Rugby League World Cup launches exciting podcast ahead of tournament

Rugby League World Cup 2021 has launched ‘This is Impact, the Rugby League World Cup 2021 podcast’.

The official tournament podcast will take listeners into the heart of some great rugby league stories with some fantastic guests as they discuss their passion for the sport and their excitement for the upcoming World Cup which kicks off at St James’ Park with a match between England and Samoa in the men’s tournament on 15 October.

There is plenty to get excited about for podcast listeners and fans of rugby league and the series kicks off with a bang in episode one, which will be released on 5 August, featuring an interview with Australia Head Coach Mal Meninga.

One of the greatest players to play the game, Meninga made 46 appearances for Australia and won the World Cup as captain in 1992 during a distinguished playing career, before moving into coaching. Meninga has been equally successful on the touchline, widely regarded as the greatest State of Origin coach in history, before being appointed Head Coach of Australia in 2016 and leading his country to victory in the 2017 World Cup, defeating England 6-0 in the final.

Meninga believes there are a number of threats to Australia as they look to defend their crown:

“The usual suspects, New Zealand and England. Tonga is starting to make enormous inroads into the international space. I believe Samoa, if they get their act together, they are dangerous so I would imagine out of those. Fiji has made the last couple of semi-finals in the World Cup so they’re starting to make huge inroads too.”

As well as discussing Australia’s preparations to defend their title Meninga talks about his introduction to rugby league and following in his father’s footsteps: “I carried my Dad’s football bag at 10 months old into the dressing rooms. I grew up a mascot, collecting bottles around the fence of the local footy game trying to make five cents. Vast memories of Dad playing and obviously Mum being a great supporter. She was the typical rugby league wife and mother, grabs all the kids jerseys, washes them, puts them on the line. Mine was a typical upbringing in rugby league. I can’t remember how I got the passion, I just grew up in it, it was innate in me. It’s something I’ve always been involved with and very privileged to still be involved with.”

The second episode will feature an interview with broadcaster and president of the RFL, Claire Balding, which will be released on 15 August.

Episodes will be released every 10 days and will be available on all podcast platforms and Rugby League World Cup 2021’s Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/c/RLWC2021