International Rugby League to recognise over 1600 historic international matches

International Rugby League has established a History and Heritage Group to agree and compile, for the first time, an official list of recognised senior international matches, initially in the men’s game. The list includes over 1600 games played across the world since 1904.

The panel has examined every “international” and representative game, applying in the first place, the current criteria that would allow a match to be sanctioned then considering the criteria that would have prevailed at the time before making a final decision.

Having examined almost 2000 games, the group is now ready to share the draft list with each member nation for their comments prior to final publication, hopefully in early March.

IRL secretary general Danny Kazandjian said, “This has been a mammoth task but a vital part of our sport’s history. We have collaborated with experts from across the world on the group and also sought expert opinion from elsewhere on specific matches. I would like to pay tribute and thank Professor Tony Collins, Neil Ormston (RL Record Keepers’ Club), Andrew Ferguson (Rugby League Project) and Tas Baitieri for their ongoing input.

“Following publication of this initial list we will move onto the women’s and wheelchair disciplines to ensure a full and clear picture.”