Perspective Pty Ltd

04/06/2026

🇵🇹 PoPortugal Rugby League has been approved to become International Rugby League's 56th national federation.

A vote of International Rugby League Full Member nations approved Portugal Rugby League's admission into the IRL as an Observer Member.

IRL has announced several changes to its membership register following a series of resolutions voted by Full Members, including:

- South African Rugby League Sporting Association reclassified from Full Member to Affiliate Member;

- Brazilian Rugby League Confederation (CBRL), Cameroon Rugby League XIII and Ragbi Lig Dernegi (Turkish Rugby League Association) reclassified from Affiliate Member to Observer Member;

- Observer Members Hungarian Rugby League Federation and North Macedonia Rugby League are expelled from the company following, respectively, at least three years of non-compliance with the membership policy and three years of non-submission of the annual membership audit;

- Portugal Rugby League admitted as an Observer Member.

Portugal Rugby League president Emmanuel De Jesus said: “Today marks a significant milestone for sport in Portugal.

"Portugal Rugby League was founded to create a genuine pathway for players, coaches, match officials and volunteers to participate, develop and represent our nation.

"Becoming part of the International Rugby League family is an historic step, giving Portugal an official place within the global rugby league community and opening the door to long-term growth and international competition.”

📰Full article: https://bit.ly/4vnxWbR

01/06/2026

International Rugby League is deeply saddened by the passing of iconic long serving former Wales coach John Kear.

John was a passionate and devoted servant to the game who devoted much of his life to playing, coaching and commentating.

He was a member of the BBC commentary team at last weekend's Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Hull KR at Wembley and his death has shocked members of the rugby league community in Britain and around the world.

After a decade of playing for Castleford, John took up coaching with Bramley in 1992 and most recently coached Batley for 11 games last year.

He had one game in charge of France in 1997 and coached England at the 2000 World Cup.

John returned to coaching at international level with Wales in 2014 and the following year he took the Dragons to a European Championship win, beating Scotland, Ireland and France.

He coached Wales at the 2017 World Cup in Australia and RLWC2021 in England, as well as in the World Cup Nines in Australia in 2019.

His last match with Wales was in October 2024 against Jamaica. He was also an assistant with Great Britain, and coached Great Britain Academy on a tour of New Zealand in 1996 when he was employed by the RFL as player performance manager.

International Rugby League passes on its condolences to John's wife Dawn, other family members and his many, many friends in the rugby league community.

📷Photo: SWPix

01/06/2026

International Rugby League’s implementation of an international calendar for elite nations has proven a resounding success with levy revenues from 2025 fixtures more than tripling the previous highest sum, which was set just two years earlier.

The return of the Ashes after a 22-year hiatus was one of several key decisions taken by the IRL Board in July 2023, with a focus on restoring the game's historic rivalries.

At the same time, it was decided to introduce new tournaments such as the Pacific Championships, which has captured the imagination of fans across the rugby league world and proven increasingly popular since its inception in 2023.

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: "The battle for the Ashes is the oldest and arguably the greatest rivalry in Rugby League and the crowds at Wembley Stadium in London, Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Headingley Stadium at Leeds, as well as broadcast viewing figures, showed how much it means to fans.

"Australia won the series 3-0 but England were extremely competitive and all three matches were hard fought, adding to the anticipation for the World Cup later this year.

"I'd like to congratulate the Australian Rugby League Commission, led by Chair Peter V'landys, and the Rugby Football League, with the support of Simon Moran, for the staging of such a successful event that was played in some iconic venues."

📰Full article https://bit.ly/4dPV4bW

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

International Rugby League Chair Troy Grant has paid tribute to departing NRL CEO Andrew Abo and thanked him for his contribution to the growth of the international game.

Mr Abdo will leave the NRL in July to take charge of Tennis Australia and Mr Grant said he departs with the game in a stronger position than ever before - both domestically and on the international stage.

Under the leadership of ARLC Chair Peter V’landys and Mr Abdo, rugby league is now firmly established as the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, while they have also been instrumental in growing the game internationally.

Mr Grant said: “Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo are a dynamic duo who have been instrumental in setting rugby league up for future success, not just with the NRL but at an international level.

