The last time these two met was in the IC14 Grand Final.  In that match the Irish Warriors kicked 6.6, and today they did that again.  This time however there was no late charge from PNG to overcome them.  In fact PNG’s added just one point in the final term to see their 2 point lead at three quarter time become an eleven point deficit at the final siren with a score of 4.7.

In cold conditions the Warriors kicked with the breeze in the first quarter.  The match was played at high intensity right from the start.  An arm wrestle as you would expect from the top two ranked nations in the tournament.  There was a light drizzle and this would continue on and off through the game.  When the rain did get heavier in the second half though the breeze did seem to decrease.
 

Padraig Lucey was immediately looking dangerous up forward marking and goalling from the pocket.  There were lots of turnovers as both teams tried to move the ball quickly.  Declan Nannery could have kicked Ireland’s second after he was interfered with in the marking contest 25m out but missed the shot.  Patrick Brennan did kick Ireland’s second though when he marked a rushed clearance kick and converted.  Lucey added his second after Mick Finn hit him with a nice pass out of the middle. A 19 point lead to Ireland at quarter time.
 

In the second quarter it was Goroga who marked from a fast break out of the middle and kicked PNG’s first goal.  Padraig Lucey’s size again proved vital to Ireland as he was able to take the contested mark and  kick a long goal into the breeze. Siwi for PNG got on the end of a scintillating series of running handballs and taps down the ground but at breakneck pace his dribbled kick hit the padding on the goal post.  Shortly after he made up for it though, marking in the goal square and kicking it from 15m out.  PNG’s King missed a set shot late in the quarter and Goroga looked to set the team on fire when at speed he roved the pack and kicked PNG’s third goal.  At half time it was a four point lead to Ireland.
 

The  third quarter was not a memorable one.  Just the one goal to Matthew King for PNG early in the quarter.  John James and David Topeni were working tirelessly in the PNG backline.  And PNG managed to shut down Lucey and spoil him at every opportunity.  John Ikupu and Mick Finn paired up around the ground and squaring off in both ruck and marking contests was perhaps the highlight for me.  Ireland had their chances to push ahead but could only manage three behinds.
 

It seemed inevitable that the Mozzies would run over the top in the last quarter with the breeze though it had dropped significantly.  It was an arm wrestle.  But the Mozzies run was not to come.  Robert McElhone soccered a spilled ball that came to the back of the pack from 15m out to take the lead back.  Muiris Bartley’s kick for goal from a free was off hands as the Warriors edged away and the rain was making things quite slippery favouring defence of the lead.  The hero of the match with the sealer was Ronan Cull, coming off the back line he had pushed forward and took a big leg swing to soccer the ball from about 30m out from goal.  There was still time for PNG to kick two goals but a combination of and injury to Ireland’s Murray and the wet ball being able to be locked up meant there was no further score.
 

PNG now look to be out of contention for the final, with the two sides of Division 1 with the best record going through to the Grand Final.  But let’s not write them off just yet.  Next up they need to beat Nauru in Ballarat to try and get things back on track.  Ireland will play France on Wednesday also in Ballarat which on paper should be a certain win for them. 
 

Ireland
Goal Kickers: P. Lucey 3, P. Brennan, D. Mcelhone, R. Cull
Best Players: D. Mcelhone, P. O''Halloran, G. Walls, S. O''Sullivan, P. Lucey, M. Finn
Papua New Guinea
Goal Kickers: T. Goroga 2, M. King, K. Paulias Siwee
Best Players: J. Ikupu, S. Agita, W. Aisi, M. Lavai, G. Simon, J. Peni ...

Sunday 6th August 2017 International Cup Women Canada Northern Lights Vs Fiji Vonu

In a very unexpected turn of events the Norrthern Lights had to play 24 minutes in the last quarter and kick the winning golden point to overcome a tenacious Fiji Vonu. The reigning champions had been held goal-less until the better half of the last quarter.

Both teams were welcomed by a somewhat sunny and only reasonably cold weather. Canada won the toss and proceeded to kick with a noticeable breeze. The Canadians and most independent onlookers  presumed that this would be a good warm-up hit-out for the world champions.  The idea from the Canadians was to push the advantage from the very onset and that’s what happened.  Aimee Legault #10  laid a huge tackle and the ball was pushed into attack. 

