaking stuff, but what was, was that players were named. Hugh McGahan singled out Manu Vatuvei and Ben Matulino, arguing both had failed to live up their status as two of our highest paid players. The former Kiwi captain said Warriors coach Stephen Kearney could make a mark by showing the pair the door, and proving to the others that poor performances won't be tolerated. “Irrespective of his standing, Manu Vatuvei has got to go,” McGahan told Tony Veitch. “And again, irre- spective of his standing, Ben Matulino has got to go. They have underperformed. If you're going to make an impact I'd say that's probably the two players that you would look at.” Bold stuff, and fair play to the man, he told it like he saw it. Kearney, on the other hand, clearly doesn’t see it the same way, since he named both in the Kiwis train-on squad, and while he acknowledged they had struggled this year, he backed himself to get the best out of them. In fact he went further, he said it was his job. “That's my responsibility as the coach, to get the individuals in a position so they can go out and play their best.
    [Show full text]
  • Mad Butcher Club at MT SMART STADIUM, HOME of the MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS
    Sir Peter Leitch’s Mad Butcher Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Special Edition Newsletter Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Details Date: This Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February, 2015 Time: Saturday - Gates open: 11:30am - Event commences: 12:00pm - Gates close: 8:30pm Sunday - Gates open 10:00am - Event commences: 11:10am - Event ends: 8:30pm Venue: Eden Park, Mt Eden, Auckland Parking/Transport: There is no parking on-site. However complimentary public transport to and from Eden Park on special services is included with your ticket; just present your ticket upon boarding. For more info visit: www.AT.co.nz/info/events.aspx Please note there is only ONE ticket for BOTH days so please keep your ticket safe. Ensure everyone brings their ticket each day as it will be required for entry. Please also read the condi- tions of entry to Eden Park at www.edenpark.co.nz and rules of play that are in the newsletter. Buy tickets at www.ticketek.co.nz/nrlakl9s To ensure everyone has a great can be consumed on transport at No commercially bought food (e.g weekend, the organisers have any time. McDonalds, KFC, Burger King some rules of play that must be etc) may be brought into the ven- adhered to: If you have purchased tickets to ue, but you are welcome to bring the family zone, note that this is small amounts of non-commer- A liquor ban will be enforced in an alcohol free zone and no al- cially produced food for personal the neighbourhood surrounding cohol may be purchased or con- consumption.
    [Show full text]
  • Two Kiwis on Their Way out of NRL: Kiwis Coach Stephen Kearney Is Philosophical About Two Kiwis Leaving the NRL to Pick up More Money in England
    TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board FROM: Cushla Dawson DATE: 18 May 2009 RE: Media Summary Tuesday 12 April to Monday 18 May 2009 They are happy helping others: One helps out people from the other side of the world, one mentors the troubled kids at her league club, and another just looks after his mum. What the five winners of this year's Young Community Leaders Awards have in common, though, is a dedication to social work, rather than their social lives. Emma Daken, Teresa Edge, Henare Mihaere, Fofo Molia and Libby Tuite were chosen from nearly 60 nominees to receive the awards, which recognised Wellingtonians under the age of 25 working in the not-for- profit sector, either as a volunteer or in a paid position. Anzac test to stay - and it'll be in Brisbane: Despite the Kiwis' dire results in mid-year tests across the Tasman, the Anzac league test is likely to survive and remain in Brisbane because the New Zealand Rugby League cannot afford to host the game. NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden admits there are conflicting views about the test's value after New Zealand's run of eight successive defeats but has given it his backing and said the league cannot afford to scrap the game, nor host it. No sign of league World Cup cash: Six months since the World Cup final, the much-trumpeted tournament profit apparently still sits in a Rugby League International Federation bank account. New Zealand has not been told what the final profit is, or how it will be distributed and RLIF boss Colin Love couldn't be reached last night.
