Rugby League International to be played In Thailand

[TheFiend 1,181]

There is a Rugby League International being held in Thailand, between Thailand and Malta Knights.

 

http://www.asiapacificrl.com/2016/05/30/malta-announce-tour-of-thailand/

 

 

The Malta Rugby League has announced its national team, the Malta Knights, will face Thailand in a sanctioned international this October in Chiang Mai.

The Inaugural Ajan Vinai Sucharit Memorial Trophy will be played in honour of the first Indigenous Thailand National Head Coach Mr Sucharit, who passed suddenly in November 2015.

Vinai was a visionary who loved the game and translated rule books by hand. In a 46-6 thrashing of Norway for the 2014 Eurasian Cup at Boonyachinda Stadium, Bangkok, the College Professor guided Thailand to its first ever victory in a Rugby League International on home soil.

Malta whom is currently in preparation for their summer domestic season expects a contingent of domestic players from the Mediterranean islands will be available to travel to South-East Asia for the match.

The governing bodies of both nations are also hopeful that on the opening weekend of the Four Nations tournament, NRL and English Super League clubs see value in endorsing International Rugby League and release eligible players for the October 29 rumble in the jungle.

Currently sitting in 18th place in RLIF world rankings, Malta will miss the services of long-serving national team captain/coach Chris Parker who will stay on in Northern England attending to personal matters after his 2016 club commitments are concluded.

MRL officials will appoint a staff of care-taker coaching experts and expect to use the match to introduce one or two elite players amongst the incumbent playing group.

Team Manager David Axisa commented after this week’s announcement “We’ve struggled in recent years to implement professional players into the team due to the timing of our games and the restrictions placed on the overseas based boys in RLEF European Championships. The scheduling this time around is favourable as Malta and Thailand will equally be looking to select experienced players from the elite competitions”

Despite the political instability in the country in recent years, the Rugby League XIII Sports Association Thailand has secured official recognition from the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) as the sole governing body for the sport of Rugby League in Thailand on the back of a robust national setup based across the Kingdom.

The event is expected to attract a curious and abundant crowd to the 13-man game with the Chiang Mai Tourism Authority promoting it across their television and print media platforms in what is shaping up to be a massive occasion for the Thai people.

Malta’s Coach Parker says he is disappointed that he is unavailable, but will keep a keen eye on proceedings in Chiang Mai, commenting “I’m keen to monitor the lad’s performances in the match. There are already a couple of new players being considered and I’m confident we can assemble a quality side”

Inaugural Ajan Vinai Sucharit Memorial Trophy
Thailand v Malta
Saturday 29 October 2016
Princes Royal College Stadium
117 Kaewnawarat Road, Watket, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50000 Thailand

 

I just happen to be in Thailand when it is being played, so I'll be there!!!

 

 

 

 

[TheFiend 1,181]

After a bit of research I have found out that admission to the match will be free!!!

[Billions 687]

After a bit of research I have found out that admission to the match will be free!!!

Let's hope they get that curious and abundant crowd.

 

Will Thailand be in League 1 for the 2018 season? Stranger things have happened (Toronto Wolfpack)....

[TheFiend 1,181]

Seems there is a wee bit of a following for Rugby League in Thailand so it might attract a crowd...

 

There is one Thai lad playing at professional level in the UK... Theerapol Ritson who plays for Workington Town in the Kingstone Championship, the same team as ex-NRL player Jarrod Sammut. And there is a good chance both player could be playing in this match

 

Tee is quite a good player.... Played against the Aussie Schoolboys when he was playing academy rugby, scoring the only try for the RFL Academy Select side.

 

 

Have a look at Khon Kaen Cowboys Facebook page... Tee seems to have quite a following in Thailand!!!

[graymatter 153]

I admit that the thought of playing a rugby match in the heat of Thailand just seems like madness. I guess they must be used to it but to me it’s heart attack time.

[Billions 687]

I saw Sammut (the autocorrect keeps changing it to Dammit) in the Blackpool 'Summer Bash' game against Whitehaven...quite a character.