The Vonu defended stoutly but  some poor kicks out of defence nearly let the Northern Lights in. Eventually the Vonu were able to mount some attacks through good ruck work and rebounds from Vani Serevi #10. Aimee Legault #10 and Valerie Moreau #05 set the pattern for the day for Canada with a lot of work trying to bust out of packs formed by the tight Vonu pressure. At the end of the first quarter Canada had failed to capitalise and at the same time the Vonu had managed to contain the opposition. Canada was 5 points to Vonu 1 point.

The Vonu were buoyed by the first quarter result and their attacks late in the quarter. They immediately continued on and attacked relentlessly through likes  of Litia Matanisigadrau  #14,Salote Matakibaui #12 and Jennifer Goddsie #7. Indeed it took until the 7 minute mark for the ball to reach the centre line for the Northern Lights where it quickly returned to the Vonu forward line. It took until the 14 minute mark until some one-twos  with  Aimee Legault #10   that Canada threatened to score but it was the Vonu defence's turn to stand firm with a good saving mark from Siteri Matana Tadrau #17. When play returned to the Vonu forward line they scored the only point for the quarter despite another huge tackle by  Aimee Legault #10 . So at the long break Fiji Vonu  had crept to 2 points and Canada was still on 5 points. Talk abounded of a possible upset.

For the premiership quarter, The Fiji coach wanted the Vonu to continue the pressure but also run the Northern Lights off their legs by running the ball around the boundary. Canada wanted to open the game up by getting the ball out of the packs more efficiently. Canada pushed early. Margo Legault #6 ran around to miss a snap and Nicola Kirwin #8 marked an errand kick-in but also couldn’t convert.

The Vonu repled quicker than the first quarter with work from Makitalena Lawebuka  #22 and Iliseva Ratudina #8. For Canada, Margo Legault #6 made a good save and rebound and Renee Tong#9C displayed a good run whilst  Aimee Legault #10  again chipped in with a great mark. It was the Vonu  that mounted the most consistent charge and kicked the first goal just seconds before the third quarter siren. The scores were now were tied with the Fiji Vonu1 goal 2 behinds = 8 points to Northern Lights 8 points.

At  the three quarter time break Canada divided into three groups as usual whilst Fiji Vonu listened intently to their single coach and his message was very straight forward – keep doing what they were doing. It started to rain to compound the closeness of the game. Luckily it was light and did not affect the game. The Canadians were reading the rucks well and looked to attack early. Vonu mistakes in defence let Canada in and a great rebound and score put Canada in front. Play then opened up and whilst Canada was slightly more consistent it was the Vonu who made the better breaks  and set up a big mark and goal by Verenais Caginavanua #21.

Valerie Moreau #5 was in everything trying to swing the tide back especially as further points the Vonu put the margin at over a goal.  Aimee Legault #10  was trying desperately to get some system going with some linked passes. Relentless pressure by the Northern Lights forced a point and then a goal off the ground found the score again tied at the 15 minute mark. For the next 9 minutes it seemed all the spectators had learned of the situation and descended on the center oval. It was a very brutal affair with every single player of both teams doing their utmost to procure a win.  For the most part it looked like the Vonu were going to triumph and only some diving tackles and smothers by the Northwind stopped the flow. In the end some measured kicks and marks got the Canada within striking distance. After some tenacious defence Canada finally was able to get a kick and mark for a winning score.  

Final score Canada Northern Lights 1.10 (16) defeated Fiji Vonu 2.3 (15)

Editor: It must be said that Canada tied the game late, and the winning point was kicked from a mark that appeared to be touched and after what appeared to be a push out - suffice to say a very lucky escape and they will need to build from here to challenge the likes of Ireland.  The Fijians can consider themselves very unlucky - look out their next opponents.

  ...

Sunday 6th August 2017 AFL International Cup Mens divison 1.

The wind may have dropped off but the heat was on field before the maiden bounce. Both sides seemed intent on a little intimidation. With France being promoted to first division it was felt Fiji were going to be favourites. Fiji were immediately into attack and it didn’t take long befpre a chipped pass to the square cleared the French fullback allowing a goal to be rushed.

