Italy national rugby league team
Encyclopedia
The Italy national rugby league team represents Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 in international rugby league football. The team dates back from the 1950s after the formation of a domestic competition in the country, and in the 1960s they played Australia, France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...

 and a number of English teams.

The game disappeared in Italy in the 1970s and no international matches were played. The team was revived in the mid-90s and Italy began competing in various international tournaments. The team qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, their first time to the tournament.

Currently the team are ranked 18th in the world
RLIF World Rankings
The RLIF World Rankings is a ranking system for men's national teams in the sport of rugby league football. The teams of the member nations of the Rugby League International Federation, rugby league football's world governing body, are ranked based on their game results with the most successful...

, behind Japan
Japan national rugby league team
The Japan national rugby league team represents Japan in rugby league football. Japan has been playing international competition since 1994. A regular domestic amateur competition has been held in Japan for several years .-History:Rugby league was founded in Japan in 1993 by former Australian first...

 but ahead of Germany
Germany national rugby league team
-European Shield:Since 2007, Germany has been a participant in the European Shield, the successor to the Central Europe Tri-Nations. In the 2007 Shield, they were beaten in Heidelberg by a strong Serbia side but beat the Czech Republic in Prague, subsequently finishing second.In the 2008 European...

. In Europe they are ranked 13th, behind Malta
Malta national rugby league team
In 2004, the Maltese Rugby League Association was formed to introduce the game of rugby league football to Malta. Malta played its first game in Malta on October 22, 2005 when they defeated England Lionhearts 36-6 at the Marsa Stadium, and in 2008 a domestic competition kicked off on the island.The...

. English - Italian Carlo Napolitano coaches the team, and Marco Ferrazzano as captain of the side.

History

In 1950, a team from Turin tours the North of England. Italy later runs a domestic competition. A year later the first official match of the Italian national team took place in Cahors
Cahors
Cahors is the capital of the Lot department in south-western France.Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or peninsula...

, France. Italy lost 29-17 although the Azzurri ended the first half leading 10-7.

Sixteen official matches were played against English teams in the season 1952-53, as well as a triangular tournament between Italy, France and England.

In 1958, in Treviso under the Italian Federation of Amateur Rugby 13 (FIAR 13) was formed and was recognised by the Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...

. With this recognition and funding from England, the sport of rugby league became popular in Italy. In their first year, the FIAR had 24 clubs and 620 players.

In 1960, Italy played Australia in two international matches held in Italy, the results were 37-15 and 67-22 losses. In the late 1960s, threats made by the rugby union governing body Italian Rugby Federation to ban players who played rugby league from their sport had the effect of killing off the sport in Italy by the 1970s. As a consequence the Italian national team ceased to exist.

In the mid 1990s the team were revived by two Italian-Australians, Domenic Pezzano and John Benigni, known as 'The Italian Rugby League A XIII' (IRL A XIII) was formed in 1993.
Pezzano coached Italy in the Coca Cola Rugby League World Sevens
Rugby League World Sevens
The Rugby League World Sevens, usually referred to as the World Sevens and sometimes as the World Cup Sevens, were a pre-season rugby league sevens tournament made up over the years primarily of New South Wales Rugby League , Australian Rugby League and mostly recently National Rugby League ...

 in Australia with the team being predominately players from Italy and one Italo-Australian player captained the team - Orazio D'arro in this tournament. The IRL recorded a win against Morocco and loses against South Africa.

After that event, the Italia Rugby League began competing in various international tournaments, such as the Super League rugby league nines tournament in Fiji, World Sevens, St.Marys Sevens, Wollogong Sevens and the Mediterranean Cup in 1999. They attempted to qualify for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...

 and ended up in the Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
In 1995 and 2000, the Rugby League International Federation held an Emerging Nations Tournament alongside the Rugby League World Cup. The competition was designed to allow teams who have failed to qualify for the World Cup proper a chance to play on the international stage....

 in which they were runners-up to British Amateur Rugby League Association
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...

.

In 2002, the Azzuri were back playing internationals in Italy with a triangular tournament featuring Scotland and Russia. Italy lost to Tartarstan of Russia but tied their second game with Scotland 16 all. In 2003 Italy played Scotland again and contested the Ionio Cup against Greece
Greece national rugby league team
The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league football. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003, and have since become an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...

