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| Doncaster Trophy |
Rugby trophies that are the most prestigious in the world are won through the Rugby League (RL) competitions organized by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), the highest governing body of the sport. These games include the Rugby League World Cup, which is the sport's premier event; various international tournaments for both men and women and for all ages, and even some domestic competitions in Europe and Australasia.
The RL World Cup is held nearly every 4 years, with the next one to be staged in the UK in 2013. The current titleholder is New Zealand, who won the Cup for the first time in 2008. The original World Cup, which was priced at 8 million francs when it was commissioned by the French rugby federation president Paul Barriere in 1954, is still the same trophy that is being used. It is, perhaps, the most coveted of all rugby trophies.
Since 2000, the Women's RL World Cup has been held together with the RL World Cup for men. Only one team has won all 3 competitions that have been held so far - New Zealand. They took home the Cup in 2000, 2005 and 2008 and are looking forward to defend their title in 2013.
The Rugby League Four Nations is a tournament created with the top three nations in the rugby world - Australia, England and New Zealand. The fourth nation in its inaugural run in 2009 was France, who participated by invitation. Papua New Guinea, the champions of the Pacific Cup in 2009 played in this Four Nations series in 2010. Its 2011 run saw the 2009 European Cup champion, Wales, in action.
The European Cup is an annual tournament for the nations in the continent. Since it started in 1935, only England, Wales and France have won rugby trophies through this competition. On the other side of the globe, the Pacific Cup is the tournament for nations who would like to be known in the international rugby scene. As already mentioned, Papua New Guinea is the winner of the latest series. PNG bested the teams from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands.
Lastly, another competition to determine the champion of champions in the sport is the World Club Challenge. Formerly known as the World Club Championship, it is a rugby match held every year between the champions of the National Rugby League of Australasia and the European Super League series. The team that brings home the trophy in this match is recognized as the world's best rugby league club. This year's winning team is St. George Illawarra Dragons of Australia.
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