2000s
The Portuguese Rugby League Association (PRLA) was established in January 2005. Based in Marrickville, Sydney, Australia, the founder of the PRLA is an Australian born rugby league supporter, who married into a Portuguese family.
The first meeting of the PRLA was held at the Henson Park Hotel on early September 2005 and was attended by players who would form the nucleus of the team for the first match.
Portugal's first match was played against Fiji A, one month later, at Granville Park, on 8 October 2005, as part of the Fiji National Day Celebrations. The team was captained by Isaac de Gois, featuring his brothers Eric and Aaron, as well as their cousin, Fábio de Gois. Born in Madeira, Fábio was playing his first match of rugby league. Ivan Pacho has the honour of scoring Portugal's first try, in a 40–4 loss. [3]
In 2006, the PRLA entered the team in two sevens tournaments (VB Sevens @ St Marys and the Illawarra Sevens in Wollongong) as well as accepting an offer to play against touring teams from Britain (Great Britain Armed Forces and the British Royal Armoured Corps).
In 2007, Portugal's featured in the VB Sevens at St Marys in February and in October, an International friendly against Malta.
In April 2007, PRLA Executive met with the officials from the Portuguese Rugby Union, who were in Australia for the IRB World Sevens Rugby Tournament. The meeting proved fruitful, with a sporting alliance being established between the two codes.
In February 2008, Portugal competed in the Cabramatta International Nines and the Illawarra Sevens as well as an International friendly against Japan in Sydney.
In November 2008, Portugal defeated Cumberland Beavers 34–4. Samuel Belo won his first international cap during this time and scored two tries, in his one and only cap for Portugal.
In October 2009, Portugal took on Malta in the Mediterranean Shield. Portugal would suffer their biggest defeat up to date, losing the match 64–6.
Mal Speers 
Fiji A 40–4 Portugal 
