Hungary national rugby league team

Hungary

Team information
Nickname	Magyar Bulls
Governing body	Hungarian Rugby League Federation
Region	Europe
Head coach	Jonathan Wilson
Captain	Dane Weatherill, James Kovac, Nathan Farkas
Most caps	Simon Kalafusz, Joel saaghy (9)
IRL ranking	50th
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
Appearances	0

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.

History and setting up

IRL Men's World Rankings v t e
Official rankings as of 21 December 2023
Rank	Change	Team	Pts %
1		Australia	100.00
2		New Zealand	91.00
3	1	England	74.00
4	1	Samoa	70.00
5		Tonga	54.00
6		Papua New Guinea	50.00
7		Fiji	49.00
8	1	France	24.00
9	1	Lebanon	24.00
10	3	Cook Islands	22.00
11	1	Serbia	19.00
12	6	Netherlands	17.00
13	1	Italy	15.00
14	5	Malta	15.00
15	1	Greece	14.00
16	4	Ireland	14.00
17	6	Wales	13.00
18	3	Jamaica	10.00
19	2	Scotland	9.00
20	8	Ukraine	7.00
21	6	Czech Republic	7.00
22	1	Germany	6.00
23	10	Philippines	6.00
24	5	Poland	6.00
25	1	South Africa	5.00
26	4	Chile	5.00
27	4	Kenya	0.00
28	6	Norway	4.00
29	6	Nigeria	4.00
30	6	Ghana	4.00
31	6	Brazil	4.00
32	12	Turkey	3.00
33	4	United States	3.00
34	1	Bulgaria	3.00
35	5	Cameroon	2.00
36	2	Montenegro	2.00
37	5	Spain	2.00
38	6	Japan	1.00
39		Albania	1.00
40	4	Colombia	1.00
41	6	El Salvador	1.00
42		North Macedonia	1.00
43	1	Morocco	1.00
44	3	Sweden	0.00
45		Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.00
46	3	Canada	0.00
47		Niue	0.00
48	9	Solomon Islands	0.00
49	1	Belgium	0.00
50	10	Hungary	0.00
51	5	Vanuatu	0.00
52	3	Argentina	0.00
53	3	Denmark	0.00
54	3	Latvia	0.00
55		Estonia	0.00
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.^{[ who? ]} Several training sessions were held in Sydney by coach John Wilson and manager Stephen Németh.^{[ citation needed ]}

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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]} Just hours before kickoff, the game was rescheduled at Endeavour Sports High School, instead of the original venue, Erskineville Oval.^{[ citation needed ]}

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 Number	Name	Total Caps	Total Points
1	Imre Szalontai	2	0
2	Federico Sciotti	2	0
3	Gergo Zubornyak	2	0
4	Laszlo Harangozo	3	0
5	Scott Torrance	2	8
6	Adam Nunn	2	0
7	Peter Fustos	1	0
8	Lajos Bihari	2	4
9	Joel Jimenez	2	0
10	Zsolt Haboczki	2	0
11	Geza Goletz	3	0
12	Andre Brand	2	0
13	Matyas Bihari	2	0
14	Luca Tramontin	1	0
15	Cedric Gaidet	2	0
16	Phil Angel	1	4
17	Nandor Szabo	2	0
18	Arno Franken	1	0
19	Mehdi Benaniba	2	0
20	Geza Juhas	1	0
21	Mark Tolnai	1	0
22	Benjamin Antal	3	0
23	Zoltan Solti	1	0
24	David Farkas	1	0
25	Adam Timar	1	0
26	Adam Belencsak	1	0
27	Balint Kosa	1	0
28	Sandor Lakatos	3	0
29	Adam Csiri	3	0
30	Viktor Zelenka	3	0
31	Zoltan Bertyak	1	0
32	Norbert Csapkai	3	0
33	Jozsef Surman	1	0
34	Marko Nikowitz	3	0
35	David Orsi	1	0
35	Zsolt Lukacs	2	0
36	Nathan Farkas	2	8
37	Marty Schneider	2	0
38	Daniel Bridges	2	0
39	Stephen Németh	1	2
40	Alexander Fricska	2	4
41	Jared Farkas	2	6
42	David Farkas	2	12
43	Joseph Toth	2	0
44	Aaron Farkas	2	28
45	Karoly Acsai	2	8
46	Chris Schneider	1	0
47	Brent Varga	7	24
48	Eddie Ertl	1	0
49	Max Feast	1	0
50	Josh Institoris	2	8
51	Matthew Pankasz	2	0
52	Shane (Geoffrey Stevens)	2	0
53	Paul Graham	1	0
54	Paul Ivan	1	0
55	Paul Mckewin	1	8
56	Stephen Toth	1	0

See also

• Hungarian Rugby League Federation

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

External links

• 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