, which they won.

In 2006, Italy played three matches, two against South Africa and one against British Amateur Rugby League Association
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...

. In 2006 the Federazione of Italia Rugby League (FIRL) were founded.

The Federazione of Italia Rugby League was officially moved to the "official observer" status by the Rugby League European Federation
Rugby League European Federation
The Rugby League European Federation is the umbrella body for nations playing the sport of rugby league football across Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. It supports the Rugby League International Federation . The RLEF "oversees and co-ordinates the development of the sport in all its member...

 from an unranked position on the 15th April, 2008.

Italy won the RLEF European Shield
RLEF European Shield
-Standings:-2007:This is the first time the European Shield took place. Germany and the Czech Republic had little experience having only played a few games beforehand. Serbia were a little more experienced taking players from their domestic league, the Serbian Championship...

 in 2008 and 2009, and as such were drafted into the 2009 European Cup following Russia
Russia national rugby league team
-2008 World Cup Qualifying:In 2006 Russia were involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and...

's withdrawal from the tournament. During this tournament, Italy were handed their record defeat by Scotland, but they did manage to record one victory, over Serbia
Serbia national rugby league team
The Serbia national rugby league team represents Serbia in the sport of rugby league football, has been participating in international competition since 2003.-History:...

 at The Old Parish in Maesteg, Wales.

In Autumn 2010 Italy embarked on a short tour of Wales, culminating in a match in Wrexham on October 6th in which they faced Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...

 for the first time in a full Rugby League international. The Italian side obtained a remarkable 13-6 victory, the first against a national team of the British Isles.

2013 World Cup Qualifying

In 2011, Italy contested the qualifying tournament for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, competing against Russia
Russia national rugby league team
-2008 World Cup Qualifying:In 2006 Russia were involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and...

, Serbia
Serbia national rugby league team
The Serbia national rugby league team represents Serbia in the sport of rugby league football, has been participating in international competition since 2003.-History:...

 and Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

. Coached by Carlo Napolitano and captained by Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia...

, Italy
Italy national rugby league team
The Italy national rugby league team represents Italy in international rugby league football. The team dates back from the 1950s after the formation of a domestic competition in the country, and in the 1960s they played Australia, France and a number of English teams.The game disappeared in Italy...

's draw with Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

 was enough for them to gain the 14th and final place in the 2013 World Cup.

Competitions

Italy or Italy A has participated in:
  • World Sevens
    Rugby League World Sevens
    The Rugby League World Sevens, usually referred to as the World Sevens and sometimes as the World Cup Sevens, were a pre-season rugby league sevens tournament made up over the years primarily of New South Wales Rugby League , Australian Rugby League and mostly recently National Rugby League ...

     (1995, 1997, plus the qualification tournament in 2003)
  • Superleague World Nines (1996)
  • Emerging Nations Tournament
    Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
    In 1995 and 2000, the Rugby League International Federation held an Emerging Nations Tournament alongside the Rugby League World Cup. The competition was designed to allow teams who have failed to qualify for the World Cup proper a chance to play on the international stage....

     (2000) - Runners-Up
  • Ionio Cup (2003 and 2004) - Winners
  • St.Mary's World Sevens - Australia
  • Wollongong Sevens - Australia
  • Columbus Cup between USA Tomahawks
    United States national rugby league team
    -2008 & 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying:In October 2006, The Tomahawks were to participate in a four team Atlantic qualifying pool for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but South Africa and the West Indies withdrew. As a result, The Atlantic qualifying pool was reduced to a single game...

     and Italy (2006)- Champions
  • RLEF European Shield
    RLEF European Shield
    -Standings:-2007:This is the first time the European Shield took place. Germany and the Czech Republic had little experience having only played a few games beforehand. Serbia were a little more experienced taking players from their domestic league, the Serbian Championship...

     (2008 and 2009) - Champions
  • Aus-Med Shield (2009) - Runners-Up
  • Rugby League European Cup (2009)
  • 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers
    2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
    Of the fourteen teams that will participate in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, only two are not automatic inclusions, so must win qualifying matches to enter the tournament, which is to be held in Wales and England...


Results

Year Date Result Venue City Crowd Competition
2011 15 October Italy def. Russia
Russia national rugby league team
-2008 World Cup Qualifying:In 2006 Russia were involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and...

