Rugby League World Cup XIX - Everything Thread

by **Sandwichs** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:52 pm

Sandwich's Rugby League.

After the fall of Northern Angermag, the then country of Sandwichs needed to show the world that its people aren't sandwich-obsessed. On June 24th 2020, the rugby coach of Northern Angermag, Kobrasnil Flake, found, with the help of social media, 27 rugby players. He chose 20 of the best rugby players.

Their uniforms are white, with red sleeves.

List of team members:

Loosehead Prop: Sanslertufbusan

Hooker: Tifomeshegifty

Tighthead Prop: Betasobons

Second row forwards: Edoryoe and Ritotargheneh

Flankers: Finerdedtyonutregiffeheh and Hotrargn

Number eight: Nipednaw

Scrum-half: Nekorgedinseogretrenuheryddeh:

Fly-half: Sorkarthalpelahs

Centers: Tykasse and Kondritehndsnutewdey

Full-back: Rixatek

Wings: Gownthirs and Bradinershiswind

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod Injuries to my players: Yes
Suspend my players: Yes
Godmod suspension events: Yes
Godmod other events: Yes

by **Natanians and Nosts** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:55 pm

Natanians and Nosts roster for the Rugby League World Cup 19
Nickname:The Lemon Sharks

Starters

8	Ion Mihai Mihailescu	prop    	29
9	Márcus Ion Apilescu	hooker       	25
10	Carolus Iohanis Silva	prop    	24
11	Márcus Március Santos 	second-row	22
12	Ion Ioan Enderssen	second-row	22
13	Públio Mihai Ionescu	lock-forward	23
1	Ion Mihai Apilescu	fullback	24
2	Mihai Ion Ionescu	right winger	25
3	Paulus Carolus Torje 	centre        	29
4	Gheorghe Ion César	centre        	29
5	Mihai Ion Augustus	left winger	28
6	João Mihai Ionescu	five-eighths	27
7	Ion Numa North    	scrum-half	22

Captain's name is in blue.

Bench

14	Mihai Ion Munteanu	hooker       	26
15	Gabriel Ion Torje	centre        	25
16	Ion Gabriel Torjenescu	centre        	27
17	João Augusto Mihailescu	winger        	29
18	Márcus Ion Álvares	five-eighths	28
19	Paulus Públio North	lock-forward	25
20	Pablo Ion Mureșan	scrum-half	24
21	Mihai Mihnea Sousa	second-row	30
22	Ion Carolus Souza	prop     	25
23	Emílio Mihai Ionescu	fullback	31
24	João Ion Ferreira	prop     	25

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my Scorers: Yes
Choose Scoring Events: Yes
godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP Injuries to my Players: No
godmod Injuries to my Players: No
godmod Other Events:No

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:16 am

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ABANHFLEFT
National rugby league team

This will be the sixth time that Abanhfleft will be participating in the Rugby League World Cup. They finally did it. They finally won a Rugby League World Cup. It was a hard-fought campaign over in Darmen, but in the end the Revolutionaries not only triumphed over Elejamie but they also kept their opponents scoreless. Now the question is: can Abanhfleft defend their title on the land of their client state Copper Cuprum, or will another team claim the ultimate victory in the Chiefdom?

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft
Demonym: Fleftic
Official history: This will be the fifth time that Abanhfleft will be participating in the official Rugby League World Cup.
Team colors: Blue, orange, and green
Style modifier: +3. Offense will be the team's focus.

STARTING FIFTEEN
Key: Number, name, position, age
#1 Gregorio Castro (Fullback, 31)
#2 Quincy Griggs (Right Wing, 27)
#3 Clayton Warren (Right Center, 28)
#4 Peter Akiyama (Left Center, 25)
#5 Clinton Aguinaga (Left Wing, 29)
#6 Ned Admire (Standoff Half, 29)
#7 Bradford Perham (Scrum Half, 31)
#8 Lyle Kriner (Prop, 31)
#9 David Cruikshank (Hooker, 30)
#10 Ed Manger (Prop, 28)
#11 Fletcher Martinez (Second Row, 29)
#12 DeWayne Fury (Second Row, 31)
#13 Nicholas Brett (Loose/Lock, 29)

RESERVES
#14 Ethan Alfaro (30)
#15 Othello Shurtliff (22)
#16 Felix Tan (24)
#17 Oscar Spight (31)
#18 Brock Wymer (27)
#19 Tommie Messana (25)
#20 Gavin Truong (22)

RP PERMISSIONS
Everything except killing my players is fair game.

by **Trolleborg** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:50 am

TROLLEBORG NATIONAL RUGBY UNION TEAM

After the relatively successful debut of our Rugby 7 team (successfull against the background of how our sportsmans fare in other sports), a serious increase in interest in all varieties of this sport has been noticed. Until recently, rugby is a highly visible sport mainly in two regions of our country, usually played in the format "the edge of the forest, lawn on which the game is taking place, and there is a sloping rampart around on which spectators crowd on it", which is as close as possible to the conditions of antiquity, when this sport just begin. It was not uncommon to see 3-5 thousand fans there at regular matches. Now rugby has gone literally out of the woods to the arenas, the last championship final was held at the stadium on December 1 in the presence of all top state officials, and the public is watching with interest how our guys show themselves in the new tournament. A large group of fans arrived on the eve of the first game, marched through the city and are already kneading their throats in the stadium stands.

TEAM

Coach - Jesper Stromnes, 54 year
Chosen by unanimous vote by our rugby management and fans, and that says it all about his qualifications and reputation.

The team is staffed mainly by natives of the two most "rugby" regions, the northerners were mainly sent to the attack, natives from the southwest, who was a backbone of the Rugby-7 national team, held back in defense. According to the few experts in Trolleborg who know something about rugby, the squad have a strong defensive inclination counting on fast attacks and is well balanced for these tasks. The team went to Copper Cuprum with the following players.

Attacking Players:
1. Finbar Kjellevold (27)
2. Arve Heggebo (28)
3. Torgils Henningsen (28)
4. Comgal Rhyys (25)
5. Seamus Haldstad (26)
6. Tormod Torp (25)
7. Brogan Gwaltin (28)
8. Yungwe Rhyys (24)
Aage Lochan (23)
Johannes Lundal (25)
Finn Ansgar (22)
Torje Naustdal (28)
Lasse Bransdal (27)

Defending Players
9. Morred Berhhart (28)
10. Brendan Breen (28)
11. Arve Finnsnes (26)
12. Fenngal Maclomhair (25)
13. Breandan Shellebjorn (29)
Ceallaigh Glendwyr (24)
Fintan Quinnn (25)
Knudt Mulreinan (28)
Brander Flangon (25)
Rander Hage (23)
Finjord Ringberg (28)

In line with ancient tradition for rugby competitions, it is assumed that before the start of every game – of course, with all the precautions taken – team players going to light a ritual bonfire in our half of the field and perform ceremonies that are appropriate for the occasion.

Starting Lineup

Style –5

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers:
Godmod scoring events:
RP injuries to my players:
Godmod Injuries to my players:
Suspend my players:
Godmod suspension events:
Godmod other events:

by **The Jovannic** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:54 am

Rugby is not that popular in The Jovannic, but a league is there and there are quite a few amazing players in the league. We can go far if we try.

RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: no
Godmod scoring events: yes
RP injuries to my players: yes
Godmod Injuries to my players: no
Suspend my players: no
Godmod suspension events: no
Godmod other events: ask me first

Starting Lineup
Head Coach - Nickel Holoway
Defensive Coordinator - Cani Merketson
Offensive Coordinator - Viloz Makintosh

Defence
Nose Tackle - Kohn Fither
Right Defensive End - Lui Ostiama
Left Defensive End - Bob Rickson
Right Defensive Tackle - Satama Litruim
Left Defensive Tackle - Que de Destumé

Left Outside Linebacker - John Gist
Middle Linebacker - Hirimi Jesterso
Right Outside Linebacker - Retar Sigurkison

Cornerback - Laripo Jäne
Cornerback - Vackenn Wisteros

Safety - Jifirlia Trikacale
Safety- Fele Sai

Special Teams
Kicker - Neoren Safalar
Place Kicker - Kio McKinnon
Punter - Piliver Mliki
Long Snapper - Atros Lilliesaw

Offence
Quarterback - Dustyie Barrows
Running back/halfback - Renegad Saoer
Running back/full back - Misami Tyukuyumo

Right Guard - Culeman Sanstro
Left Guard- Tanet Hagrepall
Right Tackle - Suis Legolra
Left Tackle - Weet Ciliha
Centre - Westore Ahlen

Wide Receiver - Clark Subersom
Wide Receiver - Marleir Ditton
Wide Receiver - Wann Sai
Tight End - Christian Mountain

backups
Wide receivers - Feackers Beak, Kirien Jonert, Farafey Giiow
Tight End - Maruo Ciff
Offensive Tackles - Tuterr Astyun
Offensive Guards - Glen Gestitrafa
Centre - Hured Stefano

Quarterback - Parti Mariss
Running backs - Johny Cag, Miswe Junevi
Kicker - Tim Jackhan
Punter - Surli Hackntosh

Defensive Ends - Chulie Hang, Srir Tan, Qwert Builse
Defensive Tackles - Gorgón Bileúse, Wanti Digeladiy
Backs (all defensive) - Swidle Zacher, Jieshi Misuki, Pilioli Viligali, Feng Tsao
Safety - Woh Tai In

Style Modifier: +1
Colors: Red, Orange, White
Way o' play: A more passing oriented game, patiently waiting for a chance to thrust. Latest coach Nickel Holoway inserted a new trick, with never-ending runs down the wings sometimes used to take advantage of the opposing team defending the centre too much due to the passing. The defence is very patient, but the famous "Nickel Push" Sees almost the whole defence screaming around a small perimeter around the player holding the ball, and often close in and lunge with vicious ferocity. The fans are very patriotic but there are less of them than other nations, as Rugby isn't a popular sport in The Jovannic.

Stadium: De Stadium Le Buile (Cap: 27,000)
The largest Stadium built for American Football is in the Secluded city of Buile in Vixer Province.

by **Copper Cuprum** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:17 am

This is your first CUTOFF for the 19th Rugby League World Cup.
Wish upon a shooting star for Margaret to give you a good result.

Group A
Copper Cuprum 34–6 Jeckland
Terre Septentrionale 23–20 Logria

Group B
Hutanjia 28–4 HUElavia
Quebecois Acadiana 1–11 Sandwichs

Group C
West Phoenicia 18–11 The Jovannic
TJUN-ia 14–4 Kayangan

Group D
Neu Engollon 37–9 Placely Placington
Kingdom of Great Britain 6–6 Mathuvan Union

Group E
Ko-oren 8–0 New Lunenburg
The Fair Republic 6–14 Lovisa

Group F
Elejamie 25–2 Northwest Kalactin
Ancharmunn 22–6 Hannasea

Group G
Darmen 3–0 Trolleborg
Natanians and Nosts 10–1 Megistos

Group H
Abanhfleft 36–15 Bostopia
Staypuftonia 20–6 Croblade

Tables to come on MD2.

by **Trolleborg** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:31 am

Of course, today one of the key news stories is the debut of our national team in the world of rugby. On the distant island of Copper Cuprum our team will enter a new era. Our G group is playing games in Al Deg, and the opponents will be the same newcomers like us from Megistos, plus Darmen and Nathans Host, which occupy 11th and 12th lines in the world table of ranks, respectively. Darmen is already familiar to our Rugby 7 team, defeating the Trolleborgians twice at the last world championship, including showing a master class in the debut game, 0:26, but at the end of the group stage, they missed a ticket to the playoffs. In this championship, our team (here's we see the irony of fate), will also have to start their journey with a match against Darmen. Of the other two, we are more familiar with Megistos, with this country recently even have air traffic connects us, in the huge Multiverse this is a sign of close and friendly contacts.

This championship is interesting in that it is attended mainly by debutants, 20 out of 32 teams are newcomers, like us. There will be six games in the group stage, at least we have a chance to find out exactly the place of our team in world sports, and not as it usually happens when the tournament distance is small and a lot is decided by chance. How many teams will advance to the next round is not announced, but presumably two from the group.

The fans of our team are already in place, trying with might and voice to persuade the Universe to intervene on the side of our rugby players with a loud noise. Probably, among the many colorful characters traveling for our teams in various sports, this time the most colorful is the famous shaman Wormeldang of Crooked Cave, who, as you know, rarely leaves his abode. His presence inspired many, but, however, in his interview with our TV channel, he said that he did not intend to do magic seriously, since it is unsportsmanlike. In such competitions, he said, it is important to show skill, speed and fighting spirit.

by **Ko-oren** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:03 am

A summer of sports with Leligun Thernasthen

Selpernim 2/Sweltersky 2

Ferrovente

Given the time zone, I've got the opportunity to watch the Rugby League World Cup opener from home before my bus to Constillán leaves.

I start my story in Finisterre, the city I've moved to a few months ago and started to love soon after. It's a decent 10-15 degrees warmer than my previous place, but the ocean breeze makes it a far more enjoyable heat. There's two sides to this city, and honestly, I now want to go into the past and tell the me from last year this. There is one side angled towards the desert, which gets some extra heat and a little less wind to compensate for this - as opposed to the coastal parts that are pretty nice year-round. Still warm, but liveable. Anyway, I've moved to that desert part, obviously, and while the winters are decent here, in summer I've taken to writing from rented offices, bars, and cafes which do get the sweet, sweet breeze. The food which is more monotonous (rice and anything from dough, some fish, and whatever vegetables trickle in from the west) but much tastier (those spices, man) is something to get used to.

In the meantime, I've started to like baseball, by and far the largest summer sport. Standing around in a field is probably the only thing to do here in summer, especially on the desert side. As an added bonus to the well-paid pros, the Ferrovente Whales in the top baseball league play on the ocean side. We have no lower league baseball teams within city limits - but there a few lower league teams in towns within a 30 minute drive, who all play on their town's desert side. In winter, it's all rugby league though. The Ferrovente Scorpions have their home base on the dry side, which is fine as long as you only use it between the equinoxes on the colder side of the year. To be fair, I've found my jam not with the Scorpions, but with the lower league teams. Rugby League has one national competition, on the top level, but beneath that it's all organised state-wide. The Finisterre league has two levels (the 2nd and 3rd divisions, effectively), with Arcoheira CRL in the second and Vila Nova in the third level. Playing in the 6,400 Credalaro, full on warmer nights but empty on day games, that's where I found I belong. Arcoheira are probably the more blue-collar team, Vila Nova are a white-collar team, or at least, that's what the Ferroventense tell you: "Los Vilanovenses, dice-te, tenen dinero. Vila Nova, division terceira, pero lo precio delo boleto e muiso muiso muiso caro." The Vilanovenses, let me tell you, they have money. Vila Nova, third division, but their ticket prices are very, very, very tough. The language is quite easy to pick up, but there were a few more words in that sentence that I plain forgot to write down. A lot to learn, for sure. At least I managed to buy a bus ticket to Constillán speaking Finisterran, or I think it's going to Constillán. We'll see.

Anyway, the Credalaro, that's also the stadium where Baris Bran found his start. First playing for Arcoheira CRL, he went professional to the Ferrovente Scorpions at age 18 - that's about 6 years before I moved here, mind you, and I had the joy of watching him play for 22 minutes this morning. A slow start for the Dragonflies, with Bran... playing no role of importance at all, it all came from Abbadie (one try) and Satomi (two try assists), with Fujioka adding nothing (zero for two on conversions). Still, the forwards - aided by the backs, of course, stopped all Lunenburg attempts at points of their own, cruising to a 8-0 win. Good discipline, no injuries, this is a start as you'd want... but I could've used some more points to wake me up. I'll be on a bus for the next 3 hours or so, going from the inner coast of Finisterre to the outer coast, where Constillán is. From there, I'll continue my trip around the Archipelago while taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells from the RLWC, WBC, WCOH, and AOCAF. See you there!

