2017 Rose Bowl
The contest, played on January 2 in keeping with the game's standard practice when New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, was televised on ESPN with a radio broadcast on ESPN Radio and XM Satellite Radio, which began at 1:30 PM (PST) with kickoff at 2:10 PM (PST). The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association was the organizer of the game. The Rose Bowl Game was a contractual sell-out, with 64,500 tickets allocated to the participating teams and conferences. The remaining tickets were distributed to the Tournament of Roses members, sponsors, City of Pasadena residents, and the general public. Ticket prices were $150 and $210. The bowl game was preceded by the 2017 Rose Parade, the 128th annual Rose Parade which began at 8:00 a.m. (PST) on game day with a theme of "Echoes of Success."


2017 Rose Bowl, Pre-game activities
The game was presided over by the 2017 Rose Queen, the Royal Court, Tournament of Roses President Brad Ratliff, and the grand marshals Janet Evans, Allyson Felix, and Greg Louganis.


2017 Rose Bowl, Pre-game activities
After the teams' arrival in Southern California, the teams participated in the traditional Lawry's Beef Bowl in Beverly Hills and the Disney Media Day at the Disneyland Resort in nearby Anaheim. The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony luncheon was held prior to the game at the Rose Bowl, where outstanding former players and participants were inducted into the hall. This year's honorees were Bobby Bell, from the University of Minnesota; Ricky Ervins, University of Southern California; Tommy Prothro, Oregon State University and UCLA; and Art Spander, award-winning sportswriter.


2017 Rose Bowl, Pre-game activities
The bands and cheerleaders from both schools participated in the pre-game Rose Parade on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena along with the floats.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams
The teams playing in the Rose Bowl game were the highest ranking teams from the Pac-12 Conference and Big Ten Conference that were not selected to play in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. The teams were officially selected by the football committee of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association on Selection Sunday on December 4, 2016, based on the final rankings by the CFP committee.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams, #9 USC Trojans
The Trojans started the year with a dismal 1–3 record, but after a Week 4 loss at No. 24 Utah the Trojans reeled off an eight-game winning streak, including an upset win over No. 4 Washington to break them into the Top 25 where they have remained since. USC was led by freshman quarterback Sam Darnold, 1,000-yard rusher Ronald Jones II, receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darreus Rogers and Deontay Burnett, defensive end Porter Gustin, and all-purpose player Adoree Jackson.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams, #9 USC Trojans
They were coached by Clay Helton, who led them to a 9–3 season (after going 5–4 in 9 games as interim head coach the season before). The team wore its white jerseys and used the east bench during the game.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams, #5 Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions started the season off 2–2 after losses to Pitt and No. 4 Michigan but finished the regular season on a 9–game winning streak, including a pivotal 4th-quarter comeback victory over #2 Ohio State that led to Penn State receiving a Top-25 national ranking for the first time since 2011. Penn State added a Big Ten Championship with a comeback win over #6 Wisconsin to close out the season. The Nittany Lions were led by sophomore duo quarterback Trace McSorley and 1,000+ yard rusher Saquon Barkley and junior wide receiver Chris Godwin.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams, #5 Penn State Nittany Lions
They came into the game 11–2 (8–1 Big Ten), a big improvement from the last two seasons under head coach James Franklin (finished 7–6 both seasons). The team wore its dark jerseys and used the west bench on game day.


2017 Rose Bowl, Teams, Other
The Nittany Lions and Trojans had previously played nine times, with USC leading the series 5–4, and had played twice in the Rose Bowl in (1923 and 2009) with USC winning both games. The 2017 match was the highest scoring game in the bowl's history, with a total of 101 points, breaking the record set five years earlier at the 2012 Rose Bowl game. This record was broken in the 2018 Rose Bowl game with 102 points scored by both Oklahoma and Georgia.


2017 Rose Bowl, Game notes, Rose Bowl records
In this game, a number of new Rose Bowl records were set.


2017 Rose Bowl, Post-game, Ratings
The 2017 Rose Bowl drew more than 16 million viewers, making it the most-watched non-semifinal New Year’s Six game ever. And one of the most viewed college football games in history. Viewership was up 17% from the prior year’s 2016 Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Iowa. The telecast peaked at 19,656,000 viewers in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, which included USC’s game-winning field goal. Locally, Philadelphia (16.7) set a market record for the game, while in Pittsburgh (17.0) and Los Angeles (14.9) making it was the second highest-rated bowl game ever on ESPN.


2017 Rose Bowl, Post-game, Ratings
Figures do not include the 300,000 who streamed coverage on WatchESPN or other International streaming websites. If these figures were added to the final rating it would have been in the near 19 million viewership range. Some countries who streamed games on national tv broadcast the game include Canada (1.3 million), France (200,000) and Australia (98,000).


2017 Rose of Tralee
The 2017 Rose of Tralee was the 58th edition of the annual Irish international festival held on 21–22 August 2017. The competition was televised live on RTÉ television. 65 women from all over the world took part during the Rose of Tralee festival with 32 going on to the live shows. This was the first year that there is a Hong Kong Rose in the competition.


2017 Rose of Tralee
The competition was won by the Offaly rose, 24-year-old Jennifer Byrne who is a junior doctor. It was the first time that an Offaly rose had won the crown. Thomas Lynch was announced as the Rose Escort of the year.


2017 Rose of Tralee
An average audience of 637,000 watched the final on RTÉ One on 22 August, an increase from the 618,000 in 2016.


2017 Rosenborg BK season
The 2017 season is Rosenborg's 38th consecutive year in the top flight now known as Eliteserien, their 50th season in the top flight of Norwegian football and third season with Kåre Ingebrigtsen as permanent manager. They will participate in Eliteserien, the Cup, Mesterfinalen and the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, entering at the Second qualifying round stage. They qualified for the group stage of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League. This year will mark Rosenborg's 100th anniversary, an event that will be marked with the game against Lillestrøm on 20 May, one day after the 100th anniversary.


2017 Rosenborg BK season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 Rosenborg BK season, Transfers, Winter
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 Rosenborg BK season, Transfers, Winter
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 Rosenborg BK season, Transfers, Summer
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 Rosenborg BK season, Transfers, Summer
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 Rostelecom Cup
The 2017 Rostelecom Cup was the first event of six in the 2017–18 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition series. It was held at the Megasport Arena in Moscow on October 20–22. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dance. Skaters earned points toward qualifying for the 2017–18 Grand Prix Final.


2017 Rostelecom Cup, Entries
The ISU published the preliminary assignments on May 26, 2017.


2017 Royal Bank Cup
The 2017 Royal Bank Cup was the 47th Canadian junior A Ice Hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior Hockey League and the 47th consecutive year a national championship was awarded to this skill level since the breakaway of Major Junior hockey in 1970. The tournament was played at the Cobourg Community Centre in Cobourg, Ontario.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup
The 2017 Royal London One-Day Cup tournament was a limited overs cricket competition that forms part of the 2017 domestic cricket season in England and Wales. Matches were contested over 50 overs per side and had List A cricket status. All eighteen First-class counties competed in the tournament which ran from the end of April with the final taking place at Lord's on 1 July. Nottinghamshire won the tournament, defeating Surrey in the final. The defending champions were Warwickshire.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup
The 2017 competition was moved earlier in the season with a reduced knockout stage in order to allow the 2017 NatWest t20 Blast to take place during the school summer holidays and England players to prepare for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy taking place in England and Wales during June. It followed a similar schedule to the Benson & Hedges Cup competition which was played early in the season and ran from the 1970s until 2002.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup
The scheduling of the competition earlier during the domestic season was also designed to allow limited overs cricket to be played in two blocks - one for the One Day Cup and one for the T20 Blast. The aim of the England and Wales Cricket Board was to enable county players to develop white-ball skills more effectively, to allow preparation for England matches and to make the cricket schedule easier to understand.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Format
The competition featured two groups of nine teams based on a North–South geographical split. Each team played eight matches during the group stage, playing every other member of their group once. Four matches were played at home venues by each county. The group stage took place from the end of April to the middle of May with the group winners progressing straight to the semi-finals with the second and third placed teams in each group playing a quarter-final against a team from the other group with the winner progressing to one of the semi-final matches.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Format
The competition was paused for the majority of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy which took place in England and Wales during June, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals taking place between 13 and 17 June. The knock-out stages of the competition resumed towards the end of the Champions Trophy with the final taking place at Lord's on 1 July.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Format
As part of their punishment for accepting a £3.8 million financial aid package from the ECB during the 2016 season, Durham began the 2017 competition with a deduction of two points.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Group stage
The group stage took place from the end of April to the middle of May with each team playing eight matches. The top three teams in each group qualified for the play off stage of the competition.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Group stage, North Group
The North Group was won by Worcestershire who won six of their matches and tied one. Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire finished second and third in the group respectively and qualified for the quarter-final stage.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Group stage, South Group
The South group was won by Essex who won seven of their matches. Somerset and Surrey finished second and third in the group respectively and qualified for the quarter-final stage of the tournament.


