Six Rugby League World Cup 2017 matches will be held in North Queensland Toyota Cowboys country when the tournament is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 27 October - 2 December 2017.
Townsville will be showcased on the world stage for Fiji v USA (Round 1), European Qualifier 3 v USA (Round 2) and Fiji v European Qualifier 1 (Round 2).
Cairns will deliver Scotland vs Tonga (Round 1), European Qualifier 2 v European Qualifier 3 (Round 1) and Samoa v Scotland (Round 2).
The Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) organising committee today announced the tournament draw, which will feature a blockbuster Kangaroos v England opening match in Melbourne and the final in Brisbane, as the two finalists battle it out for the Paul Barrière trophy and the title of World Cup winners.
RLWC2017 Chief Executive Officer Michael Brown said a deliberate decision had been made to take the Rugby League World Cup to more fans than any World Cup has done before.
“The tournament draw demonstrates how far and wide we are taking matches, from established rugby league communities, to those new and emerging fan bases in all three countries.
“Over the course of the pool stages we have looked to position matches in strong rugby league communities and where large populations of ex-pats, Pacifica and Indigenous fans live, to give those who love the sport and their national teams the chance to see some World Cup action.
“The decision to take matches to places like Darwin, Perth, Christchurch and Port Moresby were made with the future of the game in mind. They are matches we believe will give profile to the sport in markets that have already shown an appetite for rugby league.
“Rugby league is truly a game for everyone. We hope the Rugby League World Cup 2017 leaves a legacy for the game that sees it continue to grow and dominate the sporting landscape.”
POOLS
Pool A: Australia, England, France, Lebanon
Pool B: New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga
Pool C: Papua New Guinea, European Qualifier 1*, European Qualifier 2*
Pool D: Fiji, USA, European Qualifier 3*
*Final three teams will come from the European Qualifying Tournament (Oct-Nov 2016) – in the running: Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.
DRAW – RLWC2017.com/draw
Date |
Match type |
Game |
Location |
27/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Australia vs England |
Melbourne |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
PNG v Euro Q1 |
Port Moresby |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
New Zealand vs Samoa |
Mt Smart, Auckland |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Fiji vs USA |
Townsville |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Scotland vs Tonga |
Cairns |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Euro Q2 vs Euro Q3 |
Cairns |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
France vs Lebanon |
Canberra |
3/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Australia vs France |
Canberra |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
New Zealand vs Scotland |
Christchurch |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Samoa vs Tonga |
Hamilton |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
England vs Lebanon |
Sydney |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
PNG vs Euro Q2 |
Port Moresby |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Euro Q3 vs USA |
Townsville |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Fiji vs Euro Q1 |
Townsville |
10/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Fiji vs Euro Q3 |
Canberra |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Samoa vs Scotland |
Cairns |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
New Zealand vs Tonga |
Hamilton |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Australia vs Lebanon |
Sydney |
12/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
PNG vs USA |
Port Moresby |
12/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Euro Q1 vs Euro Q2 |
Perth |
17/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Darwin |
18/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Christchurch |
18/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Wellington |
19/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Melbourne |
24/11/2017 |
Semi Final |
|
Brisbane |
25/11/2017 |
Semi Final |
|
Mt Smart, Auckland |
2/12/2017 |
Final |
|
Brisbane |
TICKETS
• RLWC2017 fan packages (with tickets) – on sale now: RLWC2017.com/travel
• Tickets on general sale 27 October 2016 – register your interest: RLWC2017.com
