2025 Rugby League World Cup: Qualifying Paths for Men's, Women's, and Wheelchair Tournaments You Should Know Now

The International Rugby League has announced the qualification process for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup to be held in France. While eight quarter-finalists from the 2021 men's tournament and France as the host nation have automatically qualified, the remaining spots will be determined through regional qualifying tournaments. 

For the first time, the women's and wheelchair tournaments will also have a qualifying process, with up to 19 nations competing for the remaining spots.

Men's Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The 2025 Men's Rugby League World Cup will see 20 nations battling it out for the coveted trophy. 

Apart from the eight quarter-finalists and the host nation, 12 teams will compete in the European Championships A and B, while Brazil, Canada, Jamaica, and the United States will participate in the Americas Championship. 

The winner of the Middle East Africa Cup will enter the inter-regional repechage against the Cook Islands, with the winner of the repechage securing a spot in the World Cup.

Women's Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The women's tournament will feature eight quarter-finalists from the 2021 tournament and the Cook Islands, subject to development guidelines aimed at growing the women's game in their country. 

The remaining spots will be determined through regional qualifying tournaments in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East Africa, and the Americas.

Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will see an expression of interest and an invitation process to determine the finalists for the tournament.

Exciting Opportunities for International Rugby League

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the international rugby league, but according to the International Rugby League chair, Troy Grant, this has also presented opportunities for growth. 

With qualifying tournaments set to take place across the globe, there will be enormous opportunities to continue the growth of the international rugby league.

The Road Ahead

With the qualification process set, the participating nations will now focus on building their teams and preparing for the tournament. 

Fans will be eagerly waiting for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup to witness the world's best rugby league players compete for the ultimate prize.

Highlights (2025 Rugby League World Cup)

The road to the 2025 Rugby League World Cup in France has been set, and rugby league fans all over the world can start looking forward to the exciting qualifying tournaments that are set to take place over the next few years.

The men's tournament will see 19 nations battle it out for the remaining seven spots, while the women's tournament will also have a qualifying process for the first time ever, with up to 19 nations vying for the eight remaining spots. 

The Wheelchair finalists, on the other hand, will be determined through an expression of interest and invitation process.

Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for the growth of the international rugby league, especially after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Rugby League is committed to making sure that every region of the globe is represented at the tournament, and this has been reflected in the qualifying process that has been put in place.

The 2025 Rugby League World Cup promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event, and fans all over the world can look forward to cheering on their favourite teams as they battle it out for the ultimate prize. 

We can't wait to see who will emerge as the champions of the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments.

Rugby League World Cup 2022 - PNG Kumuls vs Wales

The Rugby League World Cup Draw for 2021/2022 has seen PNG pooled against Tonga, Wales Cook Islands. The draw took place at Buckingham Palace and was witnessed by the Rugby Football League patron Prince Harry.

IMAGE: Twitter/@RLWC2021

Papua New Guinea vs. England (5th Saturday, Nov 2022, 2.30pm)

Papua New Guinea will face England in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals. 

Many rugby league followers are anticipating a mouthwatering showdown between the Kumuls and England and Tonga and Samoa.

 Papua New Guineas Kumul 2022 October RLWC games 

In the men's pool, the Cook Islands Rugby League team is the underdog in Group D. 

Papua New Guinea Kumul is drawn against Wales and Tonga who are the competitive teams in the international rugby league competitions.

It is not going to be easy for PNG Kumuls in this Pool D. 

Many rugby league commentators are behind the 1995 and 2000 semi-finalists Wales in the PNG pool games. However, Tonga has featured strongly against the rugby league giants Australia and New Zealand in recent games. 

The Pool D games are going to be as tough as it comes.

WATCH THE RLWC GAMES LIVE ON 2021 RLWC APP

RLWC2021 Final

Here are the final games and possible lineup for PNG Kumuls vs Wales in the final pool game.

Semi-Finals

SF 1: Aus/Leb v NZ/Fiji (Fri 11th November)

SF 2: Eng/PNG v Ton/Sam (Sat 12th November)

World Cup Quarter Finals

QF 1: Australia 🇦🇺 v Lebanon 🇱🇧 (Friday 7.30pm BBC 3)

QF 2: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥 v Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 (Saturday 2.30pm BBC 1)

QF 3: New Zealand 🇳🇿 v Fiji 🇫🇯 (Saturday 7.30pm BBC 2)

QF 4: Tonga 🇹🇴 v Samoa 🇼🇸 (Sunday 2.30pm BBC 2)

RLWC Results Game 3 PNG vs Wales

The PNG Kumuls look set to keep the lineup that beat the Cook Islands last week. 

Apart from the missing stars, Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm) and Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks), the powerhouse forward  Mckenzie Yei (*Central Queensland Capras) is likely to seat-out due to a 1 match suspension for a high tackle.