Though the Fiji Tribe controlled most of the action it was the French who made the most of their limited opportunities. They forced errors from the Tribe and used the ball wisely. Whilst Fiji were more athletic with spectacular jumping they tended to blaze away rather than mount a measured attack. Later in the quarter Alipate Navuso #12 gathered the ball and snapped truly for only the second goal of the quarter for the Tribe. From limited opportunity the Coqs had scored 2 points for the Quarter whilst keeping the Tribe to a very modest 2 goals 4 behinds.

The encouraging start for the Coqs continued in the second term with Anthony Girard #25 marking and passing to centre which resulted in a goal for the French. This score and stout defence like that of Marco Pinto’s #23 tackling rattled the Tribe. Though they mounted continual attacks many kicks were ineffective until Isimeli Qiolevu #29 marked dominantly and the resultant free-flowing passage of play led to a fine goal. This put more system into Fiji’s play and Alipate Kiti chipped a goal from broken play. Mesake Koroi #26 marked and the kick found its way to Isimeli Qiolevu #29 who snapped for goal. He followed up with some good barge and tackle tactics. One player that tried to prevent the breakaway by Fiji was Julien Dagois #29 for the Coqs. Half time had seen the Fiji Tribe assert themselves on the scoreboard 5.7 (37) to the France Coqs 1.2 (8).

The third quarter saw the Fiji Tribe continue to press home the advantage. Early in the quarter saw Alipate Navuso #12 execute a superb rugby style horizontal handpass to a running Jeffery Pauli #4 to slot home a goal from close in. Fiji locked the ball into their forward line and defenders like Sylvain Maylie #89 were continually called upon to defend. Then against the flow a series of well constructed passes saw a running goal slotted from near the arc by the French. The charge couldn’t be maintained however and Nimilote Tuiloma Qio marked well and his kick was marked by Alipate Kiti #4 in the square for another goal to the Tribe. By now the game had opened up and the Coqs were benefitting as well as the Tribe. A kicking-in-danger decision in the square gave Jeffery Pauli #4 an easy conversion for the Tribe.

Fiji started the fourth quarter with a commanding lead 8.14 (62) to the Coqs 2.3 (15). Despite the wind freshening victory was seen as beyond France’s reach. They did not add to their score but still did well to restict Fiji’s scoring. After some missed attempts by others, Mesake Koroi #26 marked well and goaled. Not long after, Jonathan Macanawai #18 marked the kick-in and his kick allowed Yabaki Gade Cakautini #3 to scramble a goal. Final score Fiji Tribe 10.20 (80) to France Coqs 2.3 (15).

The Fiji Tribe is a very athletic team that blends physicality with flair and they will gain competiveness with experience. The France Coqs have improved greatly since 2014.

Editor:  The Tribe look like they will be a dangerous opponent in Division 1 - perhaps not good enough to defeat the top few teams if those teams play well, but beware anyone who thinks they can take the Fijians easily.

...

Editor:  We welcome Beau Newman as he debuts on worldfootynews.com

Great Britain Swans v Pakistan Shaheens

On what can be described as a nippy Melbourne morning, the opening round of the Women’s competition of the 2017 International Cup kicked off with the Pakistan Shaheens taking on one of tournament favourites in the Great Britain Swans.

It is quite a remarkable feat for some of the Pakistani players to even be partaking in the tournament itself, as some players had to take out loans to be able to afford to make the journey to Melbourne.

The match began in a willing fashion, with Great Britain asserting dominance early, establishing their run and carry game and taking it to Pakistan. The ascendancy was also significant in the stoppages as Alannah Blount was giving the Swans first use of the ball and the clearances were well in favour of the Swans as they took a 30 point lead into the quarter time break.

The second quarter started in the same mould as the first with the bigger Swans dominating the play with their running in numbers along with their clean and efficient disposal. The Pakistani defence was looking shaky and their turnovers inside their defensive 50 were also a worry, attributing to 4 of their 9 goals conceded in the second quarter. The Swans entered half time with a 90 point lead with a significant amount of momentum behind them.

