2014 in rugby league

Top-level rugby league in 2014 centred on Australasia's 2014 NRL Auckland Nines, 2014 NRL season and the Super League XIX. High-profile representative competitions included the 2014 Rugby League Four Nations (held in Australia and New Zealand) and the 2014 State of Origin series.

February

7: Super League XIX begins with the Huddersfield Giants upsetting last year's champions Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium in Wigan. ^[1]
14 & 15: Inaugural NRL Auckland Nines are held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The North Queensland Cowboys are inaugural champions after beating Brisbane 16–7 in the final. ^[2]
22: Sydney Roosters win the 2014 World Club Challenge after beating Wigan Warriors 36–14 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia. ^[3]
25: Europe's Bradford Bulls team are deducted six Super League competition points after entering administration. ^[4]

March

6: 2014 NRL season begins with the South Sydney Rabbitohs upsetting last year's champions Sydney Roosters at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. ^[5]

May

2: The 2014 ANZAC Test is played, with Australia defeating New Zealand 30–18 before 25,429 at Allianz Stadium. ^[6]
3: The Pacific Rugby League International is played, with Samoa defeating Fiji 32–16 before 9,063 at Sportingbet Stadium in Penrith, Australia. In doing so they also secured qualification as the fourth and final team to compete at the 2014 Four Nations later in the year. ^[7]
3: The City vs Country Origin is played, with City and Country drawing for only the second time since being 'Under origin selection rules'. The match finished 26 points apiece in front of a packed crowd at Dubbo's Apex Oval. ^[8]
17 & 18: The Northern Hemisphere's Super League held its special Magic Weekend . The Magic Weekend was held at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England. It made several records such as attendance with Day 1 recording the biggest ever attendance with 36,339 fans attending the ground on one day. While the total aggregate attendance of 64,552 is the biggest ever attendance recorded for Super League's showcase weekend. ^[9]

June

14: New South Wales made history, finally winning the State of Origin series after losing 8 consecutive. New South Wales won the historic third-match in the series 6–4 before 83,421 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales. ^[10]

July

13: London Broncos are relegated from the Super League. ^[11]
19: Canada have beaten Jamaica in the fourth annual Caribbean Carnival Cup . ^[12]
27: Barrow Raiders are relegated from the Championship . ^[13]

August

3: Swinton Lions are relegated from the Championship. ^[14]
10: Rochdale Hornets are relegated from the Championship. ^[15]
10: The lone Colonial Cup series match is played, with Canada making history and defeating USA 52–14 before 7,356 at Lamport Stadium to win their first ever Colonial Cup since the competition inaugurated in 2010. ^[16]
11: North Wales Crusaders are relegated from the Championship. ^[17]
23: The 2014 Challenge Cup final is played, with the Leeds Rhinos defeating the Castleford Tigers 23–10 before 77,914 at Wembley Stadium. ^[18]

September

7 : Keighley Cougars are relegated from the Championship on a dramatic final day of the regular season. They finished just one point behind 8th placed Batley Bulldogs and 9th placed Whitehaven. ^[19]
12: Bradford Bulls are relegated from the Super League. They have been participating in the Super League since its inauguration in 1996 and have won four titles being 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2005. ^[20]

October

5: 2014 NRL Grand Final is played and South Sydney are the new premiers after defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs 30–6 in front of a record 'Rectangular Shaped (ANZ) Stadium' crowd of 83,833 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. This is also the Rabbitohs' first premiership title in 43 years ^[21]
7: Hunslet Hawks win promotion to the Championship for the 2015 season. ^[22]
11: 2014 Super League Grand Final is played and St. Helens are the new champions after defeating a '12-man' Wigan Warriors team 14–6 before 70,102 at Old Trafford in Strentford, England. ^[23]
19: 2014 Hayne/Mannah Cup is played and Fiji are the champions after defeating Lebanon 40–28 at Remondis Stadium in Woolooware, New South Wales. ^[24]

November

2: 2014 European Cup is won by Scotland for the first time. Scotland have therefore qualified to play alongside Australia, England and New Zealand in the 2016 Four Nations. ^[25]
15: 2014 Four Nations Final is won by New Zealand who defeated Australia 22–18 before 25,093 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. ^[26]

December

19: New Zealand halfback, Shaun Johnson is announced as the best official player in 2014 after being awarded the Golden Boot . ^[27]