2017 Royal London One-Day Cup, Knockout stage
The winner of each group progressed straight to the semi-finals with the second and third placed teams playing a play-off match against a team from the other group which made up the quarter-finals. The winner of each quarter-final played one of the group winners in the semi-finals. The final was held at Lord's on 1 July 2017.


2017 Rugby Africa season
The 2017 Rugby Africa season contains a series of rugby union tournaments scheduled for 2017 and organised by the governing body of rugby union in Africa, Rugby Africa. The top-tier event is the Rugby Africa Gold Cup – formerly simply known as the Africa Cup – a six-team competition which was played on a round-robin basis from June to August 2017.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Competitions
As in previous Africa Cup seasons, all participating teams were divided into multiple tiers. For 2017, a restructuring and subsequent rebranding occurred as follows:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Competitions
In addition to the main fifteens tournaments, an Under-20 competition featuring eight teams was held in April and a rugby sevens tournament involving twelve teams was held in November. A women's rugby sevens tournament is also to be scheduled.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Teams
The following teams will take part in the 2017 Rugby Africa season.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Gold Cup
The 2017 Gold Cup doubles as qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The last place team will be relegated to the 2018 Silver Cup and eliminated from World Cup qualification.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Gold Cup, Standings
The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Gold Cup were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Gold Cup, Matches
The following matches were played in the 2017 Rugby Africa Gold Cup:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Silver Cup
The 2017 Silver Cup doubles as qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Winner gets promoted to the 2018 Gold Cup, while all other teams will be eliminated from World Cup qualification.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Bronze Cup, Group North, Standings
Cameroon were suspended and Nigeria withdrew. Algeria finished first. The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Bronze Cup Group North were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Bronze Cup, Group North, Matches
The Bronze Cup North fixtures were originally to be played in Yaoundé in May 2017, with Cameroon also present, but had been postponed through lack of organization that Rugby Africa disqualified Cameroon and suspended the activity of the country's federation for three months. The matches will now be a home-and-home series between Algeria and Nigeria, with dates to be determined.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Bronze Cup, Group North, Matches
Nigeria also withdrew, so Algeria face Zambia in a one off fixture on 4 November.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Bronze Cup, Group South, Standings
The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Bronze Cup Group South were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Bronze Cup, Group South, Matches
All matches were held at Lusaka Rugby Club Show Grounds, Lusaka, Zambia.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group West 1, Standings
The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge Group West 1 were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group West 1, Matches
All matches will be held at Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group West 2, Standings
The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge Group West 2 were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group Centre
Gabon was originally intended to participate, but has withdrawn. The match between Burundi and DR Congo was to be played on 7 October in Bujumbura, Burundi, but with DR Congo not showing up for the match, they are declared forfeit and face the possibility of suspension.


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group South, Standings
The final standings in the 2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge Group South were:


2017 Rugby Africa season, Regional Challenge, Group South, Matches
The fixtures for the 2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge Group South will be played from 15–21 October in Mafeteng, Lesotho.


2017 Rugby Americas North Championship
The 2017 Rugby Americas North Championship, the 10th edition of the tournament, is a rugby union championship for Tier 3 North American and Caribbean teams. Pool play takes place between 22 April and 1 July. With the 2017 edition not being part of World Cup qualifying, non World Rugby full member teams return to take part in the tournament.


2017 Rugby Americas North Championship
The North Zone returns to the 2015 format with a higher Championship level and a lower Cup level, however the South Zone has been reduced to one level of three teams.


2017 Rugby Americas North Championship, Teams
Notable changes from last year: Turks and Caicos Islands and USA South return after being absent from the 2016 tournament. 2016 participants Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not enter. Dominican Republic will compete for the first time.


2017 Rugby Americas North Championship, Teams
Format:Each division plays a single round robin. After pool play is complete, the winners play in the final on July 1.


2017 Rugby Americas North Championship, Teams
It was originally planned for Barbados and Curaçao to play a qualifier on April 22 to decide the third team in the South Zone. However, it was cancelled and Barbados was added to the main tournament.


2017 Rugby Challenge
The 2017 Rugby Challenge – known as the SuperSport Rugby Challenge for sponsorship reasons – is the first edition of the Rugby Challenge, the secondary domestic rugby union competition in South Africa, and the long-term successor of the Vodacom Cup competition. The competition was organised by the South African Rugby Union and was played between 22 April and 16 July 2017. The competition featured all fourteen South African provincial unions plus Namibian side the  Welwitschias.


2017 Rugby Challenge
The competition was won by Western Province, after they beat Griquas 28–19 in the final in Cape Town. Golden Lions XV fly-half Shaun Reynolds was the top scorer in the competition with 138 points, while Griquas wing Enver Brandt and Pumas hooker Frank Herne were the joint top try scorer with 9 tries.


2017 Rugby Challenge, Competition rules and information
The fifteen teams in the competition were divided into three regional pools of five teams. Each team will play home and away matches against the other four teams in their pool over a ten-week period. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two third-placed teams with the best record will progress to the play-offs, which will consist of quarter finals, a semi-final and a final.


2017 Rugby Challenge, Teams
The teams that will compete in the 2017 Rugby Challenge are:


2017 Rugby Challenge, Northern Section, Round-by-round
The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.


2017 Rugby Challenge, Central Section, Round-by-round
The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.


2017 Rugby Challenge, Southern Section, Round-by-round
The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, each team's cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets.


2017 Rugby Challenge, Honours
The honour roll for the 2017 Rugby Challenge was as follows:


2017 Rugby Challenge, Players, Squads
The following squads were named for the 2018 Rugby Challenge:


2017 Rugby Challenge, Players, Top scorers
The top ten try and point scorers during the 2017 Rugby Challenge were:


2017 Rugby Challenge, Referees
The following referees officiated matches in the 2017 Rugby Challenge:


2017 Rugby Championship
The 2017 Rugby Championship was the sixth edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The competition is operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions.


2017 Rugby Championship
The tournament started on 19 August with Australia hosting reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa hosting Argentina. The tournament ran for eight weeks with two bye weeks, ending on 7 October when New Zealand visited South Africa and Australia played in Argentina.


2017 Rugby Championship, Background
The tournament is operated by SANZAAR and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship in Australia and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.


2017 Rugby Championship, Format
The format for the 2017 tournament was similar to that of previous editions. Each side played the other once at home, and once away, giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total. A win earned a team four league points, a draw two league points, and a loss by eight or more points zero league points. A bonus point was earned in one of two ways: by scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner was the side with the most points at the end of the tournament.