    [Show full text]
  • Sir Peter Leitch | Newsletter
    THE ACTION KICKS OFF THIS SATURDAY NIGHT Sir Peter Leitch Club Newsletter RLWC 2017 24th October 2017 It’s 4 days until the Kiwis play # their first game of the 2017 RLWC 193 Back The Kiwis By Enjoying Lunch By David Kemeys Former Sunday Star-Times Editor, Former Editor-in-Chief Suburban Newspapers, Long Suffering Warriors Fan E ARE only days from the kick-off of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with Australia and England W– in what will be a hell of a match - doing the honours on Friday night. Of course the Kiwis take on Samoa on Saturday night at Mt Smart, and that one should be a good game too. League legend Olsen Filipaina is taking the ball out, which is pretty cool given he has represented the Kiwis and Samoa. The game I am looking forward to is the Kiwis v Tonga in Hamilton, because there is not going to be a lot of love lost when those two sides meet, after everything that has gone on. Before a ball is kicked I have the Kiwis lunch at the Ellerslie Events Centre to look forward to on Friday. When Pete asked if I would take it on with Gordon Gibbons and Tony Feasey, I foolishly said yes, not want- ing to let Pete down. But in truth Gordon has been amazing and we have an incredible line-up of Kiwis greats taking to the stage, and players with a long history of World Cup and test glory in attendance. I have been to several of Peter’s Kiwis lunches and enjoyed every one of them.
    [Show full text]
  • Semester 1 – Term 2, 4Th May 2015 Term Two Important Dates
    Semester 1 – Term 2, 4th May 2015 Term Two Important Dates Junior Campus Senior Campus 7 May Y7 & 9 Immunisation Day 6 May Senior Soiree 6pm Drama Room 8 May Y7‐9 Cross Country Fun Run 18‐22 May Education Week 12‐14 May NAPLAN Testing 20 May Athletics Carnival 18‐22 May Education Week 20 May Athletics Carnival Next Newsletter: 25th May 2015 College Principal’s Report It’s great to be back after my term off. I’m feeling refreshed and looking forward to the rest of the year. On Tuesday I welcomed back our students who’ve been on the DE&T study trip to China. They came home looking somewhat tired after an overnight plane trip, but saying they had a great experience and have made fast friends with students from the other schools with whom they travelled. I’d like to thank Ms Atzarakis for accompanying them on the trip and being prepared to spend 6 weeks away from her family to care for our students. She tells me if was a wonderful experience and well worth it. Welcome back! Recently our college took part in an International Study of City Youth. This is a major longitudinal study of Year 10 students in cities around the world to find out more about student journeys through school into further study, work and life beyond school. The study aims to examine relationships between students, communities and schools to better understand how different approaches to learning opportunities influence student outcomes. 150 of our Year 10 students participated in the study.
    [Show full text]
  • (MHFA) Course Within the National Rugby League (NRL): Evaluation Report Jioji Ravulo University of Wollongong, [email protected]
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers Faculty of Social Sciences 2015 Delivering the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course within the National Rugby League (NRL): Evaluation Report Jioji Ravulo University of Wollongong, [email protected] Publication Details Ravulo, J. (2015). Delivering the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course within the National Rugby League (NRL): Evaluation Report. Western Sydney University. Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Delivering the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course within the National Rugby League (NRL): Evaluation Report Abstract Mental illness is a reality for many Australians. The aN tional Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, conducted in 2007 with people aged 16-85, revealed that one in five Australians, or 3.2 million people, had a 12-month mental disorder (a mental illness occurring 12 months before the survey took place) (ABS, 2007). The urs vey further revealed that 16 million Australians (45%) within this age bracket suffered with a mental illness at some point in their lives. While these findings are slowly becoming public knowledge, there is still a limited understanding amongst laypeople regarding the overt and more covert symptoms of mental illness, as well as appropriate methods of treatment and support for those that struggle with such challenges in their daily lives. Despite popular opinion, elite athletes are not exempt from these statistics. The pressures and expectations of clubs, coaches, fans and players themselves can reinforce feelings of isolation and loneliness (Storch and Ohslon, 2009), which discourage those experiencing mental illness to seek help.
