Rugby League World Magazine

For a sport that often struggles for recognition beyond its traditional domestic competitions, it is notable that teams from four different continents including Canada and Jamaica from North America, Nigeria from Africa, England, Ireland and France from Europe, plus Australia and the other Pacific nations that make up Oceania all featured in major international rugby league tournaments over the past month. So here at Rugby League World we are celebrating with an international special issue.
The headlines and plaudits belong, of course, to Australia who maintained their grip on the Ashes with another 3-0 series victory over England, where the home side were left struggling not only to score points, but to work out where they go from here if they are ever to seriously threaten the green and gold hegemony. The immediate talk may focus on the future of coach Shaun Wane, but any truly honest appraisal must admit that England’s weaknesses are structural and cannot be fixed by a shuffling of playing or coaching personnel. If only it were that simple!
Some light in the gloom for England was provided by their wheelchair heroes who travelled down under for their own Ashes series and emerged victorious, though bringing back with them warnings that Australia’s Wheelaroos are an emerging force with eyes firmly fixed on achieving success in next year’s world cup.
We hope you enjoy the range of international delights we have packed into this issue!