2008 Festival of World Cups

The Festival of World Cups was a series of rugby league World Cups held in Australia during 2008. The Festival was being staged in Australia during 2008 to coincide with their Centenary of Rugby League celebrations.[1] The centrepiece of the Festival was the men's 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[2] In addition to this tournament, there were also world cups being held for University, Police, Women, Defence and Wheelchair teams.[2]

Festival of World Cups logo

The Universities tournament officially started the Festival.[1] 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".[2]

Festival schedule

The Festival of World Cups included:

Event [2] Dates [2] Areas/Venues [2] Winner
University4 July - 19 July 2008Griffith University and other Brisbane venues; Langlands Park (Final)Australia
Men25 October - 22 November 2008Twelve venues across four Australian states; Suncorp Stadium (Final)New Zealand
Police2 November - 15 November 2008Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)Fiji
Women2 November - 15 November 2008Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)New Zealand
Defence5 November - 16 November 2008Penrith, Townsville; Sydney Football Stadium (Final)Great Britain
Wheelchair7 November - 17 November 2008Sydney metropolitan areaEngland

University
Further information: Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup

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.[3] Australia defeated England in the final, while Greece won the plate competition.

19 July 2008
Australian Universities 26 - 16 England Students
2008 Tertiary Student World Cup

Australia
Fourth Title

Men
Further information: 2008 Rugby League World Cup

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.

22 November 2008
New Zealand 34 - 20 Australia
2008 Men's World Cup

New Zealand
First Title

Police

The inaugural International Police Rugby League World Cup was held during November alongside the Women's Rugby League World Cup at Stockland Park. [4] 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.[5]

15 November 2008
Fiji Police 20 - 12 New Zealand Police
2008 International Police World Cup

Fiji
First Title

Women
Further information: 2008 Women's Rugby League World Cup

The third Women's Rugby League World Cup was held at Stockland Park alongside the Police World Cup.[6] Eight teams took part including defending champions New Zealand.[7] The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on 15 November.[8]

15 November 2008
Australia 0 - 34 New Zealand
2008 Women's World Cup

New Zealand
Third Title

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.[9][10]

16 November 2008
Australian Defence Forces 16 - 26 Great Britain Armed Forces
2008 Defence Forces World Cup

Great Britain
First Title

Wheelchair
Further information: Wheelchair rugby league

Four teams took part in the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup which was held at indoor venues in Sydney. The four teams were France, Australia, England and a Barbarians V. New Zealand withdrew from the tournament.[11][12]

22 November 2008
England 44 - 12 Australia
Betts Stadium, Mt Druitt, Sydney
2008 Wheelchair World Cup

England
First Title

References
  1. "Universities World Cup Opened". Rugby League International Federation. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  2. "Festival of World Cups Schedule". Rugby League International Federation. 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  3. 2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup Archived 28 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine @ 2008 University Student Rugby League World Cup.
  4. Qld to Host Police World Cup Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League
  5. AMP Sign up as World Cup Sponsors Archived 13 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League
  6. Womens and Police Rugby League World Cup Sunshine Coast Events
  7. England Women’s Rugby League World Cup squad announced England RL
  8. Kiwi Ferns and NZ Police progress RLWC08, 14 November 2008
  9. Anzac clash first up in Defence League world cup @ NZDF, 7 November 2008
  10. Semi Final Warm Up Games @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008
  11. Wheelchair Rugby League tournament Archived 12 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine @ RLWC08, 8 November 2008
  12. Weelchair RLWC @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008
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