Asia and The Middle East
Rugby league is a growing sport in Asia and the Middle East, with a large growth in players since the 1990s, some of which have played at the game's elite levels in the National Rugby League and Super League. The game in the Middle East is one of the fastest growing sports with regular internationals played against European and Mediterranean teams. Although Russia has a growing rugby league presence and extends into Asia, the main competition is in Europe.
Countries that meet current World Cup qualification criteria:
| Country | Overview | National team | Status | Governing Body | Main league competition(s) | Best International Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Rugby league in Japan | Samurais | Affiliate | Japanese Rugby League Association | Japanese Rugby League | Emerging Nations - Pool Round |
| Lebanon | Rugby league in Lebanon | The Cedars | Affiliate | Lebanese Rugby League Federation | Bank of Beirut Championship | World Cup - Pool Round |
Other countries with a history of the game:
| Country | Overview | National team | Status | Governing Body | Main league competition(s) | Best International Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Non-Affiliate | China Rugby League | ||||
| Indonesia | Non-Affiliate | Indonesia Rugby League | Bali 9's/West Papua | |||
| Israel | Non-Affiliate | |||||
| Pakistan | Rugby league in Pakistan | Observer | ||||
| Palestine | Non-Affiliate | |||||
| Qatar | Observer | |||||
| Saudi Arabia | Observer | |||||
| Singapore | Non-Affiliate | Singapore Rugby League | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Rugby league in UAE | Falcons | Observer | Emirates Rugby League |
Read more about this topic: Rugby League Around The World
Famous quotes containing the words asia and, asia, middle and/or east:
“I have no doubt that they lived pretty much the same sort of life in the Homeric age, for men have always thought more of eating than of fighting; then, as now, their minds ran chiefly on the “hot bread and sweet cakes;” and the fur and lumber trade is an old story to Asia and Europe.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Incarnate devil in a talking snake,
The central plains of Asia in his garden,
In shaping-time the circle stung awake,
In shapes of sin forked out the bearded apple....”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“No matter what time it is, wake me, even if it’s in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.”
—Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)
“Richard. Give me a calendar.
Who saw the sun today?
Ratcliffe. Not I, my lord.
Richard. Then he disdains to shine, for by the book
He should have braved the east an hour ago.
A black day will it be to somebody.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)