With the beginning of the third quarter, the Shaheens had a steely and determined look about them, as they came out with a renewed sense of intensity. Although not troubling the scorers, their defensive efforts were the best they showed for the match, only conceding a total of 20 points for the quarter. In a show of good sportsmanship, as a Great British player was being seen to by the trainers, the Swans girls tried their hardest to not only encourage, but offer words of advice and a few pointers to their opponents, many of whom had never played a formal match before.

In the huddle at the 3rd break, the Swans coach, Garth Nevin, implored his team to finish strong and to not “let the foot off the gas”, and they did not disappoint as they ran out 142-point victors. The Swans ended the match as they had begun, clear centre breaks, good run and carry and the most important part, the application of scoreboard pressure coming mainly from Stacey Hughes and Rania Ramadan. The Swans talls provided the somewhat smaller Shaheens with all sorts of problems throughout the match, and it showed in their aerial dominance and bullocking physical play.

GB SWANS:           20-22 (142)

PAK SHAHEENS:   0-0 (0)

GOAL KICKERS:
GB: Stacey Hughes , Rania Ramadan 4 Danni Saulter 3 Frankie Hocking 2 Alex Saulter, Laura Turner, Louise Darby, Caroline Sellar, Charlotte – Ellen Eales,  Jessica Milford, Rachel Hunt 1.
PAK: -

BEST PLAYERS
GB: Stacey Hughes, Danni Saulter, Frankie Hocking, Freya Blount, Lucy Jones, Alex Saulter
PAK: Abiha Haider, Salma Mumtaz, Ghazia Amir, Myra Ahmad, Asmra Habib, Noor Ul Nisa

...

GB Swans vs Pakistan Shaheens

See Swans on Song as Shaheens Fall for the regular match report.

It was cold, bloody cold at 8.45 am on Sunday morning when the GB Swans took on the Pakistan Shaheens in the first match of the women’s division of the International Cup. It was even colder for some of the Pakistan Shaheens who had left Lahore on Thursday when it was 40 degrees, another disadvantage against the Brits who had been enjoying mild summer maxes of 20 degrees.

The cold reminded me of 9.00 school matches on a frosty ground in Lenah Valley, in Hobart’s winter cold, when the ball hit the fingers like an ice block, and like the players in the first quarter, we dropped chest marks too often.

Today, perhaps it’s just cold fingers for the keyboard warriors as well, or for the goal umpire from Warragul who brought his local coat, rather than the IC17 slightly less insulated ones. That really helped when the north wind turned into a gale after half time.

Sometimes the story of a footy match is about the weather. Some other times it is about one side rather than the other.

On this day, when the experienced, bigger and taller GB Swans comprehensively defeated Pakistan, kicking 20 goals against an opposition that failed to score, the story was more about the loser.

While the Swans are a tournament favourite, having defeated Ireland in the Euro Cup in 2016, and Stacey Hughes’ four goals for the Swans and the dominance of Dannie Saulter and Frankie Hocking in general play was a match-winning story, it was somehow smaller than the Pakistan story.

The Pakistan story is in itself a miracle. In a country affected by wars, refugees, internal conflict and power shortages, the footy story had an unusual beginning. It began in 2006 in the wild, and often unruly world of the North West Territories on the borders with Afghanistan, in the Swat Valley, an area in which players still have few footballs.

As in several other countries, sport and education went together, in building a better life for individuals, and early teams grew out of educational institutions.

Several Shaheens players, who come from Gilgit in that area, trained in more central Lahore and Islamabad in the lead-up to the International Cup.

Many of the Shaheens players came recently from other sports, including cricket and Pakistani wrestling, and few had played full matches, let alone 18-a-side matches, before they arrived in Australia. Make-up teams were the prelude to full on footy in Melbourne. Coming to Melbourne meant missing school for several players.

Wearing green tracky dak pants and long socks, but not headscarves, the Pakistanis were also smaller and lighter than their more experienced British opponents.

Inevitably, the Swans readily took the ball out of the centre in the opening minutes and eventually goaled after some early fumbles. While Pakistan took the ball forward eight minutes in a dropped mark saw the ball taken away.