Part I: Selpernim 1, WBC

by **TJUN-ia** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:36 pm

Welcome to Ons Deg, Copper Cuprum! The Ons Deg Stadium will be the host of all of our matches in Group C of the 19th Rugby League World Cup and today saw match 1 of 6. The majority of nations in this tournament are debutants, so it only fitting that our debut match would be against another team making their debut. XIIIs was going to witness history as the TJUN-ia Jaguars took on the Kayangan Malay Blood. Both teams looking to make an impact in the client state of Abanhfleft.

The first 40 showcased the mood of this match-up: nervousness. Both teams, obviously, wanted to start their tournament's right and both were a little unsure as to how they could approach this game. But once they got going, the action was fierce with both teams looking to use their 5 tackle limits wisely. The first 6 points would be TJUN-ia's just before the hooter went off, with Sevens convert Vincent Leclerc sliding into the try. The conversion was made by team-captain Jack Henderson, who was identified as the best kicker on the team before this match.

But the Malay Blood didn't want to dry out just yet and as the 2nd 40 got underway, they struck. A nice offload by Siong Merah allowed Raksa Hitam to score, but the conversion was missed. 6-4 Jags, but TJUN-ia decide to blow this one open. Leclerc turned from scorer to provider as he allowed the uniquely-named Andre le Grand-Et-Haut to score the try. Another conversion by Henderson gave the Jags an 8 point lead, which would remain that way until a penalty was converted by the captain just before the hooter.

Best start you could ask for really, winning your first ever match. The road may be harder than today but for now, we can celebrate this success. Tomorrow will bring a whole new challenge as we take on 8th ranked side in the multiverse: West Phoenicia. The only ranked team in our group, they will be the toughest test by far. Can we cause the early upset and make a statement of intent? Tune in tomorrow to find out. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (GROUP C) - All Games at Ons Deg Stadium, Ons Deg (48,000 Capacity)
MD1: TJUN-ia (UR) vs Kayangan (UR) - W 14-4
MD2: West Phoenicia (8) vs TJUN-ia (UR)
MD3: TJUN-ia (UR) vs The Jovannic (UR)
--------------------------OFF DAY--------------------------
MD4: Kayangan (UR) vs TJUN-ia (UR)
MD5: TJUN-ia (UR) vs West Phoenicia (8)
MD6: The Jovannic (UR) vs TJUN-ia (UR)

by **Ancharmunn** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 4:26 pm

The Maudraiska Mirror

Squirrels crack Stallions nuts to claw way to first Thundering Bears Trophy

The pre-Rugby League World Cup match between Ancharmunn and Bostopia was never going to a world class match given that Ancharmunn were making their return to international rugby league after several years, if not decades away. For Bostopia, their Rugby League World Cup appearance marks a first attempt at the code since the early days of the tournament, indeed few if any alive are even likely to recall their last foray into rugby league. There are already indications that the sport may establish a more permanent foothold for them this time round.

So then, what of the Thundering Bears Trophy itself? Whilst Ancharmunn being an established though returning nation, some rustiness was on show for a group of players unused to playing on an international stage, whilst for Bostopia, it was clearly a case of a nation still getting to grips with the nuances of the game, but showing some early promise. Whilst the quality was at times lacking, it still made for an entertaining evening, both in the match, and with events leading up the game.

Chaos somewhat seems to follow Emperor Boston around and with the Emperor among the dignitaries attending it was to be little surprise that he would be at the centre of perhaps one of the most unusual entrances a team has ever made to a rugby pitch. Having completed their warm-up on the pitch just a quarter of an hour or so earlier, it was something of a surprise to not see the Bostopian Stallions emerge from the tunnel alongside their Ancharmunn Squirrels counterparts. What was even stranger was to come moments later, as a tank rolled onto the pitch from the emergency access area within the corner of the stadium. Having just about missed the goalposts as it parked, Emperor Boston would triumphantly emerge from the hatch of the tank bearing the Bostopian flag, whilst the 17 players selected to play the match followed somewhat gingerly afterwards.

Following the anthems there was then a rather long delay to kick off as the referee had to endure the task of explaining to the Emperor that play couldn’t proceed with a tank blocking up the in goal area. The Emperor’s claims that the tank was merely one of the Bostopian players defending their tryline were quickly rebuffed when the referee pointed out that Thomas Tanky McTank Tank wasn’t on the team-sheet.

Once play was finally able to get underway the Stallions would start as the stronger of the two teams, with some good periods of possession and repeated sets in the Charmunnry half. However the Squirrels were able to hold back the Stallions just enough that they were never really too threatening, and where they did get into dangerous areas, the Stallions were still somewhat lacking in dangerous final tackle options. A couple of penalty goals were traded around the midpoint of the half to seemingly set the score at the 2-2 going into halftime. However the Stallions rawness and naivety was most on show as the hooter went and Lance McAULEY made the odd decision to cut infield to kick a field-goal to take the Stallions into half-time 3-2 up, rather than stay on the wing and look to go for a try for a bigger lead.

Bostopia found themselves able to hang on to their slender advantage for the opening fifteen minutes of the second-half, however an ever more frantic defence, coupled with a sinbinng for young hooker Jesse Castle following a team warning for repeated fouling allowed Ancharmunn to apply constant pressure for ten minutes, and during that time find their way past the depleted Bostopia defence for two converted tries and a 14-3 lead. A further drop goal, this time from Squirrels half Eddie Beaumont, who would later claim he just fancied a bit of practise, then all but put the result beyond doubt.

There was further drama on the full-time hooter when with Beaumont having looked to boot the ball into touch in the corner, a loud explosion rang around the arena. Having parked his tank just off the corner of the pitch that Brannigan had kicked towards, Emperor Boston is thought to have mistaken the ball for incoming artillery and taken defensive action against it. Fortunately however, it appears that other than the Charmunnry authorities being deprived of one rugby ball, and a few fans in that corner of the stadium suffering from perforated eardrums little harm was caused.

Having lifted the Thundering Bears Trophy the Squirrels will now fancy their chances in their Rugby League World Cup opener against the Hannasea Hamsters in a match being billed as the Battle of the Rodents.

Related
We Ask the Public: Poll shows Charmunnry fans definitely more interested in Thundering Bears rivalry than Battle of the Rodents
RLWC opener: Charmunnry stars eat Hannasea’s Hamsters

by **Bostopia** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:20 pm

The sound created by a league ball in flight (kicked by an unknown assailant)

swoosh

The sound caused by a league ball (which was previously in flight after being kicked by an unknown assailant) hitting someone

twaonk

The sound emitted by a someone being hit by a league ball (which was previously in flight after being kicked by an unknown assailant) when they weren’t expecting it

aieeee

The sound made by a someone who had been hit by a league ball (which was previously in flight after being kicked by an unknown assailant) when they weren’t expecting it hitting the deck

baaang

tinkle… tinkle… roll

‘What was that?’ Someone in the crowd gasped, not able to explain what the last noise they heard was.

‘M-m-mabels’ the Emperor said, fading in and out of consciousness.

‘Mabels? Is that what he called his tank? Is he calling for his tank? Can someone get this man his comfort tank please?!’ another voice in quickly expanding crowd around the Emperor called, as the sound of an engine roared into life

crash-bang-wallop

The sound made by an inexperienced tank driving crashing into – and through – rugby goalposts.

‘M-m-marbles’ the Emperor said again, this time coherently.

‘The Emperor’s on about marbles!’ The tank-calling man’s voice cried out; this time seemingly more desperate.

‘He’s lost his marbles! Run!’ A female voice shouted from the crowd, causing a panic and a mass stampede toward the exits. One or two people stepped and slipped on the marbles as they attempted to run, only causing further chaos.

Emperor Boston lay on the ground, blinking his eyes in a desperate attempt to see clearly again and to stop seeing eleven reflections of himself in a nearby mirror rather than just the one.

