The 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship was a rugby league nines tournament organised by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) and played in the Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, Australia in February 2018. The event, featured eight men's teams, six women's teams and three physical disability teams, was one of the exhibition sports for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was in support of the bid for rugby league nines to be a full medal event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[1][2]

The tournament was dominated by Australia, who won all three competitions.[3][4]

Competing nations and pools

The 2014 tournament limited the men's competition to under-18 players. For this competition the upper age was increased to make the tournament an under-23 competition.[5]

Fixtures

All the games were played at Dolphin Stadium, home of Queensland rugby league side, Redcliffe Dolphins, on 23 and 24 February. All the pool games in the men's and women's teams were played on 23 February with the play-offs and medal matches played on 24 February. In the physical disability tournament four match were played on the first day with two more and the gold medal match played on the second day.[7]

All times are Queensland local time, UTC+10:00.

Women's tournament

Pool A

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Australia Australia 2 2 0 0 50 4 +46 4
Samoa Samoa 2 1 0 1 28 32 −4 2
Fiji Fiji 2 0 0 2 6 48 −42 0
23 February 2018 Fiji 6 – 24 Samoa
11:05am
 Tries: Paulini Korowaqa
Goals: Wainikiti Deqku (1) 		Tries: Atasi Lafia (2), Shontelle Stowers (2), Christine Pauli, Sarah Togatuki
23 February 2018 Australia 26 – 4 Samoa
2:10pm
 Tries: Ali Brigginshaw (2), Karina Brown, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Rikeya Horne, Corban McGregor
Goals: Maddie Studdon (1) 		Tries: Maitua Feterika
23 February 2018 Australia 24 – 0 Fiji
7:05pm
 Tries: Chelsea Baker, Annette Brander, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Corban McGregor, Maddie Studdon
Goals: Tallisha Harden (1), Maddie Studdon (1)

Pool B

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Tonga Tonga 2 2 0 0 20 8 +12 4
Cook Islands Cook Islands 2 1 0 1 24 24 0 2
Canada Canada 2 0 0 2 16 28 −12 0
23 February 2018 Canada 4 – 8 Tonga
11:30am
 Tries: Maira Acevedo Tries: Lanulangi Veainu (2)
23 February 2018 Cook Islands 4 – 12 Tonga
2:45pm
 Tries: Toka Natua Tries: Takilele Katoa, Joy Tedeschi
Goals: Takilele Katoa (1), Lanulangi Veainu (1)
23 February 2018 Canada 12 – 20 Cook Islands
5:40pm
 Tries: Allana Fittes, Janai Haupapa, Tiera Thomas-Reynolds Tries: Kiritapu Demant, Inangaro Maraeara, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Jean-Shannel Robati

Semi-finals and play-offs

24 February 2018 Australia 14 – 8 Cook Islands
11:35am
 Tries: Nakia Davis-Welsh, Isabelle Kelly, Corban McGregor
Goals: Brittany Breayley (1) 		Tries: Kiritapu Demant, Mazelina Haurua
24 February 2018 Tonga 0 – 20 Samoa
12:00pm
 Tries: Maitua Feterika, Taliah Fuimaono, Louisa Gago, Shontelle Stowers, Sarah Togatuki
24 February 2018
5th place play-off 		Canada 16 – 12
(extra time) 		Fiji
1:50pm
 Tries: Andrea Burk, Justine Pelletier, Stevi Schnoor, Tiera Thomas-Reynolds Tries: Ema Adivitaloga, Paulini Korowaqa, Sereama Nagatalevu
24 February 2018
Bronze medal play-off 		Cook Islands 20 – 0 Tonga
4:00pm
 Tries: Kiritapu Demant (2), Inangaro Maraeara, Kimiora Nati, Apii Nicholls-Pualau
24 February 2018
Gold medal play-off 		Australia 14 – 8 Samoa
4:25pm
 Tries: Chelsea Baker, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Zahara Temara
Goals: Zahara Temara (1) 		Tries: Louisa Gago, Shontelle Stowers

Men's U23 tournament

Pool A

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Australia Australia 3 3 0 0 92 4 +88 6
Fiji Fiji 3 2 0 1 30 38 −8 4
Scotland Scotland 3 1 0 2 34 50 −16 2
Wales Wales 3 0 0 3 4 68 −64 0
23 February 2018 Fiji 14 – 10 Scotland
12:05pm
 Tries: Sam Kurukitoga, Netani Narisia, Joeli Vulavou
Goals: Roseru Naiwasetawa (1) 		Tries: Curtis Faughlin (2)
Goals: Matt Hogg (1)
23 February 2018 Australia 32 – 0 Wales
12:30pm
 Tries: Paul Momirovski (3), Corey Allan,

Michael Carroll, Hayden Schwass, Kotoni Staggs
Goals: Corey Allan (1)

23 February 2018 Australia 36 – 0 Scotland
3:10pm
 Tries: Corey Allan (2), Jade Anderson (2), Luke Sharpe (2), Kotoni Staggs
Goals: Kotoni Staggs (2), Jade Anderson (1), Luke Sharpe (1)
23 February 2018 Fiji 12 – 4 Wales
3:35pm
 Tries: Sam Kurukitoga, Netani Narisia, RT Timoli Tries: Liam Silver
23 February 2018 Scotland 24 – 0 Wales
6:05pm
 Tries: Niall Sidney (2), Justin Faughlin, Matt Hogg, Luke Westman
Goals: Matt Hogg (2)
23 February 2018 Australia 24 – 4 Fiji
7:30pm
 Tries: Corey Allan, Luke Huth, Hayden Schwass, Kotoni Staggs
Goals: Luke Huth (1), Kotoni Staggs (1) 		Tries: RT Timoli

