Rugby League World Cup IV - Everything thread!

[Somewhereistonia]

Here be the Rugby League World Cup IV Somewhereistonia thread.

Tournament start date Wednesday 10th June. Group draw will be on the 8th.

Group A

Lanceo
Norwellia
Ajax Prime 
Kura-Pelland

Group B

West Zirconia
Lovisa
Newmanistan
Lurikastan

Group C

Kjomasasopia
Quakmybush 
Elesdee
Peisandros

Group D

Taeshan
Somewhereistonia
Sorthern Northland
Palmouth

The main stadiums are all in a reasonable travelling distance of each other and the main tourism facilities making it a great location to hold the fourth Rugby League World Cup. The transport infrastructure has had an overhaul in recent years, leaving the nation perfectly able to accommodate the increased number of visitors without hassle.

The stadia to be used are (all will be used for group stage matches as well as those indicated):

Spektakl-3-Arena (National Stadium, designed by Kura-Pelland) [85,100] Final, QF 1

Capitol Arena (former national stadium) [70,000] SF 1

Dynami Arena (home of Dinamo Karrakiv) [55,000] SF 2

Sparti Arena (home of Qasarian Sparta) [54,000] QF 2, 3PPO

Kabano Stadium (home of Kabano Marauders and Kabano Bulls) [50,000] QF 3

Krieger Arena (home of Karrakiv Warriors) [42,000] QF 4

Qasarian Central (home of Qasarian City) [38,000]

Koltelcia Stadium (Home of Koltelcia SC) [36,000]

Balakarassia State Stadium (former national stadium) [30,000]

Empire Stadium (home of Karrakiv Wolves) [25,000]

Tournament plan

4 groups of 4 nations, the top 2 in each progress to the quarter finals.

As is the convention, 2 points will be awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss. For tiebreakers (hereafter 'points' means points scored in a game e.g. 5 for a try, not earned for a result e.g. 4 for a win): i) points difference; ii) total points for; iii) number of wins; iv) head-to-head results; v) head-to-head points difference; vi) head-to-head total points for.

Scorination

Scorination will be done daily at 19:00 GMT from the tournament start date, with an RP cut off at 18:50 (anything posted after this time, but before the results will be carried to the next game). I will use Starblaydia's rugby scorinator, which seems to work exceptionally well, giving fair and realistic scores. RP bonus' will be carried on for three games to prevent them getting too large whilst allowing for dedicated members to gain a good advantage. RP bonus' will be given between 0.1 and 1 depending on quality (which I will judge).

I will use my Rugby League World Rankings to change the scoring modifiers (these were used for the highly successful RLWC III).

So, start posting for RLWC IV! I can scorinate any friendly matches on the 9th, either tg me or post in this thread, I am open to playing friendlies as well.

Schedule

MD1 (10th): 1v2, 3v4
MD2 (11th): 1v3, 2v4
MD3 (12th): 1v4, 2v3
Rest day (13th)
QF (14th): QF1: A1vB2, QF2: C1vD2, QF3: B1vA2, QF4: D1vC2
SF (15th): SF1: QF1vQF2, SF2: QF3vQF4
3PPO (16th): Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
Final (16th): Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

[Quakmybush]

I'm always up for a bit o rugby, sign me up.

[West Zirconia]

If our treizistes are anywhere near as good/lucky as their union counterparts, then this could be fun.

Count West Zirconia in.

[Kjomasasopia]

3 things, all OOC:

1. good spelling guize. K-J-O-M-A-S-A-S-O-P-I-A. I know, ridiculous name. Happens when you punch a keyboard 3 times to help decide your nations name.

2. I guess for this tourney i shall still use Kjo, this will be our last ever tourney, more emphasis on winning i guess....

3. squad up soon, when i dont have the flu... i have seriously lost about 4 litres (roughly a gallon) of body fluid today my nose has been snifling so much
I Also have an enquiry on whether anyone wants to play against us in warm up matches? scorinated by the host if possible?

[Palmouth]

Let Palmouth into the event please, as we and my allies from 10000 Islands will be involed as Palmouth RFC

[Kjomasasopia]

^OOC: This isn't a club competition buddy, it's for national sides.

