Netherlands national rugby league team

Netherlands
Badge of Netherlands team
Team information
Governing bodyNetherlandse Rugby League Bond
RegionEurope
Head coachNew Zealand Dave Hunter
CaptainNetherlands Daniel de Ruiter & Australia Tom van Bokhoven
IRL ranking14th
Team results
First international
 Scotland A 22–18 Netherlands 
(Sassenheim, Netherlands; 2003)
Biggest win
 Netherlands 58–18 Albania 
(Zaandam, Netherlands; 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Netherlands 16–70 Germany 
(Delft, Netherlands; 2014)
World Cup
Appearances0

The Netherlands national rugby league team is the national rugby league team of The Netherlands. It was formed in January 2003. The national team played its first international match in 2003 against Scotland A, where they lost 22–18.

History

Rugby league foundation year was in 2003 where it has regularly being played since 2003 under the NNRLB and has seen small domestic growth along the way. The first rugby league club match was played between Te Werve Bustards (Den Haag) and touring Essex Eels. After rugby league ceased in 2008 a new board the Nederlandse Rugby League Bond (NRLB) was entrusted to administer and grow the game in the Netherlands in 2009.

The Dutch participated in 1989 Student Rugby League World Cup in England, against Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. The first rugby league match in Netherlands was a preparation match for the tournament against the French Army side at the Royal Military Academy in Breda. While in the late 1980s they faced Toulouse to earn a 20 all draw. Having played their first international against Scotland A in Sassenheim only narrowly losing 18 to 22, introducing the Rotterdam Cup in 2004 with a 24–14 loss to Scotland Students and debut 24 to 14 win against Serbia.

2005 saw the Netherlands build on the previous season with the national team playing four internationals. The Netherlands were defeated by Georgia 34 – 14 in April. They then went on to win their other three internationals against Serbia, Scotland and Germany

Serbia made the task of getting past the first round of European qualifiers all the more harder. The Netherlands suffered heavy defeats to Russia 40 – 14 and Georgia 57 – 16. As a consolation the Netherlands managed to defeat the other European newcomers Serbia 38 – 26. Netherlands finished 3rd in the Pool and failed to qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The Netherlands capped off 2006 with a win against the Czech Republic 34 – 28.

Rotterdam hosted the Nederlandse International Rugby League Nines Festival for visiting European teams between 2004 and 2007.

At present the NRLB are a nonprofit sports association for rugby league with their main goal to get the game exposure and attract more people to the sport. The NRLB have a short summer season (4 rounds + Finals) with the Netherlands 3V Sports Grand Prix 9's competition for clubs Capelle Spartans, Delft Rugby League, Nootdorp Musketiers and Te Werve Bustards, while they host teams for 13-aside matches including the annual clash with Oxford University Old Boys (in the Kermis Challenge) and varying teams from the UK. Netherlands as national and developmental squads have participated in away tours in tournaments such as the Heidelberg 9's in Germany and UK based events.

In recent seasons the Dutch have also participated in a Cross Border Challenge with select German clubs, National Selection matches (Select GPN vs Residents) and promotional games (combined squad vs Capelle Spartans). At youth level this year, the Dutch staged a BARLA U17 tour against a Netherlands Tasman U17 select in July at Nootdorp and Delft.

Like most developing rugby league nations there are restrictions that the Dutch board face within early stages of development like funding, sponsorship, support and promotion.

The Dutch ten-year plan is to have a fully self-supportive domestic competition running for at least 6 months of the year and to have multiple self-standing Rugby League clubs all over the country. The national squad back on the international stage competing with the best. The Nederlandse Rugby League Bond gained Observer membership status from the Rugby League European Federation in February 2012.

In May 2013, Netherlands made 28th on the RLIF World Rankings after their match against Germany in a losing effort.