Test Matches

ANZAC Test

2 May 2014

Australia	30–18	New Zealand
Try: B Morris (2) Bird Cronk Inglis Goal: Thurston (5/5)	Match Report	Try: Bromwich Harris Moa Goal: Johnson (3/3)

Allianz Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 25,429 Referee: Shayne Hayne Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston

Pacific Rugby League International

3 May 2014

Samoa	32–16	Fiji
Try: Manumalealii (3) Tuimavave Vidot Goal: Inu (6/6)	Match Report	Try: Naiqama Storer Tuqiri Goal: Tuqiri (2/3)

Sportingbet Stadium Penrith Attendance: 9,063 Referee: Ashley Klein Player of the Match: Penani Manumalealii

European Cup

17 October 2014

Scotland	42–18	Wales
Try: Brough Thomas Kilday J Walker Scott (2) C Phillips B Phillips Goal: Brough (5/8)	Match Report	Try: Williams Roets Farrer (2) Goal: Hough (0/2) Reece (1/2)

Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 2,036 Referee: James Child Player of the Match: Danny Brough

18 October 2014

Ireland	22–12	France
Try: McDonnell (2) Peacock (2) Murphy Goal: Dunne (1/5)	Match Report	Try: Larroyer Pélissier Goal: Marginet (2/2)

Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Attendance: 1,428 Referee: Tim Roby Player of the Match: Josh Toole

25 October 2014

Ireland	4–25	Scotland
Try: James Toole Goal: Dunne (0/1)	Match Report	Try: C Phillips Hurst Addy Thomas Goal: Brough (3/4) Drop Goal: Brough (1/1)

Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Referee: Richard Silverwood

25 October 2014

France	42–22	Wales
Try: Soubeyras Fages Baile Pala (2) Marginet (2) Goal: Marginet (7/7)	Match Report	Try: Fleming Fozard Williams Roets Goal: Reece (3/4)

Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi Attendance: 5,225 Referee: Tim Roby

31 September 2014

Scotland	22–38	France
Try: Kavanagh Hellewell A Walker J Walker Goal: Brough (3/4)	Match Report	Try: Marginet (3) Baitieri Pélissier Decarnin Gigot Goal: Marginet (5/7)

Netherdale, Galashiels Attendance: 1,432 Referee: Richard Silverwood Player of the Match: Rémy Marginet

2 November 2014

Wales	14–46	Ireland
Try: Williams Grant Hughes Goal: Reece (1/2) Emanuelli (0/1)	Match Report	Try: Hope Hargreaves (3) Ambler Finn Peacock Dunne Goal: Finn (7/8)

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Attendance: 1,293 Referee: Ben Thaler

2014 Four Nations

25 October 2014

England	32–26	Samoa
Try: Shenton Watkins Farrell J Tomkins S Tomkins Goal: Widdop (6/6)	Match Report	Try: Liu Vidot Godinet (2) Winterstein Goal: Stanley (3/4) Roberts (1/1) 72'

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 47,813 Referee: Gerard Sutton Player of the Match: Sam Tomkins

25 October 2014

Australia	12–30	New Zealand
Try: Scott Inglis Goal: Smith (2/2)	Match Report	Try: Proctor Brown Johnson Whare Nightingale Goal: Johnson (5/5)

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: Attendance combined with England v Samoa Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Shaun Johnson

1 November 2014

New Zealand	14–12	Samoa
Try: Foran Nightingale Kenny-Dowall Goal: Johnson (1/3)	Match Report	Try: Moga Vidot Leilua Goal: Lafai (0/3)

Toll Stadium, Whangārei Attendance: 16,912 Referee: Henry Perenara Player of the Match: Kieran Foran

• With the victory, New Zealand retained the Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy

2 November 2014

Australia	16–12	England
Try: Jennings Hunt Inglis Goal: Smith (2/3)	Match Report	Try: Watkins Hall Goal: Widdop (2/2)

AAMI Park, Melbourne Attendance: 20,585 Referee: Gerard Sutton Player of the Match: Cameron Smith

• Sione Mata'utia made his international test début for Australia and becoming the youngest ever player to play for the 'Kangaroos' at age of 18 years and 129 days, eclipsing Israel Folau's seven-year-old record by 65 days. ^[28]

8 November 2014

New Zealand	16–14	England
Try: Nightingale (2) Vatuvei Goal: Johnson (2/3)	Match Report	Try: Hall (2) Charnley Goal: Widdop (1/3)

