Yakstorm

Singapore Sunbirds defeated Vanuatu women 28 - 16 in the Women's International Nines. Match was played over 3x 15 minute thirds.

Livestream just started. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/vbtclivefeed/videos/4424737211138281

Round so far: 8,239 at Wakefield 8,090 at Leigh ~6,000ish at York 12,031 at St Helens 5,497 at Toulouse

Yeah there use to be an attitude within the game that unless you were playing full international rules tackle Rugby League, it wasn't Rugby League. I remember how disgusted some of the powerbrokers at Phillip St were in the mid 2000's when people proposed even introducing different rules for 2nd division/recreational Rugby League, let alone doing anything with tag or touch. Thankfully when everything started merging and the Commission came into play, the mentality started changing and people who had more progressive views started becoming the decision makers.

The NRL/ARLC are being very progressive in absorbing TFA into the Rugby League umbrella. The 'next play' strategic plan that runs from 2026-32 only strengthens that relationship with the NRL now holding a seat on the TFA board (Brad Fittler is the selected representative) and the NRL Commercial, Social & Marketing teams working with TFA to boost revenues & awareness (recent DoorDash deal was negotiated by the NRL, NRL broadcast agreement stipulates minimum coverage of key TFA competitions). The NRL & TFA are also launching new competitions & leagues together including NRL League Touch (full NRL rules without tackling) and the Indoor Speed League coming next year. The NRL logo being added to all the state & territory (except Qld) & the NGO only further creates the association in the public. Hopefully we see the relationship with OzTag follow a similar path (NRL currently has a licensing arrangement, which allows them to run NRL League Tag competitions that are separate to OzTag competitions and more junior focused) in the coming years. As for the UK, the RFL has had a partnership with Try Tag Rugby for a number of years now, they've just never done much with it. If it was me, I'd be working with them to at least label the UK Tag Nationals as Super League Tag, leveraging the same branding used for Men's, Women's & Wheelchair and try and encourage joint team branding (ie. Why can't one of the London representative teams be called the Broncos or have the Bradford team called the Bulls?)

After a monsoonal style downpour the ball is like a piece of soap with both teams coughing it up easily. Philippines are being their own worst enemy, giving away a lot of field position with dumb penalties and then dropping the ball close to their line multiple times.

Championship Final Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DJ1RBZoMY/

Japan has scored in the 78th minute to steal the match from Hong Kong and claim 3rd place in the Asian Championship. Final score 34-30. It's Japan's fourth win (from five starts) over the Hong Kong China Thunder.

I'd argue that the match is far from a forgone conclusion. Whilst Singapore has 8 players in their squad from overseas, Philippines have 6, so we're not talking about huge differences in the number of imports. Philippines have the added advantages of actually playing together prior to this tournament, being the only nation in the Championship with access to a full sized pitch to practice with, plus the home support. They're all levellers. Philippines have history of their side, winning every version of the Asia Cup ever played. Japan had quite significant turnover in players from the Niue Test and their clash against HK last year, which did them no favours on the scoreboard.

In the second game, the Philippines Tamaraws defeated the Hong Kong China Thunder 42 - 10.

Final score, Singapore Memerang 48 - 4 Japan Samurai

Singapore lead 30 - 0 at halftime. Tylan Berryman so far has been best on field. Live stream link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GVqrZWRPn/ Encouraging to see the game was a sellout. Whilst the school grounds can only hold a few hundred spectators, its at least encouraging to see what was available disappeared in a few hours.

Singapore squad Details around their clubs: https://singaporerugbyleague.com/singapore-memerang-lock-in-squad-for-asian-championship/

Singapore squad https://singaporerugbyleague.com/singapore-memerang-lock-in-squad-for-asian-championship/

Philippines Tamaraws team