The Festival of World Cups was a series of rugby league World Cups held in Australia during 2008. The Festival was being staged in Australia during 2008 to coincide with their Centenary of Rugby League celebrations.^[1] The centrepiece of the Festival was the men's 2008 Rugby League World Cup.^[2] In addition to this tournament, there were also world cups being held for University, Police, Women, Defence and Wheelchair teams.^[2]

The Universities tournament officially started the Festival.^[1] Colin Love, the Rugby League World Cup 2008 Tournament Director and RLIF Chairman, stated "The festival highlights how the World Cup is embracing the Rugby League community and acknowledging its wide-ranging affiliates", adding "It’s a great opportunity to showcase the broad appeal of the game internationally".^[2]

Contents 1 Festival schedule 2 University 3 Men 4 Police 5 Women 6 Defence 7 Wheelchair 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Festival schedule

The Festival of World Cups includes:

Event [2]	Dates [2]	Areas/Venues [2]	Winner
University	4 July - 19 July 2008	Griffith University and other Brisbane venues; Langlands Park (Final)	Australia
Men	25 October - 22 November 2008	Twelve venues across four Australian states; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	New Zealand
Police	2 November - 15 November 2008	Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	Fiji
Women	2 November - 15 November 2008	Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast; Suncorp Stadium (Final)	New Zealand
Defence	5 November - 16 November 2008	Penrith, Townsville; Sydney Football Stadium (Final)	Great Britain
Wheelchair	7 November - 17 November 2008	Sydney metropolitan area	England

[edit] University

The seventh University Rugby League World Cup was held in July, being the first of the six world cups to be held. The previous tournament was held in 2005 and won by New Zealand. The eight countries that took part were Australia, New Zealand, England, Greece, Scotland, Wales, France and Ireland.^[3] Australia defeated England in the final, while Greece won the plate competition.

19 July 2008	Australian Universities	26 - 16	England Students	Langlands Park, Brisbane

2008 Tertiary Student World Cup
Australia Fourth Title

[edit] Men

The thirteenth Rugby League World Cup was held throughout October and November. Ten teams took part. Defending Champions and hosts Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Paupa New Guinea all qualified automatically, while Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Ireland and Scotland all qualified through tournaments in 2006 and 2007. The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on the 22nd of November.

22 November 2008	New Zealand	34 - 20	Australia	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

2008 Men's World Cup
New Zealand First Title

[edit] Police

The inaugural International Police Rugby League World Cup was held during November alongside the Women's Rugby League World Cup at Stockland Park.^[4] The final was held as a curtain raiser to the first semi-final of the men's World Cup at Suncorp Stadium. AMP sponsored the event with organisers hoping would go towards the formation of an International Police Rugby League Federation.ref>AMP Sign up as World Cup Sponsors @ Queensland Police Service Rugby League</ref>

15 November 2008	Fiji Police	20 - 12	New Zealand Police	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

2008 International Police World Cup
Fiji First Title

[edit] Women

The third Women's Rugby League World Cup was held at Stockland Park alongside the Police World Cup.^[5] Eight teams took part including defending champions New Zealand.^[6] The final was held at Suncorp Stadium on the 15th of November.^[7]

15 November 2008	Australia	0 - 34	New Zealand	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

2008 Women's World Cup
New Zealand Third Title

[edit] Defence

The inaugural Defence Forces World Cup was held in Sydney with the final played at the Sydney Football Stadium as a curtain raiser to the second Semi Final of the Men's tournament. Five defence forces took part, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Paupa New Guinea and the Cook Islands.^[8][9]

16 November 2008	Australian Defence Forces	16 - 26	Great Britain Armed Forces	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

2008 Defence Forces World Cup
Great Britain First Title

[edit] Wheelchair

Four teams took part in the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup which was held at indoor venues in Sydney. The four teams were France, Australia, England and a Barbarians V. New Zealand withdrew from the tournament.^[10][11]

22 November 2008	England	44 - 12	Australia	Betts Stadium, Mt Druitt, Sydney

2008 Wheelchair World Cup
England First Title

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Universities World Cup official site
• Rugby League World Cup official site
• RLIF official site

v • d • e 2008 Rugby League World Cup Squads • Matches & Results • Qualifying Festival of World Cups