IC:

13 MAN STARTING XIII ANNOUNCED FOR RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP IV 2009: SOMEWHEREISTONIA
14 - 17 TO BE ANNOUNCED 8/6/09
18-30 ANNOUNED 9/6/09

SURNAME, Given Name, Age, Position, Club (Nationstate club is in, P indicates professional club) *Indicates Starting Number*

• NUPAND, Michael, Aged 20, Fullback/Winger/Centre, Eastern Seaboards (Masaru) *1*
• ROYCE, Leon, Aged 18, Winger/Centre, Kili Kili Bears(Kjoma P) *2*
• WIREMU, Tama, Aged 21, Centre, Zacic Panthers(Kjoma P) *3*
• NASASAKE, Abe, Aged 23, Centre, Emperor's(Sopianu)
• ERIK HORNE, Yong, Aged 23, Fullback/Winger, Southern (Sopianu) *5*
• WIREMU, Shelton (C) Aged 22, Halfback / Hooker, Zacic Panthers(Kjoma P) *6*
• ALEXANDER, Lucas, Aged 34, Halfback, Chufbmyha(Snowplane) Raiders(Masaru P) *7*
• ARTHURS, Tacdnildeuh, Aged 38, Prop, Boroda Seagulls(Kjoma) *10*
• AEDAN, Timoti, Aged 31, Hooker, Michaelie Reds(Masaru) *9*
• SARUKEN, Namatu, Aged 24, Prop, Lrinlrac (Masaru P)
• ELSIE, Clarence, Aged 27, Second Row/Lock, New Dublin Celtics(Masaru) *11*
• LACY, Eldson, Aged 28, Second Row/Centre, Kipiosa(Kipiosa) *12*
• BREMMEB, Carl, Aged 29, Lock, Masters (Sopianu) *13*

[Peisandros]

Once again, we are unable to announce an official squad for the Peisandros team, as even though we won the thing last time, the authorities are pretty keen on keeping it quiet.

All I can say is that we're quite a small side but with old hands in the halves to order the boys around. The wingers are twins and one of them will be the kicker, we have no idea which one. Our second rowers are actually rowers, this being their first taste of league. The coach at the previous world cup died in a car crash just a few months ago, so the hooker's dad has come in to oversee the tournament. It's going to be tough, but the team is looking for a repeat.

[Somewhereistonia]

OOC: Looking for one more sign-up before the group draw tonight. Then we will have 16, the best number.

[Kura-Pelland]

We are number 16. We are here to win. We are here to come from behind and prove our abilities. We are confident, we are capable, we are back.

We are Kura-Pelland.

[Somewhereistonia]

Group draw up! Any friendly requests, let me know asap and lets get the rosters up.

Lets also make this the last OOC post in the thread.

Friendlies (all scorinated 9th at normal time) :

Sorthern Northland v Somewhereistonia (Beningrad Stadium of the Revolutionary Struggle)

[Sorthern Northland]

Sorthern Northland National Rugby League Team

*Number, position, name, age, club

Starting XIII

1. Full back:Stanislav Volkov, 27, Sobrinic
2. Right wing:Stewart Stokes, 29, Weybridge Rovers
3. Right centre:Luca Masini, 25, Oosehill
4. Left centre:Joel Manning, 26, Beningrad Rovers
5. Left wing:Fabio Rigoni, 25, Slanigrad Wanderers
6. Stand-off:Kaassannquaq Zeeb, 30, Vatnajavik
7. Scrum-half:Geoffrey McNamara, 27, St. Brendan Rugby
8. Prop:Ahmed Al-Dossari, 29, Siberene Vale
9. Hooker:Alejandro Núñez, 28, Floriana
10. Prop:Charlie McNally, 26, Rugbaí Curadh Corcaigh
11. Second row:Jelle Buijs, 24, Fortuna Niew Amsterdam
12. Second row:Antonis Semertzidis, 32, Osle
13. Loose forward:Lee Min-Kook, 29, Oosehill