Here is the likely lineup - PNG Kumuls Vs Wales

1. 1. Alex Johnston  (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Australia)
2. 19. Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies, Australia)
3. 3. Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions, UK)
4. 4. Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm, Australia)
5. 20. Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters, PNG)
6. 6. Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks, Australia)
7. 7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions, UK)
8. 8. Wellington Albert (London Broncos, UK)
9. 9. Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions, UK)
10. 10. Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters, PNG)
11. 11. Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras, Australia)
12. 12. Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos, UK)
13. 13. Jacob Allick (Gold Coast Titans, Australia)
14. 16. Mckenzie Yei (*Central Queensland Capras, Australia)
15. 17. Emmanuel Waine  (PNG Hunters, PNG)
16. 22. Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins, Australia)
17. 23. Watson Boas (Doncaster, UK)
18. 18. Keven Appo (PNG Hunters PNG)
19. 15. Daniel Russell (Brisbane Tigers, Australia)

RLWC Results Game 2: 25th October PNG vs the Cook Islands

PNG 32 - 16 Cook Islands - The Kumuls kept hopes of reaching the RLWC quarter-finals alive with a six-try win over the Cook Islands. Try scorers  - *Rodrick Tai, Kyle Laybutt, Rhyse Martin, *Rodrick Tai, Lachlan Lam and Justin Olam score.

Here is how to watch the PNG Kumuls games on the RLWC app

RLWC Results Game 1: 18th October 2022 - PNG vs Tonga

Tonga have escaped with a 24-18 win over Papua New Guinea in the most thrilling clash of the World Cup so far. Despite having the much weaker side, PNG fought hard and levelled the scores in the 67th minute only for Tonga to break their hearts with a frantic try with just three minutes left on the clock.

Men's Rugby League World Cup Pools A, B, C & D

• Group A: Samoa, England,  France, Greece
• Group B: Fiji, Australia,  Scotland, Italy
• Group C: Jamaica, New Zealand, Lebanon, Ireland
• Group D: Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Wales, Cook Islands

Women's Rugby League World Cup Pools A & B

• Group A:  Papua New Guinea, England, Canada, Brazil
• Group B: Cook Island, Australia, New Zealand, France

RLWC Draws 2022

Rugby League World Cup 2022 Men’s full fixtures

AEST time

England vs Samoa 15 October 2022

St James’ Park, Newcastle

RLWC Kick off : 2:30 PM

Australia vs Fiji 15 October 2022

Headingley Stadium, Leeds

RLWC Kick off : 7.30 pm

___________

Scotland vs Italy 16 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off : 2.30pm

Jamaica v Ireland 16 October 2022

Headingley (Leeds)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

New Zealand v Lebanon 16 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

France v Greece 17 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Tonga v Papua New Guinea 18 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm  

 ___________

Wales v Cook Islands 19 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Australia v Scotland 21 October 2022

Ricoh Arena (Coventry)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Fiji Bati Fiji v Italy 22 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

England v France 22 October 2022

University of Bolton Stadium (Bolton)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

New Zealand v Jamaica 22 October 2022

MKM Stadium (Hull)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Lebanon v Ireland 23 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

Samoa v Greece 23 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off : 5pm

___________

Tonga v Wales 24 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands 25 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

New Zealand v Ireland 28 October 2022

Headingley (Leeds)

RLWC Kick off : 7:30pm

___________

England v Greece 29 October 2022

Bramall Lane (Sheffield)

RLWC Kick off : 2:30pm

Fiji v Scotland 29 October 2022

Kingston Park (Newcastle)

RLWC Kick off 5pm

Australia v Italy 29 October 2022

Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens)

RLWC Kick off 7:30pm

___________

Lebanon v Jamaica 30 October 2022

Leigh Sports Village (Leigh)

RLWC Kick off 12pm

___________

Tonga v Cook Islands 30 October 2022

Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough)

RLWC Kick off 2:30pm

Samoa v France 30 October 2022

Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington)

RLWC Kick off 5pm

___________

Papua New Guinea v Wales 31 October 2022

Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster)

RLWC Kick off 7:30pm

___________

• RLWC Quarter Final 4/5/6 November 2022
• RLWC Semi Final 11/12 November 2022

PNG Kumuls vs Toa Samoa Pacific Test

The 2019 Pacific Test is sure to be a ripper between the PNG Kumuls and Toa Samoa at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday June 22.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls is putting together a strong 18 men team for the Pacific Test 2019 composed of players from NRL and Queensland Intrust Cup:

• NRL= 7 players
• Wynnum Manly = 3 player
• PNG Hunters = 5 players
• North Devils = 1 player
• Townsville Blackhawks = 1 player
• Burleigh Bears = 1 player

Recommended reading: samoa vs png 2019 and Lions vs PNG Kumuls Fixtures.

