The Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup, also known as the University Rugby League World Cup, first took place in 1986 in New Zealand, when the then five test nations each entered a side in what was the first non-first grade World Cup hosted by the Rugby League International Federation.

[1] The value of the Tertiary level to Rugby League in terms of spreading the sport, particularly in countries like Great Britain, France and New Zealand, led to a World Cup being created as an incentive to help grow this level of the game.

[1] Since 1986, five more tournaments have been held, and sixteen nations have taken part.

The benefits the tournament has provided to the sport cannot be doubted, with strong Tertiary competitions now existing in England, Wales, France, New Zealand, Australia, and new ones developing.

[1] Whilst the 2008 tournament will not be the largest Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup ever held, it will still play an important role in the game at this level, continuing to give a platform for players and nations to strive for.

It focussed on the dominant rugby league playing nations of the time: Australia; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; France and Great Britain.

Great Britain were now split into the Home Nations, with England applying themselves most successfully to lose narrowly to Australia in the Final.

Holland The 1992 World Cup moved to Australia, and in addition to the continuing strength of the Australian student game, also saw the rise of the Pacific Islanders.

Their senior teams were to make a big impression in the Halifax Centenary World Cup in 1995, but in 1992, Fiji, Samoa and in particular, Tonga, proved to be an instant hit.

Ireland The Halifax Student Rugby League 1996 World Cup in England again saw an increase in the number of teams taking part, but unfortunately for the home nations, still no home success.

Japan entered the rugby league world stage for the first time, and the USA carried on the good work of their senior side in 1995, by not only participating, but beating the Irish.

France proved to be the most successful of the European teams.

[2] Australian Rugby League sent to England a senior referee on tour for the first time selected from the Australian Referees State Associations (Mr Reg Banush) who referee a final between the best players selected from all the competing nations, to play in a game : Northern Hemisphere verses Southern Hemisphere.

This game was played under the EU flag of nations to show support to the "good will of sport", this game was played with a very high quality of skill by the selected players from both sides

Japan The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup 1999 was a memorable fortnight of tremendous action and excitement.

Many treasured and lasting memories will have been made of the event, won impressively by New Zealand, but contributed enormously to by all who take part.

2 July - Australian Universities 66 defeated Scotland Students 4 2 July - New Zealand Universities 46 defeated Wales Students 0 6 July - Australian Universities 32 defeated New Zealand Universities 14 6 July - Wales Students 31 defeated Scotland Students 16 10 July - Australian Universities 74 defeated Wales Students 6 10 July - New Zealand Universities 70 defeated Scotland Students 4

15 July - Pacific Islands 74 defeated Wales Students 18

13 July - Australian Universities 20 defeated France Students 0 13 July - New Zealand Universities 34 defeated England Students 8

Ireland Eight teams participated in the 2008 Tertiary Student Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

The tournament was won by Australia, who defeated England in the final.

Plate Semi Finals Seventh Play Off Plate Final Cup Semi Finals Third Play Off Cup Final Source:[4] Eight participating nations competed in the eighth Student Rugby League Cup, which was held in the Northern English cities of Bradford, Batley, Castleford, Dewsbury and Leeds in early July.

Group A Games Rnd 1: 4 July: New Zealand defeated Russia 122–0 Australia defeated Scotland 96–0 Group B Games, Rnd 1: 4 July: Wales defeated South Africa 30–10 England defeated Ireland 54–6 Group A Games, Rnd 2: 7 July: Scotland defeated Russia 46–4 Australia defeated New Zealand 34–16 Group B Games, Rnd 2: 7 July: South Africa defeated Ireland 42–24 England defeated Wales 46–12 Group A Games, Rnd 3: 10 July: New Zealand defeated Scotland 58–22 Australia defeated Russia 108–0 Group B Games, Rnd 3: 10 July: Wales defeated Ireland 56–4 England defeated South Africa 52–14 7th Play-off game: 12 July: Ireland defeated Russia 42–18 5th Play-off game: 12 July: South Africa defeated Scotland 64–10 Semi-finals: 12 July: Australia defeated Wales 42–10 12 July: England defeated New Zealand (in golden point extra time) 18–17 Final at the Headingley Ground, Leeds: 14 July: Australia defeated England 26–16 Before the renamed Universities World Cup began in Western Sydney, New Zealand caused a surprise by withdrawing four months before the competition through not being able to afford the high fees imposed by the tournament organisers.

This left Australia the only competing nation left that had competed in every World Cup, from when the original tournament was founded and hosted by New Zealand 31 years previously.

To stop a bye from occurring between Australia and the four home nations, a Pacific Islands team made up of Australian students of Pacific Island origin, was finalized three weeks before the tournament began in early July at Ringrose Park, St Mary's Stadium, New Era Stadium, Windsor Sporting Complex and finals venue, Pepper Stadium in Penrith.

Rnd 1 7 July: Pacific Islands 48, Ireland 4 Rnd 1 7 July: Scotland 48, Wales 18 Rnd 1 7 July: Australia 54, England 10 Rnd 2 9 July: Scotland 38, Ireland 24 Rnd 2 9 July: England 22, Wales 4 Rnd 2 9 July: Australia 68, Pacific Islands 16 Rnd 3 12 July: England 30, Scotland 20 Rnd 3 12 July: Pacific Islands 40, Wales 12 Rnd 3 12 July: Australia 46, Ireland 8 5th Playoff Game 14 July: Wales 28, Ireland 16; Halftime: Wales 16–6 Semi Finals 14 July: Australia 46, England 18; Halftime: Australia 22–6 14 July: Pacific Islands 44, Scotland 12; Halftime: Pacific Islands 16–4 Final at Pepper Stadium, Penrith 16 July: Australia 30, Pacific Islands 12; Halftime: Pacific Islands 6–4 Biggest Win: 2013 New Zealand Students 122 defeated Russia Students 0 2013 Australia Students 108 defeated Russia Students 0 1996 Scotland Students 90 defeated Japan Students 4 1999 New Zealand Universities 88 defeated Canadian Students 0 1996 Samoa Students 82 defeated USA Students 6 1996 France Students 76 defeated Japan Students 0 1999 Australian Universities 74 defeated USA Students 2