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 15,863 Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Jason Taumalolo

9 November 2014

Australia	44–18	Samoa
Try: Cronk (2) Inglis (2) Cherry-Evans Klemmer Papalii Mansour Goal: Smith (4/6) Cherry-Evans (2/2)	Match Report	Try: Simona Roberts Fa'alogo Goal: Lafai (3/3)

WIN Stadium, Wollongong Attendance: 18,456 Referee: Gerard Sutton Player of the Match: Greg Inglis

Final

15 November

New Zealand	22–18	Australia
Try: Vatuvei (2) Nightingale Johnson Goals Johnson (3/5)	Report	Try: Jennings Mata'utia Hunt Goals Smith (3/3)

Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 25,093 Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Shaun Johnson

Other Test Match results

Regional Tournaments – Europe

Name	Participants	First Played	Last Played	Frequency	Holder	Tier
European Championship C	3 – Czech Republic, Greece, and Malta	2008	2014	Annual	Greece	3rd Tier
Balkans Championship	4 – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Hungary, and Serbia	2014	2014	Annual	Greece	3rd Tier
Nordic Cup	3 – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden	2011	2014	Annual	Denmark	3rd–4th Tier
Jerome Cup	2 – Denmark and Belgium	2014	2014	Annually	Denmark	4th Tier

Regional Tournaments – Asia/Middle East & The Atlantic

Name	Participants	First Played	Last Played	Frequency	Holder	Tier
Colonial Cup	2 – Canada, and United States	2010	2014	Annually	Canada	2nd–3rd Tier
Caribbean Carnival Cup	2 – Canada, and Jamaica	2010	2014	Annually	Canada	3rd Tier

Trans-Continental

Name	Participants	First Played	Last Played	Frequency	Holder	Tier
Ohana Cup	2 – United States and 1 pacific nation (2014 – Samoa)	2012	2014	Annually	United States	2nd Tier
Magellan Cup	2 – Philippines and Latin Heat	2014	2014	Annually	Philippines	4th Tier

Domestic Competitions

Australasia

NRL Auckland Nines

Main article: 2014 NRL Auckland Nines

The 2014 NRL Auckland Nines tournament will run over two days from 14 to 15 February 2014. All the matches are held at Auckland's Eden Park.

National Rugby League

Main article: 2014 NRL season

The 2014 NRL Season will run from 6 March 2014 to 5 October 2014, with the latter date hosting the Grand Final at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

2014 NRL season v t e
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Sydney Roosters	24	16	0	8	2	615	385	+230	36
2	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	24	16	0	8	2	502	399	+103	36
3	South Sydney Rabbitohs (P)	24	15	0	9	2	585	361	+224	34
4	Penrith Panthers	24	15	0	9	2	506	426	+80	34
5	North Queensland Cowboys	24	14	0	10	2	596	406	+190	32
6	Melbourne Storm	24	14	0	10	2	536	460	+76	32
7	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	24	13	0	11	2	446	439	+7	30
8	Brisbane Broncos	24	12	0	12	2	549	456	+93	28
9	New Zealand Warriors	24	12	0	12	2	571	491	+80	28
10	Parramatta Eels	24	12	0	12	2	477	580	−103	28
11	St. George Illawarra Dragons	24	11	0	13	2	469	528	−59	26
12	Newcastle Knights	24	10	0	14	2	463	571	−108	24
13	Wests Tigers	24	10	0	14	2	420	631	−211	24
14	Gold Coast Titans	24	9	0	15	2	372	538	−166	22
15	Canberra Raiders	24	8	0	16	2	466	623	−157	20
16	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	24	5	0	19	2	334	613	−279	14

State of Origin

2014 State of Origin series

Europe

Super League XIX

Main article: Super League XIX

The Super League is the top club competition in Europe. In 2014 there are thirteen English teams and one French team in the 2014 season, known as Super League XIX with the bottom two teams on the table set to be relegated at the end of the regular season.

