http://www.rlif.com/test Firstly Greece are above Ireland? Based on What? GB do not see to exist nor impact on the rankings, Scotland who finished behind Ireland are ahead of Greece, Wales who qualified for the RLWC 2021 ahead of Ireland and Scotland are behind those two teams....and Greece and then....Lebanon, who are little more than Tonga B (AKA Australia d).... Secondly. Of the top 7 sides, based on wider squads of 30 players, how many of the 210 players are born outside of England, Australia and New Zealand? Remove those 3 sides and of the next 4 "best sides in the world", how many are not heritage? Why do we bother. The American and Aussies don't need to be relevant at International level in terms of yankball/fumbleball, so why do we, a club run sport feel the need to try (and fail) to be relevant as a true international sport.....
How great is it that we have 45 countries who now fit the criteria of having a domestic competition. Only 5 teams in the 2000 WC had domestic comps, so we have added 40 countries in 20 years. Greece got a big boost in rankings because of their thumping win over Serbia to claim the second last spot in the WC finals (82-6 in Serbia). They also thumped Malta by 60 points in Greece.
How great is it that we have 45 countries who now fit the criteria of having a domestic competition. Only 5 teams in the 2000 WC had domestic comps, so we have added 40 countries in 20 years. Greece got a big boost in rankings because of their thumping win over Serbia to claim the second last spot in the WC finals (82-6 in Serbia). They also thumped Malta by 60 points in Greece.
Greece pub XIII Hammering a serbian pub XIII or a maltese Tourist Pub XIII is not a rankings event, it is a desperate grasp at international relevance where non exists. Greece had a side in the last AFL world cup......
The Greek side has only fairly recently qualified to play in proper internationals by having a domestic comp, but the Sydney based Greek side has been playing games, mostly against Italy, for 15 years or more. They have been playing at a pretty high standard too, with dozens of NRL, NSW cup and Qld cup players turning out for both Greece and Italy over the years. Journalist Terry Liberopoulous has always been a great promoter of the Greek side. He is also behind "Rugby League Review" which is the best magazine for international rugby league news in Australia. The Greeks will do everything right to get themselves ready for the cup and will surprize a few people.