Chile national rugby league team

Rugby league (known locally as Futbol a 13) was introduced to Chile in 2015 when the Futbol a 13 Chile organization was formed. Working in partnership with Latin Heat Rugby League, an Australian-based expat team representing Chile competed in the Cabramatta International Nines, marking the first time a Chilean team participated in an organized rugby league competition.[1]

The first domestic match in Chile was played in October 2016 in Negrete, which was followed by the announcement of the inaugural Chilean domestic competition.[2] The competition was expanded with the Super Liga 13 Chile launching in 2017.[3]

In November 2016, Chile competed in the inaugural international rugby league competition in South America, hosted in Miramar, Argentina, comprising Chile, Argentina and a number of select sides from around the region which were supported by the Latin Heat organization.[4] The competition culminated in Argentina and Chile taking part in their first official international match, which Argentina won 16–0.[5]

In November 2017, Los Ángeles, Chile, hosted the inaugural Latin American Rugby League Championship, comprising the national teams of Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.[6][7] Chile won the inaugural tournament, defeating Argentina 32–12 in the final.[8]

In November 2018 Chile participated in the 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship, which acted as the American qualifying competition for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup; as such they became the first South American nation to enter the competition. They were eliminated after losing 62–0 to the USA on November 13, 2018.