Talking Footy

Current RLIF full-member test nationsNation 1st Playing Year RLIF Rank
Australia 1908 1
Cook Islands 1988 16
England * 1904 3
Fiji 1992 7
France 1934 5
Ireland * 1989 11
New Zealand 1908 2
Papua New Guinea 1975 4
Russia 1991 17
Samoa 1988 8
Scotland * 1996 10
Tonga 1988 9
Wales * 1908 6

* At the beginning of the 2008 international season Great Britain was split to form/reform England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on a permanent basis as stand alone nations. All were granted full-membership into the top tier.

[edit] Current RLIF second-tier member nationsIncluded are nations which compete in major international tournaments, such as the European, Mediterranean and Pacific Cups or in World Cup qualifiers:

Nation 1st Playing Year RLIF Rank
Belgium 2006 27
Canada 1987 25
Catalonia 2006 n/a
Czech Republic 2006 22
Denmark 2009 28
Estonia 2005 n/a
Germany 2004 18
Greece 2003 n/a
Italy 1960 14
Jamaica 2004 24
Japan 1998 n/a
Latvia 2008 19
Lebanon 1998 15
Malta 2004 23
Morocco 1995 29
Niue 1992 n/a
Norway 2006 20
Portugal 2005 n/a
Serbia 2003 16
Sweden 2009 26
Tokelau 1988 n/a
Ukraine 2009 21
United Arab Emirates 2009 n/a
United States 1953 13
[edit] Current RLIF affiliatesIncludes nations that are currently officially recognized as affiliates of the RLIF, but do not yet currently compete in major international tournaments or World Cup qualifiers:

Nation 1st Playing Year RLIF Rank
Cuba 2009 n/a
Hawaii 2009 n/a
Hungary 2007 n/a
Mexico 2003 n/a
Pakistan 2009 n/a
Panama 2009 n/a
Saudi Arabia 2009 n/a
Solomon Islands 2004 n/a
[edit] Other nations with rugby league presence Palestine
Qatar
Poland

"Among the Victorian-born players to play in the NRL have included:

Jake Webster: (Melbourne Storm, Gold Coast Titans & Hull KR) [36]

Timana Tahu: (Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels & NSW Waratahs).[37][38]

Craig Polla-Mounter: (Canterbury).[39]

Peter Wallace (Penrith Panthers & Brisbane Broncos)"

Thanks for the list Pussy

Jake Webster (Qlder) :He spent the early years of his life in Moonee Ponds before moving to Brisbane with his father. He began his rugby league career as an eight-year-old with the Valleys rugby league club
Timana Tahu (NSW) He grew up in St Kilda before moving with his mother to Bourke in western New South Wales at the age of 12. I guess he could qualify
Craig Polla-Mounter (Qld) Polla-Mounter attended Ipswich Grammar School in Queensland
Peter Wallace (NSW) Wallace was born in Melbourne and moved to Blaxland, New South Wales as a baby

All were born in Melbourne but grew up in NSW/Qld. We need to develop some of our own RL champions in Victoria.

I think Corey Paterson (WA) might qualify but he has now signed a deal with super league.

piesman2011 wrote:

Thanks for the list Pussy

Jake Webster (Qlder) :He spent the early years of his life in Moonee Ponds before moving to Brisbane with his father. He began his rugby league career as an eight-year-old with the Valleys rugby league club
Timana Tahu (NSW) He grew up in St Kilda before moving with his mother to Bourke in western New South Wales at the age of 12. I guess he could qualify
Craig Polla-Mounter (Qld) Polla-Mounter attended Ipswich Grammar School in Queensland
Peter Wallace (NSW) Wallace was born in Melbourne and moved to Blaxland, New South Wales as a baby

All were born in Melbourne but grew up in NSW/Qld. We need to develop some of our own RL champions in Victoria.

That site also said Melbourne won the S.Ball cup, a few years ago, and the majority of the team were from Melbourne.

Still looking for NRL talent from WA, SA, Vic and Tas. So far I have one guy who was raised in the AFL heartland. Corey Paterson (WA) and he is going to leave the NRL next year. Surely if you want to have a team in Melbourne and Perth you need to get more local talent then this. Am I wrong? Is there more talent out there? There has to be.