 

Who are the Jam or Jam Eaters.....Workington or Whitehaven? Is it a term of abuse or friendly banter?

[Fatboyfat 361]

After a bit of research I have found out that admission to the match will be free!!!

Get there early enough and you could get a game!

 

I have to admit surprise to the fact that there is a league in Malta/Gozo. Tis a while back I was there, but there was no evidence of any type of rugby being played, just football. We used to have a few Maltese crewed ships; I tried to get a 10s side together from the 20 odd footballers on one of them. The temperament was not suitable! I think death allegiances were being made in between the countless cat-fights!

[yorta2 686]

I didn't know there were any sports played in Malta, except those down in 'The Gut'.... I never got out of there (until my ship was sailing).

[TheFiend 1,181]

I saw Sammut (the autocorrect keeps changing it to Dammit) in the Blackpool 'Summer Bash' game against Whitehaven...quite a character.

 

Who are the Jam or Jam Eaters.....Workington or Whitehaven? Is it a term of abuse or friendly banter?

 

Jameaters.... The term dates back to the time of coal-mining in West Cumbria, when some miners from Workington went to work down the pits in Whitehaven - jam was a popular sandwich filling as it kept the bread moist down the pits....

 

It is now used as an abusive term between the two rival towns, with both calling each other jameaters!!!

[Fatboyfat 361]

I admit that the thought of playing a rugby match in the heat of Thailand just seems like madness. I guess they must be used to it but to me it’s heart attack time.

Chiang Mai has had a good rugby union participation for a few years now, and runs a well attended International 10s competition annually. Climate there in the winter months is much more amenable to rugby than Pattaya/Bangkok etc.

[nkped 1,208]

I admit that the thought of playing a rugby match in the heat of Thailand just seems like madness. I guess they must be used to it but to me it’s heart attack time.

My understanding is that Brisbane is not known for its cold weather.

[graymatter 153]

My understanding is that Brisbane is not known for its cold weather.

 

That is true but people coming from Brisbane are a bit touched in the head.

 

That being said they do play rugby in winter and the ave temperature is 15 degrees (60 degrees f). Bangkok on the other hand averages from 26 to 31 degrees.

[yorta2 686]

Pattaya hosts a Rugby 10s competition held every year around there first weekend in May, in memory of Chris Kays, who was the Pattaya Panthers captain and was killed in the Bali Bombing. See here: http://www.pattayamail.com/pattayasports/pattaya-rugby-10s-tournament-goes-from-strength-to-strength-3180

[TheFiend 1,181]

Thailand have announced a 32 man squad ahead of the game although it will be reduced to a squad of 20 in October.... Looks like there's a few Thais playing in the lower leagues in Australia so Thailand might be able to put together a competitive team...

 

Therapol Ritson has picked up a couple of Man of the Match awards this season playing for Kingstone Championship team Workington Town and Superleague clubs are keeping an eye on him.

[Chang_paarp 253]

I admit that the thought of playing a rugby match in the heat of Thailand just seems like madness. I guess they must be used to it but to me its heart attack time.

Dont say that to the Townsville team that plays in the NRL. They are competitive.

[TheFiend 1,181]

Due to local elections the match is now being played on the 28th October

 

 

There is 2 matches being played, the first match being a Chang Mai Select team against an Issan Select team.

 

I've been invited to the after match function (piss-up)

 

And ex-NRL star Jarrod Sammut will be playing for Malta

[TheFiend 1,181]

Sadly the match has been postponed.... but if it does get re-arranged I'm going to fly out to Thailand for the match....

[TheFiend 1,181]

Sadly the match has been postponed.... but if it does get re-arranged I'm going to fly out to Thailand for the match....

 

From what I can gather the Thailand v Malta match will now be played the same weekend in October 2017..... and will coincide with me being in Thailand again!!!

 

Also just read on their facebook page they will be playing a Test match against an El Salvador Rugby League team in Sydney, Australia on February 4th 2017.....