“Andrew and Peter have been great partners for the international game. Andrew is highly regarded globally and on behalf of the International Rugby League Board I want to thank him for his enormous contribution to the game.”

During Mr Abdo’s six-year tenure as NRL Chief Executive, he helped ensure rugby league was the first major sport to return playing during the global COVID pandemic in 2020.

Mr Abdo was also heavily involved in the establishment of the Pacific Championships and the introduction of an international calendar which has included a Southern Hemisphere nation touring England at the end of each season since 2023.

The ARLC will host IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026, comprising of 26 teams from 13 nations playing 51 matches across three tournaments - Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair – in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand from October 15.

“I first worked with Andrew Abdo on Operation Apollo, which was established by Peter V’landys and the ARLC to get the game back on the field during COVID, and witnessed his incredible work ethic and ability to make the impossible a reality,” Mr Grant said.

“His efforts to ensure the success of the Pacific Championships and the upcoming Rugby League World Cup have been just as significant for International Rugby League.

“While it is disappointing that Andrew is leaving rugby league, I know he will succeed in his role with Tennis Australia and wish him all the best.”

24/05/2026

The news of South Sydney Rabbitohs & Queensland Maroons player Jai Arrows MND diagnosis has rightly rocked the rugby league world. A cruel and insidious disease that has claimed too many lives without a known cure in reach. The sport isn’t new to the perils of MND with the retiree Carl Webb passing recently and the legendary battle by AFL great and Australian of the year Neale Daniher being the most high profile victims in recent time in Australia. Legendary Englishman Rob Burrows in the UK being the highest profile League warrior.

Personally I lost a dear and beloved staffer at just age 40, Ally Power from MND back in 2018 which broke my heart. I saw through her struggle firsthand the cruelty and impacts on the individual, family and wider friendship group the disease has. Ally a mad Sydney Roosters fan was supported unbelievably by the club and Nick Politis and they still step up to support her family to this day.

The only comfort is knowing that those I have mentioned including Jai fought the brave fight to do all they could to contribute to a cure, raise awareness and despite the odds stacked against them show enormous courage, dignity fight and fortitude throughout.

I met Rob and his family back in 2022 and with his best mate Kevin Sinfield saw how inspiring a united and dedicated effort can be to bring some hope and comfort.

Rugby League is infamous for getting around and supporting our own and I know as a sport we will rise once again.

International Rugby League joins all those who have expressed their support by offering ours wherever we can to take the fight up to MND and support Jai and his beautiful family in anyway we can.

Hon. Troy Grant
Chairman
International Rugby League

22/05/2026

20/05/2026

The International Rugby League Board has agreed to reclassify Australia and New Zealand from Tier 1 to Tier 2 nations ahead of IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026.

The move recognises that the wheelchair game in Australia and New Zealand is at different stages of development compared to England and France, and is aimed at improving the strength of other nations.

England and France have won every Wheelchair World Cup - 2008 (England), 2013 (France), 2017 (France), 2021 (England). Only the 2008 final was contested by Australia; the rest have all featured England and France.

The two nations have also dominated the IRL World Rankings in either first or second place since inception, with all other nations moving up and down.

The change also recognises the geographical isolation of Australia and New Zealand, compared to other wheelchair nations, who are based in Europe – with the exception of the United States.

Previously, players who had played for Australia, England, France or New Zealand were unable to play for any of the other Tier 1 nations. However, they could play for a Tier 2 or Tier 3 nation provided they were eligible.

The changes make it easier for players to represent a nation for which they qualify through birth or if a parent or grandparent was born in that country. Players continue to be prohibited from representing more than one country in a calendar year and may only make one change between Tier 2/Tier 3 nations in a four-year period.

Example: A player has played for England but has relocated to Australia and would like to represent their new country of residence after being resident for five years. Previously they could not play for Australia after having already played for England.

16/05/2026

‘Why every drop counts’ an Editorial piece I’ve put together as the Murray Darling Basin Plan is being reviewed to give food for thought for any design and priority thinking for the constructing Basin Plan 2.0.

13/05/2026

Important Audit work that’s identifying progress made and critical gaps that need to be closed in better Basin Plan water management