The sound made by people mourning a hot dog stand which had been knocked over but who also rendered the hotdogs ‘still good’, being able to grab some in the chaos.

sob-nom-nom

by **Elejamie** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:48 pm

Elan's Guide to the 19th Rugby League World Cup
Elan Raetolil (aka RubiFaman) - Pad Deg, Copper Cuprum

Apologies for my lack of posts for the last League World Cup, I was unable to make the trek over to Darmen. For a start, my grandmother died a couple of days before I was due to set off, which made things incredibly difficult. Even more so when the funeral was set to take place on the day of our third game, which was against Copper Cuprum funnily enough. Fortunately, it wasn't at the same time, as the match itself was in the afternoon whereas the funeral was in the morning. I asked my fellow Drop Goal columnists if they could chip in but Dave was busy, AD the HG was ill and everyone else was otherwise unavailable. Getting a bit more desperate, I considered asking a few of my friends if they wanted to take the trip over, only for me to realise for obvious reasons that that might not be the best idea. So, with a heavy heart, I had to get a refund on my plane tickets then settle for watching the matches themselves on TV.

Laurence Dunkelman, seen here during a
break in a Newford Comets game. A
newcomer to league yet he still plays like he's
been playing it for years.

On the upside, at least the matches themselves were somewhat entertaining. Including the 18-10 defeat to Pratapgadh, who well and truly deserved that victory. They were the better side and they had that drive that we couldn't keep a grip on for that match, so it kind of disappointed me when I saw that they weren't participating in this one. Maybe they'll make a welcome return again, who knows. Regardless of that, we were still able to win our other games and finish second in a group where the top four would go through to the knockout stages, only being the aforementioned Pratapgadh whose 7-7 draw with the hosts was the only thing stopping their run from being truly perfect. Regardless, we pressed on and easily dismantled a somewhat underwhelming Natanians and Nosts side who were a shadow of their group stage run, followed by a hard-earned 9-0 shut-out of the Alpine Union. After a narrow 9-6 win over Ko-oren, thanks to Laurence Dunkelman's 73rd minute try and conversion from Raul de Vargas putting us in the front after we trailed throughout the whole match, we had made it to the final. Win and we'd be world champions in both of the main codes. The downside? We were up against Abanhfleft, who had beaten us in the third play-offs in the competition prior. And that's what happened again here, as they shut us out 14-0 and became world champions. Regardless, as well as regardless of AEtomir's injury that ruled him out of the tournament, we were still proud of that run and we're hoping that one day we'll finally be able to lift that trophy.

So, after quite a while as well as everyone arriving having to shut themselves away for a week upon arrival due to our government's recommendation, we're here with a new tournament. It's in Copper Cuprum, the land whose highly controversial ritual involving chickens will make anyone uncomfortable, myself included. It's just a question of whether or not they'll be allowed to actually perform that in their own nation and if the cameras would be allowed to air it or if they'll have to resort to reaction shots. I'd imagine they'd try and lobby to allow it. I'd also imagine that, with or without it, they'd still put on a good show for everyone involved and show that they're still a potential candidate for a top ten team.

With that tangent aside, let's talk about where the team is. In an incredibly easy group, going by things. All of our opponents are new to the competition, though hopefully they won't be absolute walkovers. After all, that'll lead to complacency and when we come up against an opponent who knows what they're doing, you can bet we'll pay for it horribly. But we don't have to worry bout that just now, especially since it's a double round-robin where they might end up getting their revenge in their second game in the event we trounce them in the first. For now, we're in Group F, we're in Pad Deg, we're playing at the Billingshurst Motors Park. We should concentrate on playing our opponents first before we have to worry about that.

And who will our first group stage opponent be? Northwest Kalactin. While they're not new to rugby in general, as they were at the last Rugby Sevens World Cup (where they finished second in their group before losing 34-14 to hosts and eventual runners-up Barunia in the following round), they're kind of new to league. The ERF made up a team entirely of amateur players and played a friendly against the Kalactinian team just to get them warmed up, with the amateurs winning 12-8 after trailing 8-6 at half-time. I'm not sure about how popular league is over there, or if there are any league championships over there. All I know is that this could potentially be an easy win for us now they'll be up against a squad of professionals. Not a complete wash-out, but I still predict a win by at least 20 points. I wouldn't be surprised if we stop them for scoring any tries, though I'm definitely not going to rule out them sneaking in a goal or a drop one way or another.

A promotional shot of Liam Agar, a
potential candidate for the captaincy or
maybe vice-captaincy according to rumours.

After that, we've got Ancharmunn, nicknamed the Squirrels. While I'm not sure about the international side of things, they seem to have quite a strong rugby presence back home. They seem to have a proper league championship, with teams like the Rahnagroe Rabbitohs, the Rushmore Dockers, the Mahanuata Iwi and Na Hoileánaigh. They're probably our biggest challenger as a result, although due to an incident following a pre-tournament friendly against Bostopia, they might not be as tough when we'll be up against them. We still shouldn't underestimate them, though, as they should have some star players and the kicking legs of Liam Brannigan might put a dampener on things.

And finally we've got Hannasea. We're not entirely unfamiliar with this nation, as it hosted the 31st World Cup of Hockey where the Icy Elephants won their second trophy. But, when it comes to rugby, it's a bit of a mystery to us. Fortunately, I've found a brief guide to it, which should help us fill in the blanks. For a start, union's completely professional whereas league's completely amateur, the complete opposite of what you'd expect (though whether or not it's been like this I've no idea). As such, the entire team's made up of various blue-collar workers, as well as those working in the emergency services, military, a chef and a couple of white-collar workers. While I could predict another easy win for us, I wouldn't rule out the Hamsters as they're nicknamed having that underdog spirit to them. Especially since they're all under 25 years of age, whereas we've got a number of players in our 30s who would probably have rings ran around them. Jack Egan, a metal caster by trade, is their kicker and might be their key player when it comes to racking up the points against us. And Dale Caster's their captain who'll lead his team to put the pressure onto us and, best case scenario, pull off a win for them.

So, once we've played them twice, where do I think we'll finish? First, of course. It's a no-brainer. Northwest Kalactin will probably be an easy couple of wins but I'm hesitant to say the same regarding Ancharmunn or Hannasea. However, now it's just a question of which of those two will be the lucky one joining us in the next round. And I'm going to put my money on Ancharmunn, due to them not only having a proper league, er, LEAGUE with proper teams but also professional players as well. But I don't know, I'm still hesitant to rule out the potential of an upset from Hannasea. Regardless, I wish the best of luck to all three of our opponents and may the best team win.

So what's going on in the other groups? The hosts are in Group A, as you'd expect, where they're playing in Bed Deg alongside Terre Septentrionale, Logria and Jeckland, who hosted the 14th edition of the competition but have sadly been absent for long enough for their rankings to be reset. Hutanjia, who are the top dogs when it comes to league, are in the capital Wa Deg and Group B alongside Quebecois Acadania, Sandwichs [sic] and HUElavia. Neu Engollon, who are a powerhouse when it comes to rugby full stop, are in Group D alongside the Kingdom of Great Britain, Mathuvan Union and Placely Placington, the latter apparently being a team made up entirely of clones who bizarrely die on a frequent basis if what I've read and gathered from their WorldVision performances are correct. And the reigning champions, Abanhfleft, are in Group H with Staypuftonia, Croblade and Bostopia. For the other groups? West Phoenicia, TJUN-ia, Kayangan and the Jovannic in Group C; Ko-oren, the Fair Republic, Lovisa and New Lunenburg in Group E; and Darmen, the Natanians and Nosts, Megistos and Trolleborg in Group G.

Anything else to comment on? Not particularly. Harry Rutledge confirmed that he, along with a few other players, will be either retiring from the international side or retiring period. As a result, there are rumours flying around on who'll be the new captain or, should Pritchard get that promotion, who the new vice-captain will be. Liam Agar's currently the frontrunner according to the rumours and, while he can be electric on the pitch, I'm a bit sceptical on whether or not he's really captain material. Other than that, things seem to be quiet on this front. I'll keep everyone updated if something else pops up but, for now, let's be like Dave when it comes to union and just sit back and watch some exciting games.