Super League XIX

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	St Helens (L, C)	27	19	0	8	796	563	+233	38	Play-offs
2	Wigan Warriors	27	18	1	8	834	429	+405	37
3	Huddersfield Giants	27	17	3	7	785	626	+159	37
4	Castleford Tigers	27	17	2	8	814	583	+231	36
5	Warrington Wolves	27	17	1	9	793	515	+278	35
6	Leeds Rhinos	27	15	2	10	685	421	+264	32
7	Catalans Dragons	27	14	1	12	733	667	+66	29
8	Widnes Vikings	27	13	1	13	611	725	−114	27
9	Hull Kingston Rovers	27	10	3	14	627	665	−38	23
10	Salford Red Devils	27	11	1	15	608	695	−87	23
11	Hull F.C.	27	10	2	15	653	586	+67	22
12	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats	27	10	1	16	557	750	−193	21
13	Bradford Bulls (R)	27	8	0	19	512	984	−472	10 [a]	Relegation to Championship
14	London Broncos (R)	27	1	0	26	438	1237	−799	2

Source: ^[30]
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Bradford Bulls deducted 6 points on 25 February 2014 for entering administration ^[29]

Carnegie Challenge Cup

Main article: 2014 Challenge Cup

The Rugby League Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in the world of Rugby League. It features teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia.

The final of the 2014 Cup is held at the prestigious Wembley Stadium in London on 23 August.

Australia & Oceania

Nations	Competition	Teams	Instituted	Last Season	Winner	Tier/Division
AUS/ NZL	National Youth Competition (NYC)	16	2008	2014	New Zealand Warriors	Youth
	New South Wales Cup (NSWRL)	13	1908	2014	Penrith Panthers	2nd Tier
AUS/ PNG	Queensland Cup (QRL)	13	1996	2014	Northern Pride
AUS	Ron Massey Cup	12	2003	2014	The Entrance Tigers	3rd Tier
	FOGS Cup	11	2001	2014	Eastern Suburbs Tigers
COK	Cook Islands League	6	1994	2012	Titikaveka Bulldogs	1st Tier
FIJ	Vodafone Cup	14	2010	2014	Saru Dragons	1st Tier
NZL	Pirtek National Premiership (NZRL)	7	2010	2014	Canterbury Bulls	1st Tier
PNG	PNG Digicel Cup	10	1990	2014	Hela Wigmen	1st Tier
SAM	Samoa Rugby League	6	?	2014	Apia Barracudas	1st Tier
TON	Tongan National Rugby League	12	1988	?	Lapaha Knights	1st Tier

Europe

Nations	Competition	Teams	Instituted	Latest Year	Winner	Tier/Division
BIH	Bosnia & Herzegovina Championship	3	2013	2014	RLC Bjeli Zecevi	1st Tier
CZE	CZRLA First Division	7	2011	2014	Lokomotiva Beroun	1st Tier
	CZRLA Second Division	4	2011	2014	Chrudim Rabbitohs	2nd Tier
ENG/ WAL	Championship	12	2003	2014	Leigh Centurions	2nd Tier
ENG/ WAL	Championship 1	14	2003	2014	Hunslet Hawks	3rd Tier
DEN/ SWE	Pan-Scandinavian Cup	3	2013	2014	Skåne Crusaders	/ 1st Tier
DEN	Danish Rugby League Championship	2	2013	2014	Copenhagen RLFC	1st Tier
FRA	Elite One Championship	8	1931	2013–14	Toulouse Olympique	1st Tier
	Elite Two Championship	13	1982	2013–14	RC Baho XIII	2nd Tier
	National Division 1	21	1976	2013–14	Realmont XIII	3rd Tier
	National Division 2	34	1978	2013–14	Val de Dagne XIII	4th Tier
GRE	Hellenic Championship	?	2014	2014	Rhodes Knights	1st Tier
	Hellenic Championship B Division	?	2014	2014	Neapoli Lakonia	2nd Tier
IRE	All-Ireland Championship	10	2001	2014	Barnhall Butchers	1st Tier
LAT	Latvian Rugby League Crown	4		2013	Valmieras Fēnikss	1st Tier
MLT	MRL Dove Men+Care Championship	?	?	2013	Malta Origin RL	1st Tier
NED	NRLB Nationale Kampioenschap	2	2014			1st Tier
NOR	Norge National Championship	5	2010	2013	Oslo Capitals	1st Tier
RUS	Russian Championship	6	1991	2014	Vereya Bears	1st Tier
SCO	Deuchars IPA National League	4	1997	2014	Aberdeen Warriors	1st Tier
SER	Serbian Championship	6	2002	2014	Red Star RLC	1st Tier
SPA	Campeonato Nacional de Liga	4	2014	2014	Irreductibles Edetans	1st Tier
	Copa España	6	2014	2014	Ciencias Valencia
SWE	Sweden Super League	4	2011	2013	Spartacus Reds	1st Tier
UKR	Ukrainian Championship	8	2012	2014	Legion XIII	1st Tier
WAL	South Wales Premiership	8	2003	2014	Torfaen Tigers	1st Tier
	North Wales Conference	4	2012	2014	Conwy Celts