Matches

Official rankings as of 27 July 2023
Rank Change Team Pts %
1 Steady  Australia 100.00
2 Steady  New Zealand 92.00
3 Steady  Samoa 86.00
4 Steady  England 80.00
5 Steady  Tonga 56.00
6 Steady  Papua New Guinea 45.00
7 Steady  Fiji 45.00
8 Steady  Lebanon 36.00
9 Steady  France 33.00
10 Increase 5  Serbia 25.00
11 Decrease 1  Wales 23.00
12 Decrease 1  Ireland 23.00
13 Decrease 1  Cook Islands 20.00
14 Steady  Italy 17.00
15 Decrease 2  Jamaica 15.00
16 Steady  Greece 14.00
17 Steady  Scotland 14.00
18 Steady  Netherlands 13.00
19 Steady  Malta 11.00
20 Steady  Turkey 11.00
21 Steady  Germany 6.00
22 Increase 1  Chile 6.00
23 Increase 1  Nigeria 6.00
24 Increase 2  Ghana 6.00
25 Decrease 3  Brazil 6.00
26 Decrease 1  South Africa 6.00
27 Steady  Czech Republic 5.00
28 Steady  Ukraine 4.00
29 Increase 1  Poland 3.00
30 Increase 1  Cameroon 3.00
31 Increase 1  Kenya 3.00
32 Increase 1  Spain 3.00
33 Decrease 4  Philippines 3.00
34 Increase 1  Norway 2.00
35 Decrease 1  Bulgaria 2.00
36 Steady  Colombia 2.00
37 Increase 1  United States 1.00
38 Increase 1  Montenegro 1.00
39 Increase 1  Solomon Islands 1.00
40 Decrease 3  Hungary 1.00
41 Increase 1  Sweden 1.00
42 Increase 1  Morocco 1.00
43 Increase 1  Canada 1.00
44 Increase 1  Japan 1.00
45 Decrease 5  Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.00
46 Steady  Vanuatu 0.00
47 Steady  El Salvador 0.00
48 Steady  Belgium 0.00
49 Increase 2  Argentina 0.00
50 Decrease 1  Denmark 0.00
51 Decrease 1  Latvia 0.00
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

The Netherlands have played their first match in 2003 against Scotland A, losing 22 to 18. They then competed in the 2004 Rotterdam Cup, losing both their matches.

The Netherlands failed to progress past the preliminary stages of qualifying for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, after being defeated by Georgia and Russia in 2006. They did however manage a victory against Serbia.

Following these matches, the national team went on hiatus following a dispute between the Netherlands Federation and the RLEF. In 2009, a new board " Nederlandse Rugby League Bond (NRLB) " was appointed to run the Dutch game and re-establish relations with the RLEF. The Netherlands were re-admitted to the RLEF in 2010, and resumed international competition in 2013 with a friendly match against Germany. [1]

Jerseys

Primary

Primary
2004–2009
Primary
2009–present

Alternative

Alternative
2004–2009
Alternative
2009–present

Coaching Roster

Current staff

Coaches Name Role Date Appointed P W L D Win%
New Zealand Dave Hunter Head coach March 2022 3 2 1 0 66.6
New Zealand Jason Bruygoms Assistant coach June 2017
Netherlands Adam Bakker Assistant coach June 2021
Netherlands Guus Kootstra Physio June 2017
Netherlands Stephanie van Diepen Physio June 2017
United Kingdom Matthew Rigby Team Manager August 2019

Former Staff

Coaches Name Role Date Appointed Date Departed P W L D Win%
New Zealand Joe Collins Assistant coach June 2016 August 2017 2 0 2 0 0.00
England Matthew Rigby Assistant coach June 2016 August 2019 7 5 2 0 71.43
Netherlands Timo Meinders Team Manager May 2017 August 2018




Current squad

Netherlands are able to call eligible players like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jaylan De Groot or the Nikorima brothers.

Squad selected for the friendly against Spain Spain on 17 September 2022.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Pts Club
Adam Braksator Den Haag Knights
Paul Dirkzwager Den Haag Knights
Sander Doria Den Haag Knights
Romeo Goldman Den Haag Knights
Lucas Gout Den Haag Knights
Frank Longhurst Den Haag Knights
Hamish Wragg Den Haag Knights
Bonne Wilce Den Haag Knights
Arie-Tjerk Razoux Schultz Harderwijk Dolphins
Ruben Stuifzand Harderwijk Dolphins
Auke Idzerda Rotterdam Pitbulls
Shadan Lavia Rotterdam Pitbulls
Isaac Ngirubiu Rotterdam Pitbulls
Damon Koolstra Souths Sharks Mackay
Kees Kuijpers Zwolle Wolves
Paul Kuijpers Zwolle Wolves
Mauricio Gomez Pazos Zwolle Wolves
Laury Renac Zwolle Wolves
Joran Schoenmaker Zwolle Wolves

