International rugby league in 2021

 () International rugby league in 2021  ()
 < 2020
2022 > 

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2021 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Championship B, European Championship C, European Championship D and Americas Championship were all initially postponed until 2021, however all were eventually abanonded except for the European Championship B and European Championship D due to travel restrictions.

2021 Rugby League World Cup was also postponed until 2022 due to Australia and New Zealand pulling out months before the tournament was scheduled to commence.

Season overview

Men's international tours
Start date Touring side Region Results [Matches]
6 June 2021  Serbia Balkans 4–0 [4]
Men's international friendlies
Start date Home team Away team Winners
28 February 2021  Brazil  Uruguay  Brazil
6 March 2021  Peru  El Salvador  El Salvador
13 June 2021  Brazil  Philippines  Philippines
2 October 2021  Germany  Netherlands  Netherlands
23 October 2021  France  England  England
24 October 2021  Jamaica  Scotland Draw
19 December 2021  North Macedonia  Vietnam  North Macedonia
Men's international tournaments
Start date Tournament Winners
3 October 2021 Serbia European Championship B  Serbia
14 October 2021 Turkey European Championship D  Netherlands
Women's international tours
Start date Touring side Region Results [Matches]
No international women's tours in 2021
Women's international friendlies
Start date Home team Away team Winners
25 June 2021  England  Wales  England
17 October 2021  Wales  Ireland  Ireland
23 October 2021  France  England  England
Women's international tournaments
Start date Tournament Winners
No international women's tournaments in 2021

Rankings

The following were the rankings at the beginning of the season.

IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 18 November 2019[1]
Rank Change Team Points %
1 Increase 2  New Zealand 100.00%
2 Decrease 1  Australia 91.82%
3 Decrease 1  England 85.34%
4 Steady  Tonga 60.66%
5 Steady  Fiji 36.57%
6 Increase 4  Papua New Guinea 28.53%
7 Steady  Samoa 22.09%
8 Decrease 2  France 16.69%
9 Decrease 1  Scotland 15.00%
10 Decrease 1  Lebanon 11.81%
11 Increase 5  Greece 11.38%
12 Steady  Ireland 11.36%
13 Increase 1  Italy 7.86%
14 Decrease 3  Wales 7.75%
15 Increase 4  Serbia 0.00%
16 Increase 1  Malta 6.77%
17 Increase 1  Norway 5.63%
18 Decrease 3  United States 5.39%
19 Increase 4  Poland 5.35%
20 Decrease 7  Jamaica 5.04%
21 Decrease 1  Hungary 4.27%
22 Increase 3  Czech Republic 4.16%
23 Increase 5  Cook Islands 3.87%
24 Increase 7  Turkey 3.51%
25 Decrease 1  Netherlands 3.29%
26 Increase 4  Spain 3.18%
27 Decrease 6  Canada 2.81%
28 New entry  Nigeria 2.51%
29 Decrease 2  Solomon Islands 2.32%
30 Increase 10  Sweden 2.16%
31 Increase 4  Germany 1.95%
32 Increase 1  Chile 1.86%
33 New entry  Ghana 1.80%
34 Increase 16  Morocco 1.69%
35 Decrease 3  Vanuatu 1.47%
36 Steady  South Africa 1.46%
37 Decrease 8  Russia 1.41%
38 New entry  Cameroon 1.31%
39 Decrease 2  Ukraine 1.21%
40 Increase 1  Colombia 1.06%
41 Increase 4  Brazil 0.50%
42 Steady  Belgium 0.30%
43 Increase 4  Denmark 0.13%
44 Increase 4  Bulgaria 0.10%
45 Increase 4  Latvia 0.07%
*Change from July 2019
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT
IRL Women's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 18 November 2019[1]
Rank Change Team Points %
1 Steady  Australia
2 Steady  New Zealand
3 Steady  England
4 Increase 2  Papua New Guinea
5 Decrease 1  Canada
6 Decrease 1  France
7 Decrease 2  Cook Islands
8 Steady  Italy
9 New entry  Serbia
10 New entry  Fiji
11 New entry  Turkey
12 New entry  Samoa
13 New entry  Brazil
14 Decrease 6  Lebanon
15 New entry  Greece
*Change from July 2019
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

February

Brazil vs Uruguay men in Australia

28 February 2021
Brazil  60 – 0  Uruguay
Tries: Nunes (3), Fleury (2), Campina, Levy, De Araujo, Hilberto, Jackson, Ricau
Goals: Nunes (8/11)
Hillier Oval, Sydney[2]
Attendance: 300
Referee: Logan Neilsen (Australia)