Bench

14: Full back:Garrity Mitchell, 23, St. Brendan Rugby
15: Winger:Adhamh Ó Duggan, 24, Rugbaí Curadh Corcaigh
16: Winger:Jan Voblikov, 26, Siberene Vale
17: Centre:Balaji Hiten, 21, Beningrad Rovers
18: Centre:Jack Nowak, 23, Sobrinic
19: Stand-off:Liam Mac Ceallach, 24, Little Clotaire Candelarisians
20: Scrum-half:Isaac Phillips, 23, Merrin Hill
21: Prop:Barry Powers, 22, Heathfield
22: Prop:Charílaos Papacharalampoys, 25, Oosehill
23: Hooker:Marc Bombardier-Labombarde, 19, Club de Rugby Septentrionien de Finistère
24: Second row:Benjamin Desrosiers, 25, Club de Rugby Septentrionien de Finistère
25: Second row:Estève Donat, 27, Club de Rugby Septentrionien de Finistère
26: Loose forward:Amaury Déziel, 23, Club de Rugby Septentrionien de Finistère

Choose My Goal/Try Scorers: Y
Godmod Events: Y
Injure My Players: Y
Put my players in Sin bin: Y
Send my players off: Y
Other: Pretty much anything goes. Apart from killing/maiming players.

[Lanceo]

Lanceo Rugby Team




Starting XIII

1. Full back: Ryan Bard
2. Right wing: Josh Johnson
3. Right centre: Nick Hernandez
4. Left centre: Anderson Gonzalez
5. Left wing: Alberto Zimmerman
6. Stand-off: Austin Dunn
7. Scrum-half: Adam Dukes
8. Prop: Elijah Kearns
9. Hooker: John Detwiler
10. Prop: Ross Lannan
11. Second row: Joel MacDougal
12. Second row: Mike Hanrahan
13. Loose forward: Paddy Bemiel

Bench

14: Full back: Alex Green
15: Winger: Pavel Morrison
16: Winger: Roger Maxwell
17: Centre: Justin Bernandina
18: Centre: Tyler Mock
19: Stand-off: Garret Clippard
20: Scrum-half: Gil Jamison
21: Prop: Kerry Pryor
22: Prop: Barry Mullholand
23: Hooker: Tim Bolling
24: Second row: Mason Moser
25: Second row: Ben McConnell
26: Loose forward: Mitch Bennet

You can RP everything except for: injuries and unusal (killing, bombings, God's hand coming out of the sky etc)

[Somewhereistonia]

Somewhereistonia Roster for RLWC III

Association: Baltic Sporting Association
Nicknames: Balts, Eagles.
First Kit Second Kit Third Kit

Team Sheet:

Coach - Valdas Vähi

1 Toomas Burman, 28 [Karrakiv Warriors] *
2 Mishka Hippius, 25 [Kabano Bulls]
3 Yuri Kuusik, 22 [Kabano Marauders]
4 Karl Matteus, 27 [Qasarian Eagles]
5 Tarmo Kotli, 30 [Karrakiv Warriors] *
6 Balys Unekis, 23 [Karrakiv Warriors]
7 Gintasas Korkinsky, 33 [Talla Heretics] *
8 Andrus Strazdos, 35 [Birzai Rebels] *
9 Ragnar Milosz, 29 [Kabano Bulls]
10 Vladimir Kudirka, 28 [Kabano Marauders]
11 Justinas Skema, 25 [Rig Vikings]
12 Vytautas Vaitkus, 29 * [Modraine Sharks]
13 Olev Skema, 24 [Kabano Bulls]

------------

14 Oleksandr Zilinskas (Fwd), 29 [Qasarian Eagles] *
15 Klass Sauka (Fwd), 24 [Kabano Bulls]
16 Patras Galdikas (Fwd), 26 [Karrakiv Warriors]
17 Marek Zemtsov (Scrum-half/back), 23 [Koltelcia]
18 Kasper Alda (Back), 26 [Birzai Rebels]
19 Vladimir Bilibin (Back), 29 [Kabano Bulls] *
20 August Isakovs (Hooker/Fwd), 33 [Karrakiv Warriors] *
21 Kalju Kronbergs (Back), 39 [Qasarian Eagles] *
22 Eduard Jahovics (Utility man), 25 [Karrakiv Wolves]
23 Karbul Paskolov (Fullback/Wing), 27 [Olnavia United]

*Player to retire from international game after the world cup.

