NATIONS LOCKED-IN FOR RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 9s

Teams from the Pacific Islands, Europe and the Middle East will join Australia and New Zealand in the 2019 Downer Rugby League World Cup 9s, kicking off in Sydney this October.

This week, the NRL confirmed the 12 nations playing over the course of two days at the new Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta on 18 and 19 October.

The men’s tournament will feature: Australia, New Zealand, England, PNG, Tonga, Fiji, France, Samoa, Wales, Lebanon, Cook Islands and the United States, with the women’s tournament set to feature Australia, New Zealand, England and PNG.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the event represented a significant opportunity for NSW.

“This blockbuster event will showcase Western Sydney’s world-class new facility, Bankwest Stadium, and is anticipated to generate $11 million for the NSW economy courtesy of 13,000 overnight visitors,” Mr Ayres said.

Tickets will go on sale for the tournament later this year. Supporters can register via a waitlist at nrl.com/waitlist