Rugby league

Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby, the other being rugby union.

Competitions

Representative

The premier international competition is the Rugby League World Cup, first held in 1954. The format has changed over the years, but it is currently held every 5 years. Australia has dominated the competition, winning for the fourth time in 1975, and has defended it 5 times since then.

Related Topics:
Rugby League World Cup - 1954 - 1975

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At the beginning of each season the reigning champions of the National Rugby League of Australia and the Super League of Great Britain contest the World Club Challenge to determine the best club side in the world. The British club Leeds Rhinos currently hold this title having beaten the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Related Topics:
National Rugby League - Super League - World Club Challenge - Leeds Rhinos - Canterbury Bulldogs

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The ARL, partners of the NRL, also conducts the fiercely contested and well-attended State of Origin matches between New South Wales and Queensland which arguably overshadow international matches in terms of public interest within those states.

Related Topics:
State of Origin - New South Wales - Queensland

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Other international competitions include the Ashes (a test match series between Great Britain and Australia), the ANZAC tests between Australia and New Zealand and the Tri-Nations to name the largest. There are also many international competitions aimed at developing rugby league in Europe and the Pacific involving what are known as "Developing Nations".

Related Topics:
Ashes - ANZAC - Tri-Nations

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Club

There are two fully professional club level competitions: Super League (Europe) and the National Rugby League of Australia and New Zealand. The Super League is a 12 team competition; currently all teams are from England. In 2006 a French team, Union Treiziste Catalane of Perpignan, will enter, though the number of teams will stay at 12, with two English teams being relegated to the National Leagues at the end of the 2005 season. The National Rugby League consists of 15 teams; it will expand to 16 in 2007 with the introduction of the Gold Coast Titans.

Related Topics:
Super League (Europe) - National Rugby League - Australia - New Zealand - England - 2006 - French - Union Treiziste Catalane - Perpignan - National Leagues - 2007 - Gold Coast Titans

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The Challenge Cup is a knock-out competition for all British clubs, amateur and professional, held since 1896. In recent years the entry has been expanded to allow French and Russian teams to take part.

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Please refer to individual rugby league playing nations, for information on national, state or local level club competitions.

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