Hungary national rugby league team

The Hungary national rugby league team, known as the Magyar Bulls, represents Hungary in the sport of rugby league football. Making their debut against the Czech Republic in July 2011, they played their first ranked international against Greece in October 2013.

Hungary
Badge of Hungary team
Team information
NicknameMagyar Bulls
Governing bodyHungarian Rugby League Federation
RegionEurope
Head coach Jonathan Wilson
CaptainDane Weatherill, James Kovac, Nathan Farkas
Most capsSimon Kalafusz, Joel saaghy (9)
IRL ranking21st
Team results
First game
 Hungary 16–38 Czech Republic 
(Kecskemét, Hungary; July 2011)
Biggest win
 Hungary 56–4 Poland 
(Budapest, Hungary; July 2017)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 0–90 Greece 
(Budapest, Hungary; October 2013)
World Cup
Appearances0

History and setting up
IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 27 July 2023
RankChangeTeamPts %
1 Steady Australia100.00
2 Steady New Zealand92.00
3 Steady Samoa86.00
4 Steady England80.00
5 Steady Tonga56.00
6 Steady Papua New Guinea45.00
7 Steady Fiji45.00
8 Steady Lebanon36.00
9 Steady France33.00
10 Increase 5 Serbia25.00
11 Decrease 1 Wales23.00
12 Decrease 1 Ireland23.00
13 Decrease 1 Cook Islands20.00
14 Steady Italy17.00
15 Decrease 2 Jamaica15.00
16 Steady Greece14.00
17 Steady Scotland14.00
18 Steady Netherlands13.00
19 Steady Malta11.00
20 Steady Turkey11.00
21 Steady Germany6.00
22 Increase 1 Chile6.00
23 Increase 1 Nigeria6.00
24 Increase 2 Ghana6.00
25 Decrease 3 Brazil6.00
26 Decrease 1 South Africa6.00
27 Steady Czech Republic5.00
28 Steady Ukraine4.00
29 Increase 1 Poland3.00
30 Increase 1 Cameroon3.00
31 Increase 1 Kenya3.00
32 Increase 1 Spain3.00
33 Decrease 4 Philippines3.00
34 Increase 1 Norway2.00
35 Decrease 1 Bulgaria2.00
36 Steady Colombia2.00
37 Increase 1 United States1.00
38 Increase 1 Montenegro1.00
39 Increase 1 Solomon Islands1.00
40 Decrease 3 Hungary1.00
41 Increase 1 Sweden1.00
42 Increase 1 Morocco1.00
43 Increase 1 Canada1.00
44 Increase 1 Japan1.00
45 Decrease 5 Bosnia and Herzegovina0.00
46 Steady Vanuatu0.00
47 Steady El Salvador0.00
48 Steady Belgium0.00
49 Increase 2 Argentina0.00
50 Decrease 1 Denmark0.00
51 Decrease 1 Latvia0.00
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

Magyar Bulls RLFC, Hungary's National Rugby league team was founded in Budapest in May 2011 by members of the Budapest Exiles RFC, keen to try rugby league and with an open invitation to other teams in Hungary to send players - all with the objective of honouring an invitation to play in the CEE European Bowl competition vs. the Czech Republic.

From small beginnings on a Monday evening, on Margit Island, in the middle of the Danube, the squad has grown to be able to select a nucleus of 20 players to play against the Czech Republic on 23 July.[1] The pull of playing international RL has seen enquiries to train and play from a number of other clubs in Hungary as well as players of Hungarian origin who have travelled back to play from Italy and the UK.

In June 2013, Hungary was granted Observer status by the RLEF.[2] They subsequently played their first fully sanctioned international against a Greece team featuring professional players Michael Korkidas and Braith Anasta.

In 2014, Tour in Paris again and Hungary competed in the inaugural Balkans Cup tournament in Serbia. This was Hungary's first International tournament. Hungary finished the overall tournament in fourth place. They also made history in the tournament, as they recorded their first ever international try in their match with Bosnia.[3] In 2015 Tour in Belgrade on Euro 9' Tournament.

Current squad

Hungary can call eligible players like Kurt Falls, Blake Mozer and Myles Gal.

Squad selected for the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship;[4]

  • Karoly Acsai
  • Benjamin Bronzon
  • Mark Czifra
  • Andras Eglesz
  • Aaron Farkas
  • David Farkas
  • Jared Farkas
  • Nathan Farkas
  • Stuart Flanagan
  • Jayson Gerecs
  • Lenard Grimm
  • Istvan Krupp
  • Zsolt Lukacs
  • Paul McKewin
  • Gergely Nagy
  • Gyula Nikoletti
  • Josh Institoris
  • Daniel Ivan
  • Paul Ivan
  • Simon Kalafusz
  • James Kovac
  • Stephen Kovacs
  • Paul Mozar
  • Billy Mozer
  • Lachlyn Mulford
  • Joel Saaghy
  • Shane Stevens
  • Joseph Toth
  • Cruize Turay
  • Josh Warner
  • Dane Weatherill
  • Brent Varga

Hungarian National Rugby League in Australia

In 2016, Hungary began searching for players in Australia of Hungarian heritage to play for Hungary. This was met with resounding response, with many quality players putting their name down. Several training sessions were held in Sydney by coach John Wilson and manager Stephen Németh.

