2018 Emerging Nations World Championship

The 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship (ENWC) was a rugby league tournament held for Tier Two and Tier Three nations, the third edition of the Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament.

2018 Emerging Nations World Championship
Number of teams	11
Host country	Australia
Winner	Malta
Matches played	22
Attendance	8,532 (388 per match)
Points scored	1025 (46.59 per match)
Top scorer	Ethan Niszczot (60)
Top try scorers	Chippie Korostchuk (6) Justice Utatao (6)
Tournaments  < 2000

Background

Several nations that had not qualified, or were not eligible to qualify, for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup planned to contest an Emerging Nations tournament in Sydney in 2017 alongside the World Cup. However this tournament did not get support from the Rugby League International Federation, and did not go ahead.^[1]

On 29 March 2017, the Rugby League International Federation announced that Australia would host the tournament in 2018.^[2] The two-week-long tournament was held in Western Sydney, New South Wales with games taking place in Windsor, St Marys and Cabramatta.^[3]

Teams

Ten teams were already confirmed for the tournament by March 2017^[2] with a number of others later also announcing their participation.^[4][5][6] 15 teams were expected to compete, though Canada, India, Latvia, and Thailand were not included in the final draw, for unspecified reasons.

Nation	Coach	Notable players	RLIF Rank (Jul 2018)[7]
Greece	Steve Georgallis	Stefanos Bastas, Michael Korkidas, Jordan Meads[8]	26
Hong Kong	Jason Fairleigh[9]	–	45
Hungary	Jonathan Wilson	Stuart Flanagan[10]	21
Japan	Viliami Ahosivi	Gehamat Shibasaki[11]	41
Malta	Peter Cassar & Aaron McDonald	Tyler Cassel, Jarrod Sammut,[12] Sam Stone[13]	18
Niue	Brendan "Bman" Perenara	Zebastian Lucky Luisi, Eddie Paea, Sione Tovo[14]	34
Philippines	Arwin Marcus	Shane Gray, Payne Haas (),[15] Paul Sheedy[16]	27
Poland	Lee Addison[17][18]	Harry Siejka[19]	–
Solomon Islands	John Jewiss & Luke Heckendorf [20]	–	42
Turkey	Scott Hartas	Emre Guler, Aidan Sezer, Jansin Turgut[21]	–
Vanuatu	Lionel Harbin[22]	Alehana Mara[23]	36

Four multi-country regional teams competed in a parallel tournament.^[2] This was won by the Mediterranean-Middle East team who defeated Africa United in the final.^[24]

Region	Organising body	Eligible countries
Africa	Africa United Rugby League	54 sovereign states of Africa.[25] Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Latin America	Latin Heat Rugby League	23 sovereign states in the Americas, plus Puerto Rico.[26] Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Mediterranean	Mediterranean Rugby League
South East Asia	ASEAN RL Association

Venues

Cabramatta

Kellyville

St Marys

Windsor

Sydney CBD

The venues are located in the Western region of the Sydney metropolis.

• Cabramatta: New Era Stadium, home of the Cabramatta Two Blues, has previously hosted four international fixtures: Philippines vs Serbia (2016), Philippines vs Malta, Lebanon vs Malta, and Malta vs Hungary (all 2017).
• Kellyville: Kellyville Ridge Reserve, all-weather synthetic pitch previously unused at any level, hosted games on 7 October as Cabramatta was closed due to flooding.^[27]
• St Marys: St Marys Leagues Stadium, home of the St Marys Saints, has previously hosted six international fixtures: Fiji vs Tonga, Samoa vs Cook Islands, Lebanon vs Malta (all 2006), Lebanon vs Malta (2015), Malta vs Hungary, South Africa vs Malta (both 2018). It contains a 520-seat grandstand and has a total capacity of 7,000.^[28]
• Windsor: Windsor Sporting Complex, home of the Windsor Wolves, has not previously hosted an international fixture.