Soon it became a procession with the Swans having 13 goals on the scoreboard by half time.

As the northerly wind strengthened in the third quarter, the British Swans kept attacking against the wind but the Pakistani Shaheens were finally marking the ball in defence.

N. Ul Nisa, A. Habib, M. Ahmad were leading the way in giving the Swans a contest, on the ground if not on the scoreboard.

In one of those footy sayings, the Pakistanis never gave up, contesting for the ball throughout. Not the first side to lose comprehensively at their first International Cup, it was the experience that was significant

Even after the Swans ran out winners, 20 22 142 to a scoreless Shaheens, it was the footy which mattered. In that other cliché which is also a truism it was a match characterised by ‘many cultures one game’.

  ...

One thing that never surprises us when the IC schedule comes out is that USA v Canada is on there. Despite the nations playing regularly and sharing a border, someone always seems to think it a great idea to fixture these two nations to play each other when they travel to Australia.

Nevertheless it usually provides a great contest, and the spectators do enjoy the tension on the ground and in the air when they clash. Even though these teams are ranked closely, the US has an overwhelming record of wins in these contests. Both nations have big domestic competitions and surrounding community (and extensive networks in Australia) and are desperate to improve their place on the world footy pecking order.

Add to all this some ill-feeling coming out of the events surrounding the 2015 49th Parallel Cup weekend (presumably resulting in the annual fixture going into remission in 2016) and you can understand there is a lot on the line.

The Americans had first use of the breeze kicking to the city end.  They squandered early opportunities with three behinds in the first three minutes.  As expected it was a hard fought opening with both teams tackling, bumping and spoiling with all their might. Max Depina was in everything for the US early. While the rain had stopped before the match, the ball was a bit slippery early.

Canada kicked the first goal of the match through their inspirational captain Jim Oertel after his free kick was upgraded with a 25m penalty that aided his kick into the breeze. 

The US late in the quarter added two more behinds but innacuarately and added two more behinds.  Finally their frustration was broken when David Grzeiakwas paid the takle 25m out from goal and kicked truly after the siren had sounded giving them a five point lead at quarter time.

The second quarter started in bright sunshine, but the breeze was still strong and early on Kyle Graham marked well up forward but he missed to the left.  At the other end Daniel Livy also had his kick drift wide.  The arm wrestle continued and the Canadians added another behind before Adam Nash slotted the banana kick from deep in the pocket for a goal.  That would be enough to give the Canadians a 2-point lead going into half time.

A four goal third quarter and keeping the Canadians scoreless looked to set the US up for a win.  First it was Livy taking an intercept mark from a Northwind clearance.  David Restrepo was on fire and squeezed his first goal out of the pack, later in the quarter he kicked another from deep in the pocket after being taken high – his flat set shot snap splitting the big sticks.  Big man Brian Dragus had been working hard up and down the ground and finally got his 6-point reward also goalling from the pocket with a high long snap.  Eric Klein battled hard and won a number of clearances for the Northwind but the US onslaught was too strong.  Restreppo finished off the quarter marking 25m out over the back of the defender and giving the US a 30-point lead at ¾ time.

Canada  came out in the the fourth full of intent to wrest the game back.  They could not get anything going up forward though.  The US pushed them in every contest and to be fair both teams broke even through the quarter.  Adam Nash had a chance to goal after he received a free kick for an American deliberate out of bounds but his kick from the pocket went wide, Eric Klein missed from set shots twice (and had one out of bounds on the full), and Hobbs’ set shot came off hands, simply nothing was working out for the Canadians.  Finally a consolation goal went to Nash after receiving a free kick after it seemed Simpson was deemed to be ‘kicking in danger’ , but the Americans had the points and the game in the bag by now.  In the end a solid 20 point win to the Revolution.

Canada have a tough ask ahead of them Wednesday at Officer where they take on the GB Bulldogs who are on a high after their victory over the South Africa Lions this morning.  The Americans play the losers of that match at Wesley College, and will be wary of the wounded Lions.  We hope the 49th Parallel Cup returns in 2018 and we see more of these contests on an annual basis.  