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 1
Touch judges:Nigel Owens (Wales)Andrew Brace (Ireland)Television match official:Rowan Kitt (England)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 1
Touch judges:Pascal Gaüzère (France)Nic Berry (Australia)Television match official:Glenn Newman (New Zealand)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 2
Touch judges:Wayne Barnes (England)Andrew Brace (Ireland)Television match official:Rowan Kitt (England)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 2
Touch judges:Romain Poite (France)Nic Berry (Australia)Television match official:Glenn Newman (New Zealand)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 3
Touch judges:Nigel Owens (Wales)Matthew Carley (England)Television match official:George Ayoub (Australia)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 3
Touch judges:John Lacey (Ireland)Paul Williams (New Zealand)Television match official:Ben Skeen (New Zealand)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 4
Touch judges:Angus Gardner (Australia)Matthew Carley (England)Television match official:George Ayoub (Australia)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 4
Touch judges:Glen Jackson (New Zealand)Paul Williams (New Zealand)Television match official:Ben Skeen (New Zealand)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 5
Touch judges:Jérôme Garcès (France)Shuhei Kubo (Japan)Television match official:Rowan Kitt (England)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 5
Touch judges:Mathieu Raynal (France)Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)Television match official:Marius Jonker (South Africa)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 6
Touch judges:Romain Poite (France)Shuhei Kubo (Japan)Television match official:Rowan Kitt (England)


2017 Rugby Championship, Results, Round 6
Touch judges:Jaco Peyper (South Africa)Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)Television match official:Marius Jonker (South Africa)


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Summary
Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 19 August 2017 – the starting date of the tournament


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Argentina
On 20 July 2017, Argentina named a 33-man squad for the Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Argentina
1 On 22 August, Felipe Arregui was added to the squad as injury cover for Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro who was injured in the opening round of the Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
On 19 July, Michael Cheika named a 38-man extended training squad ahead of the Championship. Brumbies players were left out of the initial squad with their involvement in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Super Rugby season.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
On 26 July, Cheika added seven Brumbies players to the squad following their conclusion in the Super Rugby.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
On 4 August, Cheika named Australia's final squad for the Championship, reducing the squad from 45 to 34. Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Carter, Pekahou Cowan, Sef Fa'agase, Richard Hardwick and Campbell Magnay missed out on the squad, while Karmichael Hunt, Tolu Latu, Eto Nabuli and Sefa Naivalu was omitted due to injury. Taniela Tupou still ineligible for international duty.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
1 On 1 September, Tolu Latu was called up as cover for Stephen Moore, withdrew for personal reasons, ahead of the third-round game against South Africa.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
2 On 7 September, Dane Haylett-Petty was ruled out for the rest of the Championship due to injury. He was later replaced by Tom Banks on the 10 September.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, Australia
3 On 11 September, Lukhan Tui was added to the squad ahead of the fourth round, replacing Kane Douglas was dropped from the squad.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
New Zealand's 34-man squad for the Championship. Damian McKenzie was named in the squad as a later replacement for Ben Smith who goes on a sabbatical following the opening two rounds.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
1 On 10 August, Jordie Barrett withdrew from the squad due to injury and was replaced by David Havili.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
2 On 13 August, Dane Coles was ruled out of the first round of the Rugby Championship and Ricky Riccitelli was called as cover.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
3 On 20 August, Kane Hames, Akira Ioane and Atu Moli temporarily joined the squad ahead of the second round of the Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
4 On 24 August, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was called up to the squad after Owen Franks was ruled out of the second-round game against Australia. Franks was later ruled out for the remainder of the Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
5 On 4 September, Blake Gibson was called up to the squad as injury cover for Sam Cane.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
6 On 10 September, Joe Moody was ruled out for the remaining matches in the Championship and Kane Hames was recalled as his replacement.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, New Zealand
7 On 18 September, Matt Todd and Patrick Tuipulotu were added to the squad for the final two rounds, away to Argentina and South Africa.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, South Africa
On 5 August, coach Allister Coetzee named a 34-man squad for the Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, South Africa
1 On 14 August, Ruan Dreyer was called up as injury cover for Frans Malherbe who could miss the whole Championship.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, South Africa
2 On 20 August, Jano Vermaak was called as injury cover for Ross Cronjé after Cronjé suffered an ankle injury in the opening round.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, South Africa
3 On 9 September, Coenie Oosthuizen was ruled our for the rest of the tournament after sustaining an injury in the third round. Wilco Louw was called up to replace him.


2017 Rugby Championship, Squads, South Africa
4 On 20 September, Francois Louw, S'busiso Nkosi and Louis Schreuder were added to the squad, with Louw and Schreuder replacing Jaco Kriel and Francois Hougaard in the squad.


2017 Rugby Europe Championship
The 2017 Rugby Europe Championship is the premier rugby union competition outside of the Six Nations Championship in Europe. It is the inaugural Championship under its new format, that saw Belgium, Georgia, Germany, Romania, Russia and Spain compete for the title.


2017 Rugby Europe Championship
This year's edition of the Rugby Europe Championship also served as the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers for the European region. The team with the best record across the 2017 and 2018 Championships qualifies as Europe 1. As Georgia have already secured qualification automatically, in the event of a Georgian win, the runner-up will take the Europe 1 qualification spot.


2017 Rugby Europe Championship
In respect of matters relating to the eligibility of players, following a full review of the evidence, including statements and submissions from World Rugby, Rugby Europe, Belgium, Romania, Spain and Russia, the independent committee found:Belgium had fielded one or more ineligible players on 7 occasions during the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championships (of which 6 matches related to Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying) Romania has fielded one ineligible player on 8 occasions during the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championships (of which 6 matches related to Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying)Spain had fielded one or more ineligible players on 9 occasions during the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championships (of which 8 matches related to Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying)In respect of the sanctions, pursuant to Regulation 18, the independent committee determined the following:The deduction of 5 points for any match in which a union fielded an ineligible player (40-point deduction for Spain, and a 30-point deduction for both Belgium and Romania).


2017 Rugby Europe Championship
Therefore, based on a re-modelling of the Rugby Europe Championship tables in the context of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying, Russia would qualify as Europe 1 into Pool A replacing Romania and Germany will replace Spain in the European play-off against Portugal. As the tournament for 2017 had been completed and issues of relegation had been decided in that year, the points deduction were not be applied to the 2017 Rugby Europe tournament.


2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Conferences
The 2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Conferences are the lower divisions of Rugby Europe's 2017 sevens season. Conference 1 was held in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the two top-placing teams advancing to the 2018 Trophy, while Conference 2 was held in Tallinn, Estonia, with the top two advancing to Conference 1 for 2018.


2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series
The 2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix served as a European qualifier not only for the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens qualifier tournament, but for two bids among the teams not already qualified for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.


2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series, Standings
The 2017 Grand Prix Series serves as a qualifying event for two other tournaments:


2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy
The 2017 Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy is the second division of Rugby Europe's 2017 sevens season. This edition was hosted by the cities of Ostrava and Bucharest from 3–18 June, with the winner promoted to the 2018 Grand Prix and the two teams with the fewest points relegated to Conference 1.


2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Conference
The 2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Conference was the third level of international women's rugby sevens competitions organised by Rugby Europe during 2017. It featured one tournament hosted in Košice, Slovakia. The winners and runners up, Norway and Austria respectively, were promoted to the 2018 Trophy series.


2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series
The 2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series was the top level of international women's rugby sevens competitions organised by Rugby Europe during 2017. The series featured two tournaments, one hosted in Malemort and one hosted in Kazan. Russia won both tournaments and finished as overall champions. Ireland finished third in both tournaments and finished as the series runners–up. The series also served as a 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifier and Ireland qualified for the World Cup based on their performances in the series. Sweden and the Netherlands were relegated to the 2018 Trophy series.


2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Trophy
The 2017 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Trophy was the second level of international women's rugby sevens competitions organised by Rugby Europe during 2017. The competition featured two tournaments, one hosted in Ostrava and one hosted in Esztergom. Scotland won both tournaments, defeating Germany in both cup finals. Scotland and Germany were promoted to the 2018 Grand Prix series while Malta and Moldova were relegated to the 2018 Conference.