Coach Valdas Vähi keeps his job for his second world cup, hoping to use the home support to come out of the tournament well. The Eagles aren't favourites but by using the same squad as the last cup, Vähi is looking to use the experience, and its the last chance too, with 9 players set to retire at the end of the tournament.

Choose My Goal/Try Scorers: Y
Godmod Events: Y
Injure My Players: Y
Put my players in Sin bin: Y (No more than 2)
Send my players off: Y (No more than 1)
Other: Anything goes within reason.

[Newmanistan]

Time for a little rugby!

Coach: Steve Crawley

Starting XIII
1. Mark Carreau- Fullback
2. Lenny Bruschini- Right Wing
3. Tony Donvito- Right Center
4. Kevin Salvi- Left Center
5. Todd Hunt- Left Wing
6. Michael Riccitelli- Stand-off
7. Marvin Kirkwood- Scrum-half
8. Eric Withers- Prop
9. Chris Goverski- Hooker
10. Brett Krupa- Prop
11. Stephen Dugreiner- Second Row
12. Vic Hammond- Second Row
13. Shane Jacobsen- Loose Forward

Bench:
14. Tim Hoffman- Fullback
15. Robert Tatko- Right Wing
16. Patrick Foley- Right Center
17. Bill Herzog- Left Center
18. Ricardo Velazquez- Left Wing
19. Matt Wood- Stand-off
20. Dale Pollicino- Scrum-half
21. Jeff Dayton- Prop
22. Paul Stern- Hooker
23. Andrew Aupperle- Prop
24. Jeremy Shadle- Second Row
25. Adam Francis- Second Row
26. Otto Olsen- Loose Forward

Choose My Goal/Try Scorers: Yes
Godmod Events: Yes
Injure My Players: Yes but only say they were hurt.
Put my players in Sin bin: Yes
Send my players off: Yes
Other: TG your idea for approval first.

[Somewhereistonia]

Friendly result:

Sorthern Northland 17-8 Somewhersiestonia

[Palmouth]

This is the team for the Rugby League World Cup

1. Full back: Harry King
2. Right wing: Adam Young
3. Right centre: Nick Thomas
4. Left centre: Anderson Thomas
5. Left wing: Alberto Jones
6. Stand-off: Simon Thomas
7. Scrum-half: Prince Edward Scott
8. Prop: Prince Elijah Scott
9. Hooker: Prince Willam Scott
10. Prop: Ross Adams
11. Second row: Ugo Mandela
12. Second row: Prince Matthew Scott
13. Loose forward: Paddy White

Bench

14: Full back: Tony Green
15: Winger: Kingo Greenman
16: Winger: Roger Jackson-Moore
17: Centre: Duke of Palmouth; Freddie Scott
18: Centre: Eddie Johns
19: Stand-off: Garreth Blocks
20: Scrum-half: Peter Greenman
21: Prop: Liam Owens
22: Prop: Barry Mullerhead
23: Hooker: Harry Newton
24: Second row: Mason Wine
25: Second row: Liam Bangcock
26: Loose forward: Muhammed Pele Jones

This is Palmouth's first time in th event, and most of the players come from the North Palmouth RLFC team, who won the Palmouth League and Cup events this year. It's a very strong side, with a great manager John Cookson, who also manages North Palmouth. John has loads of experince and knowing how to win the League and Cup will help the national team do very well. Rugby league is a huge sport in Palmouth, so expect all the nation's people to cheer Palmouth on to win the cup

[Somewhereistonia]

Qasarian Evening Sport

Eagles strong as nation prepares to host

The draw wan't kind to the Eagles, as they sit in the only group with three ranked teams; this hasn't seemed affect confidence, with Somewhereistonia looking to brush aside Palmouth and Taeshan without too much difficulty before coming to the big game with Sorthern Northland. In a recent away friendly, the Eagles lost 17-8 to the aggressive side. Hopefully by this time Somewhereistonia will have qualified for the quarter-finals, but if we are to win this competition, then they will need to win games like this.