USA
Goal Kickers: D. Restrepo 3, B. Dragus, D. Grzeiak, H. May
Best Players: D. Grzeiak, B. Spohn, M. DePina, B. Carpenter-Nwanyanwu, D. Restrepo, R. Gartright
Canada
Goal Kickers: A. Nash 2, J. Oertel
Best Players: E. Klein, R. Macdonald, R. Tersigni, J. Oertel, A. Nash, T. Loosemore
  ...

China Red Dragons hold Off The Croatian Knighs by Just One Point

Sounds a little like a medieval legendary story that headline doesn't it?

And a fierce battle the match turned out to be, fought out, in close and fast and furious for four quarters.

The Dragons were the quicker of the two protagonists, the Knights bigger and stronger in the tussles.

Big Josip Habljak in ruck gave the kniights first use of the ball repeatedly but the Dragons were able get to the loose ball more often.

I think the final scores 7.3 (45) China to Croatia 6.8 (44) the Knights inaccuracy in front of goal tells much of the story. Possibly Croatia's lack of experience playing 18-a-side footy on full sized ovals played a part as a number of their set shots on goal seemed to be from a bit too far out. Although a couple of Dragons goals were long bombs over the heads of defending Knights and luckily bounced through for majors.

The last quarter was a terrific battle with both teams scoring goals but China's speed and tenacity finally held off the Knights by one point.

Best for China 

S. Chen, S. Kia Chen, B. Chueng, J Chuang, C.Yu.

Goal Kickers: S. Chen 2, C. Yu, J Zheng, H.Lin, Z.Chen, D.Wie 1.

Croatia Best:

J. Dolezal, J.Kravar, F.Tonkovik, T.Cvetko, J.Habljak, I.Ivos

Goal Kickers: I. Ivos 2, T.Cvetko, B. Bencic, M. Jurmanovic, D Pavkovic

China climbed one place to 18th Rank whilst Croatia slipped to 15th on WFN World Rankings. ...

In the wet and drizzly conditions of what one would describe as a traditional Melbourne morning, the German Eagles prepared to face the Shaheens from Pakistan in their first round encounter of Division 2.

With the Germans possessing the clear height advantage over the Pakistani side, it was poised to be a battle of the in and under players to give first use of the football to their respective teams. That’s exactly how it panned out as the match progressed.

 They just failed to cleared the ball from defence, when one good kick to get the ball down the ground and cause a secondary stoppage would have served them better. They could have then reset their defensive structures and get numbers behind the ball. The Eagles ran out as deserving winners by a solid 68 point margin and showed why they are favourites to take out the Division 2 title.

...

The beauty of the International Cup is on many levels. The debut appearances of new nations joining the IC family is one of those. And when winning might not be the most likely outcome - there is still great joy to be had in the moments. For Sri Lanka that moment came at the 14 minute mark of the 2nd quarter - trailing badly to the Indonesia Garudas, 5.2.32 to 0.1.1 and desperately needing a spark.

When deep forward a player tackles his opponent and suspects he's got him cold - to hear the whistle and see the umpire call in the affirmative - to know that you'll have a shot at goal.....that scenario played out for Ramanushan Gowriswaran on Sunday morning on the Western Oval early game.

Then go back, line up, the hope to snag this one - because - you know just how much this means as you represent your nation proudly.....

....ball drop....sweet connection.....and party time.....

...

We invite anyone from the IC17 teams as well as friends, family and fans of International Footy.  Don't be shy. But please RSVP - details below.

The Footy Almanac and World Footy News and the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel invite you to enjoy a classic Melbourne experience at the Odd Friday Lunch to celebrate the International Cup.

Join Carlton legend Percy Jones (249 games and three premierships) and take in the atmosphere of a traditional Melbourne corner pub, with superb dining room, real fires, lots of Fitzroy Football Club and Carlton Football Club art and photos. This is a genuine, time-honoured Melbourne lunch experience.

Hosted by John Harms, writer and champion luncher.

Where: North Fitzroy Arms Hotel, 296 Rae St, North Fitzroy
When: Friday, August 11
Time:   12.30pm
Three courses for $40
Drinks at bar prices

To RSVP please Email rsvp@footyalmanac.com.au

Get the tram:
Tram 11, Stop 21 (Alfred Crescent) or Tram 96, Stop 20 (Richardson Street)

Follow our International Cup coverage at:
www.footyalmanac.com.au and www.worldfootynews.com ...