1. Edene Gabbie Wynnum Manly
2. Edwin Epape Wynnum Manly
3. Enock Maki PNG Hunter
4. James Segeyaro Brisbane Broncos
5. Junior Rau PNG Hunters
6. Justin Olam Melbourne Storm
7. Kurt Baptiste North Queensland Cowboys
8. Kyle Laybutt Townsville Blackhawks
9. Lachlan Lam Sydney Roosters
10. Luke Page Burleigh Bears
11. Moses Meninga PNG Hunters
12. Nixon Putt Norths Devils 
13. Rhadley Brawa Wynnum Manly
14. Rhyse Martin Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15. Stanton Albert PNG Hunters
16. Terry Wapi PNG Hunters
17. Xavier Coates Brisbane Broncos
18. Zev John Melbourne Storm

For the complete Pacific Test samoa vs png 2019 and British Lions vs PNG Kumuls fixtures, see here.

Rugby League World Cup Tours PNG Kumuls and British Lions

THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls will compete in two major Rugby League International Federation-sanctioned challenges this year.

WATCH THE RLWC GAMES LIVE ON 2021 RLWC APP

Southern hemisphere general manager Jeremy Edwards was in the country yesterday to present the RLIF calendar highlighting the inaugural Oceania Cup and the British Lions tour, of which the Kumuls will be part.

Competing in the Oceania Cup are Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG, and co-hosts Australia and New Zealand.

Australia, New Zealand and Tonga make up pool A while Samoa, Fiji and PNG occupy Pool B.

Pool A and Pool B will compete for a trophy and shield respectively.

The last-placed nation in pool A will be demoted to pool B and the first-placed side in pool B will be promoted to pool A.

“The exciting thing about this is to see the nations play for something that is meaningful and will start every mid-year,” Edwards said.

The Kumuls' first Oceania Cup fixture is against Samoa in Sydney on June 22 and the second against Fiji in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Nov 9.

The Kumuls as with similar mid-year Tests is set to feature mostly Australian based talent with players from the Hunters and Q-Cup as well as the NRL to be considered.

Head coach Michael Marum, pictured, as well as the PNGRFL, are yet to confirm whether players from the UK will be considered for the June international.

Meanwhile, the Lions tour will be held in New Zealand and PNG, with the Brits playing Tonga on Oct 26, New Zealand on Nov 2 and Nov 9, and the Kumuls in Port Moresby on Nov 16.

The PNG Orchids (women) will also get an opportunity to play an international test against a Pacific All-Stars side on Nov 16.

In attendance to witness the launch were New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters, PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka, Immigration and Border Security Minister Petrus Thomas and PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Peter Tsiamalili Jr.

Tsaka said more international fixtures would improve PNG’s ranking.

Fixtures – Oceania Cup:

Pool A – New Zealand v Tonga (at Mt Smart on June 22), Australia v New Zealand (in Wollongong on Oct 25), Australia v Tonga (at Eden Park on Nov 2);

Pool B – Samoa v PNG (in Sydney on June 22), Fiji v Samoa (at Eden Park on Nov 2), PNG v Fiji (in Christchurch on Nov 9)

Lions Tour:

Lions v Tonga (in Hamilton on Oct 26), Lions v New Zealand (at Eden Park on Nov 2), Lions v New Zealand (in Christchurch on Nov 9), Lions v PNG (in Port Moresby on Nov 16).

PNG Kumuls likely to play England and New Zealand in the Finals

The Rugby League World Cup, RLWC

• 14 Countries
• 6 weeks
• 28 games (21 pool games, 7 final games)
• 1 Winner

Source: Adapted from Fox Sports (accessed 28/10/2017)

Check out the finalists here.

In the pool games (weeks 1 – 3) six bottom teams will be eliminated. Obviously, eight teams go through to the quarter-finals: three teams from Pool A, three teams from Pool B, one team from Pool C and one team from Pool D.

WATCH THE RLWC GAMES LIVE ON 2021 RLWC APP

PNG Kumuls makes the Quarter Finals (QF)

If the team PNG Kumuls makes the Quarter Finals (QF), the Kumuls will play (the team that comes 2^nd in Pool A) in the 4^th QF in Melbourne, Australia. The second *hot* team in Pool A in England, after Australia. Team PNG Kumuls may, most likely, meet England in the 4^th QF on Sunday, November 19th.

The team that wins the 4^th QF will play the team that wins the 3^rd QF in the 2^nd Semi-Final. A closer look at Pool B teams would reveal that New Zealand is likely to top the pool matches and play in that 3^rd QF and proceed to the 2^nd Semi-Final.

The PNG Kumuls team survives 4 weeks of competition and will see the team go head-to-head with the New Zealand Warriors in the 2^nd Semi-Final match in Auckland, New Zealand.