March

Peru vs El Salvador men in Australia

6 March 2021
19:30 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
Peru  10 – 18  El Salvador
Tries: Sommers (2)
Goals: Altamirano (1/1), Parker (0/1)
 Tries: Kiwi Kiwi (2), Orellano, Maatouk
Goals: Fernandez (1/3), Maatouk (0/1)
Waminda Oval, Sydney[3]
Attendance: 513
Referee: Matt Middleton (Australia)

June

Serbia men tour of the Balkans

6 June 2021
14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Bosnia and Herzegovina  4 – 50  Serbia
Tries: Banovic
Goals: Ljubanic (0/1)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
Report (SRL)
 Tries: Krnjeta (2), Nedeljkovic (2), Marinkovic, Jevdjic, Ilic, Popovic, Bibic
Goals: Stojilkovic (6/7), Bibic (1/2)
NK Rijeka, Vitez[4]
Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
19 June 2021
14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Bulgaria  16 – 28  Serbia
Tries: Ivanov, Debreliev, Kostadinov
Goals: Rasol (2/3)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
Report (SRL)
 Tries: Ilic (2), Mladenovic (2), Krnjeta
Goals: Stojiljkovic (4/6)
FC Trebich, Sofia[5]
Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
27 June 2021
18:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Montenegro  16 – 24  Serbia
Tries: Kusic (3)
Goals: Popovic (2/3)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
Report (SRL)
 Tries: Zivojinovic (2), Krnjeta (2), Bibic
Goals: Arnold (2/2), Bibic (0/2), Djordjevic (0/1)
FK Arsenal Stadium, Tivat
Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)
4 July 2021
14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Albania  12 – 22  Serbia
Tries: Cela, Tushaj
Goals: Gucaj (2/2)
 Report (SRL)
 Tries: Jevdjić (2), Arnold, Živojinović
Goals: Simovic (3/4)
Kompleksi Zmijani, Shkodra[5]
Attendance: 100
Referee: Slobodan Manak (Serbia)

Brazil vs Philippines men in Australia

Magellan Cup
13 June 2021
15:00 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Brazil  8 – 40  Philippines
Tries: Guzzo (2)
 Report
 Tries: Tootell (2), Stephenson, Cartwright, Sheedy, Jones, Phillips, Godfrey
Goals: Russell (3), Cartwright
Kensington Oval, Sydney[6]

Wales women in England

25 June 2021
18:00 BST (UTC+01:00)
England  60 – 0  Wales
Tries: Rudge (2), Roberts, Jones, Cunningham, Hoyle, Goldthorp, Roche, Beevers, Wilson, Dodd
Goals: Stanley (6/7), Stott (2/4)
 Report (ERL)
Report (RFL)
Highlights
Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington[7]
Attendance: ≈4,000
Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

October

Netherlands men in Germany

See also: Griffin Cup
Griffin Cup
2 October 2021
16:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Germany  16 – 48  Netherlands
Tries: Amefia, Heinrichsen, Ngondi
Goals: Amefia (1/1), Doughton (1/1), Seelweger (0/1)
 Report
 Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Schultz (2), Dirkzwager, Ngirubiu, Longhurst, Neves, Wilce
Goals: Idzerda (3/5), Thomson (1/4)
Düsseldorf Rugby Club, Dusseldorf[8]
Referee: Moray Gilland (Belgium)

European Championship B

Main article: 2021 Rugby League European Championship B
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Serbia 2 2 0 0 120 28 +92 4 Promotion to 2023 European Championship A
2  Ukraine 2 1 0 1 114 72 +42 2
3  Russia 2 0 0 2 28 162 −134 0
Source: ERL
3 October 2021[9]
14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Serbia  66–10  Russia
Tries: Djordjević (3), Arsić (2), Vl. Dedić (2), Pavlović (2), Bibić, Djurić, D. Janković, Trifunović
Goals: Jašari (7/13)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
Report (SRL)
 Tries: Egorov, Sazonov
Goals: Vabishchevich (1/2)
City Stadium, Paraćin
Attendance: ≈500
Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)
6 October 2021[9]
13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Russia  18–96  Ukraine
Tries: Chuprin, Troitskii, Vabishchevich
Goals: Vabishchevich (3/3)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Skorbach (4), Adamyk (2), Hrankovskyi (2), Kolesnik (2), Kozak (2), Trusov (2), Beznoshchuk, Puchkov, Shcherbyna, Troyan
Goals: Skorbach (12/17), Beznoshchuk (0/1)
FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
9 October 2021[9]
14:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Ukraine  18–54  Serbia
Tries: Hrankovskyi (2), Shcherbyna
Goals: Skorbach (3/3)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Trifunović (3), Milutinović (3), Arsić, Vl. Dedić, Stevanović, Zogović
Goals: Jašari (7/10), Vo. Dedić (0/1)
FK Heroj Polet [sr], Belgrade
Attendance: ≈150[10]
Referee: Andrew Pilkington (Spain)

