The Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) Organising Committee (OC) announced the Draw for the Tournament to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The blockbuster opening match of the RLWC2017 will see the Australia Kangaroos begin their campaign under lights against the England Lions in Melbourne.
The New Zealand Kiwis first pool match will be played against Toa Samoa in Auckland whilst the winner of the tournament will be decided in Brisbane.
RLWC2017 Chief Executive Officer, Michael Brown, said the Organising Committee made a deliberate decision 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," said Brown.
“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.”
The RLWC2017 Tournament Draw is family-friendly by intention, with all matches to be played across the weekend including Friday night games.
There will be three double-headers in Cairns, Perth and Townsville, providing additional value for money for fans.
When not attending games, fans will experience some of the most iconic sporting destinations in the world.
Sports enthusiasts will be able to explore the diversity of the eight host cities across Australia to New Zealand’s compact nature that simplifies travel and makes it easy for visitors to access all venues while experiencing a variety of tourist attractions along the way.
The welcome and hospitality supporters will receive when visiting all three host nations will make the RLWC2017 a bucket list item for sports fans worldwide.
“We not only want to see traditional rugby league fans come out to support their national team, we aim to engage with the local communities of all participating teams to deliver an event that will entertain the world, inspire communities and celebrate Rugby League,” said Brown.
“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.”
Tournament Pools
With 11 teams already confirmed, the final three teams will come from the European Qualifying Tournament to be played in October and November this year.
The teams who are still in the race include Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.
The pool structure reflects that of the successful 2013 Tournament.
The composition of the pools for RLWC2017 were shaped by a number of considerations, including the final placings from the 2013 World Cup and current world rankings
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
Rugby League World Cup 2017 Full Tournament Draw plus Finals information
As co-hosts of the tournament, the RLWC2017 OC wanted to give certainty to the Australian and New Zealand fans who want to pre-arrange travel to these matches to support their team.
The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) has approved that if Australia qualifies for a Quarter-Final, it will play in Darwin.
If New Zealand qualifies for a Quarter-Final, it will play in Wellington.
If Australia and New Zealand were to play each other in a Quarter-Final or Semi-Final, whoever finishes higher in the pool stage will get the home advantage.
The full Quarter-Final fixture will be finalised at the conclusion of the pool stages, taking in to consideration hosting requirements.
If Australia and New Zealand make the Semi-Finals they will play in Brisbane and Auckland respectively.
Rugby League World Cup 2017 Tournament Draw
*Kick off times to be announced ahead of tournament
Date |
Match Type |
Match-Up |
Venue |
27/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Australia vs England |
AAMI Park, Melbourne |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
PNG v Euro Q1 |
Port Moresby (venue TBA) |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
New Zealand vs Samoa |
Mt Smart, Auckland |
28/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Fiji vs USA |
1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Scotland vs Tonga |
Barlow Park, Cairns |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
Euro Q2 vs Euro Q3 |
Barlow Park, Cairns |
29/10/2017 |
Pool – Round 1 |
France vs Lebanon |
GIO Stadium, Canberra |
3/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Australia vs France |
GIO Stadium, Canberra |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
New Zealand vs Scotland |
Christchurch Stadium |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Samoa vs Tonga |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
4/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
England vs Lebanon |
Allianz Stadium, Moore Park |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
PNG vs Euro Q2 |
Port Moresby (venue TBA) |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Euro Q3 vs USA |
1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville |
5/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 2 |
Fiji vs Euro Q1 |
1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville |
10/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Fiji vs Euro Q3 |
GIO Stadium, Canberra |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Samoa vs Scotland |
Barlow Park, Cairns |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
New Zealand vs Tonga |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
11/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Australia vs Lebanon |
Allianz Stadium, Moore Park |
12/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
PNG vs USA |
Port Moresby (venue TBA) |
12/11/2017 |
Pool – Round 3 |
Euro Q1 vs Euro Q2 |
Perth Rectangular Stadium |
17/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Darwin Stadium |
18/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Christchurch Stadium |
18/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
Westpac Stadium, Wellington |
19/11/2017 |
Quarter Final |
|
AAMI Park, Melbourne |
24/11/2017 |
Semi Final |
|
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
25/11/2017 |
Semi Final |
|
Mt Smart, Auckland |
2/12/017 |
Final |
|
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
To view the Rugby League World Cup 2017 Tournament Draw, go to RLWC2017.com/draw
RLWC2017 Fan packages, including tickets, are on sale now at RLWC2017.com/travel
Tickets will go on general sale on October, 27 2016. Fans should register their interest at RLWC2017.com