Sport
3 November, 2025
League honours go to Italian origin team
AN invitation team of rugby league players under the FIRLA (Federatione d’Italia Rugby League Australia) banner has turned the tables on an invitation team from the Cardwell Axemen with a resounding 36-20 win at Alley Park in Gordonvale.
Cairns-based Queensland Italy coach Jono Zangrande claims the “no holds barred” annual challenge match up has become an institution throughout the Far North for the past decade.
“A number of Tableland and Mareeba based rugby league players who have direct links via their Italian heritage, represented Queensland Italy in the game after the annual clash was relocated from its usual Tully Showgrounds last month and rescheduled for Gordonvale’s Alley Park,” he said.
The game is used as an opportunity for players of Italian heritage to “get their foot in the door” for higher levels, including World Cup or international games for Italy.
The game gives competitive players the opportunity for selectors to gauge individual talents for possible further selection and representation.
“We came away with a resounding win in Gordonvale, and already we are looking forward to our annual clash next year,” Zangrande said.
