2008 Festival of World Cups

{{Infobox rugby league international tournament

| year = 2008

| title = Festival of World Cups

| image = Festival of world cups.png

| imagesize = 160px

| alt = Festival of World Cups logo

| country = Australia

| last =

| next = 2013

}}

The 2008 Festival of World Cups was a series of rugby league world cups held in Australia during 2008. The festival was staged in concurrence with the 2008 Men's Rugby League World Cup also in Australia and coincided with the centenary of rugby league celebrations in Australia.{{cite web |url=http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/05/08/festival-of-world-cups-schedule.aspx |title=Festival of World Cups Schedule |date=2008-05-08 |access-date=2008-11-02 |publisher=Rugby League International Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515062813/http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/05/08/festival-of-world-cups-schedule.aspx |archive-date=15 May 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

The festival contained world cups for Student, Police, Women, Defence and Wheelchair teams. The Universities tournament officially started the Festival in July ahead of the remaining competitions in October.{{cite web |url=http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/07/04/university-world-cup-opened.aspx |title=Universities World Cup Opened |date=2008-07-04 |access-date=2008-11-02 |publisher=Rugby League International Federation }}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Colin Love, the Rugby League World Cup 2008 Tournament Director and RLIF Chairman, stated "The festival highlights how the World Cup is embracing the Rugby League community and acknowledging its wide-ranging affiliates", adding "It’s a great opportunity to showcase the broad appeal of the game internationally".

Festival schedule

The Festival of World Cups included:

Event ! Dates ! Areas/Venues ! Winner
class="wikitable"
University	4 July - 19 July 2008	Griffith University and other Brisbane venues; Langlands Park (Final)	Australia
Men	25 October - 22 November 2008	Twelve venues across four Australian states; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	New Zealand
Police	2 November - 15 November 2008	Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	Fiji
Women	2 November - 15 November 2008	Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	New Zealand
Defence	5 November - 16 November 2008	Penrith, Townsville; Sydney Football Stadium (Final)	Great Britain
Wheelchair	7 November - 17 November 2008	Sydney metropolitan area	England

University

The seventh University Rugby League World Cup was held in July, being the first of the six world cups to be held. The previous tournament was held in 2005 and won by New Zealand. The eight countries that took part were Australia, New Zealand, England, Greece, Scotland, Wales, France and Ireland.[http://worldcup.aurl.com.au/history/2008.php 2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828134125/http://worldcup.aurl.com.au/history/2008.php |date=28 August 2008 }} @ 2008 University Student Rugby League World Cup. Australia defeated England in the final, while Greece won the plate competition.

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 19 July 2008 |

team1 = Australian Universities |

score = 26 - 16 |

team2 = England Students |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Langlands Park, Brisbane}}

Men

The thirteenth Rugby League World Cup was held throughout October and November. Ten teams took part. Defending Champions and hosts Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea all qualified automatically, while Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Ireland and Scotland all qualified through tournaments in 2006 and 2007. The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on 22 November.

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 22 November 2008 |

team1 = New Zealand |

score = 34 - 20 |

team2 = Australia |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |

attendance = |

referee= }}

Police

The inaugural International Police Rugby League World Cup was held during November alongside the Women's Rugby League World Cup at Stockland Park. [http://www.policerugbyleague.com.au/news/latest_news/qld_to_host_police_world_cup.html Qld to Host Police World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706111152/http://www.policerugbyleague.com.au/news/latest_news/qld_to_host_police_world_cup.html |date=6 July 2011 }} @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League The final was held as a curtain raiser to the first semi-final of the men's World Cup at Suncorp Stadium. AMP sponsored the event with organisers hoping would go towards the formation of an International Police Rugby League Federation.[http://www.policerugbyleague.com.au/news/latest_news/amp_sign_up_as_world_cup_sponsors.html AMP Sign up as World Cup Sponsors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013183827/http://www.policerugbyleague.com.au/news/latest_news/amp_sign_up_as_world_cup_sponsors.html |date=13 October 2009 }} @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League

width="200"\|Team !width="20"\|Pld !width="20"\|W !width="20"\|D !width="20"\|L !width="20"\|PF !width="20"\|PA !width="32"\|+/− !width="20"\|Pts
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Group stage
style="background:#cfc" \| style="text-align:left;" \| New Zealand \| 3	4	0	0	120	36	+84	8
style="background:#cfc" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Fiji \| 3	3	0	1	170	50	+120	6
style="background:#FFD" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Australia \| 3	2	0	2	80	76	+4	4
style="background:#FFD" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Great Britain \| 3	1	0	3	42	126	-84	2
style="text-align:left;" \| Papua New Guinea \| 4	0	0	4	40	164	-124	0

Source:

{{rugbyleaguebox |

event = 3rd/4th play-off |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 15 November 2008 |

team1 = Australia |

score = 22 - 2 |

report = |

team2 = Great Britain |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast |

attendance = |

referee= }}

{{rugbyleaguebox |

event = Final |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 15 November 2008 |

team1 = Fiji Police |

score = 20 - 12 |

report = |

team2 = New Zealand Police |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |

attendance = |

referee= }}

Women

The third Women's Rugby League World Cup was held at Stockland Park alongside the Police World Cup.[http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast/events/international-womens-and-police-rugby-league-world-cups/index.cfm Womens and Police Rugby League World Cup] Sunshine Coast Events Eight teams took part including defending champions New Zealand.[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/englandrl.php?id=443 England Women’s Rugby League World Cup squad announced] England RL The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on 15 November.[http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/11/13/kiwi-ferns-and-nz-police-progress.aspx Kiwi Ferns and NZ Police progress]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} RLWC08, 14 November 2008