More from RubiFaman:

Elan's Blog: Copper [Cuprum] Mining

Elan's Guide to the Shortened 2020 HBRL Season

What Does This Whole Thing Mean For Rugby League?

Elan's Round-Up of the 2019 HBRL Season

by **Kayangan** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:15 pm

HARIAN NEGARA

Group C
TJUN-ia 14–4 Kayangan

Ons Deg Stadium witnessed the loss of Pertiwi Hikmat's men in the first match against TJUN-ia. Bomoh (Shaman) Anjung Keluli Pagar Bumi when contacted admitted that it was difficult for his mentera to reach the opposing line of players because of his difficulty in pronouncing their names correctly. The 99-year-old shaman added, the noise in the stadium made it difficult for him to focus in his meditation.

Jaguar is quite dominant compared to Malay Blood which is quite nervous in front of a large audience. The stadium, which can accommodate 48,000, was noisy by the shouts of the audience making them a little nervous. Their official Dastar and Tongkolok (Headgear) are quite heavy and thick, adding to their discomfort.

Try from Raksa Hitam gave a single point for Malay Blood in the match, they agreed that they are still in the trial phase which is the first major tournament for them. After this Jovannic is waiting for them, can they forget yesterday's defeat and rise again?

MD2
Vs. Jovannic
@ Ons Deg Stadium

by **Trolleborg** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:21 am

It’s TTV from Copper Cuprum, and we present to you a report on our team's first game at the Rugby World Cup. As you all know, both in Rugby-7 and in the World Cup our first rival was the Darmen national team. Match from the Rugby-7 Cup was extremely discouraging for our team, and I remember how we were all extremely depressed then. Although our guys showed themselves at that championship as a whole more than worthy. This time Darmen did not get the victory so easily, our guys successfully defended the whole game and tried to carry out attacks themselves, and, in general, with some luck they could count not only on a draw, but also on an even more worthy result. But experience prevailed over diligence and discipline, and in the end Darmen was able to snatch three points, realizing a foul kick, and in the end this is brought the favorites a victory - yes, a modest, but victory. This is the class of the game, which our teams in different sports are sorely lacking.

We have to apologize for the quality of the picture, our technique could not correctly identify the tone of the Darmen uniform, but still we did not find it possible to deprive the audience of the spectacle.

The lack of reaction of social networks to the performance of the team is somewhat surprising, we hope that this audience is just observing what is happening deciding to wait with conclusions until the situation becomes clearer. For a debut, all experts agree, this is a good result, but only for a debut. Let's wish our guys good luck, today they have their next fight, with the national team Megistos, which also lost their first match. The outcome of this meeting will give us all an accurate signal of the state of our rugby.

by **Copper Cuprum** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:40 am

This is your second CUTOFF for the 19th Rugby League World Cup.
It might be early days but you still might find that there's somewhere you belong in the groups.

Group A
Jeckland 9–15 Logria
Copper Cuprum 21–7 Terre Septentrionale

  Group A                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Copper Cuprum              2   2  0  0   55  13 +42    4
2 Terre Septentrionale       2   1  0  1   30  41 −11    2
3 Logria                     2   1  0  1   35  32  +3    2
4 Jeckland                   2   0  0  2   15  49 −34    0

Terre Septentrionale ahead of Logria on head-to-head results

Group B
HUElavia 6–6 Sandwichs
Hutanjia 23–2 Quebecois Acadiana

  Group B                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Hutanjia                   2   2  0  0   51   6 +45    4
2 Sandwichs                  2   1  1  0   17   7 +10    3
3 HUElavia                   2   0  1  1   10  34 −24    1
4 Quebecois Acadiana         2   0  0  2    3  34 −31    0

Group C
The Jovannic 11–13 Kayangan
West Phoenicia 3–7 TJUN-ia

  Group C                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 TJUN-ia                    2   2  0  0   21   7 +14    4
2 West Phoenicia             2   1  0  1   21  18  +3    2
3 Kayangan                   2   1  0  1   17  25  −8    2
4 The Jovannic               2   0  0  2   22  31  −9    0

Group D
Placely Placington 30–6 Mathuvan Union
Neu Engollon 20–2 Kingdom of Great Britain

  Group D                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Neu Engollon               2   2  0  0   57  11 +46    4
2 Placely Placington         2   1  0  1   39  43  −4    2
3 Kingdom of Great Britain   2   0  1  1    8  26 −18    1
4 Mathuvan Union             2   0  1  1   12  36 −24    1

Group E
New Lunenburg 1–19 Lovisa
Ko-oren 2–6 The Fair Republic

  Group E                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Lovisa                     2   2  0  0   33   7 +26    4
2 The Fair Republic          2   1  0  1   12  16  −4    2
3 Ko-oren                    2   1  0  1   10   6  +4    2
4 New Lunenburg              2   0  0  2    1  27 −26    0

The Fair Republic ahead of Ko-oren on head-to-head results

Group F
Northwest Kalactin 9–12 Hannasea
Elejamie 9–7 Ancharmunn

  Group F                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Elejamie                   2   2  0  0   34   9 +25    4
2 Ancharmunn                 2   1  0  1   29  15 +14    2
3 Hannasea                   2   1  0  1   18  31 −13    2
4 Northwest Kalactin         2   0  0  2   11  37 −26    0

Ancharmunn ahead of Hannasea on head-to-head results

Group G
Trolleborg 8–0 Megistos
Darmen 11–20 Natanians and Nosts

  Group G                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Natanians and Nosts        2   2  0  0   30  12 +18    4
2 Darmen                     2   1  0  1   14  20  −6    2
3 Trolleborg                 2   1  0  1    8   3  +5    2
4 Megistos                   2   0  0  2    1  18 −17    0

Darmen ahead of Trolleborg on head-to-head results

Group H
Bostopia 18–9 Croblade
Abanhfleft 34–8 Staypuftonia

  Group H                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Abanhfleft                 2   2  0  0   70  23 +47    4
2 Bostopia                   2   1  0  1   33  45 −12    2
3 Staypuftonia               2   1  0  1   28  40 −12    2
4 Croblade                   2   0  0  2   15  38 −23    0

by **Ko-oren** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:35 am

Part I: Selpernim 1, WBC
Part II: Selpernim 2, RLWC
Part III: Selpernim 3, WBC

A summer of sports with Leligun Thernasthen

Selpernim 3/Sweltersky 3

Constillán

While I'm waiting at the ferry terminal to visit Nitoya in Yoshima tomorrow, let me just look up some things on sports on this side of Finisterre. The towns here are so small that they can't support more than one per town - which begs the question, will they choose football? Rugby league? Or baseball?

For the most part, the choice is made for them. When these towns popped up, they were fishing villages along a coast, with no time for sports. As time moved on, and they received reports via radio in all three of the popular sports covered in their language, the drive to imitate their heroes increased. Most towns had one sports club, specialised in all three: baseball in summer, rugby in autumn and winter, and football taking over after that. Baseball played on a diamond that started right on where the corner flag would be, so the outfield is used for all three sports, leading to some weird outfield layouts - but that's more of a WBC thing. For rugby league, that was played when the field had some opportunity to recover from the brutal summer, so league was usually played on brown grass that got some colour back as the season went on. Football was then played after the winter, on a somewhat green, level field. Small leagues started sprouting up - we had the Amandinense, the Ferroventense, the Teresense, and the most spread out one, the Oceanico. The Oceanico split into an Oceanico delo Sur and an Oceanico dela Norte within a year or so, as it turned out most teams couldn't cover the distance. At points in their existence, the same players first played a rugby match in the morning and then a football game in the afternoon, just so they didn't have to cover the dozens, or hundreds, of kilometres between towns for a second time that season. With the first professional teams arising in the Ferroventense and the Teresense, the smaller towns couldn't stay behind as they got slaughtered more and more in the All-Finisterre finals (four leagues, whose champions go to the semifinals, one finals tournament for each sport. When there were five leagues, the Oceanicos held preliminary finals among each other), and specialisation was inevitable. Towns then gravitated to whatever sport they already excelled in: Luneda in baseball, Odilha to rugby league, Constillán to football. There is, however, an interesting trend for Oceanico dela Sur teams to get into baseball, the Amandinense teams to go for rugby league, and the soccer teams to be found in the Oceanico del Norte.