Africa

Nations	Competition	Teams	Instituted	Latest Year	Winner	Tier/Division
GHA	Ghana Championship	6	2014	2014	no final played	1st Tier
RSA	Protea Cup	8	2013	2013–14	TUKS Blues	1st Tier
	Rhino Cup	4	2011	2014	TUKS Reds	2nd Tier

Asia & the Middle East

Nations	Competition	Teams	Instituted	Latest Year	Winner	Tier/Division
LIB	Lebanon Championship	5	2002	2013–14	Jounieh Al-Galacticos	1st Tier
PHI	Philippines National Rugby League (PNRL)	9	2013	2013	MAAP Warriors	1st Tier
THA	Thailand Rugby League Premiership	6	2014	2014	TBC	1st Tier
UAE	Emirates Rugby League (ENRL)	?	2013	2014	Abu Dhabi Harlequins	1st Tier

The Americas

Nations	Competition	Teams	Instituted	Latest Year	Winner	Tier/Division
CAN	British Columbia Rugby League (BCRLC)	6	2012	2014	Surrey Beavers	1st Tier
	Ontario Rugby League (ORL)	4	2010	2014	Toronto Centruions
JAM	Jamaican Club Championship	5	2005	2014	GC Foster College	1st Tier
USA	USA Rugby League (USARL)	8	2011	2014	Philadelphia Fight	1st Tier

See also

• Sports portal

• 2014 New Zealand rugby league season

References

1. "Super League: Wigan Warriors 8–24 Huddersfield Giants". BBC Sport. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
2. "Auckland Nines: North Queensland Cowboys win tournament". The New Zealand Herald. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
3. "Sydney Roosters overpower Wigan Warriors to win World Club Challenge". The Guardian. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
4. "Bradford Bulls deducted six competition points". superleague.co.uk. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
5. "Souths run Roosters ragged in 28–8 whipping". nrl.com. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
6. "Australia weather strong New Zealand start to take Anzac Test". The Guardian. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
7. "Samoa beat Fiji to secure Four Nations spot". The Guardian. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
8. "City Origin scores three late tries to draw 26–26 with Country Origin in Dubbo". ABCGranstandSport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
9. "Records tumble on a Magic Weekend to remember". theRFL. 18 May 2014. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
10. "State of Origin: New South Wales wins series with 6–4 win in game II in Sydney". ABCGrandstandSport. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
11. "Broncos relegated after Wolves battering". SPORTAL. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
12. "Canada defeat Jamaica to win 4th straight Caribbean Carnival Cup". CRL. 19 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
13. "Barrow Raiders Relegated". thebay. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
14. "Swinton suffer relegation". sportinglife. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
15. "Who Are Ya? – Rochdale Hornets". Keighley Cougars. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
16. "Canada defeat USA 52–14 to win 2014 Colonial Cup". CRL. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
17. "Match Report: North Wales Crusaders 17–20 Halifax". North Wales Crusaders. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
18. "Challenge Cup Final match report: Leeds Rhinos 23–10 Castleford Tigers". YORKSHIRE Evening Post. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
19. "Keighley Cougars relegated from Rugby League's Championship". itv NEWS. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
20. "Once dominant Bradford Bulls have one last hurrah before relegation". The Guardian. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
21. "Rabbitohs break long drought with fairytale win". nrl.com. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
22. "Hunslet Hawks win promotion!". SouthLeedsLife. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
23. "St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan's Ben Flower is sent off". The Guardian. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
24. "Fiji Outmuscle Lebanon in Hayne Mannah Cup". PARRAMATTA EELS. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
25. "Scotland win rugby league European Championship". The Scotsman. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
26. "Kiwis down Kangaroos to clinch Four Nations". Stuff. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
27. "Shaun Johnson wins Golden Boot as league's best player". Stuff. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
28. "Mature Mata'utia braced for biggest Test". nrl.com. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
29. "Bradford Bulls deducted six competition points". Super League. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
30. Super League XIX 2014