Australia National Rugby League Team
The Australian national rugby league team (or the Kangaroos) have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the 'Northern Union game' in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings. The team are the most successful in Rugby League World Cup history, having contested all 13 and winning 9 of them, failing to reach the final only once, in the inaugural tournament in 1954. In the 2008 Rugby League World Cup they finished runners-up to New Zealand.
Dating back to 1908, Australia are the fourth oldest national side after England, New Zealand and Wales. The team were first assembled in 1908 for a tour of Great Britain. The majority of the Kangaroos' games since then have been played against Great Britain and New Zealand.
Since 7 July 1994 the team's official nickname has been the Kangaroos, though they had unofficially been referred to as such since 1908. Previously, the Australian team was only referred to as the Kangaroos when on tours of Great Britain or France. In 1997 Australia was also represented by a Super League Australia team, drawing on players from that year's Super League competition. While in the past players for the side had been selected from clubs in various leagues around the country, in recent years the side has consisted exclusively of players from clubs of the National Rugby League.
Read more about Australia National Rugby League Team: 2012 Squad, Coaches
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