2017 Rugby League World Cup
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup was the fifteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup tournament and took place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea between 27 October and 2 December 2017. The tournament featured the national teams of 14 Rugby League International Federation member countries who qualified through either standing in the previous tournament or a series of qualification play-off matches. In the final, defending champions Australia, playing in their 14th consecutive final, defeated England at Brisbane's Lang Park.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Host selection
At the 2010 Rugby League International Federation executive meeting, the New Zealand Rugby League made an early submission to co-host the 2017 tournament with Australia. The Rugby League World Cup was last held in Australia in 2008.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Host selection
Two formal bids were subsequently received by the RLIF before a November 2012 deadline; the co-host bid from Australia and New Zealand and a bid from South Africa. On 19 February 2014, it was announced that the joint bid from Australia and New Zealand had won hosting rights.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Host selection
Michael Brown, the CEO of several big name Australian sporting franchises and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, was originally appointed CEO of the World Cup in 2015, but resigned less than a year later due to 'workload' and 'homesickness'. He was replaced by Andrew Hill.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Venues
It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches. The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented to the RLIF in September 2015, requesting to host three matches. In October 2015 it was confirmed that Papua New Guinea would host three matches in the group stage.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Venues
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne hosted the opening game between Australia and England while Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane hosted the World Cup Final.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Qualification
It was announced on 3 August 2014 that 7 of the 8 quarter-finalists from the last World Cup would qualify automatically for the 2017 tournament; hosts Australia and New Zealand, plus England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland. The USA, who were also 2013 quarter-finalists, were denied automatic qualification after a long-running internal governance dispute saw their RLIF membership temporarily suspended in 2014; later, once the matter was resolved, they were accepted into the qualification process.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Qualification
Papua New Guinea were initially set to be involved in the qualifying competition but were later granted automatic qualification, due to becoming co-hosts of the tournament. In addition to the eight automatic qualifiers, the remaining six spots will come from four different qualification zones; three from Europe, one from Asia/Pacific, one from Americas and one from Middle East/Africa.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Qualification
Tonga were the first team to qualify from the qualification stage after winning the Asian-Pacific play-off. Lebanon were the second team to qualify from the qualification stage, after winning the Middle East-African play-off. The USA were the third team to qualify, winning the Americas qualification group.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Draw
The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016 and involved the same four group format as the 2013 tournament. The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the first two groups and the winners of the two smaller groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Squads
Each team submitted a squad of twenty-four players for the tournament, the same as the 2013 tournament.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Match officials
The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Knockout stage
Three teams from each of Groups A and B and one team from each of Groups C and D advanced to the quarter-finals. All quarter-finalists automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The quarter-final fixture were finalised at the conclusion of the pool stages, to ensure that Australia played in Darwin on 17 November and New Zealand in Wellington on 18 November.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Criticism and controversy
The lack of games in New South Wales, the heartland of rugby league in Australia, drew some criticism. Only one of the 13 confirmed tournament venues was in New South Wales (Sydney Football Stadium) and it is only hosting two group-stage fixtures, both featuring Lebanon. This was due to the refusal of the New South Wales Government to bid for hosting rights. Despite the so-called 'Sydney Cup snub', the RLWC organisers backed their decision and the venues they were using.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Criticism and controversy
In the buildup to the Samoa vs. Tonga game in Hamilton, controversy occurred after fans from both countries were caught having brawls in South Auckland. At least 6 people were arrested from the brawls resulting in a massive security increase for the game. Both teams, celebrities, and police urged fans to calm down. Following the results of the controversial incident, a Tongan Advisory Council member lashed out at organisers, saying that this tournament is poorly organised compared to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, mentioning that Rugby World Cup organisers engaged with community groups 18 months beforehand, whereas this tournament was "scrambled around".


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Criticism and controversy
After Scotland's 68-point thrashing to New Zealand in Christchurch, captain Danny Brough, Sam Brooks, and Jonathan Walker were sent home for violating code of conduct after being all deemed too 'intoxicated' for their team's flight to Cairns for Scotland's next game against Samoa. Italian players James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman were under investigation by the World Cup integrity unit for a brawl at a Cairns nightclub.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Criticism and controversy
There was criticism on how Samoa and Lebanon qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup, while Ireland missed out. Samoa played in Pool B where three sides qualify for the finals and only one misses out. Samoa lost to both New Zealand and Tonga, and drew with Scotland. Lebanon was in Pool A which had the same format as Pool B. Lebanon lost to both Australia and England and beat France. Ireland played in Pool C where there are only three teams and the winner is the only team that goes to the finals.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Criticism and controversy
Ireland beat both Italy and Wales and only just lost to Papua New Guinea and didn't qualify for the finals. Irish captain Liam Finn, said "I don't know if it's unfair, it probably makes sense, but to me: try and explain that to someone who's not rugby league," , "That's how we judge it. I tell someone 'we didn't go through, we won two games; someone got through by drawing one," and  "That's where we should be focused: how do we attract new fans when that's how you're explaining the game to them?" in the press conference after his team's victory over Wales.


2017 Rugby League World Cup, Broadcasting
Seven Network was the Australian and worldwide host broadcaster, winning the rights for the event in July 2016, beating the likes of Foxtel and Optus.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final was a rugby league match to determine the winner of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, played between reigning champions Australia and their rivals England on 2 December 2017 at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, immediately after the final of the concurrent women's competition. It was the first time in 22 years since England had played in a World Cup final, when they lost to Australia 8–16 in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final
Australia became the winners of the Rugby League World Cup for a record eleventh time, beating England 6–0 to retain the Paul Barrière Trophy and become the first team since 1977 to win the World Cup on home soil. This match saw a new equal record low for tries in a Rugby League World Cup Final with only one try scored, equaling the one try scored in the 1992 final. It also saw the lowest combined score for a final of 6, which was also previously held by the 1992 final where only 16 points was scored.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final
Brisbane previously hosted the final of the 2008 tournament, in which New Zealand defeated hosts Australia 34–20.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, Australia
Australia's road to the final began on October 27 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, where they played England. After conceding the first try Australia didn't concede for the rest of the match and went on the win 18–4. Australia's next game was in Canberra against France. Australia jumped out to an early 12–0 lead through a Wade Graham double before French fullback Mark Kheirallah fielded an Australian kick and ran 80 meters to score under the posts and make it 12–6. Wade Graham went on to score 4 tries as Australia ran out 52–6 winners. The Kangaroos' final group match was in Sydney against Lebanon. Australia put on a very controlled and professional performance to win comfortably, 34–0.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, Australia
Australia would face the win-less Samoa in the first test match in Darwin to open the quarter-finals. Australian winger Valentine Holmes became the first ever player to score 5 tries in a World Cup match as Australia won 46–0. Australia then moved on to Brisbane to play an undefeated Fiji in the first semi-final. Australian winger Valentine Holmes this time scored 6 tries and broke his own record for the most tries in a World Cup match, and also took his tournament tally to 12 thus becoming the highest tally in a single World Cup. Australia went on to beat Fiji 54–6 and qualified for their 12th World Cup final.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
England began their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 27 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne. England opened the scoring with winger Jermaine McGillvary crossing in the 5th minute, taking an early 4–0 lead. England then conceded two tries to trail 4–10 at half time. The second half was very evenly matched with both teams having chances to score, until a Cameron Smith penalty goal in the 76th minute extended Australia's lead over a converted try, and conceding a 79th minute intercept try to Josh Dugan sealed an England's first defeat of the tournament, going down 4–18.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
England's second match of the tournament came against Lebanon in Sydney. A first half blitz saw England take a 22–6 half time lead, with tries to Kallum Watkins, Jermaine McGillvary, Ryan Hall and Ben Currie. A more conservative second half saw England only score and conceded one try, and seal a 29–10 victory with a last minute field goal by Gareth Widdop. Much controversy surrounded an incident in the second half where Lebanon captain Robbie Farah accused England's Jermaine McGillvary of biting during a tackle. McGillvary was not suspended due to no evidence that he bit Farah.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
England's final group match came against France in Perth. England got off to a fast start, scoring 3 tries in the first nine minutes, taking a 26–6 half time lead. Much alike their previous group match against Lebanon, England took their foot off the pedal in the second half, only scoring two more tries, going out victorious 36–6 and booking their place in the knockout stage.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
England faced the winners of Group C, Papua New Guinea in their quarter final clash in Melbourne. Much a-like their group stage matches, England were the first team to score, taking a 14–0 lead into half time. A Ben Currie try in the 56th minute almost certainly booked England a semi final berth until Garry Lo got PNG's first try and set up an exciting last 20 minutes, until 3 tries in the last 12 minutes saw England run out 36–6 victors. England then face a passionate Tongan team in the semi-finals in Auckland.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
England opened the scoring through a try to winger Jermaine McGillvary, scoring his seventh of the tournament. Five minutes later Gareth Widdop took the lead out to 12–0, a lead which England took into half time. A 50th-minute penalty goal took England out past a 2 converted try lead and a 68th minute try to John Bateman all but looked to seal England's first World Cup final berth since 1995, but three tries in 4 minutes to Tonga closed England's lead to two points with 3 minutes left.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Route to the final, England
The ending of the match was very controversial, with Tonga's Andrew Fafita crossing the line in the dying seconds for referee Matt Cecchin to rule a knock-on against the Tongans. Replays showed that the knock-on may have been a result due to a strip from England, but Cecchin failed to review the possible try and thus awarding England a 20–18 semi final win, and advancing to the final to face Australia, who they faced in their opening group match.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Match, Summary, Pre-game
The 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand was a curtain-raiser to the men's final. Australia won 23–16, retaining their 2013 title and their second overall.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Match, Summary, Pre-game
Injured Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston and English rugby league icon Kevin Sinfield presented the teams onto the field. Amber Dawn-Finch sang God Save the Queen for the English, and tenor Scott Muller sang Advance Australia Fair for the Australians.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Match, Summary, Post-game
Boyd Cordner was named man of the match, and Billy Slater was named player of the tournament.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Match, Details
1 - Sean O'Loughlin was originally selected to play but withdrew due to a quad injury. He was replaced by Sam Burgess whilst Ben Currie filled Burgess's spot in the second row, and Jonny Lomax filled Currie's spot on the bench.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Final, Match, Details
Touch judges:Chris Kendall (England)Chris Butler (Australia)Video referee:Ben Thaler (England)Standby referee:Matt Cecchin (Australia)Standby touch judge:Robert Hicks (England)


