The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested.
It was scheduled for 2008 (as part of the 150th year celebrations of Australian Football), with 16 nations competing.
The tournament was hosted by both Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia between 27 August and 6 September, with a single match additionally played in Geelong.AFL International Cup goes to Warrnambool
Like previous tournaments, the competition was open to men's teams with strict nationality eligibility rules.
The Grand Final was played between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea were victorious by 8 points with a goal kicked after the siren. Like the Grand Final in previous years, the match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a curtain raiser to the 2008 AFL Second qualifying Final which attracted a crowd of 76,703 spectators. However unlike previous tournaments, the final was not televised.
History and build up The WAFL and Perth, Western Australia raised the possibility of bidding for the tournament soon after the 2005 cup had been completed,World Cup For Perth. 28 August Digby Beacham, Sunday Times, Perth however the AFL has confirmed that the cup will once again be held in Melbourne for at least for one more year, as the 2008 Cup will coincide with Australian Rules football's 150th anniversary. The AFL later indicated that a regional round and semi-finals would be held in Warrnambool.
The AFL indicated that unlike earlier cups, it would likely be split into two divisions, a premier division and development division, with some discussion as to whether the eligibility rules could be loosened for the development division, to enable more countries to participate. Leagues were given the opportunity to nominate which they would prefer, with eight in each division being an initial target.Cup dates proposed as AFL ponders divisions Ultimately, this idea was dropped, with the sixteen teams being seeded into four pools.
In December 2007, it was announced that Melbourne and Warrnambool would co-host the two division event, with Melbourne matches to be played mainly in Royal Park North. Several potential new sides were announced by the AFL, including an Israeli-Palestine combination supported by the Peres Centre for Peace, China and India.Warrnambool to co-host 2008 International Cup
The USA Women's team announced an intention to send a squad to play against Australia and possibly Papua New Guinea. Additionally Canada and England announced their intentions to send Under 17s squads.Plenty of issues to consider for Cup organisers As a result, there was speculation over an inaugural women's and under 17 divisions. However the AFL denied these divisions in favour of a senior men's competition only. In response, and with the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament being cancelled, British and Canadian junior teams had to organise their own tours and matches against Australian schools. Despite both international teams being in Australia at the same time, they did not play against each other.Wolfpack hunt in big numbers from worldfootynews.com The US women's team announced a 2009 tour instead.
Competing nations The AFL confirmed in July 2008 that sixteen nations will compete.World Footy News – 16 teams to contest IC08, a dozen more in the wings In addition, there will be friendly matches played between Melbourne-based migrant community teams under the names "Team Africa" and "Team Asia", as well as the Tongan side which was unable to commit to the full tournament. Also despite a previous appearance, the Spain Bulls will not be competing.
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D New Zealand Falcons Samoa Kangaroos Japan Samurais India Tigers Papua New Guinea Mosquitos Great Britain Bulldogs Nauru Chiefs Peres Team for Peace United States Revolution South Africa Lions Denmark Vikings China Red Demons Ireland Warriors Canada Northwind Sweden Elks Finland Icebreakers
Games
Round 1 Team Score Team Score Ground Date Ireland Warriors 12.12 (84) Sweden Elks 1.0 (6)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM New Zealand Falcons 13.13 (91) Japan Samurais 0.2 (2)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM Canada Northwind 18.22 (130) Finland Icebreakers 0.0 (0)Western OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM Samoa Kangaroos 16.20 (116) India Tigers 1.0 (6) McAlister Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM Great Britain Bulldogs 20.15 (135) Peres Team for Peace 1.2 (8) Ransford Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM United States Revolution 11.6 (72) Denmark Vikings 1.4 (10) Western Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM South Africa Lions 20.26 (146) China Red Demons 0.0 (0) McAlister Oval Wednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM Papua New Guinea Mosquitos10.9 (69) Nauru Chiefs 3.2 (20) Ransford Oval Wednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM
Round 2 Team Score Team Score Ground Date New Zealand Falcons 35.19 (229) India Tigers 0.0 (0) Western Oval Friday, 29 August 11:00 AM Ireland Warriors 13.20 (98) Finland Icebreakers 0.0 (0)McAlister OvalFriday, 29 August 11:00 AM United States Revolution 16.18 (114) China Red Demons 0.0 (0)Ransford OvalFriday, 29 August 11:00 AM Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 20.20 (140) Peres Team for Peace 1.1 (7) McAlister Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM Samoa Kangaroos 4.7 (31) Japan Samurais 8.7 (55) Ransford Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM Great Britain Bulldogs 2.6 (18) Nauru Chiefs 10.5 (65) Western Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM Canada Northwind 16.12 (108) Sweden Elks 1.1 (7) Ransford Oval Friday, 29 August 3:00 PM South Africa Lions 9.11 (65) Denmark Vikings 3.2 (20) West Kardinia Oval Saturday, 30 August 12:00 PM