European Championship D

Main article: 2021 Rugby League European Championship D
First semi-final
14 October 2021
13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)
Malta  16–40  Czech Republic
Tries: Scholey, Barlogio, Galea
Goals: Galea (2/3)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Bělohlávek, Preininger, Řičica (2), Hudrlík (2), Horák
Goals: Hudrlík (6/7)
Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum
Attendance: 500[11]
Referee: Aris Dardamanis (Greece)
Second semi-final
14 October 2021
15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)
Netherlands  40–18  Turkey
Tries: Shoenmake (2), Ngirubiu, Farrell (2), Renac
Goals: Idzera (8/8)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Demir, Ertürk, Çeliktutan
Goals: Bayram (3/3)
Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum
Attendance: 500[12]
Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)
Third-place play-off
17 October 2021
13:00 CET (UTC+1:00)
Malta  12–36  Turkey
Tries: Zammit, Cutajar
Goals: Galea (2/2)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Demir, Işik, Çeliktutan, Bayram, Balçin, Tayyar Berktav, Tirendez
Goals: Bayram (4/7)
Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum
Referee: Jarda Bzoch (Czechia)
Championship final[a]
17 October 2021
15:30 CET (UTC+1:00)
Czech Republic  10–36  Netherlands
Tries: Veselý, Kasík
Goals: Veselý (1/2)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Schoenmaker (3), Lavia, Razoux Schultz, De Ruiter
Goals: Idzera (6/9)
Huseyin Akar Tesisler Stadium, Bodrum
Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)
  1. ^ Netherlands promoted to the 2023 European Championship B as well as progressing to the qualifying tournament for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.[13]

Ireland women in Wales

17 October 2021
15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Wales  24 – 26  Ireland
Tries: Lewis (3), Norkett (2), Michael
Goals: Lewis (0/5), Salter (0/1)
 Report (ERL)
Report (RFL)
Highlights
 Tries: Lambert, Greenwood, Cobain, McGuinness, Dunne
Goals: Pua (2/3), McGuinness (1/1), Birchall (0/1)

England women in France

23 October 2021
13:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
France  4 – 40  England
Tries: Bianchini
Goals: Ciria (0/1)
 Report (ERL)
Report (RFL)
Video Replay
Highlights
 Tries: Rudge (2), Hardcastle, Whitfield, Cunningham, Stanley, Beevers
Goals: Stanley (5/6), Stott (1/1)
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan[14]
Attendance: ≈2,000
Referee: Andrew Pilkington

England men in France

23 October 2021
15:30 CEST (UTC+2:00)
France  10 – 30  England
Tries: Le Cam, Sangaré
Goals: Kheirallah (1/2)
 Report (ERL)
Report (RFL)
 Tries: Makinson (2), Bateman (2), Farrell, Davies
Goals: Abdull (3/6)
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan[14]
Attendance: ≈5,500
Referee: Ben Casty (France)

Jamaica vs Scotland men in England

24 October 2021
15:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Jamaica  30 – 30  Scotland
Tries: Jones Bishop (2), Coleman, J. Brown, Andrade, A. Brown
Goals: Farrell (3/5)
 Report (IRL)
Report (ERL)
 Tries: Emslie (2), Oakes, Hellewell, Ferguson
Goals: Walmsley (5/5)

December

North Macedonia vs Vietnam men in Australia

19 December 2021
15:00 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
North Macedonia  58 – 0  Vietnam

Non-IRL international matches

Gallipoli Cup
25 April 2021
13:50 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Australian Defence Force 46 – 0†  Turkey
Tries: Simington (2), Tabuai (2), Mason, McGregor, Munro, Rutley, Walton
Goals: Munro (4/7), Walton (1/2)
 Report (NRL)

Notes:

Combined Nations All Stars match
25 June 2021
20:15 BST (UTC+01:00)
England  24 – 26† Combined Nations All Stars
Tries: Farrell (2), Knowles, Davies
Goals: Ratchford (4/4)
 Report (Sky Sports)
Report (BBC)
 Tries: Sio (2), Mata'utia, McGillvary
Goals: Sezer (5/6)
15 October 2021
19:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Jamaica  4 – 56† England England Knights
Tries: Jones-Bishop
 Report (ERL)
Report (RFL)
 Tries: Broadbent (2), Walker, Pryce, Smith (2), Longstaff, Ashton (2), Wrench
Goals: Pryce (7)
Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford[14]
Attendance: ≈2,250
Referee: James Child (England)