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A
Group A of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup is one of the four groups in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, which began on 27 October and was completed on 12 November 2017. The group comprised hosts Australia as well as England and France. They were joined by the winner of the Middle East-Africa qualifier, Lebanon. The group was one of two weighted groups containing top seeded teams where the top 3 qualify for the quarter finals. Australia, England and Lebanon finished the group stage in these positions.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B
Group B of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup is one of the four groups in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, which  began on 28 October and was completed on 11 November 2017. The group comprised New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga. Tonga finished top of the pool while New Zealand and Samoa also qualified for the quarter-finals.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B, Samoa vs Tonga
In the week leading up to the match there were several "vicious street brawls" between Samoan and Tongan supporters. This led to members of both the Tongan and Samoan teams calling for calm. 29 people were arrested for fighting after the game.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B, New Zealand vs Tonga
After the match, Tonga's victory was described as "the small island nation's greatest ever sporting achievement". During celebrations following the match, 53 Tongan supporters were arrested in Auckland.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C
2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C was one of four groups in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The group comprised Papua New Guinea, Wales and Ireland. Papua New Guinea topped the group and therefore qualified for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage.


2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D
2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D was one of four groups in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The group comprised Fiji, United States and Italy. Fiji topped the group and therefore qualified for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage.


2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches were three matches played between teams in Group C and Group D of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Both groups C and D have only 3 teams in comparison to Group A and Group B, so in order for all teams to play 3 matches, teams across the two groups played each other.


2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage takes place after the group stage of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and culminates in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final. The quarter-finals consisted of eight teams; 1st, 2nd and 3rd from Group A and Group B, and the remaining two places were taken up by the winners of Group C and Group D.


2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage, Final: Australia vs England
1 - Sean O'Loughlin was originally selected to play but withdrew due to a quad injury. He was replaced by Sam Burgess whilst Ben Currie filled Burgess's spot in the second row, and Jonny Lomax filled Currie's spot on the bench.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off)
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Asia-Pacific qualification play-off was a rugby league match that was played on 17 October 2015 at Campbelltown Stadium in Australia. Tonga defeated the Cook Islands 28–8 to qualify for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Overview
On 3 October 2014, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition was announced. Seven of the eight teams who made the knockout-stages of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup were announced as automatic qualifiers, which included New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and Fiji.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Overview
In October 2015, Papua New Guinea was announced a co-host of the 2017 World Cup and granted automatic qualification. It was confirmed that Tonga would take on the Cook Islands in a one-off game for the 2017 World Cup with the playing date later being confirmed as 17 October 2015. The game was held at Campbelltown Stadium in Campbelltown, Australia.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Squads
Both teams picked preliminary train-on squads that had NRL and Super League experience.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Squads, Tonga
The Tongan squad as of 24 September 2015 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Squads, Cook Islands
The Cook Islands squad as of 24 September 2015 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Qualifier
Tonga picked 4 débutantes, while the Cook Islands featured eleven. The Tongan team consisted of National Rugby League based players except for Mosese Pangai and Ukuma Ta’ai, who play in the Queensland Cup for the Townsville Blackhawks and the Super League for the Huddersfield Giants respectively. The Cook Islands team consisted mainly of players who play at reserve grade or youth levels for their respective NRL clubs, only 4 players in the lineup have played first grade this season either in the NRL or in the Super League. Tonga's most capped player is Ukuma Ta’ai who made his 8th appearance for his country, while the Cook Islands' most experienced players are Drury Low, Anthony Gelling and Johnathon Ford who all made their 6th appearance for their nation.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Qualifier
Penrith's Sika Manu captained Tonga, and Canberra's Jordan Rapana led the Cook Islands.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Asia-Pacific play-off), Qualifier, Match details
With the win, Tonga qualified for the 2017 World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off)
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Europe qualification play-off was a rugby league match that will played on 4 November 2016 at Leigh Sports Village in England. This match decides who is the final European country qualifying for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Italy defeated Russia 76-0 to qualify for the 2017 World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off), Overview
On 3 October 2014, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition was announced with three more qualification places being announced for European countries after England, France and Scotland had already qualified courtesy of reaching the 2013 World Cup knock-out stage.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off), Overview
In the final round of European Qualification there were two groups of 3 with the countries that topped both pools advancing straight into the 2017 World Cup while the teams placed second headed into a one-off play-off match held at the Leigh Sports Village to see who will be the 14th and final country to qualify for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off), Overview
Italy qualified for the play-off match after finishing second in group A. Italy were almost in no need of a play-off match after being 40 minutes away from causing a shock result over Wales in Monza.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off), Overview
While Russia qualified for the play-off match after finishing second in group B.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Europe play-off), Qualifier, Match details
With the win Italy became the 14th, and final, team to qualify for the 2017 World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off)
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Middle East-Africa qualification play-off was a two-match rugby league series, with the winner qualifying for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The matches were between South Africa and Lebanon and were played at Brakpan Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on 25 and 31 October 2015.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Overview
On 3 October 2014, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition was announced with one qualification spot being granted to the Middle East-Africa region.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Overview
Initially a one-off play off match in the Dubai Sports City complex was announced. However the match was cancelled after the head of the Emirates rugby league, Sol Mokdad, was arrested following a complaint from UAE rugby union officials.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Overview
South Africa was subsequently given the hosting rights for the qualification fixtures. South Africa RL president Kobus Botha stated that the “SARL is extremely excited about hosting this highly prestigious World Cup Qualifier... We hope that this is the first of many such tournaments and a small glimpse into what South Africa can offer as a potential host country for the 2021 World Cup.”


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Squads
Both teams picked preliminary train-on squads with the South Africans picked what they believed was  “a strong, healthy and balanced train-on squad” which contained domestic players as well as eligible South African players based in Australia's reserve grade competitions. The Lebanese selected eligible NRL players along with other reserve grade, domestic and unattached players.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Squads, South Africa
The South Africa squad as of 13 October 2015 was as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off), Squads, Lebanon
The Lebanon squad as of 17 October 2015 was as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Americas qualification was a rugby league tournament that was held in December 2015 to decide the American qualifier for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. It consisted of a round-robin tournament involving three teams, Canada, Jamaica and the United States, at two venues in Florida in the United States.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas
The United States won the tournament and qualified for the World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Overview
On 3 October 2014, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition was announced. Seven of the eight teams who made the knockout-stages of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup were announced as automatic qualifiers.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Overview
USA, who were quarter-finalists in 2013, were denied automatic qualification due to an internal governance dispute which saw the nation's Rugby League International Federation membership temporarily suspended. Once the issue was resolved, USA was allowed to enter the qualification process. In August 2015, the qualifiers were announced to be held in Florida in December 2015.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Squads, Canada
The Canada squad as of 26 November 2015 was as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Squads, Jamaica
The Jamaica squad as of 25 November 2015 was as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Squads, United States
The USA squad as of 25 November 2015 was as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Squads, United States
On 2 December the US team suffered a setback after Tui Samoa pulled out of the squad for personal reasons. He was replaced by Corey Makelim.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Americas, Fixtures, United States vs Canada
This match was also the third and final game of the 2015 Colonial Cup series.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup Europe qualification was a rugby league tournament held in October and November 2016 to decide the three European qualifiers for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe
It consisted of a round-robin tournament which saw Wales and Ireland qualify by winning their respective tables. Italy claimed the final qualifying spot in the World Cup after winning a second place play-off against Russia on 4 November 2016.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Overview
On 3 October 2014, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition was announced. Three European teams were granted automatic qualification, as they had reached the quarter-finals of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup; England, France and Scotland.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Overview
Ten teams were able to qualify for the qualification tournament, with the first being eliminated when Spain defeated Latvia on 9 May 2015.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Overview
Wales and Ireland were granted entry to the qualification tournament. Both teams already had a chance to qualify for the World Cup during the 2014 European Cup, but failed to do so. One of the other tournament places was allocated to the winner of the European Championship C tournament, and the other three were allocated to the top three teams from the European Championship B.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Overview
Italy, Russia and Serbia finished as the top three teams in the European Championship B, with Ukraine being eliminated.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Overview
Spain finished as the top team in the European Championship C, with Greece and Malta eliminated.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Ireland
The final Ireland 22-man squad as of 9 October 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Italy
The final Italy 22-man squad as of 8 October 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Russia
The final Russia 22-man squad as of 6 September 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Serbia
The final 22-man squad as of 5 October 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Spain
The final 22-man squad as of 4 October 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Wales
The final Wales 22-man squad as of 7 October 2016 is as follows:


