Countdown to Rlwc Final Begins

Countdown to Rlwc Final Begins

Where will you be in exactly two years – December 2, 2017?

If you’re an NZ Kiwis fan, hopefully, you’ll be celebrating their victory at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup final.

Preferably, you’ll be sitting in a sold-out Eden Park (or Westpac Stadium), as skipper Simon Mannering hoists the trophy aloft, replicating the pose struck by Nathan Cayless last time the Kiwis won the title in 2008.

Or maybe it will be at the Kiwis’ “home away from home” – Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium – where the world #1 NZ side have now beaten reigning world champions Australia in three consecutive meetings and four of the last five, including that ’08 World Cup triumph.

The countdown to the dream begins today, as the Rugby League World Cup organisers officially start the clock on their preparations with two-year ceremonies in Auckland and Sydney.

As part of these special events, Rugby League World Cup 2017 is unveiling its new-look tournament logo and website.

The RLWC2017 logo was designed in consultation with Australian, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea cultural leaders. It represents the movement, agility and power of the sport, and blends together the trophy as the ultimate prize of the event, the colours of the host nations and their cultures.

“Rugby league has never been stronger here and around the world, with more people watching and playing the game than ever before,” says RLWC2017 chief executive Michael Brown. “We want the Rugby League World Cup to be a great celebration – not just for the players, but we want to celebrate the diversity of the countries and cultures playing the game.

“It is important we give fans of all the nations playing the Rugby League World Cup the opportunity to be part of a great experience and we want them to bring their culture, their heritage and their passion to the games. The logo we have revealed today not only represents the diversity of the hosting partners – Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea – but it also represents the speed and movement of the game.

“The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle event on the international calendar and I know players are passionate about representing their country on the world stage.”

Ten teams have already qualified – New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Samoa, Fiji, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Lebanon – with four more spots still up for grabs.

One of those berths will be decided before Christmas, as the United States, Canada and Jamaica contest an Americas qualifying series (December 4-12) in Florida.

The three remaining vacancies will go to European teams, with Wales, Ireland, Serbia, Russia, Italy and Spain playing off next October/November.

Of immediate interest to New Zealand right now is the allocation of venues for World Cup games, particularly the all-important quarterfinals, semis and final.

Three of the 28 scheduled matches will be hosted in Port Moresby, as part of an agreement between RLWC2017 and the Papua New Guinea government. Organisers are currently considering bids from other venues across New Zealand and Australia, and hope to finalise those during the first half of 2016.

“To make this tournament a true celebration of diversity, we also want to play the Women’s World Cup at the same time as the men’s,” says Brown. “With more than 180,000 women and girls now playing and more than 2.1 million female fans following the game in Australia alone, there is no better time to celebrate the women’s game.”

The Kiwi Ferns have enjoyed considerable success at the women’s tournament, winning three World Cup titles between 2000-08, before losing their crown to Australia in the 2013 final.

ENDS

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