Pool stage

Tournament fixtures were announced on 16 July 2018.^[29] The pool stage began on 1 October and concluded on 7 October. The six highest ranked teams were split between Pool A and B, while Pool C consisted of the five lowest ranked teams.

Pool A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Niue	2	2	0	0	50	28	+22	4	Advances to Cup play-off
2	Malta	2	1	0	1	52	36	+16	2	Advances to Cup play-off
3	Philippines	2	0	0	2	22	60	−38	0	Advances to Trophy play-off

Malta	36 – 10	Philippines
Tries: K. Cassel (3), Attard, Benson, Rodrigues, S. Stone Goals: Benson (4/7)	Report	Tries: Bien, Mackey Goals: Bien (1/1), Wiggins (0/1)

1 October 2018 13:30 AEST (UTC+10)

Windsor Sporting Complex, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈750 Referee: Blake Williams (Australia)

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Malta	16 – 26	Niue
Tries: Campbell, T. Cassel, Muscat Goals: Benson (2/3)	Report	Tries: Utatao (2), G. Lolo, Schaumkel, Tamasi Goals: Paea (3/4), Samoa (0/1)

4 October 2018 11:55 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Mitchell Robinson (Australia)

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Philippines	12 – 24	Niue
Tries: Sheedy, Jensen Goals: Bien (2)	Report	Tries: Utatao (2), Schaumkel, Payne, G. Lolo Goals: Samoa (2)

7 October 2018 12:20 AEDT (UTC+11)

Kellyville Ridge Reserve, Sydney[30][27] Attendance: ≈350 Referee: Cameron Turner (Australia)

Pool B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Hungary	2	2	0	0	38	31	+7	4	Advances to Cup play-off
2	Greece	2	1	0	1	56	20	+36	2	Advances to Cup play-off
3	Vanuatu	2	0	0	2	13	56	−43	0	Advances to Trophy play-off

Hungary	20 – 18	Greece
Tries: D. Ivan, Kovac, Turay, Varga Goals: J. Farkas (2/4)	Report	Tries: Mamouzelos, Stratis, A. Vrahnos Goals: Stratis (3/3)

1 October 2018 17:00 AEST (UTC+10)

Windsor Sporting Complex, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈750 Referee: Dillan Wells (Australia)

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Hungary	18 – 13	Vanuatu
Tries: N. Farkas, Gerecs Goals: J. Farkas	Report	Tries: James Wood, Amani Arutahiki Goals: Andrew Kaltongga (2) Drop goals: Mara

4 October 2018 17:00 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈120 Referee: Ethan Murray (Australia)

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Greece	38 – 0	Vanuatu
Tries: A. Vrahnos, G. Tsikrikas, Zampetides, Mamouzelos, L. Zarounas, C. Hughes, Constantinou Goals: Stratis (5)	Report

7 October 2018 18:45 AEDT (UTC+11)

Kellyville Ridge Reserve, Sydney[30][27] Attendance: ≈125 Referee: Joey Butler (Australia)

Pool C

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Poland	2	2	0	0	120	12	+108	4	Advances to Trophy play-off
2	Turkey	2	2	0	0	90	22	+68	4	Advances to Trophy play-off
3	Solomon Islands	2	1	0	1	54	42	+12	2	Advances to Plate play-off
4	Hong Kong	2	0	0	2	18	94	-76	0	Advances to Plate play-off
5	Japan	2	0	0	2	6	118	-112	0	Advances to Plate play-off

Turkey	30 – 22	Solomon Islands
Tries: Dalcik (2), A. Salman-Cochrane (2), Er, Bökeyhan Sürer Goals: Bökeyhan Sürer (3/4), H. Karabork (0/2)	Report	Tries: Maebata (2), Kaipua, Tengemoana Goals: Sanga (2/3), Moe'ava (1/1)

1 October 2018 15:15 AEST (UTC+10)

Windsor Sporting Complex, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈750 Referee: Cameron Turner (Australia)