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Wales
On October 14, Dai Evans was brought into the squad to replace Calvin Wellington who withdrew due to a hamstring injury.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Wales
On October 21, 19-year old Ben Morris was called up to the squad to play in a mid-qualifying campaign test match against Jamaica.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Wales
On October 29, Danny Ansell was called up to the squad with a possibility of playing in the last qualifying game against Italy.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Teams, Squads, Wales
*Sam Hopkins was called into the team for the final qualifier against Italy after Jacob Emmitt withdrew due to a hamstring injury.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification – Europe, Second place play-off
The final qualifying place was determined by a single knockout match held between the two group runners-up on 4 November 2016.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying process began on 9 May 2015 with the 2015 European Championship C. In August 2014, it was announced that seven of the eight quarter-finalists at the 2013 tournament would receive automatic qualification. Fourteen teams took part in the qualifying process to fill the remaining seven spots.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying, Qualifying process
Eight teams automatically qualified for the World Cup. Seven of the teams which reached the quarter-finals of the 2013 World Cup were granted automatic qualification, along with co-hosts Papua New Guinea. The eighth quarter-finalist, the United States, were denied automatic qualification due to an internal governance dispute and instead forced to enter the qualification process.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying, Continental qualification, European
Three additional teams qualified from this region. A two-group, round-robin tournament took place in October 2016 to determine the qualifying nations - this was contested by the winners of the 2015 European Championship C tournament, the top three teams from the 2014–15 European Championship B tournament, and seeded nations Wales and Ireland. The tournament featured two groups of three teams playing in a single round-robin format. The winners of each group qualified for the World Cup, while the runners-up faced each other in a play-off match on 5 November 2016 to determine the final spot. A seeded draw took place to determine the groups on 5 November 2015.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying, Continental qualification, Asia-Pacific
Two additional qualifying places were initially allocated to this region. Papua New Guinea were granted automatic qualification in 2015 after being confirmed as co-hosts, leaving one additional team to qualify from this region. A single play-off between Tonga and Cook Islands determined the final qualifier.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying, Continental qualification, Americas
One team qualified from this region. A three-team round robin tournament was held in Florida in December 2015 to determine the qualifier.


2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifying, Continental qualification, Middle East-Africa
One team qualified from this region. A two match series was held between South Africa and Lebanon to determine the qualifier.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup featured fourteen international teams, with each consisting of a twenty-four-man squad.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool A, Australia
Australia's 24-man squad is composed entirely of players who play in the NRL. In the days following the initial squad announcement, Andrew Fifita withdrew from the squad in order to represent Tonga while Darius Boyd withdrew due to an ongoing hamstring injury. Campbell-Gillard and Mansour were named as the respective replacements. Seven members of the squad are uncapped for the Kangaroos (Campbell-Gillard, Gagai, Graham, Kaufusi, McLean, Munster, and T. Trbojevic).


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool A, England
Uncapped players Currie and Walmsley have been included in a squad that is very similar to the one that was named to played Samoa earlier in the year. Zak Hardaker was not considered for selection after he tested positive for cocaine four weeks prior to the squad announcement, the details of which were publicly reported only hours before said announcement. All 24 players were selected from the top-tier Super League or NRL competitions.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool A, France
In addition to the twenty-four man squad, four players were named as alternatives: Kevin Larroyer, Lambert Belmas, Rémy Marginet and Ilias Bergal. Gadwin Springer was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to a groin injury. He was replaced by Belmas. Guillaume Bonnet was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to a ligament injury. He was replaced by Marginet. Hakim Miloudi was initially named in the squad but was dropped due to disciplinary reasons. He was replaced by Bergal.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool A, Lebanon
Reece Robinson was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Daniel Abou-Sleiman.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool B, New Zealand
Kevin Proctor and captain Jesse Bromwich were not considered for selection after being caught buying and using cocaine following the 2017 Anzac Test in May; Blair was subsequently named captain for the tournament. Five uncapped players (Asofa-Solomona, Fonua-Blake, Levi, Liu, and Takairangi) are included in the squad as Tohu Harris, Jordan Kahu, Kieran Foran, and Ben Matulino were ruled out by injury, while Jason Taumalolo opted to represent his Tongan heritage over the Kiwis.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool B, Samoa
Sione Mata'utia and Tautau Moga were initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. They were replaced by Lafai and Winterstein. Luai, Musgrove, Papalii, and Tevaga are the only uncapped players for Samoa, with Luai making an unexpected appearance in the squad as the only player without NRL experience.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool B, Scotland
Ryan Brierley was originally selected, but withdrew after failing a fitness test. He was replaced by Oakes. Brooks, Brough, and Walker were dropped on 5 November for disciplinary reasons.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool C, Ireland
Mikey Russell is the travelling reserve. Toby King was initially named in the squad but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Michael Morgan.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool D, Fiji
Nabua Broncos' Etuate Bola was named as a reserve player. Sokobalavu was called into the squad following injuries to Evans and K. Sims.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool D, Italy
Italy named a squad of 33 players before shortening the squad to 24 players. Four shadow players were also named: Jake Campagnolo, Dean Parata, Ricardo Parata, and Kieran Quabba.


2017 Rugby League World Cup squads, Pool D, United States
The Hawks continue to support the growth of rugby league in the United States by selecting fourteen players who have played in the amateur USA Rugby League competition, three of whom have since been signed by professional clubs (Burroughs, Eichner, and Offerdahl). Nine members of the squad (Faraimo, Farley, Freed, both Howard brothers, Marando, Offerdahl, Pettybourne, and Shipway) previously represented the Tomahawks at the 2013 World Cup, and three players have experience in the NRL, all of whom are eligible to represent the US through their American Samoan heritage (Faraimo, Pettybourne, and Vaivai). Samoa, also of American Samoan descent, was a late inclusion to the squad due to an injury to Matt Walsh.


2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup
The 2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup was the eighth tournament of the Simara Gold Cup, an annual football knockout tournament held in Simara, Nepal. In total, ten teams participated in this tournament.


2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup
Sankata FC defeated Nepal Army Club 4-2 on penalties in the final to claim their first title in this tournament.


2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup, Teams
Five top Nepali A Level football teams and five top cities football teams participants in this football tournament.


2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup, Bracket
The following is the bracket which the 2017 Ruslan Simara Gold Cup resembled. Numbers in parentheses next to the match score represent the results of a penalty shoot-out.


2017 Russia Open Grand Prix
The 2017 Russia Open Grand Prix is the tenth Grand Prix tournament of the 2017 BWF Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix. The tournament was held at the Sport Hall Olympic in Vladivostok, Russia on 18–23 July 2017 and has a total purse of $65,000. The tournament is organized by the National Badminton Federation of Russia, and the scoring system of best of 5 games of 11 points will be used.


2017 Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident
The 2017 Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident occurred when three Turkish soldiers were killed and 11 injured after a Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-22M attacked Turkish soldiers accidentally at al-Bab, Syria.