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 15 November 2008 |

team1 = {{rlw-r|Australia}} |

score = 0 - 34 |

report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20091228102508/http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=982 Report] |

team2 = {{rlw-l|New Zealand}} |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |

attendance = |

referee= }}

Defence

The inaugural Defence Forces World Cup was held in Sydney with the final played at the Sydney Football Stadium as a curtain raiser to the second Semi Final of the Men's tournament. Five defence forces took part, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.[http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20081107-adfuidlwc.htm Anzac clash first up in Defence League world cup] @ NZDF, 7 November 2008[http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/11/14/semi-final-warm-up-games.aspx Semi Final Warm Up Games]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008

width="200"\|Team !width="20"\|Pld !width="20"\|W !width="20"\|D !width="20"\|L !width="20"\|PF !width="20"\|PA !width="32"\|+/− !width="20"\|Pts
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Group stage
style="background:#cfc" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Great Britain \| 3	4	0	0	196	68	+128	8
style="background:#cfc" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Australia \| 3	3	0	1	110	63	+47	6
style="background:#FFD" \| style="text-align:left;" \| New Zealand \| 3	2	0	2	153	80	+73	4
style="background:#FFD" \| style="text-align:left;" \| Cook Islands \| 3	1	0	3	106	128	-22	2
style="text-align:left;" \| Papua New Guinea \| 4	0	0	4	22	248	-226	0

Source:

{{rugbyleaguebox |

event = 3rd/4th play-off |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 15 November 2008 |

team1 = New Zealand |

score = 32 - 10 |

report = |

team2 = Cook Islands |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = CUA Stadium, Penrith |

attendance = |

referee= }}

{{rugbyleaguebox |

event = Final |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 16 November 2008 |

team1 = Australian Defence Forces |

score = 16 - 26 |

report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20091228101836/http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=981 Report] |

team2 = Great Britain Armed Forces |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |

attendance = |

referee= }}

Wheelchair

{{Infobox rugby league international tournament

| year = 2008

| title = Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

| image =

| imagesize = 130px

| alt =

| finalists = 4

| country = Australia

| winners =

| count =

| matches =

| attendance =

| points =

| tries =

| topscorer-flag =

| topscorer =

| top try scorer-flag=

| top try scorer =

| tournaments = Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

| last =

| next = 2013

}}

Four teams took part in the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup which was held at indoor venues in Sydney. The four teams were {{rlnt|whFrance}}, {{rlnt|whAustralia}}, {{rlnt|whEngland}} and a Barbarians scratch team which replaced {{rlnt|whNew Zealand}} who withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament.[http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/11/09/wheelchair-rugby-league-tournament.aspx Wheelchair Rugby League tournament] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112101736/http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/11/09/wheelchair-rugby-league-tournament.aspx |date=12 November 2008 }} @ RLWC08, 8 November 2008[http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/11/13/wheelchair-rlwc.aspx Weelchair RLWC]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008

=Group stage=

width="200"\|Team !width="20"\|Pld !width="20"\|W !width="20"\|D !width="20"\|L !width="20"\|PF !width="20"\|PA !width="32"\|+/− !width="20"\|Pts
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Group stage
style="text-align:left;" \|{{rlnt\|whEngland}} \| 3	3	0	0	134	48	+86	6
style="text-align:left;" \|{{rlnt\|whFrance}} \| 3	2	0	1	170	40	+130	4
style="text-align:left;" \|{{rlnt\|whAustralia}} \| 3	1	0	2	128	78	+50	2
style="text-align:left;" \|Barbarians \| 3	0	0	3	4	270	–266	0

;Results

:7 November: Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen

::England 34 – 26 Australia

::Barbarians 0 – 108 France

:10 November: Betts Stadium, Mount Druitt

::England 74 – 4 Barbarians

::Australia 14 – 44 France

:12 November: Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen

::Australia 88 – 0 Barbarians

::France 18 – 26 England

Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.rlef.eu.com/results.php?s=2008 |title=Results: 2008 |publisher=RLEF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724132857/http://www.rlef.eu.com/results.php?s=2008 |archive-date=24 July 2009}}

=Finals=

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1=Semi-finals || RD2=Final || RD2b=3rd/4th play-off

| RD1-seed1=1 || RD1-team1=England || RD1-score1=66

| RD1-seed2=4 || RD1-team2=Barbarians || RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=3 || RD1-team3=Australia || RD1-score3=22

| RD1-seed4=2 || RD1-team4=France || RD1-score4=20

| RD2-team1=England || RD2-score1=44

| RD2-team2=Australia || RD2-score2=12

| RD2b-team1=France || RD2b-score1=52

| RD2b-team2=Barbarians || RD2b-score2=0

}}

Source:

{{rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = 17 November 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.sportfocus.com/newspub/story.cfm?ID=31164|title=England Wheelchair Rugby League win the World Cup|date=17 November 2008|access-date=5 November 2022|publisher=Sport Focus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017185508/http://www.sportfocus.com/newspub/story.cfm?ID=31164|archive-date=17 October 2022}} |

team1 = {{wrl-r|England}} |

score = 44 – 12 |

report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20091228102154/http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=979 Report] |

team2 = {{wrl-l|Australia}} |

points1 = |

points2 = |

stadium = Betts Stadium, Mount Druitt, Sydney |

attendance = |

referee= }}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20080119021441/http://worldcup.aurl.com.au/ Universities World Cup official site]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071016042328/http://www.rlwc08.com/ Rugby League World Cup official site]
[http://www.rlif.org/ RLIF official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927230602/http://www.rlif.org/forums/ |date=27 September 2007 }}

Festival of World Cups

Category:Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup