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.
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.
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 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.2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup @ 2008 University Student Rugby League World Cup. Australia defeated England in the final, while Greece won the plate competition.
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.
Police The inaugural International Police Rugby League World Cup was held during November alongside the Women's Rugby League World Cup at Stockland Park. Qld to Host Police World Cup @ 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.AMP Sign up as World Cup Sponsors @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League + Group stageTeamPldWDLByePFPA+/−Pts New Zealand 4 4 0 0 1 120 36 +84 10 Fiji 4 3 0 1 1 170 50 +120 8 Australia 4 2 0 2 1 80 76 +4 6 Great Britain 4 1 0 3 1 42 126 -84 4 Papua New Guinea 4 0 0 4 1 40 164 -124 2 Note:Teams were given 2 points for a bye Source:
Women
The third Women's Rugby League World Cup was held at Stockland Park alongside the Police World Cup.Womens and Police Rugby League World Cup Sunshine Coast Events Eight teams took part including defending champions New Zealand.England Women’s Rugby League World Cup squad announced England RL The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on 15 November.Kiwi Ferns and NZ Police progress RLWC08, 14 November 2008
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.Anzac clash first up in Defence League world cup @ NZDF, 7 November 2008Semi Final Warm Up Games @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008 + Group stageTeamPldWDLPFPA+/−Pts Great Britain 4 4 0 0 196 68 +128 8 Australia 4 3 0 1 110 63 +47 6 New Zealand 4 2 0 2 153 80 +73 4 Cook Islands 4 1 0 3 106 128 -22 2 Papua New Guinea 4 0 0 4 22 248 -226 0 Source:
Wheelchair
Four teams took part in the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup which was held at indoor venues in Sydney. The four teams were , , and a Barbarians scratch team which replaced who withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament.Wheelchair Rugby League tournament @ RLWC08, 8 November 2008Weelchair RLWC @ RLWC08, 14 November 2008 Group stage + Group stageTeamPldWDLPFPA+/−Pts 3 3 0 0 134 48 +86 6 3 2 0 1 170 40 +130 4 3 1 0 2 128 78 +50 2Barbarians 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: Finals
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References
External links Universities World Cup official site Rugby League World Cup official site RLIF official site