On 4 February 2017, Hungary played their first test match outside of Europe against Uruguay who were making their International debut, in front of 500 spectators. Hungary ran away with the game 50-4 in a dominant display. The team consisted of only Australian players with Hungarian heritage. This was also Hungary's first test match victory across any continent. The four Farkas brothers were outstanding, scoring 30 of the 50 points between themselves alone, with Aaron Farkas accumulating 16 himself in a spectacular performance at hooker. Alexander Fricska scored a try on debut.

On 8 February 2017, just 4 days after the first test played outside of the Europe, Hungary played their second against a stronger Thailand side, featuring ex NRL and Super league coach Brian Smith, in front of 100 spectators. Hungary opened up the scoring with 2 quick tries, before scoring 2 more before the half. Thailand came out strong in the second half scoring first points, however Hungary were too strong and ran out 44-10 winners becoming just their second test match victory since the teams origin 6 years prior. The game was almost called off as the night before, a storm washed out the majority of Sydney's Rugby League fields. Just hours before kickoff, the game was rescheduled at Endeavour Sports High School, instead of the original venue, Erskineville Oval.

Results

A † denotes that the match did not contribute to the RLIF World Rankings.

23 July 2011†
2011 European Bowl		 Hungary  16 – 38  Czech Republic Kecskemét, Hungary
16:00
 Tries: Angel, Haboczki, Torrance
Goals: Torrance (2/3)		 Tries: Leeuw (3), Buben (2), Mulhall, Sedina
Goals: Buben (4/6), Mulhall (1/1)
14 July 2012†
2012 European Bowl		 Czech Republic  42 – 16  Hungary Vrchlabí, Czech Republic
Tries: Sedina (2), Buben, Cernohorsky, Dolak, Lahr, Sluka, Vrana, Zemanek
Goals: Sedina (3/9)		 Tries: Bán, Berbesi, Haboczki
Goals: Bán (2/3)		 Stadium: Municipal Stadium
Attendance: 400
27 October 2013 Hungary  0 – 90  Greece Budapest, Hungary
Tries: Anasta (4), T. Constantinou (3), Bouris (2), Sell (2), Zampetides (2), Aroutsidis, Nake
Goals: Anasta (15/15)		 Stadium: Margitszigeti Atlétikai Centrum
Attendance: 500
17 October 2014
2014 Balkans Cup		 Serbia  50 – 0  Hungary Belgrade, Serbia
15:00
 Tries: Ilić (2), Manak (2), Nikolić (2), Čobanović, Gak, Radovanović
Goals: Vladislav Dedić (7/9)		 Stadium: FK Dorćol
Attendance: 150
Referee: George Stilianos
19 October 2014†
2014 Balkans Cup		 Hungary  6 – 32  Bosnia and Herzegovina Belgrade, Serbia
12:30
 Tries: Grimm
Goals: Nikowitz (1/1)		 Tries: Kikanović, Kulašević, E. Martić, Sakan, Zec, Zekić
Goals: Kikanović (3/5), Dedić (1/1)		 Stadium: Makiš Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Radoslav Novaković
4 February 2017 Hungary  50 – 4  Uruguay Sydney, Australia
17:30
 Tries: N. Farkas (2), Varga (2), Acsai, A. Fricska, D. Farkas, Institoris, R. Németh
Goals: A. Farkas (6/7), J. Farkas (0/1), S. Németh (0/1)		 Tries: N. Cama
Goals: ? (0/1)		 Stadium: Hillier Oval
8 February 2017 Hungary  44 – 10  Thailand Sydney, Australia
20:15
 Tries: McKewin (2), Acsai,A Farkas, D. Farkas, J. Farkas, Institoris, Varga
Goals: A. Farkas (4/5), D. Farkas (2/2), J. Farkas (0/1)		 Tries: Choengkhiri, Waugh
Goals: Twigg (1/2)		 Stadium: Endeavour Sports High School
15 July 2017† Hungary  56 – 4  Poland Budapest, Hungary
22 July 2017 Hungary  6 – 26  Czech Republic Budapest, Hungary
Tries: Nemes
Goals: Orsi		 Tries: Gach, Hudrlík, Košťál, Mećava, Vojtěch
Goals: Řičica (3/5)		 Stadium: KFKI Sporttelep
14 October 2017 Malta  48 – 16  Hungary Sydney, Australia
16:30
 Tries: Vassallo (2), Attard, Benson, Campbell, Catania, Falzon, Glanville, Mazzelli
Goals: Glanville (6/9)		 Tries: Kovác (2), Varga
Goals: J. Farkas (2/3)		 Stadium: Cabramatta Leagues Stadium
Referee: Luke Heckendorf
5 November 2017 Philippines  72 – 0  Hungary Bangkok, Thailand
Tries: Casinay 2, Cortez 2, Mackey 2, Stephenson 2, Goodwin Laderas, Osias, Russell, Sheedy
Goals: Casinay (7), Russell (3)		 Stadium: Mahasarakham Institute of Sporting Excellence
8 November 2017† Hungary  44 – 28 ASEAN XIII Bangkok, Thailand
Stadium: Mahasarakham Institute of Sporting Excellence
3 February 2018 Hungary  30 – 12  Philippines Gold Coast, Australia
18:00
 Tries: Brucker (2), Flanagan (2), Kovác
Goals: J. Farkas (5/6)		 Tries: Sheedy, Swanson
Goals: Zappia (2/2)		 Stadium: Betty Diamond Sporting Complex
18 February 2018† Malta  40 – 28  Hungary Sydney, Australia
14:00
 Stadium: St Marys Leagues Stadium
1 October 2018
2018 Emerging Nations World Cup		 Greece  18 – 20  Hungary Sydney, Australia
17:00
 Tries: Mamouzelos, Stratis, A. Vrahnos
Goals: Stratis (3/3)		 Tries: D. Ivan, Kovac, Turay, Varga
Goals: J. Farkas (2/4)		 Stadium: Windsor Sporting Complex
4 October 2018
2018 Emerging Nations World Cup		 Hungary  18 – 13  Vanuatu Sydney, Australia
17:00
 Tries: Nathan Farkas, Jayson Gerecss
Goals: Stratis (3/3)		 Tries: D. Ivan, Kovac, Turay, Varga
Goals: J. Farkas (1/2)		 Stadium: St Marys Leagues Stadium

