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International News:Med Cup Results,Fiji Origin and much more
AMNRL STAR TO LINE UP FOR THE WINDIES
American National Rugby League (AMNRL) star, Hayden James will be the second player from the America's region to fly across and participate in this weekend's clash between South African and the Windies at New River Stadium.
Hayden, who plays for the New York Knights in the Lincoln Conference of the AMNRL competition has already joined the primarily British based squad and will play in the forwards for the representative side in the historical clash.
Hayden James has already played internationals for the American Tomahawks in Rugby League, however this will be the first time he can play for the region he is originally from.
MEDITERRANEAN CUP RESULTS
In the opening day of the 2004 Mediterranean Cup in Tripoli, Lebanon, France beat Morocco 46-6 and Lebanon thrashed Serbia-Montenegro 64-4.
France "Espoir" reached the half-time break with a 22-0 lead. Thomas Bosc was the man of the match, scoring 24 points for the young Chanticleers.
In the other game, Lebanon easily disposed of Serbia-Montenegro 64-4. Lebanon reached the half-time break with a 44-0 lead and it was only late in the game, with Lebanon leading 60-0, that the Serbians scored their only try of the game.
Man of the match was Ahmed Masri. He and Nicolas Toufic both scored 18 points. Other scorers were Adam Zoubaïdi, with 2 tries, Charly Nohra, Anthony Farah Georges Azzi, Hassan Taha and Gilbert Haydamous, with 1 try each.
Nobody's surprised with these 2 easy wins. There is no doubt that the Final of the tournament will be the last game played next Saturday, Lebanon-France. It is sad to see that only a reported 150 people attended these two games.
The Mediterranean Cup is a great concept, no doubt about that. But with the Moroccan team being made up of players based in France and the Serbian team being so weak, wouldn't it be better to organise a proper 3 Tests Serie between Lebanon and France? Surely it could attract more people and interest and raise the profile of the game in Lebanon.
The full schedule of the 2004 Mediterranean Cup is:
Saturday 2nd October, Tripoli International Stadium
France v Morocco: 46-4
Lebanon v Serbia: 64-4
Tuesday 5th October, Tripoli International Stadium
France v Serbia 6.00
Lebanon v Morocco 8.00
Saturday 9th October, Tripoli International Stadium
Serbia v Morocco 6.00
Lebanon v France 8.00
EAST SCOOPS THE FIJI STATE OF ORIGIN TROPHY
YOUNG Sireli Ledua scored two tries to guide the eastern conference rugby league team to lift the State of Origin trophy at Nadovu Park in Lautoka yesterday.
The Nabua Secondary School student scored a try in each half as Easts defeated West 16-12 in a close battle.
Ledua who was also the star player during the recent under-18 championships in Suva finished off a brilliant move towards the end of the second spell after his side was down 10-12.
East led 6-0 at halftime after Ledua's lone try.
The western conference side came out firing in the second spell and scored through Jotame Nakotu and Apenisa Ratu.
Meli Tuni scored for the eastern side.
The westerners won the 2003 State of Origin trophy, which was donated by Keni Koroibulileka of Sydney.
This trophy is in the memory of his son Esala Dau Koroibulileka who died in a tragic accident three years ago in Sigatoka.
Koroibulileka Junior was the first Fijian to represent the Sydney City Roosters under-16 team in the Junior National Rugby League competition in Australia.
Yen to make Jamaican Rugby League history
Claude Yen will make Rugby League history on October 9 when he becomes the first born and bred Jamaican citizen to qualify for the West Indies representative side who take on South Africa this weekend at New River Stadium.
In what will be a historical clash in itself for the West Indies Rugby League Federation (WIRLF) the inclusion of Yen goes to highlight the level of growth the code is currently experiencing in Jamaica as well as the number of talented athletes that exist in the Caribbean Nation.
Yen, who's preferred position is Hooker, will also be Jamaica's first dual international, with the star player featuring regularly in the Rugby Union national side. He will also be the Sharks Rugby League club (Kingston) first international in the thirteen man code.
LEWIS TAKES CHAIR OF EUROPEAN FEDERATION
Rugby Football League Executive Chairman Richard Lewis was elected as the new chairman of the sport's European Federation in Paris on Friday.
And one of his first moves was to initiate a debate about the name under which the national team would play in the 2008 World Cup and beyond.
Being considered is a proposal that the national team should continue play under the banner of England in the 2008 World Cup and then retain that name for global tournaments and Test match rugby.
Lewis said: "It is my suggestion that we should keep playing as England from that point.
"At the moment it's just an idea for discussion but I want to ensure that as many people as possible within the game have a chance to make their opinions heard.
"We also discussed several ideas that we would like the Rugby League International Federation to consider for the 2008 World Cup."
The national team played as England from start of international Rugby in 1908 and remained that way until 1948 when the holistic title of Great Britain was adopted.
England also played in both the 1995 and 2000 World Cup tournaments.
Lewis was elected as chairman of the European Federation following the resignation of former French Federation President Jean Paul Ferre while Monsieur Ferre's successor, Nicolas Larrat, was elected as vice chairman in place of Lewis.
The Russian Rugby League was elected to the Federation Board for the first time.
Added Lewis: "Russia's election demonstrates the progress that they have made as a game during the last couple of years and significantly strengthens the Federation Board on a continental basis.
"We are now in a position to drive the game forward within Europe. One of the targets for me as chairman will be to stage more regular Federation meetings and enable our new Development Executive Kevin Rudd to work up new strands of development.
"Now that Kevin is in post we need to provide him with both direction and support. He attended the meeting in Paris and is vital to us achieving our ambitions in Europe."
The Federation deferred an application for membership from the Georgian Rugby League for twelve months.
Lewis said: "They have made great progress and we're impressed by their plans for the future.
"They have support from the Georgian Ministry of Sport and that is very encouraging.
"It was agreed by the Federation that the Georgian Rugby League be recognised as the governing body for the sport in Georgia and Mr Paata Tsintsadze's presentation made it clear that Georgia are on track to be active members of the Federation within a year.
"Furthermore Georgia will be invited to all of the European Federation's meetings and be included in all the Federation's activities from now on."
Mike Nicholas, the President of the Welsh Rugby League, also attended the meeting. Lewis said: "Our sport has made significant progress in Wales during the last two years and I believe that Mike's presence was both reassuring for the future of the game in Wales as well as a sign of the Welsh game's commitment to League."
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