29 January 2021
International Rugby League History and Heritage Group
The History and Heritage Group (Tony Collins, Andrew Ferguson, Neil Ormston, Tas Baitieri, Danny Kazandjian, Niel Wood) has, over the past 6 months, examined every “international match” ever played in order to create, for the first time ever, a definitive list of games formally recognised by IRL. These will be called “Senior International Matches”
In doing this, we are not attempting to re-write history, change what members have already recognised as internationals or not and certainly not attempting to change alter any player’s international record. The recognition of players and the awarding of caps etc. to commemorate international appearances remains entirely in the gift of each nation.
To decide whether a game is recognised or not has taken a great deal of discussion and consideration as we are trying to recognise games and circumstances from very different times. Therefore, we established some guiding criteria as follows:
Please find attached the list that we hold for you, I would be grateful if you could reply by February 28th, 2021 if you have any comments to make, if not, we will assume that you are ok with the list.
Best wishes
Niel Wood
IRL Media Manager
International Rugby League History and Heritage Group
The History and Heritage Group (Tony Collins, Andrew Ferguson, Neil Ormston, Tas Baitieri, Danny Kazandjian, Niel Wood) has, over the past 6 months, examined every “international match” ever played in order to create, for the first time ever, a definitive list of games formally recognised by IRL. These will be called “Senior International Matches”
In doing this, we are not attempting to re-write history, change what members have already recognised as internationals or not and certainly not attempting to change alter any player’s international record. The recognition of players and the awarding of caps etc. to commemorate international appearances remains entirely in the gift of each nation.
To decide whether a game is recognised or not has taken a great deal of discussion and consideration as we are trying to recognise games and circumstances from very different times. Therefore, we established some guiding criteria as follows:
- Would the game be recognised today?
- A senior international match played between two recognised members, played to full international rules?
- Would the game, at the time, have been treated as such by the players, administrators and public?
- Was the game a part of a recognised and approved international competition or a competition that would carry that status today?
Please find attached the list that we hold for you, I would be grateful if you could reply by February 28th, 2021 if you have any comments to make, if not, we will assume that you are ok with the list.
Best wishes
Niel Wood
IRL Media Manager
