8 replies to this topic

[flyingking]

http://www.portugues...php?news&nid=21
2013 Matches
23-11-2012

PORTUGAL V JAPAN
Thursday 31st Jan 2013

Sydney, Australia

INTERNATIONAL NINES
Saturday 2nd February 2013
New Era Stadium,
Cabramatta




v

The Japan rugby league team will tour Australia in 2013.

They have planned a two match schedule. The first match planned is against the Australian based Portugal team on Thursday 31st January.

Two days later they will participate in the International Nines tournament at New Era Stadium, Cabramatta on Saturday 2nd February.

The two nations previously played in 2008. Portugal won 28-16 over Japan in a thirteen-a-side match. In the International Nines tournament four days later, Japan defeated Portugal, 20-6, in the semi-final of the Plate Competition.

The rivalry is set to continue in 2013. Details will be released when finalised.

As well the match against Japan, the Portuguese hope to compete in the International Nines tournament alongside Japan.

Players and coaching staff are required for the 2013 series. Provide details using the link on the contact us page.




Though the Portuguese side is currently made up of heritage players based in Australia, they do have the goal of setting up a league in Portugal
http://www.portugues...index.php?p=1_3

Rugby League in Portugal

The major goal of the Portuguese Rugby League Association (PRLA) is the establishment of a rugby league base in Portugal.
The sport of rugby league is not foreign to Portugal, with many European super league (professional rugby league teams in England) teams including St Helens, traveling there for pre-season camps.
In order for Portugal to be considered a rugby league playing nation and eligible to compete in rugby league world cup qualifiers, a rugby league competition or tournament must be played in Portugal on an annual basis.
The PRLA would be looking at establishing both junior and open age rugby league competitions.

Edited by flyingking, 08 December 2012 - 10:19 PM.

[deluded pom?]

This "Portuguese" team has been around for a few years now but nothing ever seems to get going in Portugal. I hope I'm wrong but I can see this match as being just another jolly for Aussies with Portuguese heritage.

[Johnoco]

The Japanese team sound like a genuine touring side though?

[Evil Homer]

The Japanese team sound like a genuine touring side though?

The sport in Japan pretty much consists of a group of guys that play a couple of matches against an ex-pat team and travel to Australia every year for this 9's tournament. I believe they are mostly legitimate Japanese but they aren't really interested in developing the sport, just playing socially and touring every year.

[Johnoco]

The sport in Japan pretty much consists of a group of guys that play a couple of matches against an ex-pat team and travel to Australia every year for this 9's tournament. I believe they are mostly legitimate Japanese but they aren't really interested in developing the sport, just playing socially and touring every year.

Thanks.

Is that fair enough then if that's all they want out of it? Or should they be obliged to do some junior/grassroots work in Japan? I'm not exactly sure how or why or if this would be 'enforced', just curious to know what people think.

Edited by Johnoco, 10 December 2012 - 10:14 AM.

[deluded pom?]

You would think that if the Japanese don't have the required number of domestic teams or the league setup in place then they won't get anywhere near World Cup qualifiers until that's put in place.

[nadera78]

Both of these teams should be compelled to use 'XIII' in their title because they're not in any real sense representative teams for those countries.

[brooza]

You would think that if the Japanese don't have the required number of domestic teams or the league setup in place then they won't get anywhere near World Cup qualifiers until that's put in place.

I don't think anyone is suggesting Japan for the World Cup, are they?

[deluded pom?]

I don't think anyone is suggesting Japan for the World Cup, are they?

It wouldn't surprise me to see an Asian qualifying group for the 2017/2021 WC. The Japanese have appeared in previous WC qualifiers.