Cap Number and playing record

As of 8 February 2017.

Cap NumberNameTotal CapsTotal Points
1Imre Szalontai20
2Federico Sciotti20
3Gergo Zubornyak20
4Laszlo Harangozo30
5Scott Torrance28
6Adam Nunn20
7Peter Fustos10
8Lajos Bihari24
9Joel Jimenez20
10Zsolt Haboczki20
11Geza Goletz30
12Andre Brand20
13Matyas Bihari20
14Luca Tramontin10
15Cedric Gaidet20
16Phil Angel14
17Nandor Szabo20
18Arno Franken10
19Mehdi Benaniba20
20Geza Juhas10
21Mark Tolnai10
22Benjamin Antal30
23Zoltan Solti10
24David Farkas10
25Adam Timar10
26Adam Belencsak10
27Balint Kosa10
28Sandor Lakatos30
29Adam Csiri30
30Viktor Zelenka30
31Zoltan Bertyak10
32Norbert Csapkai30
33Jozsef Surman10
34Marko Nikowitz30
35David Orsi10
35Zsolt Lukacs20
36Nathan Farkas28
37Marty Schneider20
38Daniel Bridges20
39Stephen Németh12
40Alexander Fricska24
41Jared Farkas26
42David Farkas212
43Joseph Toth20
44Aaron Farkas228
45Karoly Acsai28
46Chris Schneider10
47Brent Varga724
48Eddie Ertl10
49Max Feast10
50Josh Institoris28
51Matthew Pankasz20
52Shane (Geoffrey Stevens)20
53Paul Graham10
54Paul Ivan10
55Paul Mckewin18
56Stephen Toth10

See also

References
  1. Mouret, Aimé (December 2011). "Hongrie". Le Who's Who du rugby à XIII (in French). Toulouse: Ixcéa. p. 131. ISBN 978-2-84918-118-8.
  2. "Hungary and Saudi Arabia Awarded Observer Status". RLEF. 21 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  3. "RLEF". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  4. https://www.rlenwc.com/teams/hungary/ Hungary RLENWC
  • Official website
  • Magyar Bulls RLFC blog page
  • Magyar Bulls RLFC YouTube channel
  • RLEF (Rugby League Europe Federation News site - Squad announcement
  • RLEF (Rugby League Europe Federation News site - Official match report for the first game
  • RLEF (Rugby League Europe Federation)
  • "An appetite for Rugby League?" - Forty-Twenty Magazine - article dated 30 June (pages 38–39)- Adam Nunn and Phil Caplan
  • "Reality Czech" - Rugby League World magazine - article dated August 2011 (pages 65–67) - Tom Coates
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