 92-6
Stadio Communale del Plebiscito Padova 2,100 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualification Tournament
2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
Of the fourteen teams that will participate in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, only two are not automatic inclusions, so must win qualifying matches to enter the tournament, which is to be held in Wales and England...

2010 6 October Italy def. Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...

 13-6
Racecourse Ground Wrexham 2,971 Rugby League International
2010 25 September Italy def. Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

  24-16
Stadio Plebiscito Padova ??? Rugby League International
2010 22 September Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

 def. Italy 16-8
Campo Rugby Monselice Monselice ??? Rugby League International
2009 8 November Italy def. Serbia
Serbia national rugby league team
The Serbia national rugby league team represents Serbia in the sport of rugby league football, has been participating in international competition since 2003.-History:...

 42-14
The Old Parish Maesteg, Wales around 2000 Rugby League European Cup
2009 24 October Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

 def. Italy 86-0
International Olympic Stadium Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...

500 Rugby League European Cup
2009 17 October Scotland
Scotland national rugby league team
The Scotland national rugby league team represent Scotland in international rugby league football tournaments. The team is run under the auspices of the Scotland Rugby League, and are nicknamed The Bravehearts. Scotland are not regarded as a test nation...

 def. Italy 104-0
Stadio Plebiscito Padova 2,139 Rugby League European Cup
2009 17 October Greece A
Greece national rugby league team
The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league football. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003, and have since become an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...

 def. Italy A 34-10
Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stadium is a football stadium in Bossley Park, New South Wales, Australia. It is mainly is used for association football and is the home ground for the Marconi Stallions team.-History:...

Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

around 2500 Aus-Med Shield Final
2009 10 October Italy A def. Malta A
Malta national rugby league team
In 2004, the Maltese Rugby League Association was formed to introduce the game of rugby league football to Malta. Malta played its first game in Malta on October 22, 2005 when they defeated England Lionhearts 36-6 at the Marsa Stadium, and in 2008 a domestic competition kicked off on the island.The...

 34-10
Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stadium is a football stadium in Bossley Park, New South Wales, Australia. It is mainly is used for association football and is the home ground for the Marconi Stallions team.-History:...

Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

around 2500 Aus-Med Shield
2009 18 July Italy def. Germany
Germany national rugby league team
-European Shield:Since 2007, Germany has been a participant in the European Shield, the successor to the Central Europe Tri-Nations. In the 2007 Shield, they were beaten in Heidelberg by a strong Serbia side but beat the Czech Republic in Prague, subsequently finishing second.In the 2008 European...

 42-30
Stadio Plebiscito Padova European Shield
2009 11 July Italy def. Czech Republic
Czech Republic national rugby league team
-National team:The following is a summary of tournaments and results for the Czech Republic National Rugby League Team.-2006:The year 2006 saw the inaugural entrance of the Czech Rugby League team. Playing two games against the Dutch team Netherlands Tasman . This was a close and competitive match...

 38-8
Stadio Plebiscito Padova European Shield
2009 6 June Morocco def. Italy 32-10
2008 12 July Italy def. Czech Republic
Czech Republic national rugby league team
-National team:The following is a summary of tournaments and results for the Czech Republic National Rugby League Team.-2006:The year 2006 saw the inaugural entrance of the Czech Rugby League team. Playing two games against the Dutch team Netherlands Tasman . This was a close and competitive match...

 38-18
Stadio Plebiscito Padova European Shield
2008 13 June Italy def. Germany
Germany national rugby league team
-European Shield:Since 2007, Germany has been a participant in the European Shield, the successor to the Central Europe Tri-Nations. In the 2007 Shield, they were beaten in Heidelberg by a strong Serbia side but beat the Czech Republic in Prague, subsequently finishing second.In the 2008 European...

 58-26
Stadio Plebiscito Padova European Shield
2008 12 June BARLA
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...

 def. Italy 64-0
Stadio Plebiscito Padova Simone Franchini Nines
Veneto 9s
Veneto 9s is a rugby league nines tournament held annually in Monselice, Italy. It is the main event of Italian rugby league and has been running since 2006...

2006 |13 June South Africa def. Italy 60-20 Monselice
Monselice
Monselice is a town and municipality located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua.It is about 20 km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills .-History:...