Round 3 Team Score Team Score Ground Date Ireland Warriors4.6 (30) Canada Northwind 2.2 (14)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM Sweden Elks 6.7 (43) Finland Icebreakers 2.2 (14) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 11:00 AM New Zealand Falcons 10.11 (71) Samoa Kangaroos 1.2 (8) Walter Oval Monday, 1 September 11:00 AM Japan Samurais 15.16 (106) India Tigers 0.0 (0) Mack Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM United States Revolution 5.6 (36) South Africa Lions 8.10 (58) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 7.9 (51) Great Britain Bulldogs 3.2 (20) Walter Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM Denmark Vikings 17.20 (122) China Red Demons 0.0 (0) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 3:00 PM Nauru Chiefs 28.9 (177) Peres Team for Peace 1.1 (7) Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 3:00 PM
Group Results After Rounds
Pool A Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points 1 New Zealand Falcons 3 3 0 0 391 10 3910.00 12 2 Japan Samurais 3 2 1 0 163 112 145.53 8 3 Samoa Kangaroos 3 1 2 0 155 133 113.13 4 4 India Tigers 3 0 3 0 6 451 1.33 0
Pool B Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points 1 Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 3 3 0 0 260 47 553.19 12 2 Nauru Chiefs 3 2 1 0 262 94 278.72 8 3 Great Britain Bulldogs 3 1 2 0 173 124 139.51 4 4 Peres Team for Peace 3 0 3 0 22 452 4.86 0
Pool C Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points 1 South Africa Lions 3 3 0 0 269 56 480.35 12 2 United States Revolution 3 2 1 0 222 68 326.47 8 3 Denmark Vikings 3 1 2 0 152 137 110.94 4 4 China Red Demons 3 0 3 0 0 382 0.00 0
Pool D Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points 1 Ireland Warriors 3 3 0 0 212 20 1060.00 12 2 Canada Northwind 3 2 1 0 252 37 681.08 8 3 Sweden Elks 3 1 2 0 56 206 27.18 4 4 Finland Icebreakers 3 0 3 0 14 271 5.16 0
Finals
Finals Round 1 Team Score Team Score Ground Date Samoa Kangaroos 7.8 (50) Sweden Elks 4.2 (26) Mack Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM India Tigers4.4 (28) Finland Icebreakers 8.4 (52) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM Nauru Chiefs7.3 (45) United States Revolution3.5 (23) Walter Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM Peres Team for Peace5.7 (37) China Red Demons4.4 (28) Mack Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM Great Britain Bulldogs5.4 (34) Denmark Vikings4.3 (27) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM Japan Samurais 0.3 (3) Canada Northwind7.7 (49) Walter Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM New Zealand Falcons 8.9 (57) Ireland Warriors2.3 (15) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 5:30 PM Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 9.8 (63) South Africa Lions2.3 (15) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 7:30 PM
Finals Round 2 Team Score Team Score Ground Date Playoff for 13th and 14th Finland Icebreakers 2.2 (14) Peres Team for Peace 14.5 (89) Western Oval Friday, 5 September 10:00 AM Playoff for 9th and 10th Great Britain Bulldogs 8.9 (57) Samoa Kangaroos 1.11 (17) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 10:00 AM Playoff for 5th and 6th Nauru Chiefs 12.8 (80) Canada Northwind 7.7 (49) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 10:15 AM Playoff for 11th and 12th Sweden Elks 0.2 (2) Denmark Vikings 14.19 (103) Western Oval Friday, 5 September 11:45 AM Playoff for 7th and 8th United States Revolution 14.13 (97) Japan Samurais 2.4 (16) McAlister Oval Friday, 5 September 11:45 AM Playoff for 3rd and 4th Ireland Warriors 5.2 (32) South Africa Lions 4.9 (33) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 12:00 PM Playoff for 15th and 16th India Tigers 6.6 (42) China Red Demons 7.14 (56) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 1:45 PM Grand Final New Zealand Falcons 7.4 (46) Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 7.12 (54) Melbourne Cricket Ground Friday, 5 September 5:30 PM
Knockout-Chart (Final 4)
Individual awards
World Team The world team was selected based on player performance in the pool rounds only. India, China, the Peace Team and Finland all missed representation in the team.
Player Nation Club Position Donald Barry Papua New Guinea Gulf Half back flank Joe Lla Papua New Guinea Central Ruck rover Overa Gibson Papua New Guinea Gulf Centre half forward Stanis Susuve Papua New Guinea Gulf Interchange Richard Bradley New Zealand Eastern Blues Full-forward Andrew Crighton New Zealand North Shore Tigers Fullback Andrew Congalton New Zealand Takapuna Eagles Interchange Mike Finn Ireland Heidelberg Tigers/Caulfield Bears (VIC) Centre half back Ian O'Sullivan Ireland Leeside Lions Forward pocket Cian Quigley Ireland Leeside Lions Interchange Julian Horn South Africa North West Province Back pocket Thabiso Phakedi South Africa North West Province Back pocket Scott Fleming Canada Vancouver Cougars Forward pocket Emmanuel Mattata Canada Etibicoke Kangaroos Ruck Agir Amwano Nauru Tigers Centre Torio Mwareow Nauru Navarre Football Club Half-forward flank Aiden Dillane Great Britain Putney Magpies Half-forward flank Luke Matias Great Britain Caulfield (SFL, VIC)/Nottingham Interchange Páll Tómas Finnsson Denmark Jylland Wing Jen Djernes Denmark Jylland Interchange Chris Candelaria United States Denver Bulldogs Interchange Michito Sakaki Japan Waseda University Rover Fia Tootoo Samoa Moorabbin Kangaroos Half back flank Andreas Svensson Sweden Landskrona Bulldozers Wing
Tournament Best & Fairest winners Player Nation Club Mike Finn Ireland Heidelberg Football Club
Gallery
See also Countries playing Australian rules football Geography of Australian rules football AFL Women's National Championship
References
External links Official 2008 International Cup Homepage http://www.aussierulesinternational.com Long term view to IC2008 – part one article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results Long term view to IC2008 – part two article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results World Footy News International Cup homepage Video of Aussie Rules from YouTube