Pool B

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Tonga Tonga 3 3 0 0 54 26 +28 6
Samoa Samoa 3 2 0 1 52 46 +6 4
England England 3 1 0 2 28 44 −16 2
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea 3 0 0 3 30 48 −18 0
23 February 2018 Tonga 22 – 8 Samoa
10:15am
 Tries: Addison Demetriou (2), Joseph Kaufusitua, Sosaia Talivakaola
Goals: Sione Tonga (1) 		Tries: Tom Sau, Frank Toomalatai
23 February 2018 England 10 – 28 Samoa
12:55pm
 Tries: Tyler Spence, Cole Walker-Taylor
Goals: Tyler Spence (1) 		Tries: Poasa Faamausili, Maliko Filino, Tom Sau, Marli Sini, Ken Tofilau, Frank Toomalatai
Goals: Arthur Crichton (1), Marli Sini (1)
23 February 2018 Papua New Guinea 12 – 20 Tonga
1:45pm
 Tries: Paul Nelson (2), Yabra Kuk Tries: Addison Demetriou (2), Mali Lepou, Sione Vea
Goals: Joseph Kaufusitua (1), Netane Masina (1)
23 February 2018 Samoa 16 – 14 Papua New Guinea
4:50pm
 Tries: Poasa Faamausili, Jordan Seumanu, Denzal Tonise, Frank Toomalatai Tries: Dickson Amea, Paul Nelson, John Ragi Jnr
Goals: Paul Nelson (1)
23 February 2018 England 6 – 12 Tonga
5:15pm
 Tries: Cole Walker-Taylor
Goals: Cole Walker-Taylor (1) 		Tries: Taealoaloa Amone, Addison Demetriou, Myles Taueli
23 February 2018 England 12 – 4 Papua New Guinea
Tries: Darrion Ball, Samuel Rotchford, Daniel Sowerby Tries: Ilias Stanley

Semi-finals and play-offs

24 February 2018 Scotland 16 – 14 Papua New Guinea
10:45am
 Tries: Davey Dixon, Curtis Faughlin, Ali Olivier
Goals: Matt Hogg (2) 		Tries: Dickson Amea, John Ragi Jnr, Standford Talita
Goals: Dickson Amea (1)
24 February 2018 England 8 – 10 Wales
11:10am
 Tries: Frankie Halton, Gregory Howland Tries: Liam Silver (2)
Goals: Paul Edwards (1)
24 February 2018 Australia 18 – 10 Samoa
1:00pm
 Tries: Conor Carey, Michael Carroll, Paul Momirovski
Goals: Michael Carroll (1), Luke Sharpe (1), Kotoni Staggs (1) 		Tries: Arthur Crichton, Frank Toomalatai
Goals: Arthur Crichton (1)
24 February 2018 Tonga 22 – 6 Fiji
1:25pm
 Tries: Taealoaloa Amone, Addison Demetriou, George Ili, Sione Tonga, Arthor Tupou
Goals: Netane Masima (1) 		Tries: Penaia Aeveltue
Goals: RT Timoti
24 February 2018
7th place play-off 		Papua New Guinea 0 – 14 England
2:15pm
 Tries: Gregory Howland, Liam Quinn, Tyler Spence
Goals: Owen Restall (1)
24 February 2018
5th place play-off 		Scotland 16 – 10 Wales
2:40pm
 Tries: Davey Dixon, Matt Hogg, Luke Westman
Goals: Matt Hogg (2) 		Tries: Karlin Claridge, Paul Edwards
Goals: Paul Edwards (2)
24 February 2018
Bronze medal play-off 		Samoa 20 – 6 Fiji
5:25pm
 Tries: Arthur Crichton, Nathan Leatigaga, Charlton Schaafhausen, Alex Seve, Frank Toomalatai Tries: RT Timoli
Goals: RT Timoli (1)
23 February 2018
Gold medal play-off 		Australia 14 – 8 Tonga
5:50pm
 Tries: Jade Anderson, Conor Carey, Kotoni Staggs
Goals: Luke Sharpe (1) 		Tries: Addison Demetriou, Isileli Uilou

Physical disabilities tournament

Pool stage

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Australia Australia 4 3 1 0 18 0 +18 7
New Zealand New Zealand 4 1 2 1 4 6 −2 4
  Commonwealth All Stars 4 0 1 3 0 16 −16 1
23 February 2018 New Zealand 4 – 0   Commonwealth All Stars (field 2)
10:40am
 Tries: Lisa Adams
23 February 2018 Australia 8 – 0   Commonwealth All Stars
1:20pm
 Tries: Craig Anderson, Mitchell Gleeson
23 February 2018 Australia 4 – 0   Commonwealth All Stars (field 2)
3:10pm
 Tries: Mitchell Gleeson
23 February 2018 Australia 6 – 0 New Zealand
6:40pm
 Tries: Kyle Lloyd
Goals: George Tonna (1)
24 February 2018 New Zealand 0 – 0   Commonwealth All Stars
10:20am
24 February 2018 Australia 0 – 0 New Zealand
12:35pm

Play-off

24 February 2018 Australia 0 – 0 New Zealand
3:05pm

Australia were declared the gold medalists due to having a better pool result.

Leading try-scorers

References

  1. ^ "Draw made for 2018 Commonwealth Championships". Love Rugby League. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Dates announced for Commonwealth Championship". Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Commonwealth Championship: Day 1 Results". Queensland Rugby League. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Commonwealth Championships Results – Day Two". Love Rugby League. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Moreton Bay ready for Commonwealth Championships 2018". RLIF. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Groups announced for Commonwealth Championship". Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 Commonwealth Championships fixtures announced". Love Rugby League. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
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