BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: A bitter code war between rugby union and rugby league in Norway has gone to a new level, with the governing body in the country threatening to expel rugby league clubs from the federation unless they convert to the 15-man code.
In Norway rugby union and rugby union co-exist in the same federation, the Norwegian Rugby Federation (NRF), and have done so for more than a decade.
There has been some issues in the European country in the past, which you can read about here, but a new battle has broken out three days after the NRF sent its warning letter to 13-man clubs.
Yesterday Rugby League Norge (RLN), the organisation that runs rugby league in the nation, posted on Facebook confirming the alarming development.
The post reads: “NRF sent a letter yesterday, 5 September 2024, to all clubs that exclusively play league.
“In the letter, it was written that the RLN is separated from the union, and that they now exist as a separate organization outside the Norwegian Rugby Union.
“The clubs were offered full training in World Rugby’s rules, and an opportunity to switch to Union. They were given a deadline of one month to hold an annual meeting to start the process of changing the content of their offer from League to Union, and if this was not done, the club’s membership of the Norwegian Rugby Union would cease.
“RLN itself has not received any formal information about this, as this is a letter that has only been sent to the clubs. But we are aware of the situation, and we are both working with it and following it closely.
“We fully understand all the frustration and uncertainty you are now sitting with, but we ask everyone to keep calm and avoid drastic actions until the letter and the situation as a whole have been reviewed and addressed by the board of Rugby League Norway.
“At the same time, we ask all our members to respect that RLN itself must be responsible for all communication to NRF and NIF, we do not want any interference in this.
“We also ask everyone to remember that this is not something the Union clubs themselves stand behind or want, this comes from the board of the NRF.
“For the time being, we encourage the good cooperation between the clubs to continue. We will send out information about the way forward as soon as everything is in place.
“Until then – please keep up the wonderful work you do and most importantly – play rugby. Thanks.”
According to sources, in the past year the NRF has fined and banned any Norwegian rugby league clubs who dare to criticise or attack them online.
European Rugby League, International Rugby League and RLN have all been approached for comment.
Rugby league was started in Norway in 2008 and is slowly growing. The national team has competed in World Cup qualifiers and at the end of 2023 played friendlies against Greece and the Netherlands.
One rugby league player in the country, Mark Tyrell of the Horten Rugbyklubb, has hit out at the action taken by the NRF.
“As a Rugby Union player and grass roots volunteer coach I am incredibly proud of the players that turn up each week to training,” he wrote on a Facebook post.
“I am also incredibly proud of the Horten Rugbyklubb players who have represented Norway in both Rugby League and Rugby Union matches.
“I am not a Rugby League player or Rugby League coach but I believe in the 3 years I have lived here that I have made friends in both codes across the country?! (correct me if I am wrong) It is fantastic that the NRF brings together these minority Norwegian sports and includes Aussie Rules, Gaelic Football and Wheelchair Rugby in their membership BUT I am disgusted to hear that the NRF is now asking rugby league Norway to leave its membership.
“The reasons illustrate to me that World Rugby / Rugby Europe has clearly not been given the full picture as to how fragile the rugby coaching and playing community is in Norway. A community which is largely dependent on passionate, dedicated, hard working volunteers.
“So what does this decision say about Rugby Union’s core values? INTEGRITY. PASSION. SOLIDARITY. DISCIPLINE. RESPECT.
“And what does it say about how we embrace the rights of individuals to choose and play diverse sports in Norway? Something I believe is engrained in Norwegian culture and law?
“To conclude I very much hope that in the future we can give all generations of rugby players the opportunity to play both codes and that the NRF stands up and represents both codes.
“Rugby should be an inclusive sport giving players of all shapes, sizes and abilities the opportunity that other sports don’t. Rugby is a fragile sport in Norway and we need to support each other.
“Sport and rugby in particular is a great outlet, helps maintain physical and mental health and builds relationships and confidence.
“If this post resonates with you or indeed you have an argument for or against this position please comment below. I personally cannot just watch this situation from the sidelines.”