The larger Teresense and Ferroventense teams went on to play in the big professional national leagues, and the smaller teams of those regions, the Oceanicos, and the Amandinense were only good for a combined second division, their talent siphoned into the pro teams. The semifinals for all three sports, as they had existed, disappeared as their popularity waned (these matches attracted crowds into the ten thousands just a decade earlier!) and only the strongest clubs survived to even make it into the lower leagues. For baseball, the region was strong enough to fill a 12-team league all by itself, all from different towns. For football, teams came from all over but were placed in all kind of different levels. Right now, only Castelo e Calvente - the largest team in Ferrovente - can hold itself at a sub-professional level, among the top teams in the second division. Rugby league, then, slimmed down further and further, the Finisterran teams placed in joint leagues with the smaller Cote Austral teams, with a huge focus on Ferroventense and Teresense teams. The rural towns, who had several decades earlier thrived in the Oceanicos, the semifinals, the finals even, disappeared from view - their populations first stagnating, then regressing, as more and more workers were needed in the cities. Plenty of opportunities and employment to be found there, and the proud villages were left desolate and empty - though not quite as empty as the desert that started right at their edges. Nothing is as empty as that, as I've just found out in the 2,5 hour bus ride that took me here.

I wonder if I'll see the same thing in Yoshima, once the ferry leaves. Another remote subdivision of Ko-oren, dominated by a handful of cities, leaving the rural towns even more remote than they already are. Distances can be absolute... but they can absolutely be made larger by other factors. Relative distance, for your social geography lesson of the day.

And so we have it that the only rugby league teams worth a damn are the Blanrasco Behemoth, their nickname overstating their abilities quite a bit, as well as Odilha CRL, which does what it says on the tin (Clube Rugby League), and Tarraganes, a village just outside of Valeloma, which in itself is a village just outside Ferrovente.

Anyway, as I'm sat there in that ferry terminal, Ko-oren versus the Fair Republic is playing on the TV in the corner. The audio is turned off, which certainly doesn't help the immersion and turns me to my wikipedia research on industrial era rugby league in Finisterre instead. It also didn't help that Ko-oren stalled out on the fourth or fifth tackle around the 10-metre line, bombed a kick into the in-goal area, after which the Fair Republic inevitably took it out, stalled out around the halfway line, and any penalties committed happened safely away from the penalty goal range. A complete lack of creativity then stopped the Dragonflies from getting points on the board in the first half. After that, Fujioka took the first opportunity to score: a penalty goal at 61 minutes - that was all. At least, as far as I saw in between looking at my laptop. For the rest, our numbers defence was just off towards the end, and the Fair Republic snuck in a try at 73 minutes, including the conversion, with the winger escaping down the side and helping the kicker by drifting inwards after the linebreak. Final score: 6-2, and as entertaining as rugby league is, this wasn't great advertising for it. Do yourself a favour, and check out Logria's 15-9 over Jeckland, or if you like blowouts, Abanhfleft's 26 point win, or anything that happened in Group D. The Dragonflies will hopefully be back with a decent performance against New Lunenburg, and meanwhile we're hoping for Lovisa to lose something. So far, this isn't the World Cup we expected, hoped for, or deserved.

by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:04 am

Our second game in Ons Deg, Copper Cuprum was going to be the toughest on paper. While we, Kayangan (who we beat yesterday) and The Jovannic (who we play tomorrow) are all unranked and debutants in Rugby League, 8th-ranked West Phoenicia certainly wasn't. These guys are certainly more experienced than anyone else in the group and were the obvious favourites heading into today. But they beat The Jovannic in a bit of a tight one, so the Jags were hoping to bring the game to the obviously-experienced opponents.

It certainly was tight, tighter than many expected, and points were a struggle to come by for both teams. The TJUN-ian coaching staff wanted to bring to the game to their opposition and my goodness, the players certainly did that. The game was a siege that saw little in terms of scoring. But that doesn't mean there wasn't any scoring at all. At the start of the 2nd half, TJUN-ia finally struck through a try from Shinji Ketsumoga. Captain Jack Henderson converted, 6-0 TJUN-ia. The game continued to slog on but our opponent was struggling to respond. They converted a penalty and then scored a drop goal, but that was all she wrote for the 8th ranked team. Henderson would get a drop goal of his own just before the hooter.

2-0 TJUN-ia after 2 games, who would have though it?! Now the pressure is on to keep it that way. How far can we go? Is this the peak of TJUN-ian Rugby? I guess well see against The Jovannic, who appear to playing more XIIs than XIIIs. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (GROUP C) - All Games at Ons Deg Stadium, Ons Deg (48,000 Capacity)
MD1: TJUN-ia (UR) vs Kayangan (UR) - W 14-4
MD2: West Phoenicia (8) vs TJUN-ia (UR) - W 7-3 (1st)
MD3: TJUN-ia (UR) vs The Jovannic (UR)
--------------------------OFF DAY--------------------------
MD4: Kayangan (UR) vs TJUN-ia (UR)
MD5: TJUN-ia (UR) vs West Phoenicia (8)
MD6: The Jovannic (UR) vs TJUN-ia (UR)

by **Hannasea** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 12:49 pm

Article posted on the sports section of the SuperBusiness website.

Hamsters Turn The Wheel

Felching For Godot

by **Placely Placington** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:28 pm

It had been a gruelling match for the Placely Placington. After coming up short in their opener, only losing 37-9 to a far superior Neu Engollonian side and fortunately only six deaths in total, the plucky group of Test Subjects were hoping that this game would end up a lot better. Besides, they were up against the Mathuvan Union, who were not only new to the competition as well but were also coming off of a 6-6 draw with the Kingdom of Great Britain. A win for either team could see them move into second place as the Kingdom of GB were inevitably going to be on the receiving end of a potentially massive defeat by the Ibexes so they might as well compete to see who'll take second in the power void. After all, second place moves on to the competition, provided it stays there after winning enough of the next few games, so it's just a question of whether or not they'll be able to make the grab and keep it should they be able to.

Kick-off. Test Subject #6 kicked the ball as hard as he could, only for his leg to suddenly disintegrate and for him to die somehow. Fortunately, a fresh player was cloned and play carried on as normal. Test Subject #3 was the first to score a try, tripping over his laces and somehow causing his head to fall off, but the referee still awarded the try. Test Subject #6 went in for the kick and, as he took a soccer-style kick, he ended up getting the ball between the posts but underneath the uprights. Regardless, he and his teammates still celebrated as if he scored the winning penalty in the NS Football World Cup final, only for everyone to remind them it has to go over the bar for it to count. Play had to be stopped for a few minutes in the 15th minute when a bird flying overhead accidentally dropped the piano it was carrying and flattened the entire Placely Placington starting line-up, as well as two of the interchanges somehow. After enough pitch repair to fix the already-minimal damage, alongside a fresh patch of Test Subjects being cloned, play carried on for twenty more minutes before three more Test Subjects spontaneously combusted, leaving behind globules as play had to be stopped again just to clean them up.

Despite all of this, however, Placely Placington were still leading 18-0 by half-time, thanks to a couple more tries from Test Subject #2 and Test Subject #1, with actual proper conversions from Test Subject #6 who'd later score a penalty of his own. They were also somehow able to keep the Mathuvan Union from scoring, despite the strategy essentially boiling down to "ATTACK! ATTACK!". They were a bit rough with it mind and even had a tendency to tackle their own players regardless of whether or not they had the ball, but it was still a good lead and with enough patience they could easily extend it and keep shutting out their opponents. Such words don't really exist in their lexicon, sadly, but it'd still be quite fun to see.

Sadly, sometime after the break was over, they would allow the opposition to score some points. A try and a conversion in the 53rd minute. A disappointment albeit an unsurprising one given that half of the Test Subjects were in the opponent's half, one of them somehow managed to get himself lodged IN THE PITCH, the interchange bench had three extra people on it and the only person who was even close to their try scorer helped them score it. Then again, what do you expect from a nation made up entirely of idiots brought on by the Orb of Confusion and repeated clonings. They came close to scoring a second but they somehow managed to get ruled off-side, much to the relief of everyone involved.

Placely Placington, however, was fortunate enough to answer with a try from test subject #15, who had come on to replace Test Subject #4, followed by a successful goal to add two more points. This happened in the 62nd minute and and they would've scored another if it weren't for the fact that one of the Test Subjects had accidentally grounded his teammate's head past the try line; fortunately, he gave it back and, once it was sticky taped back onto his neck, Test Subject #10 was ready to play again. There was a second try, this time from Test Subject #14, with Test Subject #6 scoring the extras. Not much happened after that other than the odd death causing play to stop for a couple of minutes so they can bring out the Clonomat. Eventually, the hooter went and after one last tackle, the match had finally come to an end.

Final score? Placely Placington 30 - 6 Mathuvan Union. Final result? Second place, just behind Neu Engollon who had come away with a 20-2 win over the Kingdom of Great Britain? The plan now? Play out that last game against that team, then sit back and see how they'll get along with the second half of the group stage. It could be smooth sailing again or it could be another disaster like the opener against Neu Engollon. Heck, it could be another tie to make it 1-1-1 for them. Whatever the result was, they were probably ready for it. Just hope they were able to avoid repeating many of the same mistakes that happened here, even though it's pretty obvious they'll carry on doing what they were doing before.

OOC: As mentioned in my roster post, I'd like any RP bonus I gained from this to go towards Elejamie (my main) instead of this account if possible.

by **Kayangan** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:37 pm

HARIAN NEGARA

Group C
The Jovannic 11–13 Kayangan

All the Kayanganese people know who the Anjungan Bijana, the largest condom company CEOs in Kayangan, probably also in the Malay Archipelago. AS CEO of Ohsem Health Ltd., he was also appointed President, Rugby Association of Kayangan. The young merchant has just reached 45 years of age and is known as a generous donor. Prosperity and fertility of the Kayangan earth can make the rubber plant so fertile and most planted causing Ohsem Health so easy to get raw supplies to process condoms. Population density has led the Kayangan government at that time to raise funds to set up a condom manufacturing company for the local market. The Black Book project was launched in early 98 to reduce pregnancy rates among residents and among its initiatives to establish Ohsem Health Ltd. Ohsem's condoms are distributed free of charge to each community through the Government-sponsored charity project and Ohsem Health Ltd.

Turning to the news of the Malay Blood team that secured the first victory when beating The Jovannic 13-11. Malay Blood points are obtained through 2 tries and 2 conversions as well as one through a drop goal completed by Kilat Menduga. The next match for Malay Blood is against West Phenicia at Ons Deg Stadium. The latest Malay Blood ranked third in Group C with one win and one defeat and earned 2 points, sharing points with West Phenicia.

Team official Shaman, Anjung Keluli Pagar Bumi, is said to hold a ritual in a hotel room just because he cannot focus to perform his matra at the stadium because it is too noisy, he is also said to be training the name of an opponent who somewhat unfamiliar because they are all non-Malays and name they are quite difficult to mention by him.

MD3
Vs. West Phoenicia
@ Ons Deg Stadium

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 12:23 am

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independents sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Rugby Rundown (Rugby League Edition!)
with Graham O'Doherty

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP XVIII: THE FINAL
I can't believe it. I actually can't believe it. It's happened. It has finally happened. I was finally present to watch Abanhfleft win an actual fucking tournament! Oh, my God! Oh, my days! We've won the Rugby League World Cup! I really can't believe it! Oh my! Hello guys, and welcome back to another edition of The Rugby Rundown Rugby League Edition with me, your gay Irishman Graham O'Doherty. Let's take a look at how Abanhfleft finally managed to defy the odds and our own reputation for bottling things in order to win it all in Darmen.

Rugby League World Cup XVIII Final: Elejamie vs. Abanhfleft

Elejamie (0)

Abanhfleft (14)
Try: Aguinaga 13' m
Alfaro 59' c
Aumann 67' m
Con: Fury (0/1)
Akiyama (1/2)

There is no denying that there was much hype surrounding this game in terms of what was at stake. Both teams were really looking forward to this contest. Elejamie were raring to get out the field already, and Abanhfleft wanted to get tackling already. Everyone was hyped up, expecting both teams to put out their best effort on the field and be better than the other guys. And boy did it live up to the hype. The first ten minutes of so were more a defensive masterclass than anything though; neither team gave up much ground per six tackles. Then suddenly Clint Aguinaga, the slippery bastard, gave the Elejam halfback the slip and scored the try right on the line. In fact, it was so right on the line that the TMO had to be called in to make the decision, which fortunately went in our favour. Shame DeWayne Fury couldn't get the conversion though, else it would've been the literal perfect start to the game for our Revolutionaries.

And then nothing much happened for the next forty or so minutes. No team were able to gain much ground per six tackles yet again, and no penalties ended up happening within scoring range. The interchanges went in, and it was one such interchange, Ethan Alfaro at fullback, who would end up making the difference in what has to be the biggest game of Abanhfleft's rugby league team. Alfaro broke one tackle, then two, then three, then he worked those massive thighs of his and ran all the way for the try line to ground the rock beneath the black dot. Peter Akiyama would not have an easier conversion than that in this game. No, really. That is literally what happened. Forrest Aumann, playing in the final game of his international career, capped off his captaincy with the third try of the game for Abanhfleft, but with how solidly Elejamie were defending the center of the field the only way Aumann could have scored was going for the touch lines and hooking back in to ground the ball in the in-goal. That didn't give Akiyama the best angle to score the conversion, and thus he was unable to put the cherry on top of the cake that was Forrest Aumann's Rugby League World Cup-winning try. But in the end, it didn't really matter. The points were all in Abanhfleft's favour, and 14 was more than enough for us to secure the Rugby League World Cup. Oh, I wonder when will be the next time I will witness a favorite team of mine lifting a trophy in the flesh. XOXO from Graham....

by **Bostopia** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:38 am

‘Got to be concussion, surely?’ Otto, one of the medical staff - though he was more of a chef - watching over the Emperor asked.

‘ Beats me’ replied Rich Morrins, the co-pilot, who was worryingly more interested in eavesdropping on the conversation than actually flying the Emperor’s plane back.
Even though the Emperor was usually quite placid and not prone to outbursts, the decision had been made to strap him to a gurney for the flight back. A team of medical experts, plus the odd chef had been monitoring him during the flight back. Rather sporadically, the Emperor would mutter something about ‘marbles’ or ‘football’, then lapse back into unconsciousness.

‘Seriously though, losing your actual marbles can’t be that damaging can it, Doc?’ Rich pondered this for a moment, taking his attention off the flight panel again to step into his alternative role as Chief Medical Officer on board the flight. ‘Again, beats me; if the Emperor was particularly attached to them it could have had a devastating impact on his psyche.’

‘Worth considering whether the league ball hitting him at some speed on his head could have an impact on his mental wellbeing, considering his brain probably bounced around in his skull a fair bit?’ Rachel Home, the lowest ranked and clearly most competent member of the medical crew raised a solid point, only to be met by stares which quickly turned into laughter at her expense.

by **Ancharmunn** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:18 am

The Maudraiska Mirror

O’Sullivan fumes as bizarre drop goal ending sees Squirrels spurn win

A furious Lorenzo O’Sullivan has threatened to drop star man and vice-captain Liam Brannigan following his bizarre decision to kick a field goal when three points and with just minutes remaining of Ancharmunn’s Rugby League World Cup clash with Elejamie.

A tightly fought contest between the had the sides at six apiece with ten minutes remaining when a high tackle Ossian Flannigan on Elejamie centre Shane McGinley saw Elejamie side awarded a penalty. However at this point O’Sullivan himself was off the pitch having been sin-binned around nine minutes before for dissent to the referee. With the foul conceded roughly thirty metres from goal and in a central position, Elejamie opted to take the penalty and two relatively easy points. Elejamie 8, Ancharmunn 6.