The innovative Schools Round (Round 2) makes its International Cup debut tomorrow.  The AFL has confirmed that these games are all open to the public.

Teams will play at schools in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs and in Ballarat. This will be a fantastic opportunity for all the schools and students involved as well as all the teams.

Please note there are some time changes to matches from those initially advertised (see below).

In Division 1 Ireland are favourites to defeat France at St Pat's in Ballarat and across town at Mt Clear PNG and Nauru will be looking to get their tournaments back on track after losses on Sunday.

I think all the other Division 1 games could go either way.  The USA will be looking to go 2-0 against South Africa at Wesley College but the South Africans will be sure to improve on their losing performance on Sunday. Great Britain were fantastic beating South Africa on Sunday but can they back it up against Canada at St Francis Xavierω 

And New Zealand are powering along, but Fiji are firing and if their skill can match their athletic ability they could just pull off an upset.  This is the only game not being played at a school, Linen House is the training base of St Kilda in Seaford.

More details on the fixture can be seen here.

In Division 2 I expect Japan to defeat Pakistan, China to defeat Sri Lanka, Germany to defeat India and Croatia vs Indonesia to be the only toss of the coin.  To avoid sitting on the fence I will say Croatia to get up, assuming they are better for the run on Sunday despite their loss.

In the Women's Division I expect Canada to defeat Pakistan, Ireland to defeat European Crusaders, USA to defeat PNG and Fiji and Great Britain to be match of the round.   Given Fiji pushed Canada to extra time, they have to go in as favourites. ...

The 2017 edition of the International Rules Series has had its dates and venues confirmed -- the first test match between Australia and Ireland will be held on Sunday, November 12th at Adelaide Oval, while the second game will be held at Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday, November 18th.

While the past two international rules series were one-off test matches, the 2017 edition will have two games once again. Ireland will be looking to defend their flag after claiming the Cormac McAllen Trophy in a narrow win over Australia at Dublin’s Croke Park in 2015.

It will be the first test match to be held at the Adelaide Oval, although nearby Football Park did host the event three separate times during its time as an AFL venue, most recently in 2001.

It could turn out to be a suitable farewell for Subiaco Oval, which has hosted the International Rules Series four previous times, including in 2014. The longtime home of Aussie rules football in Perth will presumably be demolished once the new Perth Stadium facility at Burswood is opened for the 2018 AFL season.

The teams will once again be comprised of the All-Australian squad on one side, while the visitors from Ireland will be selecting from a pool of about 40 Gaelic footballers, according to list manager Joe Kernan. As announced previously, Australia will be coached by Chris Scott, premiership-winning coach of the Geelong Football Club. The official teams are expected to be announced within the next month or so.
  ...

 Great Britain Latest Nation to be Fully Ranked on WFN Women's World Rankings

The Great Britain Swans have become the 6th and latest nation to be fully ranked on the WFN World Rankings (Women) with their win over international footy newcomer Pakistan on day one of 2017 International Cup.

Great Britain has leapt straight into 3rd Rank with 47.29 Rating Points. This has been as a result of their success since they burst onto the international footy scene in winning the Inaugural Women’s European Championships in 2016 with two wins and a draw against Ireland.

Read on for the full table.

WFN World Rankings (Women) Post Round One IC17

Fully Ranked Sides

Provisionally Ranked Sides

Unranked Dormant Sides

Australian Indigenous and Multicultural, 33.29 points, 4 matches

Note: Fiji and European Crusaders will become Fully Ranked Round Three IC17, PNG after round 4. ...

Indonesia becomes 22nd Fully Ranked Nation to WFN World Rankings, entering at 14th

Indonesia has become the 22nd Fully Ranked Nation with their First Round Division Two Match against Sri Lanka at the 2017 International Cup, Sunday 6th August.

The Garudas notched up their 8th qualifying game with a win over international newcomer Sri Lanka Lions 7.7 (49) to 3.2 (20). Indonesia gained the maximum 3.00 rating points to join the Ranks at 14th place with 39.58 Rating points.