    [Show full text]
  • GRAND, DADDY Thurston and the Cowboys Cap a Sensational Year for Queensland
    Official Magazine of Queensland’s Former Origin Greats MAGAZINEEDITION 26 SUMMER 2015 GRAND, DADDY Thurston and the Cowboys cap a sensational year for Queensland Picture: News Queensland A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AT this time of the year, we are Sims and Edrick Lee is what will help home on Castlemaine Street around the normally thinking of all the fanciful deliver us many more celebrations in time of the 2016 Origin series. things we want to put onto our the years to come. It was the dream of our founder, the Christmas wishlist. Not all of those guys played Origin great Dick “Tosser” Turner, that the But it is hard to imagine rugby league this year, but they all continued their FOGS would one day have their own fans in Queensland could ask for much education in the Queensland system to premises, and the fact we now have it is more than what was delivered in an ensure they will be ready when they are one of the great successes we can incredible 2015 season. called on in the next year or so. celebrate as an organisation. Our ninth State of Origin series win Planning for the future has been a While we have been very happy in 10 years, a record-breaking win huge part of Queensland’s success over during our time at Suncorp Stadium, over the Blues in Game 3, the first the past decade, and it is what will that we are now so close to moving into all-Queensland grand final between ensure more success in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • The International World of Sport and the Liability for Off-Field Indiscretions
    Bond Law Review Volume 23 | Issue 1 Article 3 2011 The nI ternational World of Sport and the Liability for Off-Field Indiscretions Chris Davies Follow this and additional works at: http://epublications.bond.edu.au/blr This Article is brought to you by the Faculty of Law at ePublications@bond. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bond Law Review by an authorized administrator of ePublications@bond. For more information, please contact Bond University's Repository Coordinator. The nI ternational World of Sport and the Liability for Off-Field Indiscretions Abstract The recent terminations of the contracts of NRL player, Joel Monaghan and the AFL’s Brendan Fevola, for off-field indiscretions, has highlighted the significance of the bringing the game into disrepute clauses contained in standard player contracts. Tiger Woods’ extra-marital affairs received extensive world wide media attention, and the outcome of this negative coverage was the loss of millions of dollars in sponsorship deals. This indicates that such contracts can be terminated on the basis that a sportsperson’s behaviour was having a negative impact on the sponsor’s image. It is for the same reason that sponsors have put pressure on the governing bodies of team sports to take appropriate action for off-field indiscretions. The Court of Arbitration in D’Arcy v Australian Olympic Committee, has also held that a competitor’s behaviour in an incident where criminal charges were laid, may, in itself be sufficient to bring a sport, or themselves, into disrepute, regardless of whether the competitor is later found guilty or innocent.
    [Show full text]
  • National Coaches Conference 2018 PROGRAM 2 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018 3 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018
    National Coaches Conference 2018 PROGRAM 2 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018 3 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018 National Coaches Conference Program NRL Welcome 4 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018 National Coaches Conference Program NRL Welcome Luke Ellis Head of Participation, Pathways & Game Development Welcome to the 2018 NRL National Coaching Conference, the largest coach development event on the calendar. In the room, there are coaches working with our youngest participants right through to our development pathways and elite level players. Each of you play an equally significant role in the development and future of the players in your care, on and off the field. Over the weekend, you will get the opportunity to hear from some remarkable people who have made a career out of Rugby League and sport in general. I urge you to listen, learn, contribute and enjoy each of the workshops. You will also have a fantastic opportunity to network and share your knowledge with coaches from across the nation and overseas. Coaches are the major influencer on long- term participation and enjoyment of every player involved in Rugby League. As a coach, it is our job to create a positive environment where the players can have fun, enjoy time with their friends, develop their skills, and become better people. Coaches at every level of the game, should be aiming to improve the CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, COMPETENCE and CONNECTIONS with our players. Remember… It’s not just what you coach… It’s HOW you coach. Enjoy the weekend, Luke Ellis 5 NRL National Coaches Conference Program 2018 National Coaches Conference Program NRL Andrew Voss Event MC Now referred to as a media veteran in rugby league circles, Andrew is a sport and news presenter, commentator, writer and author.