Youth test matches

Under-20 International
21 August 2021
18:00 CEST (UTC+2:00)
Serbia U20  46 – 4†  Czech Republic U20
Tries: Simovic (2), Krnjeta (2) L. Ilic, U. Ilic, Svanidze, N. Mladenovic, A. Mladenovic
Goals: Stojilkovic (3/7), Simovic (2/3)
 Report
 Tries: Tichy
Goals: Hudrlik (0/1)
SC Inge, Belgrade
Attendance: 150
Under-16 International
22 August 2021
14:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Wales U16  18 – 34†  England U16
Tries: Hanson, Morris, Morgan, Farmer-Gratton
Goals: Morgan (1/4)
 Report
 Tries: Billy (2), S. Egan (2), Welburn, J. Egan, Joseph
Goals: Whitford (1/4), Cooper (2/3)
Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay
Attendance: 710
Referee: Rob Apsee (Wales)
Under-17 International
21 August 2021
16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Wales U17  10 – 16†  England U17
Tries: Ackerman, Pritchard
Goals: Walkley (1/2)
 Report
 Tries: Richards, Stephenson, Wood
Goals: Gannon (2/3)
Stadiwm Zip World, Colwyn Bay
Attendance: 710
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Under-20 International
4 September 2021
12:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Scotland U20  37 – 30†  Ireland U20
Tries: Anderson-Moore (2), Paladino (2), Crossley, Young
Goals: Anderson-Moore (6/6)
Drop goals: Anderson-Moore
 Report
 Tries: Creaby, Kiernan, Walsh, Lynch, L. Hayes
Goals: C. Hayes (5/5)
Kings Park, Dalkeith
Under-20 International
11 September 2021
11:45 BST (UTC+1:00)
England U20  48 – 22†  Scotland U20
Tries: McCurrie (4), Openshaw (2), Ennis, Gibson, O'Connor, Stephenson
Goals: Openshaw (4/5), O'Connor (0/2), O'Loughlin (0/2), Simpson (0/1)
 Report
 Tries: Cullen (2), Anderson-Moore, Terrill
Goals: Anderson-Moore (3/4)
Twist Lane, Leigh
Referee: Alan Billington (England)
Under-20 International
25 September 2021
13:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Ireland U20  12 – 38†  England U20
Tries: McKiernan, Lynch
Goals: Crampton (2/2)
 Report
 Tries: Gibson, Grainey, Ennis, Darby, Nash, Openshaw, McCurrie
Goals: Openshaw (4/5), Kellett (1/2)
Morton Stadium, Santry
Referee: Fiona McConn (Ireland)
25 September 2021
16:00 BST (UTC+1:00)
Ireland Club XIII  18 – 64†  England Community Lions U23
Tries: Walsh (2), Kennerson
Goals: Marmion (3/3)
 Report
 Tries: Kelly (3), Sowerby (3), Brock, Badrock, McShane, Oliver, Teare, Lewthwaite, Selby
Goals: McMahon (5/11), Teare (1/2)
Morton Stadium, Santry
Referee: Eamonn Whelan (Ireland)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Cook Islands rise 17 places in latest Rugby League World Rankings". Rugby League International Federation. 13 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Brasil Rugby League announces new coach, fixture". Latin Heat Rugby League. Latin Heat Rugby League. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Confirmed for March 2021. Flag of El Salvador vs Flag of Peru, fixture". Twitter. Chasingroospod. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. ^ "First test match of 2021 goes ahead". European Rugby League. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Bosnia & Herzegovina 4 Serbia 50 - Report". Chasing Roos. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Brazil to meet Philippines in June International Match". International Rugby League. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Three England teams to make history in mid-season internationals triple bill". rugby-league.com. 16 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Fixture/Results". Nederlandse Rugby League Bond. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Squads Announced For Rugby League Euro B Championship". European Rugby League. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Serbia vs. Ukraine - Rugby League Project".
  11. ^ "Czech Republic vs. Malta - Czech Republic 40 def. Malta 16".
  12. ^ "Turkey vs. The Netherlands - Turkey 18 lost to the Netherlands 40".
  13. ^ "Czech Republic 10 v 36 Netherlands". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e "SUITE OF RUGBY LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES CONFIRMED". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  15. ^ "'That's the end goal': Macedonia tick off first-ever game as they set their sights on 2025 World Cup". 13 December 2021.
  16. ^ Walter, Brad (21 April 2021). "'It means a lot': Turkey looking forward to Anzac Day match at SCG". NRL.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  17. ^ "England to face Combined Nations All Stars in June in Shaun Wane's first match". BBC. 16 March 2021.