In Florida, rugby league's moment in the sun IT has become trite and cliched to introduce and event as “a piece of history”. B ut, like it or not, those of you here at Hodges Stadium this And so to the finalists, the US and Jamaica. afternoon will experience just that. Rugby league has had The 19,320 who saw England beat New ealand in Denver many false dawns in the Americas but in 2018 there is an this June was the biggest to ever watch the 13-a-side unmistakeable belief that the sport has taken strides here code in North America. And while the promoter ran in which will not easily be reversed. financial problems, there are a number of parties still On Tuesday we saw a Latin American country make its trying to desperately salvage the 2025 World Cup in World Cup qualification bow. Chile are a product of the North America. hard work in South America by Aussie Robert Burgin, who On Tuesday, centre Brandon Anderson scored four tries founded the Latin Heat. on debut; Toronto winger Ryan Burroughs got three. It It’s a testament to Robert’s passion and commitment that was a statement of intent from Sean Rutgerson’s side. one of the countries under the Latin Heat banner satisfied As potential hosts in 2025, it’s important they play a the necessary criteria to compete for a World Cup berth. role in 2021. Although beaten 62-0 by the United States, the Chileans And their opponents this evening, Jamaica. With Super showed they are at this level to stay - particularly in the League stars Ben Jones-Bishop and Ashton Golding on opening 10 minutes when they rattled plenty of American board, there’s a feeling rugby league’s fortunes the UK cages. could change irrevocably if they win. In the earlier game, Canada - who’ve been boosted by the “It would be a massive thing,” says Joe Brown. presence of a full-time professional team in Toronto “Honestly, I think we’d have that effect that Tonga had. Wolfpack within their borders - rued missed opportunities “Jamaica is part of the British culture now. It would be a in a 38-8 defeat to impressive Jamaica. real big, keen market that rugby league could tap into if While bitterly disappointed by the defeat, the Wolverines we get there. It could open a few more doors the rugby have improved since the last World Cup and take on Chile league maybe haven’t opened yet.” for World Rankings points in today’s early match. There you go: history either way. - STEVE MASCORD -2- Welcome to Jacksonville from the Rugby League International Federation OCTOBER and November has seen this year an increasing focus on the international element of rug by league, both on and off the field. Just last week the RLIF held its Global Operations Manager, Danny addition there are challenges on annual congress in York, England Kazandjian, who took up his new welfare, especially those players with delegates from more than 20 position in September, sees the drawn from the major professional countries engaged in discussion strategic importance of these events leagues in Australia and Europe about matters as varied as and, in particular the tournament and also the concerns of the major international calendar, governance taking place in Florida as further clubs. However, most of all we and the next World Cup. The most evidence off the importance of North recognise that the majority of well used phrase to describe the America supporters of all descriptions whole congress was “positive and "Global Conversion, the current RLIF around the world see that a viable collaborative”. strategy document, has identified the and attractive international On the field we all had the objective of cultivating more G20 programme is a requirement for the opportunity in October to follow, countries. The RLIF has a clear sport. either live or via livestream, an ambition to take the World Cup to “Putting together a compelling, amazing RLIF Emerging Nations the USA, illustrating the great appeal balanced and viable international competition featuring teams from of the region. In support of this the calendar which meets the needs Asia, Europe and Oceania as well as RLIF has announced financial and aspirations of everyone is a regional teams from all areas of those support for the Americas complex jig-saw. There are many regions plus Africa and Latin Championship." competing requirements but the America. We have witnessed a RLIF Chief Executive Officer, Nigel majority of people agree that it is European Championship won by Wood, understands the importance something to pursue as it offers France, a tour hosted by Papua New of putting together a well balanced something to our players and fans Guinea, fantastic scenes in New and attractive international calendar that is unique and can only be Zealand as Tonga fans once