Simone Franchini Nines
Veneto 9s
Veneto 9s is a rugby league nines tournament held annually in Monselice, Italy. It is the main event of Italian rugby league and has been running since 2006...

2006 12 June South Africa def. Italy 76-6 Monselice
Monselice
Monselice is a town and municipality located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua.It is about 20 km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills .-History:...

Simone Franchini Nines
Veneto 9s
Veneto 9s is a rugby league nines tournament held annually in Monselice, Italy. It is the main event of Italian rugby league and has been running since 2006...

2006 9 June BARLA "B" def. Italy 38-18 Monselice
Monselice
Monselice is a town and municipality located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua.It is about 20 km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills .-History:...

Simone Franchini Nines
Veneto 9s
Veneto 9s is a rugby league nines tournament held annually in Monselice, Italy. It is the main event of Italian rugby league and has been running since 2006...

2006 4 February Italy A def. USA 38-6 Marconi Stadium Sydney 2,000 Columbus Cup
2004 2 October Italy def. Greece
Greece national rugby league team
The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league football. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003, and have since become an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...

 58-14
Marconi Stadium Sydney Ionio Cup
2003 2 October Italy def. Greece
Greece national rugby league team
The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league football. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003, and have since become an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...

 26-24
Kogarah Jubilee Oval Sydney around 3000 Ionio Cup
2003 11 July Scotland A
Scotland national rugby league team
The Scotland national rugby league team represent Scotland in international rugby league football tournaments. The team is run under the auspices of the Scotland Rugby League, and are nicknamed The Bravehearts. Scotland are not regarded as a test nation...

 def. Italy 30-10
2002 Tartarstan/Russia
Russia national rugby league team
-2008 World Cup Qualifying:In 2006 Russia were involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and...

 def. Italy 16-12
2000 20 November BARLA
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...

 def. Italy 64-0
Dewsbury Dewsbury 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Final
2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
The 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament was held alongside the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. As with the World Cup, the competition suffered from poor attendances in comparison to the previous event...

2000 17 November Italy def. USA
United States national rugby league team
-2008 & 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying:In October 2006, The Tomahawks were to participate in a four team Atlantic qualifying pool for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but South Africa and the West Indies withdrew. As a result, The Atlantic qualifying pool was reduced to a single game...

 40-16
The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
The 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament was held alongside the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. As with the World Cup, the competition suffered from poor attendances in comparison to the previous event...

2000 15 November Italy def. Canada
Canada national rugby league team
The Canada national rugby league team represents Canada in international rugby league football tournaments.-1987-2000:Rugby league was re-introduced to Canada at an amateur level in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when a short-lived 4-team domestic competition, known as the Tri-Counties Rugby...

 66-6
Cougar Park Keighley ??? 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
The 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament was held alongside the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. As with the World Cup, the competition suffered from poor attendances in comparison to the previous event...

1999 17 November Italy def. France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...

 14-10
1999 14 November Italy def. Morocco
Morocco national rugby league team
-Results:* Lebanon def. Morocco 72-4 * Morocco def. Belgium 46-12 * Morocco def. Catalonia 29-6 * Morocco def. Italy 32-10 * Morocco def. Catalonia 62-12...

 34-0
1999 11 November Lebanon
Lebanon national rugby league team
The Lebanon national rugby league team is the representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football. They are nicknamed "The Cedars" after the Lebanon Cedar tree, which is also on the Lebanese flag. The team has been participating in international competition since 1998 and has quickly became one...

 def. Italy 36-16
1960 24 January Australia def. Italy 67-22 Stadio Tenni Terviso 3,105
1960 23 January Australia def. Italy 37-15 Stadio Euganeo Padua 3,500
1951 15 April France Amateurs def. Italy 29-17 Cahors

Overall Record

The overall record for the Italian Rugby League, including all national team, competitions, international friendlies, tours and Italy A matches (all affiliated matches).
Against Played Won Lost Drawn % Won
Total 31 15 16 0 48.39%

2011 Squad

2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
Of the fourteen teams that will participate in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, only two are not automatic inclusions, so must win qualifying matches to enter the tournament, which is to be held in Wales and England...

 squad.

External links

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