    [Show full text]
  • TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board FROM: Cushla Dawson
    TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board FROM: Cushla Dawson DATE: 23 February 2009 RE: Media Summary Tuesday 17 February to Monday 23 February 2009 Hewitt now heads Taranaki Rugby League Academy: A man who survived three days in the sea off the Kapiti Coast is warming to a new challenge. Waatea News reports Rob Hewitt has taken over the reins of the Taranaki Rugby League Academy. The former navy diver says sport is a way to get students thinking about their futures and to learn how to be successful on and off the field. However, he says, he was nervous at the start and "wanted out" two weeks ago. But now he's settled in. Hewitt will also continue his work as an ambassador for Water Safety New Zealand. Source: Radio New Zealand, 23 February 2009 Mannering keeps captain ambitions private: SIMON Mannering is refusing to buy into suggestions linking him to the future captaincy of the Warriors. Mannering's decision as revealed in last week's Sunday News to re-sign with the club despite the likelihood of making more money overseas, has prompted speculation that the loyal utility is a "captain in the making". His leadership potential is clear with Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney just last week heaping praise on him. Where did all the NZRL's money go?: Like any gambler, rugby league played the pokies, and at first, they got a few decent payouts. Encouraged, they hit the button one more time, and lost the lot. The unholy pairing of pubs and poker machines is the big reason rugby league found itself in such deep trouble that Sparc thumped in and demanded last week's damning Anderson Report, which called those sordid dealings a "sorry chapter" in the game's history, and declared: "This matter should now be regarded as a lesson learnt, and the sport should move on." Bennett tipped to return as Kangaroos coach after leaving Kiwis: WAYNE BENNETT'S odds of taking over as Kangaroos coach have been slashed after he stepped down yesterday from his role with New Zealand.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia and the Pacific
    AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC: THE AMBIVALENT PLACE OF PACIFIC PEOPLES WITHIN CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIA Scott William Mackay, BA (Hons), BSc July 2018 Submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Australian Indigenous Studies Program School of Culture and Communication The University of Melbourne 0000-0002-5889 – Abstract – My thesis examines the places (real and symbolic) accorded to Pacific peoples within the historical production of an Australian nation and in the imaginary of Australian nationalism. It demonstrates how these places reflect and inform the ways in which Australia engages with the Pacific region, and the extent to which Australia considers itself a part of or apart from the Pacific. While acknowledging the important historical and contemporary differences between the New Zealand and Australian contexts, I deploy theoretical concepts and methods developed within the established field of New Zealand- centred Pacific Studies to identify and analyse what is occurring in the much less studied Australian-Pacific context. In contrast to official Australian discourse, the experiences of Pacific people in Australia are differentiated from those of other migrant communities because of: first, Australia’s colonial and neo-colonial histories of control over Pacific land and people; and second, Pacific peoples' important and unique kinships with Aboriginal Australians. Crucially the thesis emphasises the significant diversity (both cultural and national) of the Pacific experience in Australia. My argument is advanced first by a historicisation of Australia’s formal engagements with Pacific people, detailing intersecting narratives of their migration to Australia and Australia’s colonial and neo- colonial engagements within the Pacific region.
    [Show full text]
  • Attention Kiwis and Samoa Fans! Catch the New Zealand Kiwis Take on Samoa on the 28Th of October at Mt Smart Stadium!
    Sir Peter Leitch Club Newsletter RLWC 2017 4th October 2017 Only 3 weeks until the first game! #190 Attention Kiwis and Samoa Fans! Catch the New Zealand Kiwis take on Samoa on the 28th of October at Mt Smart Stadium! Get your tickets now at: www.rlwc2017.com Build-Up To Rugby League World Cup Goes Into Overdrive As Squads Including The Kiwis Get Named This Week By Daniel Fraser New Zealand Media & PR Manager RLWC 2017 P TO 10 countries are set to announce their Naiqama and Daryl Millard. Another former Fiji Usquad for the Rugby League World Cup next international Joe Dakuitoga is coach of the Residents week, including host nations Australia, New Zealand team. and Papua New Guinea. Wayne Bennett’s England squad will be announced Kiwis coach David Kidwell will name his squad on on Monday, 9 October, following the Super League Thursday, October 5 in Auckland with Australian Grand Final. coach Mal Meninga to have announced his 24-man Kangaroos squad two days earlier at a press confer- Wales coach John Kear and Scotland’s Steve McCor- ence in Sydney on Tuesday, 3 October. mack are set to name their squads on Tuesday, 10 October. The announcements of the Kiwis and Kangaroos pave the way for Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, Sa- No changes will be permitted after 13 October, when moa’s Matt Parrish, Italy’s Cameron Ciraldo and the final squads for the tournament are due to be Lebanon’s Brad Fittler to name their squads as some officially announced by RLWC2017. players have dual eligibility for Australia, New Zea- The 15th instalment of the Rugby League World Cup land or England.
    [Show full text]