again saying: provided by international games. turned the stadium red with their “There are commercial challenges Good luck to all the four nations colours against Australia and one of and immense opportunities attached playing this weekend, you are a part those great traditional rugby league to our international ambitions. In of something really special." events, a three match tour to England by the Kiwis. Now we are in the United States to enjoy the next chapter of qualification for RLWC2021. On Tuesday Chile became the first South American nation to enter the World Cup as they lost to the USA and the Jamaicans took their place in the final qualifier by beating Canada. These are exciting times for International rugby league. Jamaica wear down the Wolverines JAMAICA........................38 CANADA............................8 Hodges Stadium, Tuesday JAMAICA declared they were one game two times we came. Then the North America side claimed a away from changing the face of rugby "We came here with the best squad try which was chalked off by Super league in England by qualifying for the we’ve assembled and we climbed up League referee Ben Thaler. A ball-steal on a Jamaican in his own red zone was 2021 World Cup. the rankings the last couple of years.” also over-ruled. The Reggae Warriors beat Canada 38-8 Fullback Ashton Golding added: Only then did the Jamaicans asert at Jacksonville’s Hodges Stadium on “USA’s been there a few times, their superiority. Centre Ben Jones- Tuesday night to go into the final play-off Jamaica’s been there or thereabouts. Bishop glided over on 51 minutes, for the 11th spot in the tournament - Personally I think its time we had a bit prop Lamont Bryan used a against the United States who later of the West Indies in the World Cup.” combination of power and footwork flogged new boys Chile 62-0 at the same Coleman’s side was made to work for his score and it was suddenly 26- venue. hard by a much-improved Canadian 10. “We finished the game off in a bit While rugby league is reasonably well team that suffered some unfavourable of style,” Coleman said. established on the Caribbean island, it’s in calls late in the first half when it was Wolverines coach Ben Fleming the British Jamaican community that the matching it’s more experienced rivals. commented: “It’s pretty disappointing. team believes it can unlock huge potential After prop Jonathan Magrin scored for for the sport - of the type Tonga has Jamaica in just the seventh minute, We certainly didn’t come over here to around the world. Canada hit back via winger Emil do that. “I lot of people wouldn’t know that Jamaica Borggren. “But then you realise how proud you have a rugby league team but after this Golding responded on the Reggae are. In the first half, the referee week we’re hoping very much that everyone Warriors' behalf and then came the makes a different decision and all of who plays rugby league and everyone Wolverines’ run of outs: Ash Calvert was a sudden you’re going into the involved in rugby league will know that we’re held up over the line, Rhys Jacks had a second half leading with the wind at here,” said coach Jermaine Coleman.. try denied for obstruction. your backs. "It’s going to be an historical event. Still, Christian Miller managed a Canuck “Sometimes a decision or the bounce “We came here with a job to do. Ultimately try and it was just 12-8 to the of the ball hurts you. We faded away we felt like we let ourselves down the last Jamaicans. at the end..” -4- Chile endure trial by fire - and rain RAMPANT United States gave newcomers Chile a bitter introduction to World Cup qualifying, with twinkle- toed centre Brandon Anderson posting four tries and Wolfpack winger Ryan Burroughs a hat-trick in a 62-0 pasting played mostly in pouring rain. The United States will play Jamaica on Saturday at the same venue for the 11th berth in the 2021 World Cup in England. Chile are the first Latin American country to ever progress as far as World Cup qualifiers and they gave as good as they got in a bruising opening 10 minutes before the Americans’ superior fitness and experience brought 11 tries. “It’s a fantastic experience for these fellas Up, up and away...four try Hawk Brandon Anderson. and I honestly think we’ve learned a helluva lot from that,” said philosophical Chile coach Rob Millar. UNITED STATES................62 “We’ve really lifted up the level of expertise and experience we have. CHILE................................0 “Towards the end we had one reserve so Hodges Stadium, Tuesday we had most of the guys playing 80 Anderson posted his hat-trick well inside minutes.” the hour at Bureta Faraimo’s goal-kicking After some thunderous collisions early, in appalling conditions was exemplary.