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Japan	0 – 60	Turkey
	Report	Tries: Bökeyhan Sürer (3), Turgut (2), Erten, Dagdanasar, A. Karabork, Baskonyali, Celikutan Goals: Bökeyhan Sürer (7/9), Dagdanasar (1/1), J. Salman-Cochrane (0/1)

4 October 2018 13:40 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Robert Morey (Australia)

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Hong Kong	6 – 62	Poland
Tries: McMurrich Goals: Lindsay (1/1)	Report	Tries: Korostchuk (3), S. Maslanka (2), M. Maslanka (2), Metuangaro (2), Mykietyn (2), Niszczot Goals: Niszczot (7)

4 October 2018 15:20 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney[30] Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Blake Williams (Australia)

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Solomon Islands	32 – 12	Hong Kong
Tries: Singamoana (2), Angikimua, Momoa, Sanga, Sa'omatangi, L. Tongaka Goals: Moe'ava (2/5), Sanga (0/2)	Report	Tries: Griffiths, Waugh Goals: Lindsay (2/2)

7 October 2018 14:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Kellyville Ridge Reserve, Sydney[30][27] Attendance: ≈250 Referee: Dillan Wells (Australia)

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Japan	6 – 58	Poland
Tries: F. Karino Goals: F. Karino	Report	Tries: M. Maslanka (2), Niszczot (2), Artsivourtis, Bryan, Mikalowski, Niedzwiecki, Szczerbanik, Usher Goals: Niszczot (9)

7 October 2018 17:10 AEDT (UTC+11)

Kellyville Ridge Reserve, Sydney[30][27] Attendance: ≈220 Referee: Joseph Green (Australia)

Play-offs

The play-off stage began on 9 October and concluded on 13 October. The teams were split into Cup, Trophy, and Plate play-offs based on their results in the pool stage.

Cup

	Cup semi-finals				1st place final
	10 October – Cabramatta
	Niue	16
					13 October – St Marys
	Greece	8
					Niue	16
	10 October – Cabramatta
					Malta	24
	Hungary	10
	Malta	20
					3rd place final
					13 October – St Marys
					Greece	26
					Hungary	18

Niue	16 – 8	Greece
Tries: W. Lolo, Payne, Utatao Goals: Paea (2/3)	Report	Tries: Vrahnos Goals: Stratis (2/2)

10 October 2018 12:00 AEST (UTC+10)

New Era Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈450 Referee: Dillan Wells (Australia)

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Hungary	10 – 20	Malta
Tries: P. Ivan, Varga Goals: D. Farkas (1)	Report	Tries: Campbell, T. Cassel, Cregan, Greene Goals: Benson (2)

10 October 2018 13:45 AEST (UTC+10)

New Era Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈300 Referee: Blake Williams (Australia)

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Greece	26 – 18	Hungary
Tries: Mamouzelos (2), G. Tsikrikas (2), Stratis Goals: Stratis (3)	Report	Tries: Acsai, P. Ivan, McKewin Goals: J. Farkas (3)

13 October 2018 13:55 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium (field 2), Sydney Attendance: ≈350 Referee: Ethan Murray (Australia)

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Niue	16 – 24	Malta
Tries: G. Lolo, Ulukita, Utatao Goals: Paea (2)	Report	Tries: Benson (2), Attard, Dallas, Sammut Goals: Sammut (2)

13 October 2018 15:55 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈1,100 Referee: Cameron Turner (Australia)

Trophy

	Trophy semi-finals				5th place final
	10 October – Cabramatta
	Philippines	29
					13 October – St Marys
	Turkey	16
					Philippines	10
	10 October – Cabramatta
					Poland	14
	Vanuatu	4
	Poland	44
					7th place final
					13 October – St Marys
					Turkey	27
					Vanuatu	26

