First match this round - Castres v Munster was always going to be a close one and
the narrow favourites are beaten - can we call that an upset? maybe not Castres 16-14 Munster.
But yea here we go, yesterdays second match Bulls v Northampton. Home favourites
Bulls were beaten by Northampton 21-30 - thats an upset.
Re: European Challenge cup - I havent even looked that far yet. My team Connacht
visit Perpignon which they should win on paper but none of their international players
are on the team. Odds 1.59 - 2.28.
So far this week-end only Sale and the Blue Bulls have lost their games with the other more favoured teams winning their encounters.
Toulouse, Toulon, the Saracens and Bath are yet to play as the more heavily backed teams.
In Australian NRL, it's official that PNG will officially enter the competition in 2028 after a $600M defense and trade carrot was dangled (it'll let you decide who enticed whom in that one) touted as the "Pacific Rugby League Partnership".
ARLC and Federal Government confirm historic Pacific Rugby League Partnershiphttps://www.nrl.com/news/2024/12/12/arlc-and-federal-government-confirm-historic-pacific-rugby-league-partnership/ Archive [
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Author NRL Media Release
Timestamp Thu 12 Dec 2024, 10:31 AM
In a landmark, world first sports diplomacy deal, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has confirmed an agreement with the Australian Government to fund a 10-year Pacific Rugby League Partnership.
The Pacific Pacific Rugby League Partnership will support investment into grassroots, pathways and elite rugby league across Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. It will also support the introduction of a PNG-based NRL side as part of a future expanded NRL Telstra Premiership.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said the deal was a watershed moment for rugby league and the Pacific region.
“This is an historic step for Rugby League, Australia, PNG and the entire Pacific,” Mr V’landys said.
“Rugby league is the number one sport in the Pacific. This new Club will solidify Rugby league’s role as the unifying language of our region."
V’landys said the funding would be directed into programs that would transform lives and communities across the Pacific.
“Roughly half the funding in this historic agreement with the Federal Government will go to grassroots football and community programs in PNG. It will also flow across the Pacific, including to Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
“The Pacific Rugby League Partnership will help improve school retention, foster national cohesion, and provide opportunities for young people to be their best selves. We know when rugby league is on the curriculum, kids go to school – and that changes lives.
“Rugby league isn’t just sport, it’s a social force for good – a way to improve lives and build stronger communities.
“The new PNG team provides the NRL with a new 10 million+ audience many who will go from being causal fans into engaged fans.
“Just as importantly the pathways investments will provide many new and exciting players to the game.
“I thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Pat Conroy and their respective governments for having the vision to understand rugby league’s unique capacity to bind and build communities.”