Holders Peisandros and RLWC II winners Lurikastan are favourites, but the competition is very open and it will be interesting to see which (if any) of the unranked teams progress to the second round.

All over the nation people are preparing for the tournament, with banners, costumes and even zanier things being prepared; whilst hotel managers raise their prices to account for the 0.1% rise in inflation. Fans have started to arrive from around the globe, with Sorthern Northland, Newmanistan, Lanceo, Palmouth and Kjomasasopian fans currently looking like having the largest contingents.

Most importantly; the mascot for the Rugby League World Cup has been revealed:



Edgar the Eagle! The fearsome Eagle will cheer the Eagles on through the tournament and possibly beyond. He was selected over almost 40,000 other entries from fans around the country.

[Palmouth]

Palmouth, even though not ranked, seem happy with the draw, and went training at the Palmouth Empire Ground this afternoon for the first time. They were all pushing to the limits to grain a place in the first match. They are mainly going to focus on the match with Sorthern Northland, who are favourites to win Group D. The Palmouth squad are now on the plane to the Qasarian land, where they are due for extra training before the tournament starts

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

ROCKETS VENTURE INTO RUGBY WORLD

Somewhereistonia- Fans of Rugby in Newmanistan have generally been frustrated when it came time for the various interregional competitions for their beloved sport. After all, rugby is not huge in Newmanistan, and is most popular in the northeastern part of the Empire. There is not one great league like we have for both footballs, hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and basketball as it is primarily a niche sport. Newmanistan’s participating in World Cup IV of Rugby League started with a dream of Todd Hunt, who starts as the left wing. Hunt wanted to participate in such a competition, but they needed funding, and they couldn’t do it on their own. Our Jenn Murphy, who has been assigned to Somewhereistonia to cover the tournament got a chance to sit down with Hunt for this exclusive one-on-one interview.

JM: I like to welcome everyone to Somewhereistonia where we have seen a lot sky blue and white pride from traveling supporters as the Empire’s rugby team gets set for their first match, against Lurikastan. Todd Hunt is one of those players you will be rooting for, and he joins me for this interview. Good afternoon, Todd.

TH: Good afternoon Jenn, it’s great to be able to do this.

JM: You were telling me before we began about how excited you are just to be able to play in this, which of course is a feeling throughout the locker room. Tell us about that.

TH: We are all just so excited that this is finally happening. For years we’ve watched the Empire compete in other sports, but there was never any love for Rugby. Now we are here in Somewhereistonia, and just so excited to be able to play the game we love. What’s even more amazing is all these fans who have come out to support to us. That is something we never imagined.

JM: Does it make you wonder if the Empire could ever get a large league off the ground, or if it will stay popular mainly in just the northeast, with your smaller league.

TH: I don’t know. I’d imagine that most of these supporters are northeasterners so I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. I think if we can show that we can be competitive with the rest of the world, then you will start to see the rest of the Empire start to follow, but it will have to be a long term process.

JM: Tell the people how you convinced the Empress to provide funding.

TH: We got together and decided to write a strong letter to the Empress as well as get a petition in which we were aiming for 5,000 signatures. We got almost double that. It was a firm but polite letter asking her to give us the opportunity to participate in the World Cup. We realize it’s not the most popular sport in the Empire, but there’s a bunch of us who think we can be competitive with the rest of the world and wanted to have the chance. We would need her financial support in order for us to realize our dream.

JM: How long did it take you to get a response?

TH: Not very long at all, about two weeks. She assigned a contact in Loudon for us to communicate with as the middle man to discuss the details, and she wanted to let us know we had her support.

JM: What do you think won her over?

TH: I don’t really know. The main event we mentioned in the letter was the Tour de Qazox. Funding was provided for the bike-riders, so that’s what we really wanted to build off of. We didn’t need to debate it though, her first response was one of approval, so I guess some of us just wondered why we hadn’t done this before.

JM: Now that you are here, what can we expect from the team?

TH: I think we will surprise people. It’s always difficult to be a first time nation in an established tournament, but you have to start somewhere. And for us, that’s right here. I hope this will jsut be the start of a larger role for the Empire in the Rugby League World Cup.

