Rugby League World Cup Kicks Off in Cardiff

Ben Campbell,

Correspondent (Sport)

 

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup kicked off this week in Cardiff, signalling the start of what rugby league hopes will be the biggest exposure the sport has had to date on the world stage. Comprising 12 teams, the next month will see these teams battle it out, with the aim of lifting the Rugby League World Cup Trophy on the 30th November at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.

Rugby League is very much a sport in growth. Unlike rugby union, there are only a handful of elite teams; hosts England, favourites Australia, and reigning champions New Zealand. Realistically, one of these three teams will end with their hands on the trophy at the conclusion of the tournament. This is not to say however that other teams cannot challenge. The gap between the big 3 and the rest is constantly closing; the biggest indicator of which being Italy’s 15-14 defeat of England the week before the World Cup kicked off.

The ever increasing global draw of rugby league was encapsulated in the Rugby League International Federation’s decision to have the opening fixtures of the World Cup played as a double header, featuring elite and developing teams. Kicking off at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, England faced Australia in a highly anticipated match, before the Welsh fans got to watch the home side take on an Italian side high on confidence from their previous week’s win.

The decision by the RLIF to host the opening games away from the north of England, particularly the rugby league stronghold surrounding the M62, emphasised their desire to increase the sport’s exposure. By hosting the initial fixtures in Wales, a country in which rugby union is undoubtedly the most followed sport, the RLIF has shown its desire to expand rugby league’s appeal.

Selling 45,000 tickets for the opening fixtures represented a success for the RLIF, showcasing rugby league’s expansion. The opening fixtures did not disappoint either. Australia overturned an early English lead to win 28-20 in an end to end game which encompassed everything which rugby league is about, and the Welsh and Italian sides fought out a close contest, with the Italian class eventually coming to the fore as the game entered its final quarter.

With 23 venues being used in total during the World Cup, the RLIF are allowing the sport to be as accessible as possible, with France, Ireland, Wales and Scotland all playing games in their home country. This can only have a positive effect on the support the sport receives in their homelands.

As well as being the highest profile Rugby League event to have ever taken place, it is also the biggest chance for rugby league to use this as a springboard to becoming a worldwide sport. But for now though, there are more pressing matters at hand, namely the Rugby League World Cup Trophy, and it can be guaranteed that all the teams in the competition will be trying their utmost to be taking it home with them.

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons