Head coach Gabe Keegan RLIF ranking -th | Top point-scorer Alvaro Alarcon (20) Location Chile | |
Nickname Caciques Chilenos (English: Chilean Chiefs) Captain Jonathan Espinoza, Eduardo Wegener Top try-scorer Daniel Godinez, Alvaro Alarcon (4) | ||
The Chile national rugby league team (Spanish: rugby league equipo nacional de Chile), nicknamed Caciques Chilenos (English: Chilean Chiefs), represents Chile in rugby league. They had their first international 9's tournament in 2015 in Australia along with El Salvador in Latin America at the Cabramatta International Nines.
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History
As of December 2015, Rugby League had yet to be played on Chilean soil. However, the efforts of Latin Heat Rugby League, and the newly established governing body Futbol A 13 Chile, have resulted in the introduction of a competitive local league. Chile's participation in the Rugby League Tri Series tournament hosted by the Confederacion Argentina de Rugby League in November 2016, will feature players from the local competitions, demonstrating the rapid development of the sport in Chile.
On October 17, 2015, The Chile National Rugby League entered in the first ever Latino Rugby League Sevens Tournament, winning the competition in a dramatic final against fellow rugby league newcomer, Peru. The tournament format changed into a 9s competition for the 2016 edition with Chile defending its title in a thrilling 20-14 win over Peru at Moorebank Sports Club.
On June 11, 2016, Chile made its full 13-a-side debut at Henson Park, home of the Newtown Jets Rugby League Club. Over 1,500 people in attendance witnessed the historic first International Test match for both Chile and El Salvador, with Los Caciques triumphant 58-20 over their Salvadorian counterparts.
Chile's recent success has resulted in their recognition in the Rugby League International Federation's world rankings. Chile is currently ranked the 34th best rugby league playing nation on the planet. El Salvador, Chile's opponent in their most recent International match also entered the ranking at number 39.
Chile will participate in the first Rugby League Tri Series against Argentina and Brazil in November 2016. Hosted by the Confederacion Argentina de Rugby League, the tournament is to be held in Miramar, Argentina and will feature representative teams from Brazil, Chile and hosts Argentina. The Tri Series will mark the first time a Rugby League International is played by two South American sides in the continent.
Current squad
The following is the teamed named for the 2015 Latino Sevens.
Esteban Bazaez
Giorgio Blanco
Alex Bluck
Mana Castillo (Mascot Jets, NSW)
Sebastian Delapaz (Mounties, NSW)
Jonathan Espinoza (Griffith University, QLD)
Dennis Ford (South Eastern Titans, VIC)
Liam Hernandez
Richard Hernandez (St Clair Comets, NSW)
James Horvat (Mounties, NSW)
Francisco Lagos
Jaden Laing (Blacktown Workers, NSW)
Brad Millar (Beenleigh Lions, QLD)
David Mora (South Eastern Titans, VIC)
Jonathan Munoz
Joshua Munoz
William Neculman
Israel Perez
Eduardo Wegener (West Belconnen Warriors, ACT)
Jayden Yasar
Record
Below is table of the representative rugby league matches played by Chile at test level up until 12 October 2015: