2008 Australian Football International Cup

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2008 Australian Football International Cup
2008 AFL International Cup
Tournament details
Host countryAustralia
Dates27 August – 5 September
Teams16
Final positions
Champions Papua New Guinea (1st title)
Runners-up New Zealand
Third place South Africa
Fourth place Ireland
Papua New Guinea after a lap of honour
The victorious Papua New Guinea Mosquitos celebrate winning the cup for the first time

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested.

It was scheduled for 2008 (as part of the 150th year celebrations of Australian Football), with 16 nations competing.

The tournament was hosted by both Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia between 27 August and 6 September, with a single match additionally played in Geelong.[1]

Like previous tournaments, the competition was open to men's teams with strict nationality eligibility rules.

The Grand Final was played between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea were victorious by 8 points with a goal kicked after the siren. Like the Grand Final in previous years, the match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a curtain raiser to the 2008 AFL Season finals match between Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs which attracted a crowd of 76,703 spectators. However unlike previous tournaments, the final was not televised.

History and build up[]

The WAFL and Perth, Western Australia raised the possibility of bidding for the tournament soon after the 2005 cup had been completed,[2] however the AFL has confirmed that the cup will once again be held in Melbourne for at least for one more year, as the 2008 Cup will coincide with Australian Rules football's 150th anniversary. The AFL later indicated that a regional round and semi-finals would be held in Warrnambool.

The AFL indicated that unlike earlier cups, it would likely be split into two divisions, a premier division and development division, with some discussion as to whether the eligibility rules could be loosened for the development division, to enable more countries to participate. Leagues were given the opportunity to nominate which they would prefer, with eight in each division being an initial target.[3] Ultimately, this idea was dropped, with the sixteen teams being seeded into four pools.

In December 2007, it was announced that Melbourne and Warrnambool would co-host the two division event, with Melbourne matches to be played mainly in Royal Park North. Several potential new sides were announced by the AFL, including an Israeli-Palestine combination supported by the Peres Centre for Peace, China and India.[4][5]

The USA Women's team announced an intention to send a squad to play against Australia and possibly Papua New Guinea. Additionally Canada and England announced their intentions to send Under 17s squads.[6] As a result, there was speculation over an inaugural women's and under 17 divisions. However the AFL denied these divisions in favour of a senior men's competition only. In response, and with the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament being cancelled, British and Canadian junior teams had to organise their own tours and matches against Australian schools. Despite both international teams being in Australia at the same time, they did not play against each other.[7] The US women's team announced a 2009 tour instead.

Competing Nations[]

The AFL confirmed in July 2008 that sixteen nations will compete.[8] In addition, there will be friendly matches played between Melbourne-based migrant community teams under the names "Team Africa" and "Team Asia", as well as the Tongan side which was unable to commit to the full tournament. Also despite a previous appearance, the Spain Bulls will not be competing.

Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
  • United States United States Revolution
  • South Africa South Africa Lions
  • Denmark Denmark Vikings
  • China China Red Demons
  • Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors
  • Canada Canada Northwind
  • Sweden Sweden Elks
  • Finland Finland Icebreakers

Games[]

Round 1[]

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 12.12 (84) Sweden Sweden Elks 1.0 (6) McAlister Oval Wednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 13.13 (91) Japan Japan Samurais 0.2 (2) Ransford Oval Wednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Canada Canada Northwind 18.22 (130) Finland Finland Icebreakers 0.0 (0) Western Oval Wednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 16.20 (116) India India Tigers 1.0 (6) McAlister Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 20.15 (135) IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 1.2 (8) Ransford Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
United States United States Revolution 11.6 (72) Denmark Denmark Vikings 1.4 (10) Western Oval Wednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
South Africa South Africa Lions 20.26 (146) China China Red Demons 0.0 (0) McAlister Oval Wednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 10.9 (69) Nauru Nauru Chiefs 3.2 (20) Ransford Oval Wednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM

Round 2[]

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 35.19 (229) India India Tigers 0.0 (0) Western Oval Friday, 29 August 11:00 AM
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 13.20 (98) Finland Finland Icebreakers 0.0 (0) McAlister Oval Friday, 29 August 11:00 AM
United States United States Revolution 16.18 (114) China China Red Demons 0.0 (0) Ransford Oval Friday, 29 August 11:00 AM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 20.20 (140) IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 1.1 (7) McAlister Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM
Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 4.7 (31) Japan Japan Samurais 8.7 (55) Ransford Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 2.6 (18) Nauru Nauru Chiefs 10.5 (65) Western Oval Friday, 29 August 1:00 PM
Canada Canada Northwind 16.12 (108) Sweden Sweden Elks 1.1 (7) Ransford Oval Friday, 29 August 3:00 PM
South Africa South Africa Lions 9.11 (65) Denmark Denmark Vikings 3.2 (20) West Kardinia Oval Saturday, 30 August 12:00 PM

Round 3[]

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 4.6 (30) Canada Canada Northwind 2.2 (14) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Sweden Sweden Elks 6.7 (43) Finland Finland Icebreakers 2.2 (14) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 11:00 AM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 10.11 (71) Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 1.2 (8) Walter Oval Monday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Japan Japan Samurais 15.16 (106) India India Tigers 0.0 (0) Mack Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM
United States United States Revolution 5.6 (36) South Africa South Africa Lions 8.10 (58) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 7.9 (51) United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 3.2 (20) Walter Oval Monday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Denmark Denmark Vikings 17.20 (122) China China Red Demons 0.0 (0) Reid Oval Monday, 1 September 3:00 PM
Nauru Nauru Chiefs 28.9 (177) IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 1.1 (7) Walter Oval Monday, 1 September 3:00 PM

Group Results After Rounds[]

Pool A[]

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 3 3 0 0 391 10 3910.00 12
2 Japan Japan Samurais 3 2 1 0 163 112 145.53 8
3 Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 3 1 2 0 155 133 113.13 4
4 India India Tigers 3 0 3 0 6 451 1.33 0

Pool B[]

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 3 3 0 0 260 47 553.19 12
2 Nauru Nauru Chiefs 3 2 1 0 262 94 278.72 8
3 United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 3 1 2 0 173 124 139.51 4
4 IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 3 0 3 0 22 452 4.86 0

Pool C[]

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 South Africa South Africa Lions 3 3 0 0 269 56 480.35 12
2 United States United States Revolution 3 2 1 0 222 68 326.47 8
3 Denmark Denmark Vikings 3 1 2 0 152 137 110.94 4
4 China China Red Demons 3 0 3 0 0 382 0.00 0

Pool D[]

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 3 3 0 0 212 20 1060.00 12
2 Canada Canada Northwind 3 2 1 0 252 37 681.08 8
3 Sweden Sweden Elks 3 1 2 0 56 206 27.18 4
4 Finland Finland Icebreakers 3 0 3 0 14 271 5.16 0

Finals[]

Finals Round 1[]

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 7.8 (50) Sweden Sweden Elks 4.2 (26) Mack Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
India India Tigers 4.4 (28) Finland Finland Icebreakers 8.4 (52) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
Nauru Nauru Chiefs 7.3 (45) United States United States Revolution 3.5 (23) Walter Oval Wednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 5.7 (37) China China Red Demons 4.4 (28) Mack Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 5.4 (34) Denmark Denmark Vikings 4.3 (27) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
Japan Japan Samurais 0.3 (3) Canada Canada Northwind 7.7 (49) Walter Oval Wednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 8.9 (57) Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 2.3 (15) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 5:30 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 9.8 (63) South Africa South Africa Lions 2.3 (15) Reid Oval Wednesday, 3 September 7:30 PM

Finals Round 2[]

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Playoff for 13th and 14th
Finland Finland Icebreakers 2.2 (14) IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace 14.5 (89) Western Oval Friday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 9th and 10th
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs 8.9 (57) Samoa Samoa Kangaroos 1.11 (17) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 5th and 6th
Nauru Nauru Chiefs 12.8 (80) Canada Canada Northwind 7.7 (49) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 10:15 AM
Playoff for 11th and 12th
Sweden Sweden Elks 0.2 (2) Denmark Denmark Vikings 14.19 (103) Western Oval Friday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 7th and 8th
United States United States Revolution 14.13 (97) Japan Japan Samurais 2.4 (16) McAlister Oval Friday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 3rd and 4th
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors 5.2 (32) South Africa South Africa Lions 4.9 (33) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 12:00 PM
Playoff for 15th and 16th
India India Tigers 6.6 (42) China China Red Demons 7.14 (56) Ransford Oval Friday, 5 September 1:45 PM
Grand Final
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 7.4 (46) Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos 7.12 (54) Melbourne Cricket Ground Friday, 5 September 5:30 PM

Knockout-Chart (Final 4)[]

Semi Finals Grand Final
          
A1  New Zealand 8 9 57
D1  Ireland 2 3 15
WSF1  New Zealand 7 4 46
WSF2  Papua New Guinea 7 12 54
B1  Papua New Guinea 9 9 63
C1  South Africa 2 3 15 Bronze medal match
LSF1  Ireland 5 2 32
LSF2  South Africa 4 9 33

Individual awards[]

World Team[]

The world team was selected based on player performance in the pool rounds only. India, China, the Peace Team and Finland all missed representation in the team.

Player Nation Club Position
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Gulf Half Back Flank
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Central Ruck Rover
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Gulf Centre Half Forward
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Gulf Interchange
New Zealand New Zealand Eastern Blues Full-Forward
New Zealand New Zealand North Shore Tigers Fullback
New Zealand New Zealand Takapuna Eagles Interchange
Mike Finn Republic of Ireland Ireland Heidelberg Tigers/Caulfield Bears (VIC) Centre Half Back
Republic of Ireland Ireland Leeside Lions Forward Pocket
Republic of Ireland Ireland Leeside Lions Interchange
South Africa South Africa North West Province Back Pocket
South Africa South Africa North West Province Back Pocket
Canada Canada Vancouver Cougars Forward Pocket
Canada Canada Etibicoke Kangaroos Ruck
Nauru Nauru Tigers Centre
Nauru Nauru Navarre Football Club Half-forward Flank
United Kingdom Great Britain Putney Magpies Half-forward flank
United Kingdom Great Britain Caulfield (SFL, VIC)/Nottingham Interchange
Denmark Denmark Jylland Wing
Denmark Denmark Jylland Interchange
Chris Candelaria United States United States Denver Bulldogs Interchange
Michito Sakaki Japan Japan Waseda University Rover
Fia Tootoo Samoa Samoa Moorabbin Kangaroos Half Back Flank
Andreas Svensson Sweden Sweden Landskrona Bulldozers Wing
IC2008 World Team
B: South Africa Thabiso Phakedi New Zealand Andrew Crighton South Africa Julian Horn
HB: Papua New Guinea Donald Barry Republic of Ireland Mike Finn Samoa Fia-Tootoo
C: Sweden Andreas Svensson Nauru Agir Amwano Denmark Pa'll Finnsson
HF: Nauru Torio Mwareow Papua New Guinea Overa Gibson United Kingdom Aiden Dillane
F: Republic of Ireland Ian O'Sullivan New Zealand Richard Bradley Canada Scott Fleming
Foll: Canada Emmanuel Mattata Papua New Guinea Joe Lla Japan Michito Sakaki
Int: United Kingdom Luke Matias Papua New Guinea Stanis Susuve New Zealand Andrew Congalton
Republic of Ireland Cian Quicgley United States Chris Candelaria Denmark Jes Djernes
Coach: Not Named

Tournament Best & Fairest winners[]

Player Nation Club
Mike Finn Republic of Ireland Ireland Heidelberg Football Club

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

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