IRL Annual Report 2024

International Rugby League has released its 2024 Annual Report.  

The report focuses on the global spread of the international game, with more Senior International Matches played across all parts of the world and involving more countries than ever before in a non-World Cup year.

There was also greater diversity, with the 72 sanctioned international fixtures in 2024 comprising of:

·       36 Men’s internationals

·       25 Women’s internationals

·       11 Wheelchair internationals

The Australian Rugby League Commission was announced as hosts of IRL World Cup 2026, which will include matches in Papua New Guinea and will showcase the cultures of the Pacific.

Among the unprecedented number of international fixtures played in 2024 were RLWC2026 qualifying matches and tournaments to determine Men’s and Women’s berths.

As a result, France (Europe) will now play Jamaica (Americas) and Cook Islands (APRL) will meet South Africa (MEA) in play-offs for the two remaining Men’s places at RLWC2026 to be staged in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

France, Wales and Samoa qualified for the Women’s World Cup, while Canada (Americas) will host Ireland (Europe), Fiji (APRL) and Nigeria (MEA) in an historic Women’s World Series 2025 to determine the final RLWC2026 berth.

New Zealand also ensured their eligibility for the Wheelchair World Cup after the Wheel Kiwis made their international debut in a two-match series against Australia in 2024.

Other 2024 highlights included:

·       Wales touring the United States to play the first international Wheelchair matches in the Americas;

·       Women’s World Cup qualifying matches and tournaments being staged in four continents;

·       The incredible scenes in Sydney after Tonga qualified for the Pacific Cup final against Australia, and;

·       The inaugural SudAmericano tournament in Argentina.

In addition to there being more international rugby league across 2024, the quality, standard, broadcast ratings and interest was also greater. This is a credit to the IRL members who have collectively placed international rugby league in the most positive position for many years.

Argentina became the latest country to gain Observer Member status and is already showing promise to progress quickly as the game expands in South America, continues its rapid growth in Africa and is thriving in the Pacific and Europe.

Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo and Jillaroos playmaker Tarryn Aiken were the first Australians to win the IRL Golden Boot since 2017 (Men) and 2019 (Women), while England’s Rob Hawkins capped a stunning season by winning the IRL Wheelchair Golden Boot.

Fetu Samoa skyrocketed up the Women’s IRL World Rankings after their successful Pacific Championships campaign, while Tonga moved back into the top four Men’s teams after upsetting New Zealand to reach the Pacific Cup final.

Australia remains No.1 ranked Men’s and Women’s nation, while England holds top spot in the Wheelchair rankings by the narrowest of margins from France, with New Zealand featuring for their first time in the wheelchair rankings.