Results

Date Competition Opponent H/A Venue Score Referee Tries Conversions
19 July 2003
International Friendly
Scotland Scotland A
H
18-22
23 April 2004
International Friendly
Serbia Serbia
H
24-14
7 May 2004
International Friendly
Scotland Scotland
H
14-24
29 April 2005
European Championship
Georgia (country) Georgia
H
14-34
18 June 2005
European Championship
Serbia Serbia
A
10-24
De Jager (2), Barret, Foxton de Jager (5/6)
29 June 2005
International Friendly
Scotland Scotland
H
17-10
28 April 2006
Russia Russia
H
14-40
Howitt (2), de Jager de Jager (1/3)
26 May 2006
Georgia (country) Georgia
A
57-16
Taylor (2) de Jager (4/4)
17 June 2006
Serbia Serbia
H
38-26
Stanford-Smyth (2), Den Engelsman (2), Grimbergen, Nierinckx, Taylor de Jager (5/7)
5 August 2006
International Friendly
Czech Republic Czech Republic
H
34-28
4 May 2013
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Germany Germany
A
28-22
Verdonk (2), Dommerhuijsen, van Bochove van Bochove (3/4)
26 June 2013
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Belgium Belgium
H
6-22
Kraal Idzerda (1/1)
3 May 2014
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Germany Germany
H
16-70
van Bochove, van Rossum, Tonnaer Bremen (2/3)
28 June 2014
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Belgium Belgium
H
32-16
Roos, Holden (2) Bremen (2/3)
2 May 2015
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Belgium Belgium
H
12-60
van Rossum, Vrasdonk Bremen (2/2)
20 June 2015
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Germany Germany
A
46-12
Ddumba (2) Bremen (2/2)
13 August 2016
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Germany Germany
H
6-8
Fiji Misa Vakadranu de Werk Storm (1/1)
3 September 2016
Western Euro Tri-Nations
Belgium Belgium
A
34-12
Belgium Unknown de Boer, Habeke Scholte (2/2)
26 August 2017
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
A
18-30
England Joel Holmes de Ruiter (2), Landus (2), Razoux Schultz Bremen (5/5)
9 September 2017
International Friendly
Sweden Sweden
H
28-24
Germany Max Doughton
1 September 2018
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
H
Rotterdam, Netherlands
38-22
Australia Joe Jhugroo
22 September 2018
International Friendly
Sweden Sweden
A
4-24
Italy Guido Bonatti Gout (4/6)
14 September 2019
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
A
18-56
Germany Liam Doughton van der Bruggen (3), Schoenmaker (2), Schram (2), Botterblom, Stuifzand, Razoux-Schultz Gout (8/10)
26 September 2020
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
H
20-18
Czech Republic Jaroslaw Bzoch
02 October 2021
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
A
16-48
Scotland Moray Gilland
14 October 2021
Turkey Turkey
A
40-18
Republic of Ireland Eamonn Whelan Shoenmake (2), Ngirubiu, Farrell (2), Renac Idzera (8/8)
17 October 2021
Czech Republic Czech Republic
N
36-10
Republic of Ireland Eamonn Whelan Schoenmaker (3), Lavia, Razoux Schultz, De Ruiter Idzera (6/9)
17 September 2022
International Friendly
Spain Spain
A
36-30
Spain Andrew Pilkington Schoenmaker (2), Koolstra (2), Idzera, Ngirubiu, Doria Idzera (4/7)
24 September 2022
International Friendly
Europe European Combined Nations
H
52-28
08 October 2022
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
H
24-29
Fiji Misa Vakadranu Razoux Schultz , Prins , P Kuijpers , van Kleij Renac (1/1), K Kuijpers (3/4)
30 September 2023
International Friendly
Norway Norway
H
58-22
Scotland Moray Gilland
07 October 2023
International Friendly
Albania Albania
H
58-18
Netherlands Hans Verveer
14 October 2023
International Friendly
Serbia Serbia
H
Scotland Moray Gilland
21 October 2023
Griffin Cup
Germany Germany
A
Hatingen, Germany
England TBA
28 October 2023
International Friendly
Czech Republic Czech Republic
A
Czech Republic Jaroslaw Bzoch
14 October 2023
International Friendly
Serbia Serbia
H
Scotland Moray Gilland
07 September 2024
International Friendly
Albania Albania
A
14 September 2024
International Friendly
Scotland Scotland
H
TBA 2024
International Friendly
Germany Germany
H
TBC 2024
International Friendly
Serbia Serbia
A

Record

Below is a table of the representative rugby league matches played by the Netherlands national rugby league team at test level up until 08 October 2023.

Opponents Matches Won Draw Lost Points For Points Against Pts Difference Win%
 Albania 1 1 0 0 58 18 +40 100%
 Belgium 4 0 0 4 46 148 -102 0%
 Czech Republic 2 2 0 0 70 38 +32 100%
Europe European Combined Nations 1 1 0 0 52 28 +24 100%
 Georgia 2 0 0 2 30 91 -61 0%
 Germany 10 5 0 5 272 273 -1 50%
 Norway 1 1 0 0 58 22 +36 100%
 Russia 1 0 0 1 14 40 -26 0%
 Scotland A 1 0 0 1 18 22 -4 0%
 Scotland 2 1 0 1 37 34 +3 50%
 Serbia 3 3 0 0 86 50 +36 100%
 Spain 1 1 0 0 36 30 +6 100%
 Sweden 2 2 0 0 52 28 +24 100%
 Turkey 1 1 0 0 40 18 +22 100%
Total 32 18 0 14 869 840 +29 53.33%

European Championship

European Championship Record
Year League Round Position Pld W D L
2021 D Final 1st 2 2 0 0
2023 B TBA out of 6 Qualified

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-10-31 15:45 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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