Philippines	29 – 16	Turkey
Tries: Goodwin, Gordon, Sheedy, Stephenson, Stubbs Goals: Wiggins (4) Drop goals: Sheedy	Report	Tries: Dalcik (2), A. Salman-Cochrane Goals: Bokeyhan Surer (2)

10 October 2018 15:30 AEST (UTC+10)

New Era Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈450 Referee: Ethan Murray (Australia)

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Vanuatu	4 – 44	Poland
Tries: Arutahiki	Report	Tries: Korostchuk (2), Metuangaro (2), A. Kowalski, Niszczot, H. Siejka, Wertsak Goals: Niszczot (3), H. Siejka (2), Metuangaro (1)

10 October 2018 17:15 AEST (UTC+10)

New Era Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈150 Referee: Cody Simmons (Australia)

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Turkey	27 – 26	Vanuatu
Tries: Baskonyali (2), Bokeyhan Surer, Dalcik, P. Salman-Cochrane Goals: Bokeyhan Surer (3) Drop goals: Baskonyali	Report	Tries: Arutahiki (2), Philip (2), Kaltonga, Napakaurana Goals: Kaltonga (1)

13 October 2018 12:15 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium (field 2), Sydney Attendance: ≈250 Referee: Mitchell Robinson (Australia)

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Philippines	10 – 14	Poland
Tries: Goodwin, Kucia Goals: Bien (1)	Report	Tries: Korostchuk, Niszczot, H. Siejka Goals: Niszczot (1)

13 October 2018 14:00 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium, Sydney Attendance: ≈500 Referee: Blake Williams (Australia)

Plate

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
9	Solomon Islands	2	2	0	0	100	36	+64	4
10	Japan	2	1	0	1	54	74	-20	2
11	Hong Kong	2	0	0	2	44	88	-44	0

Solomon Islands	44 – 22	Japan
Tries: Maebata (2), Moe'ava (2), Sanga, Taupongi, Tengemoana, L. Tongaka Goals: Sanga (5/7), Moe'ava (1/1)		Tries: Shibasaki (2), Fujitaka, Grieve Goals: F. Karino (3/4)

9 October 2018 18:30 AEST (UTC+10)

Windsor Sporting Complex, Sydney Attendance: 45 Referee: Joseph Green (Australia)

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Hong Kong	30 – 32	Japan
Tries: Griffiths, Lindsay, McMurrich, Ryan, Spence Goals: Lindsay (5/5)		Tries: Shibasaki (2), Fujitaka, Fukushige, Gerediaga Etxaburu, Matsuo Goals: Sugano (4/4), F. Karino (0/3)

11 October 2018 16:30 AEST (UTC+10)

Windsor Sporting Complex, Sydney Attendance: 22 Referee: Ethan Murray (Australia)

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Solomon Islands	56 – 14	Hong Kong
Tries: Angikimua (3), Manau (2), Moe'ava (2), Sa'omatangi, Sanga, Singamoana, Tengemoana Goals: Moe'ava (5/9), Sanga (1/2)	Report	Tries: Barnes, Lindsay, McMurrich Goals: Barnes (1/1), Lee (0/1), Lindsay (0/1)

13 October 2018 15:40 AEST (UTC+10)

St Marys Stadium (field 2), Sydney Attendance: ≈100 Referee: Robert Morey (Australia)

Final positions

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD
1	Malta Cup Winners	4	3	0	1	96	62	+34
2	Niue	4	3	0	1	82	60	+22
3	Greece	4	2	0	2	90	54	+36
4	Hungary	4	2	0	2	66	77	-11
5	Poland Trophy Winners	4	4	0	0	178	26	+152
6	Philippines	4	1	0	3	61	90	-29
7	Turkey	4	3	0	1	133	77	+56
8	Vanuatu	4	0	0	4	43	127	-84
9	Solomon Islands Plate Winners	4	3	0	1	154	78	+76
10	Japan	4	1	0	3	60	192	-132
11	Hong Kong	4	0	0	4	62	182	-120