Just over a minute after play restarted from there, O’Sullivan would return from the bin, and having defended stoutly against a fierce Eljamian set of six, Ancharmunn would venture upfield in search of field position. Their first set put them in a good position to defend the following Elejamien set, and having seen off that threat the Squirrels then looked primed to be in a good position to attack the opposing goal.

Around 25 metres out on tackle six O’Sullivan looked in perfect position to play a hanging ball up just short of the try line for his winger. However he stepped a little further back and directed the ball straight over the crossbar instead. Whilst he celebrated wildly, his team-mates appeared confused. The Elejamie players were bemused, but relieved, and his coach Lorenzo O’Sullivan meanwhile was busy angrily rearranging the furniture in his coaches box. Elejamie 8, Ancharmunn 7.

Elejamie on their next set of possession then worked the ball into a kicking position and Paete AEtomir would finalised the score at 9-7 with a drop goal of his one. Whilst AEtomir admitted afterwards that the safer option would’ve been to go for a try and a bigger winning margin, he felt the Charmunnry side were confused, so went for a drop goal to go along with that.

O’Sullivan meanwhile was less forgiving stating in this press conference “Sixteen of the seventeen out there were wonderful. They’ve held the fourth best side in the world and a team that was in the last World Cup final in, and but for a moment of idiocy by the other player, they should have beaten Elejamie.”

“Liam was the first person I spoke to in the sheds, to ask him what the bloody hell he was doing. He seemed confused, he didn’t realise that Elejamie had scored a penalty whilst he was off, and he thought his drop goal actually put us ahead. His indiscipline to get sin-binned and then to not be aware of the match position when he comes back just isn’t on. There has to be a big question as to whether he plays the next game.”

Having already missed out on the opening match through injury, being dropped for the upcoming clash against Northwest Kalactin would be a blow in what has so for been a frustrating tournament for the Squirrels star man. However having picked up a comfortable Thundering Bears Trophy win against Bostopia, and having come out on top in the Battle of the Rodents clash with Hannasea in their RLWC opener and only narrowly lost to RLWC 19’s runners-up, the Ancharmunn squad should be looking to pick up a good result against a Northwest Kalactin side that has so far lost both of their matches.

by **Trolleborg** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:09 am

Greetings, compatriots! It's TTV from Copper Cuprum.
Our team won the first victory in its history, and, which further enhances our joy, showed a competent and accurate play in defense. So far, no one has managed to win try against our team, altought, of course, this is not a real attainment

The game was on an equal footing, both sides looked carefully at their rivals, but our rugby players still looked stronger. Heggebo and Henningsen made promising runs towards the Megistos goal twice, but both times they were stopped by the defenders selfless efforts. It seemed that when Henningsen again rushed into the attack, everything would be the same, but Haldstad, deftly taking possession of the ball, passed Kjellevold, and he rushed along the flank, slipped the remaining few meters and crowned the team's efforts. Finally, Trolleborg rugby players scored the first goal of our team in history! And even though the defenders drove him almost beyond the line of the field, and even he did not get a score free kick, but still it is four points.

This, of course, is not football, so you could not hear the screams of fans in every part of our country, but still the jubilation was heard well, and then the number of messages on social networks jumped.

It was interesting to see how the defenders could withstand the unavoidable onslaught of Megistos, and they held out, once Shellebjorn grabbed the breakthrough striker just a couple of meters from the cherished line. And then our rugby players seized the initiative and began to press, although the opponents did not give in and defended themselves with the zeal of people who had nothing to lose. In the end, Rhyys managed to extricate himself from the planned fight in the center of the field, passed to the flank, Kjellevold kicked the ball forward, rushing at full speed along the sideline, and managed to finish the effort with a goal. However, again he earned only four points, since he failed to convert kick into the goal.

So we won, but what's next is the question. Today we have a duel with the leader of the group, and this ends the first round of the championship, after which the results can be summed up. In connection with the increased interest in rugby from the public, this time viewing of the championship matches will be organized on the squares of seven cities of our country.

by **Copper Cuprum** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:44 am

This is your third CUTOFF for the 19th Rugby League World Cup.
A tournament needs both a host and at least one participant. It just feels so empty without you and me.

Group A
Terre Septentrionale 16–0 Jeckland
Logria 11–6 Copper Cuprum

  Group A                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Logria                     3   2  0  1   46  38  +8    4
2 Copper Cuprum              3   2  0  1   61  24 +37    4
3 Terre Septentrionale       3   2  0  1   46  41  +5    4
4 Jeckland                   3   0  0  3   15  65 −50    0

Logria ahead of Copper Cuprum on head-to-head results; Copper Cuprum ahead of Terre Septentrionale on head-to-head results

Group B
Quebecois Acadiana 10–18 HUElavia
Sandwichs 8–12 Hutanjia

  Group B                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Hutanjia                   3   3  0  0   63  14 +49    6
2 Sandwichs                  3   1  1  1   25  19  +6    3
3 HUElavia                   3   1  1  1   28  44 −16    3
4 Quebecois Acadiana         3   0  0  3   13  52 −39    0

Sandwichs ahead of HUElavia on point difference

Group C
TJUN-ia 20–3 The Jovannic
Kayangan 3–6 West Phoenicia

  Group C                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 TJUN-ia                    3   3  0  0   41  10 +31    6
2 West Phoenicia             3   2  0  1   27  21  +6    4
3 Kayangan                   3   1  0  2   20  31 −11    2
4 The Jovannic               3   0  0  3   25  51 −26    0

Group D
Kingdom of Great Britain 1–21 Placely Placington
Mathuvan Union 4–10 Neu Engollon

  Group D                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Neu Engollon               3   3  0  0   67  15 +52    6
2 Placely Placington         3   2  0  1   60  44 +16    4
3 Mathuvan Union             3   0  1  2   16  46 −30    1
4 Kingdom of Great Britain   3   0  1  2    9  47 −38    1

Mathuvan Union ahead of Kingdom of Great Britain on point difference

Group E
The Fair Republic 2–3 New Lunenburg
Lovisa 0–11 Ko-oren

  Group E                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Ko-oren                    3   2  0  1   21   6 +15    4
2 Lovisa                     3   2  0  1   33  18 +15    4
3 New Lunenburg              3   1  0  2    4  29 −25    2
4 The Fair Republic          3   1  0  2   14  19  −5    2

Ko-oren ahead of Lovisa on head-to-head results; New Lunenburg ahead of The Fair Republic on head-to-head results

Group F
Ancharmunn 34–18 Northwest Kalactin
Hannasea 9–20 Elejamie

  Group F                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Elejamie                   3   3  0  0   54  18 +36    6
2 Ancharmunn                 3   2  0  1   63  33 +30    4
3 Hannasea                   3   1  0  2   27  51 −24    2
4 Northwest Kalactin         3   0  0  3   29  71 −42    0

Group G
Natanians and Nosts 0–9 Trolleborg
Megistos 6–30 Darmen

  Group G                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Darmen                     3   2  0  1   44  26 +18    4
2 Trolleborg                 3   2  0  1   17   3 +14    4
3 Natanians and Nosts        3   2  0  1   30  21  +9    4
4 Megistos                   3   0  0  3    7  48 −41    0

Darmen ahead of Trolleborg on head-to-head results; Trolleborg ahead of Natanians and Nosts on head-to-head results

Group H
Staypuftonia 1–15 Bostopia
Croblade 2–24 Abanhfleft

  Group H                  Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts
1 Abanhfleft                 3   3  0  0   94  25 +69    6
2 Bostopia                   3   2  0  1   48  46  +2    4
3 Staypuftonia               3   1  0  2   29  55 −26    2
4 Croblade                   3   0  0  3   17  62 −45    0

Friendly host reminder that tomorrow is an off day; scorination for MD4 will occur approximately 48 hours from this post.

Rugby League World Cup XIX - Everything Thread

Sandwichs enters the league.

Rugby League World Cup XIX - Everything Thread

Scrum!: League Better Than Sevens To Start!

Scrum!: We're Actually Good At This?!

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