JM: Thank you for your time, Todd. Good luck.

TH: Thanks Jenn!

[Kjomasasopia]

THE KJO BUGLE
TEEN SENSATION GIVEN CHANCE AT HIGHEST LEVEL

Jarryd Separki, Aged 15 in this photo, playing for his former school, St. Andrea's Boys Catholic School, Sopianu (White/Purple stripes) SOURCE: Br. ANTHONY BOYD, St.ABCSS

16-YEAR OLD RUGBY LEAGUE prodigy Jarryd Separki has been named as the #14 for the Kjomasasopian Rugby League side. The Sopian winger, now contracted to the Zacic Panthers RLFC and Zacic Pride RFC for the next 10 years has described the honor as 'unexpected' and 'awesome'.
"It was just a massive shock" Said Separki, being reassured by his mother, Gladice, and his stepfather, Amir on this thier proudest day. Although, Jarryd was unlucky to miss out on a record, as he was beaten to national selection by teammate Shelton Wiremu, who at age 16 years 8 Months 3 days, 13 days younger than Separki, first played for the Quarter-Colored Army. The remaining 17 players to be sent to Somewhereistonia were announced today by new coach George McDonald, who resigned from the Snowplane Raiders to take this job. They are as follows:
SURNAME, Given Name, Age, Position, Club (Nationstate club is in, P indicates professional club)

• SEPARKI, Jarryd, Aged 16, Winger/Fullback, Zacic Panthers (Kjoma P) *14*
• NORTH, Wade, Aged 28, Utility Forward, New Kilkenny Crusaders (New Ireland, Masaru) *15*
• BERACH, Colmán Aged 24, Five-Eighth/Hooker, Nouvelle Capite Stars (Masaru) *16*
• GILROY, Ryan, Aged 31, Lock/ Second Row, New Kilkenny Crusaders (New Ireland, Masaru) *17*
  
  RESERVES
  
• TIPENE, Anaru
• PAORA, Petera
• MIKAERE, Jerry
• DANIELS, Timoti
• ANDILE, Tinashe
• SEFU, Kato
• ANAKONI, Boipelo
• KALE, Fauru
• UMATHI, James
• FARAH, Tumelo
• KWAMBENA, Rudi
• MASOZI, Akamu
• KIBWE, Ikaia

Choose My Goal/Try Scorers: Y
Godmod Events: Y
Injure My Players: NNNNNNNNN
Put my players in Sin bin: Y
Send my players off: N
Other: Lots of agression, plenty of fighting, thats how we play. Remember that when you write game reports.

[Palmouth]

After arriving in Qaotax for the event yesterday, Palmouth Rugby League National Team did training in the host nation for the first time yesterday, ready for the World Cup to begin. All the fans watched as the biggest team in the event, who expects to reach the semi final at least, showed off their muscles and worked harder than they ever had. The fans were well impressed and thousands ended up booking tickets for the first game, now sold out.

The Palmouth Rugby League and Union Federation would like to wish Palmouth and the rest of teams in the events the best of luck and hopes the event goes well.

[Sorthern Northland]

Beningrad Morning Star
Ó Dubhshláine to lead Sorthern rugby league challenge

With the fourth Rugby League World Cup fast approaching the Sorthern Rubgy League Association have finally accepted the resignation of former coach Eddy Chadwick and appointed Oosehill coach Cathal Ó Dubhshláine as his replacement. Chadwick tendered his resignation following the defeat of Sorthern Northland to Peisandros in the final of the third Rugby League World Cup, the second final in a row that Sorthern Northland had lost.

Despite the two consecutive final defeats it is understood that there was a large amount of support for Chadwick to stay on as head coach, with a number of players publicly calling for him to reconsider his resignation, the Sorthern Rugby League Association are also thought to have unanimously voted to ask Chadwick to consider retaking his position. Despite Chadwick refusing to reconsider, the SRLA have only in the last few weeks, with the fourth Rugby League World Cup looming accepted his resignation and began a search for his successor.