RLWC FIXTURES

 
Week 1

Friday, October 27

1. Australia (WON) v England at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, 8pm (AEDT)

Saturday, October 28

2. Papua New Guinea (WON) v Wales at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 4pm (AEDT)

3. New Zealand (WON) v Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 6.10pm (AEDT)

4. Fiji (WON) v USA at Townsville Stadium, Townsville, 8.40pm (AEDT)

Sunday, October 29

5. Ireland (WON) v Italy at Barlow Park, Cairns, 3pm (AEDT)

6. France v Lebanon (WON) at Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 4pm (AEDT)

7. Scotland v Tonga (WON) at Barlow Park, Cairns, 5.15pm (AEDT)

Week 2

Friday, November 3

1. Australia (WON) v France at Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 8pm (AEDT)

Saturday, November 4

2. New Zealand (WON) v Scotland at Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch, 3pm (AEDT)

3. Samoa v Tonga (WON) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5.30pm (AEDT)

4. England (WON) v Lebanon at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, 8pm (AEDT)

Sunday, November 5

5. Papua New Guinea (WON) v Ireland at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 5pm (AEDT)

6. Italy (WON) v USA at Townsville Stadium, Townsville, 5pm (AEDT)

7. Fiji (WON) v Wales at Townsville Stadium, Townsville, 7.30pm (AEDT)

Week 3

Friday, November 10

1. Fiji (WON) v Italy at Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 7.40pm (AEDT)

Saturday, November 11

2. New Zealand v Tonga (WON) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 3pm (AEDT)

3. Samoa (draw Samoa through to QF) v Scotland at Barlow Park, Cairns, 6pm (AEDT)

4. Australia (WON) v Lebanon at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, 8pm (AEDT)

Sunday, November 12

5. Papua New Guinea (WON) v USA at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby 4pm (AEDT)

6. Wales v Ireland (WON) at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, 5.30pm (AEDT)

7. England v France at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, 8pm (AEDT)

Week 4 Quarter Finals

Friday, November 17

1. First quarter-final at Darwin Stadium, Darwin, 8pm (AEDT)

    1^st Pool A vs 3^rd Pool B

Saturday, November 18

2. Second quarter final at Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch, 3pm (AEDT)

     2^nd Pool B vs 1^st Pool D

3. Third quarter final at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, 5.30pm (AEDT)

     1^st Pool B vs 3^rd Pool A

Sunday, November 19

4. Fourth quarter final at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, 4pm (AEDT)

     2^nd Pool A vs 1^st Pool C

QF Finalists

Week 5 RLWC Semi finals

Friday, November 24

1. First semi final at Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, 8pm (AEDT)

     Winner QF 1 vs Winner QF 2

Saturday, November 25

2. Second semi final at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 4pm (AEDT)

           Winner QF 3 vs Winner QF 4

Week 6 RLWC Grand final

Saturday, December 2

Final at Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, 8pm (AEDT)

For more info, check out the Fox Sports website.

PNG Kumuls Rugby League World Cup Success

As a Papua New Guinean, I am always a strong supporter of PNG Kumuls regardless of their performance on the world stage.  

Time and time again, the Kumuls have failed to deliver except for a few who stood out to be selected to play in the England Superleague or Australia National Rugby League.

Nevertheless, the heart and support in there and will always be.

WATCH THE RLWC GAMES LIVE ON 2021 RLWC APP

Rugby League World Cup

The story after the Rugby League World Cup 2013 was a sad one. The ‪‎Kumuls team went down to France by 2 points – they failed to make it to the finals.

The PNG Hunters' inception into the Intrust Super Cup gave the fans, not only something to cheer and be proud of, but also to confirm our love for the Rugby League.

This year, 2017, will be a test to see how far PNG rugby has come. The team for the rugby league world cup will go out with pride, wearing Red, Black and Gold. The nation will be watching and cheering on.

 PNG KumulsWorld Cup 2022

More than ever, the PNG team is a strong team. Here are the 5 traits the PNG Kumuls team did not have 5 years ago.

1. Work and discipline - QRL/ISC level improves players’ performances at the back of good discipline and hard work.

2. PNG RFL management - committed people did the groundwork to get a team into the ISC, and strong backing from sponsors and the government till now.

3. Coach and Management - A leader and team management that both players and fans trust

4. Team – The Hunters players and selected international players from the UK and Australia have the experience at the highest level of competition to match other champion teams in RLWC 2017. 

5. Competition – As the premiere of the ISC challenge, the Hunters' performance is on the wall for everyone to see. The players have stamina and power. The spinal cord of PNG Kumuls is made up of the Hunters; strong and hard-hitting forwards; and versatile backs. 

There is a combination. There'll be coordination and competition. The team will not bow out easily. The 2017 PNG Kumuls are a strong contender for the RLWC championship, regardless.

Go the Kumuls...same speed!

Data source:  Wikipedia 12/10/2017