Indonesia enters the ranks between Germany 13th and Croatia 15th which makes their next IC17 match up with Croatia in Round 2 very interesting. Croatia will be smarting over their 1-point loss to China on Sunday and will be determined to make amends. Indonesia are 1-0 against China, the Garudas victorious at the Inaugural All Asia Championships in 2016, so the Knights could well have another fierce battle on their hands. This match surely is the match of the round in Division 2 on Wednesday.

Read the full story for full up-to-date rankings table.

WFN World Rankings Post IC17 Round One.

As predicted there was much movement up and down the ranks, seventeen nations had a change in Rank on day one of the International Cup.

Provisionally Ranked Nations

Dormant Unranked Nations

Live scores updated 1/4 by 1/4 across Round 2 "Schools Round", Wednesday 9th August, 2017 International Cup hosted by schools across Melbourne and Ballarat, Australia.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GAMES AT MT CLEAR BALLARAT HAVE BEEN MOVED TO MARTY BUSCH RECREATIONAL RESERVE, SEBASTOPOL, ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF BALLARAT)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GAMES AT MENTONE GRAMMAR HAVE BEEN SHIFTED TO LATER TIME SLOTS - TIMES BELOW HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.  ALSO NOTE THAT THE MENTONE GRAMMAR PLAYING FIELDS ARE AT SPRINGVALE RD KEYSBOROUGH RATHER THAN AT THE MAIN SCHOOL CAMPUS.

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AFL Canada have announced that their matches will be covered live by CBC (their local equivalent of Australia's ABC).

We believe the coverage will only be accessible from within Canada (and presumably IP addresses that appear to come from there...)

Click here for the full announcement.  An excerpt follows:

All ten men’s and women’s Team Canada matches will be available live on cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android

 CBC Sports today announced a broadcast partnership agreement with AFL Canada to stream all ten International Cup games played by the Canadian National AFL Women’s team, the Northern Lights and the Canadian National AFL Men’s team, Northwind.

Not all Rounds of IC17 are being streamed live by the AFL.  But the USAFL have stepped up to the plate and will be streaming their teams' matches live on youtube.  Embedded below, or click here.

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Editor: Laura Turner is Captain of the Great Britain Swans and is also writing for worldfootynews.com

The official International Cup Captain's Lunch took place on Monday. Captains from all teams along with a host of AFL executives were treated to a two course lunch at Etihad Stadium. 

AFL CEO GillIon McLachlan thanked all the captains for their investment and role in developing the game overseas. It always seems to be impressive to AFL fanatics that people overseas fall in love with the strange and unique game often with little exposure to it. 

Head of Community and International Development Grant Williams gave a speech about the growth of the game overseas and made particular reference to the growth of women's footy at home and overseas welcoming the new women's teams to the International Cup, Great Britain, Pakistan and the efforts of the European Crusaders for bringing together women from across Europe to participate in the tournament.

He introduced some of the captains to tell their unique stories about their journey into footy. The Japanese captain Michito Sakaki talked about what it was like to attend every IC since the establishment of the tournament (15 years and counting!). The Croatian captain Tomislav Cvetko discussed the distance his players often travel to play and how footy for the Croatian team means play hard then party hard. Irish captain Onóra Mulcahy told the group about her crossover from Gaelic football to AFL whilst living in London and how far she has come with he physical side of the game being one of the toughest tacklers on the Irish team. Finally Prudence Sindriwen from Papua New Guinea told the group about her role with the AFL PNG in the development of female and youth programmes at home and urged other captains to lead this development too. 

Talking to the other captains about their stories back home I was particularly interested in how the women's game and youth football is being developed. It is clear that leaders and those who have experienced this IC have a great responsibility to grow the game when they return to their respective countries. 

The event concluded with an abridged version of The Star Spangled Banner from the American captains (never brag to Gillion McLachlan that you have a good singing voice) and the captains were presented with a beautiful gift of an Aboriginal piece of art. Then a tour of the Etihad Stadium; a very impressive building. For this captain I hope to be back here in two weeks time lifting the trophy and being crowned International Cup winners.  ...