That search led them to Oosehill, and their coach, Cathal Ó Dubhshláine. Born in Corcaigh, but raised in Oosehill in central Sorthern Northland, Ó Dubhshláine began his career as a player with Oosehill and looked to have a promising career as a scrum half in the days of the regional league structure. A serious neck injury however forced him retire playing and he quickly took up a coaching role at the club. By the days that the national league structure Ó Dubhshláine, despite still being younger than many players, had gained a large enough reputation to have risen to head coach of the team. He quickly set about proving his stock by taking Oosehill to winning the league in the inaugural season, and then to second the season after. If anyone can take the national team that one step further than Chadwick managed, then Ó Dubhshláine is likely to be that man.

He was given no time to celebrate his new job however, just hours after his appointment he was taking charge of his first match, a friendly against World Cup hosts Somewhereistionia, one of the nations among the favourites for the World Cup. Whilst by no means, a classic encounter the Sorthern team showed the partisan 60,000 crowd packed into the Beningrad Stadium of the Revolutionary Struggle that they were able to grind out a win against some of the toughest opposition the world has to offer, with Stanislav Volkov, finally in the starting role many have claimed he should have, in particular impressing with two tries.

After the match Ó Dubhshláine was satisfied with a début win, saying, “It wasn't the most spectacular performance, but I learnt a lot about the players and I'll be able to use what I've learnt when we go to the World Cup next month.”

Asked who he saw as the main competitors for the trophy, he replied, “Somewhereistonia are a very keen rugby nation, and will be backed by an expectant home crowd, Lurikastan are top of the world rankings, but seem more of a force at home than away from it and then there's Peisandros. Bad sides don't win World Cup's and we know how good they are after the last World Cup.”

He did also have one surprise in store though, naming débutantes Newmanistan as a side to watch, commenting, “They're an inexperienced bunch and whilst I'd be surprised if they win it, I'd say they're my dark horse. They're a big nation in sporting terms, you just have to look at what they've done in other sports and their peoples passion for sport. Whatever sport it is, a Newmanistani side are always a tough opponent and I'm sure the rugby team will be no different. The reverent backing from their fans will also be a huge boost I'm sure.”

[Somewhereistonia]

Scores for MD1

Group A

Lanceo 0-14 Norwllia
Ajax Prime 4-12 Kura-Pelland

Code: Select all

   PF   PA   PD   PTS
NOR   14   0   14   2
K-P   12   4   8   2
AJP   4   12   -8   0
LAN  0   14   -14   0


Group B

West-Zirconia 12-0 Lovisa
Newmanistan 14-7 Lurikastan

Code: Select all

   PF   PA   PD   PTS
WZI   12   0   12   2
NEW   14   7   7   2
LUR   7   14   -7   0
LOV   0   12   -12   0


Group C

Kjomasasopia 14-6 Quakmybush
Elesdee 4-26 Peisandros

Code: Select all

   PF   PA   PD   PTS
PEI   26   4   22   2
KJO   14   6   8   2
QMB   6   14   -8   0
ELD   4   26   -22   0


Group D

Taeshan 0-10 Somewhereistonia
Sorthern Northland 25-10 Palmouth

Code: Select all

   PF   PA   PD   PTS
SNO   25   10   15   2
SOM   10   0   10   2
TAE   0   10   -10   0
PAL   10   25   -15   0


[OOC: The scores are low because the RP hasn't yet accumulated, the scores are likely to be higher later on. If I have your TLA wrong, please inform me by telegram.]

[Palmouth]

[i]Palmouth annouces suprise new assiant coach[/i]

John Cookson suprised the press today, sacking Assaint Coach Jack Willcox and replacing him with now - former North Southernland manager Eddie Chadwick. Jack was fired for misconduct after a argument with John early this moring. Once Eddie annouced his regination from North Southernland, after losing the World Cup Final twice, Eddie went to Palmouth's private hotel in Qatax, and sat down with his mate John for talks. In the end, Eddie decided to join the Palmouth Rugby League staff after John told him Jack has been fired and the fact that Eddie would help Palmouth to win the event. The squad and the fans were delighted with the news, while the North Southernland fans seem disapointed. The team now has 3 more training sessions before the event starts

[Palmouth]

I mean, 3 sessions after the first match, sorry My mistake/