2017 Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident, Strike
A Tupolev Tu-22M flying a strike mission against a building in al-Bab, Syria suspected of containing Islamic State fighters, dropped a bomb on a Turkish army position. The bombing killed 3 Turkish troops and injured 11 others. Turkish military officials called the strike "accidental" and an incident of "friendly fire". Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesman, said that the pilots had "guided by co-ordinates" given to them by Turkish personnel and that, "there should not have been Turkish troops at those co-ordinates." This charge was denied by Turkish officials.


2017 Russian Air Force Al-Bab incident, Aftermath
The Turkish General Staff announced that a Russian war plane targeted Turkish soldiers by accident. After the Russian Government confirmed the action, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed his regret.


2017 Russian Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 2017 Russian Artistic Gymnastics Championships was held in Kazan, Russia between 1–5 March 2017.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series
The 2017 SMP Russian Circuit Racing Series is the fourth season of the Russian Circuit Racing Series, organized by SMP Racing. It is the third season with TCR class cars, competing alongside the Super 2000 TC2 cars.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series
Dmitry Bragin became TCR Russia champion for a second year in a row, Mikhail Mityaev won Russian Cup in Super-Production category. Denis Bulatov became Champion of Russia in Touring-Light, and Aidar Nuriev won Russian Cup in National category. Maxim Kornilkov become the winner of National-Junior category. Irek Minnakhmetov became first ever SMP RCRS Trophy winner.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series, Teams and drivers
All teams and drivers were Russian-registered except Vladislav Seredenko from Ukraine who performs in the National Junior class. Yokohama is the official tyre supplier.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series, Teams and drivers, Touring / TCR Russian Touring Car Championship
In the Trophy class, pilots who are not prize-winners of foreign racing series and who are not prize-winners of the Russian Championship participate.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series, Calendar and results
The 2017 schedule was announced on 12 December 2016, with all events scheduled to be held in Russia.


2017 Russian Circuit Racing Series, Championship standings, Touring / TCR Russian Touring Car Championship
† – Drivers did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed over 75% of the race distance.


2017 Russian Cup Final
The 2017 Russian Cup Final decided the winner of the 2016–17 Russian Cup, the 25th season of Russia's main football cup. It was played on 2 May 2017 at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, between Ural Yekaterinburg and Lokomotiv Moscow. Lokomotiv won the game courtesy of goals from Igor Denisov and Aleksei Miranchuk.


2017 Russian Cup Final
The winner qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League and also faced the champions of the 2016–17 Russian Premier League, Spartak Moscow in the 2017 Russian Super Cup.


2017 Russian Cup Final, Venue
The Russian Cup final was held for Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. The stadium, which holds 40,000 people, was constructed for the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, where it served as the venue for their opening and closing ceremonies. Following the events, the stadium was remodeled into an open-air football stadium and hosted matches as part of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup.


2017 Russian Cup Final, Background
Lokomotiv played their 8th Russian Cup final, second only to CSKA's 11. Prior to the 2017 final, they have won six, against the seven won by their cross town rivals. Their most recent appearance at the final was in 2015, wherein Lokomotiv ran 3-1 winners against Kuban Krasnodar.


2017 Russian Cup Final, Background
As for Ural, it was their first ever appearance at the Russian Cup final. Indeed, their performance in the Russian Cup has been mediocre at best, as their best outing so far has been a Round of 16 appearance in the 2009–10 Russian Cup and 2015–16 Russian Cup.


2017 Russian Cup Final, Background
It was also the first time that the two clubs met in the Russian Cup final.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships
The 2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships (Russian: Чемпионат России по фигурному катанию на коньках 2017) were held from 20 to 26 December 2016 in Chelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. The results were among the criteria used to select Russia's teams to the 2017 World Championships and 2017 European Championships.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Competitions
In the 2016–17 season, Russian skaters will compete in domestic qualifying events and national championships for various age levels. The Russian Cup series will lead to three events – the Russian Championships, the Russian Junior Championships, and the Russian Cup Final.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships
The senior Championships will be held in Chelyabinsk from 20 to 26 December 2016. Competitors will qualify through international success or by competing in the Russian Cup series' senior-level events.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships, Entries
The Russian figure skating federation published the full list of entries on 13 December 2016.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships, Results, Men
Mikhail Kolyada won his first national title by a margin of 23 points over the silver medalist, Alexander Samarin. Moving up from 7th after the short program, former champion Maxim Kovtun took the bronze medal.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships, Results, Ladies
Medvedeva successfully defended her national title, outscoring Alina Zagitova by twelve points.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships, Results, Pairs
Returning to competition following an injury, Stolbova / Klimov won their third national title by a margin of less than a point over Tarasova / Morozov.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Senior Championships, Results, Ice dancing
Bobrova / Soloviev obtained their sixth national title. Stepanova / Bukin took the silver medal, with a deficit of 7.72 points, while Sinitsina/Katsalapov edged out Ilinykh / Zhiganshin by 0.17 for the bronze.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Junior Championships
The 2017 Russian Junior Championships (Russian: Первенство России среди юниоров 2017) will be held in Saint Petersburg from 1 to 5 February 2017. Competitors will qualify by competing in the Russian Cup series' junior-level events. The results of the Junior Championships are part of the selection criteria for the 2017 World Junior Championships.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Junior Championships, Entries
The Russian figure skating federation published the full list of entries on 16 January 2017.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, International team selections, European Championships
Russia's team to the 2017 European Championships was published on 25 December 2016.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, International team selections, Winter Universiade
Russia's team to the 2017 Winter Universiade was published on 25 December 2016.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, International team selections, Winter Universiade
Because the pairs' event had only two Russian entries, the pairs' event was cancelled.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, International team selections, European Youth Olympic Winter Festival
Russia's team to the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival was published on 2 February 2017.


2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, International team selections, World Junior Championships
Russia's team to the 2017 World Junior Championships was published on 5 February 2017.


2017 Russian Grand Prix
The 2017 Russian Grand Prix (Russian: Гран-при России 2017 года, romanized: Gran-pri Rossii 2017 goda), officially known as the 2017 Formula 1 VTB Russian Grand Prix, was a Formula One motor race that took place on 30 April 2017 as the fourth round of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship. The fifty-two lap race was held at the Sochi Autodrom, marking the fourth running of the Russian Grand Prix as a round of the Formula One World Championship.


2017 Russian Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel started the race from pole, with his teammate Kimi Räikkönen in second in Ferrari's first front-row lockout since the 2008 French Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas won the race, taking his first win in Formula 1 by 0.617 seconds over Vettel, the smallest winning margin since the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.


2017 Russian Grand Prix
Going into the race, Vettel led Lewis Hamilton in the World Drivers' Championship by seven points, with Bottas third; they remained in the same order after the race. In the World Constructors' Championship, Ferrari was in the lead ahead of Mercedes before the race, with Red Bull Racing third; Mercedes was ahead of Ferrari after the race.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Driver changes
Sergey Sirotkin made his first appearance of the season with Renault, driving in place of Nico Hülkenberg in the first free practice session.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
The initial start was aborted, as Fernando Alonso was unable to start, pulling up in the opening to the pit lane because of engine issues. Team radio from the initial parade lap suggested issues with the MGU-K electronic power supplementary unit leading to a loss of hybrid power. Without the energy recovery system (ERS), the MCL32 would be uncompetitive and racing would put an unnecessary wear upon the rest of the power unit.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
Alonso's McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne had already been given a 15-place grid penalty, having exceeded the limit of four exchanges of power unit per driver and car throughout the season stipulated by the 2017 regulations. With Alonso's car already being at least partially on its fourth power unit of the season on only race 4 out of 20, in the light of the charge failure, a decision was made to retire Alonso from the race in order to preserve the car. Alonso was unable to even complete the formation lap, suffering from a total car failure before being able to return to the pitlane. Carlos Sainz Jr. was given a 3-place penalty as a result of causing a collision with Lance Stroll at the Bahrain Grand Prix.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
Because of Alonso's car obstructing the track, the start was aborted by the FIA's race director Charlie Whiting, and the cars were sent on an additional formation lap. The race was accordingly shortened by a lap. Valtteri Bottas attained his maiden victory after taking first place at the start, passing both Ferraris before turn 2 – aided by starting from the clean side of the grid, and picking up the slipstream behind Vettel.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
Hamilton attempted the same, but was squeezed on both sides by the Ferrari of Räikkönen, now running 3rd – and Ricciardo of Red Bull, challenging for 4th from 5th. This caused him to be held up and hemmed into his starting grid position, where he would stay for the remainder of the race. Vettel meanwhile pulled away from tight racing of the main straight, and pursued Bottas. Vettel briefly led the race when Bottas went into the pits following his one-stop strategy, but then lost his position again after his own pit stop.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
He again spent the final third of the race gradually closing the distance between himself and Bottas, coming to within 0.7 seconds just a few laps before the end. Lapped traffic, particularly the delayed Williams of Massa, however, ultimately prevented him from overtaking the race leader, leading to a secure second place for the German. Kimi Räikkönen rounded off the podium. He once again set a late fastest lap of 1:36.844 on lap 49, recording not only the fast lap of the race, but also the fastest ever lap at the circuit. At the chequered flag, he was followed by Lewis Hamilton, finishing a distant 4th. Hamilton had struggled with overheating throughout the race.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
Non -finishers were Fernando Alonso, who failed to make it to the grid with a hybrid-charge failure, as well as Jolyon Palmer and Romain Grosjean who crashed on the first lap, causing a safety car deployment. Daniel Ricciardo retired with brake problems while running in 7th. Felipe Massa was running in 6th when he obtained a slow puncture and had to pit for new tyres, falling to 9th behind the Force Indias of Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon as well as the Renault of Nico Hülkenberg.


2017 Russian Grand Prix, Report, Background, Race
There were very few on-track overtakes after the safety car period. Despite making up two places before turn 2, Max Verstappen's Red Bull did not advance further, finishing in 5th, a minute behind Bottas, once again showing Red Bull's struggles to keep up with Ferrari and Mercedes. The team's problems were compounded by the retirement of Daniel Ricciardo, their third mechanical failure in four races.


2017 Russian National Freestyle Wrestling Championships
The Russian National Freestyle Wrestling Championships 2017 (also known as the Russian Nationals 2017) was held in Nazran, Ingushetia, Russia by the Russian Wrestling Federation at the Berd Evloev Arena from 12–14 June 2017.


2017 Russian Olympic Curling Trials
The 2017 Russian Curling Olympic Trials were held from December 27 to 29 at the Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi. The winner of this event, which was determined by a "best of seven" series, represented the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics. There was only a women's event, as the men's team representing Russia at the qualification event failed to qualify for the Olympics, and the mixed doubles team was already chosen.


2017 Russian Olympic Curling Trials
The team skipped by Victoria Moiseeva won the event 4-1 over the team skipped by Anna Sidorova.


2017 Russian Super Cup
The 2017 Russian Super Cup (Russian: Суперкубок России) was the 15th annual Russian Super Cup match which was contested between the 2016–17 Russian Premier League champion, Spartak Moscow, and the 2016–17 Russian Cup champion, Lokomotiv Moscow.


2017 Russian Super Cup
The match was held on 14 July 2017 at the RZD Arena, in Moscow and Spartak Moscow won in extra time.


2017 Russian Women's Football Championship
The 2017 Russian Women's Football Championship was the 26th season of the Russian women's football top level league. WFC Rossiyanka were the defending champions.


2017 Russian elections
Election Day was held on September 10, 2017. 82 out of 85 of Russia's regions took part in the voting. Only in Saint Petersburg, Republic of Ingushetia and Magadan Oblast no elections took place.


2017 Russian elections, Gubernatorial elections
Sixteen federal subjects will have direct elections of governors, and in Adygeya, the governor will be elected by the local parliament.


2017 Russian elections, Gubernatorial elections
1 Internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, see political status of Crimea and 2014 Crimean crisis for details


2017 Russian gubernatorial elections
Gubernatorial elections were held on 10 September 2017 in 17 federal subjects of Russia.


2017 Russian gubernatorial elections
Sixteen federal subjects had direct elections of governors. In Adygea, the governor was elected by the region's parliament. All seventeen of the new governors were nominated by ruling party United Russia.


2017 Russian gubernatorial elections, Results, Direct election
1 Internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, see political status of Crimea and 2014 Crimean crisis for details


2017 Russian regional elections
Regional elections were held on 10 September 2017 in six federal subjects of Russia.


2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
The 2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Scarlet Knights played their home games at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey and competed as members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Chris Ash. They finished the season 4–8, 3–6 in Big Ten play to finish in fifth place in the East Division.


2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, Schedule
Rutgers announced its 2017 football schedule on July 11, 2013. The 2017 schedule consisted of 6 home, 5 away, and 1 neutral site game in the regular season. The Scarlet Knights hosted Big Ten foes Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue, and traveled to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Penn State. Rutgers played against Maryland in Bronx, New York at Yankee Stadium.


2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, Schedule
The Scarlet Knights hosted all three of the non-conference opponents, Eastern Michigan from the Mid-American Conference, Morgan State from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Washington from the Pac-12 Conference.


2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, Game summaries, Washington
The Scarlet Knights opened the season by welcoming No. 8-ranked Washington to New Jersey. Rutgers took the early lead on a three-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Bolin to Janarion Grant. Washington answered with a field goal in the first quarter and a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown with the 3:50 seconds left in the half to take a 10–7 halftime lead. Though trailing, the Knights played well and hung with the highly-ranked Huskies in the first half. However, Washington QB Jake Browning threw two second-half touchdown passes as Washington pulled away from the Scarlet Knights to win the game 30–14. The loss left the Scarlet Knights with an 0–1 record.


2017 Rwandan presidential election
Presidential elections were held in Rwanda on 4 August 2017. The incumbent President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, was re-elected to a third seven-year term with 98.79% of the vote.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Background
A referendum in 2015 approved constitutional amendments that allow incumbent President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years, although the latter change would not come into effect until 2024.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Electoral system
The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Candidates
Kagame announced that he would run for a third term in a televised address to mark the start of 2016, saying "You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept. But I don't think that what we need is an eternal leader."


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Candidates
In February 2017, Phillipe Mpayimana announced his candidacy as an independent candidate. A former journalist and author, he has lived outside Rwanda since 1994 and worked with humanitarian organisations.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Candidates
35-year-old businesswoman Diane Rwigara announced her candidacy, running as a critic of Kagame. Days after she launched her campaign, nude photos of Rwigara were leaked onto the Internet in an attempt to discredit her. On 7 July the National Electoral Commission disqualified Rwigara and two other candidates on technical grounds, alleging they had not collected enough valid signatures. Amnesty International said that the election would be held in a "climate of fear and repression" and the commission's decision was criticised by the US State Department and the European Union.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Candidates
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda leader Frank Habineza also declared his candidacy.


2017 Rwandan presidential election, Aftermath
Following his victory, Kagame was sworn in for another term on 18 August 2017.


2017 Ryazan Oblast gubernatorial election
Gubernatorial Election in Ryazan Oblast were held on 10 September 2017.


2017 Ryazan Oblast gubernatorial election, Background
14 February 2017 the Governor Oleg Kovalyov announced early resignation and that he will not nominate his candidacy for a new term. Acting Governor was appointed Nikolay Lyubimov.


2017 Réunion Premier League
The 2017 Réunion Premier League was the 68th season of the Réunion Premier League, the professional league for association football clubs in Réunion, since the league's establishment in 1950. The season started on 14 July and concluded on 17 December 2017.


2017 S.League
The 2017 S.League (also known as the Great Eastern Hyundai S.League for sponsorship reasons) was the 22nd season of the S.League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1996. The season began on 26 February 2017, and concluded on 18 November 2017. Albirex Niigata (S) were the defending champions.


2017 S.League
It was the final season with the "S.League" name as it was officially renamed to Singapore Premier League from the 2018 season onwards.


2017 S.League, Teams
A total of 9 teams competed in the league. Albirex Niigata (S) and DPMM FC were invited foreign clubs from Japan and Brunei respectively.


2017 S.League, Teams, Personnel and sponsors
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2017 S.League, Teams, Foreigners
For the 2017 season, Local teams (Exclusive of the Young Lions, which is a development team) and Brunei DPMM are able to register up to a total of 3 foreign players in the main squad, and an additional player under the age of 21 for the Prime League. For match-day squads in the S-League, any three foreigners can be registered.


2017 S.League, Teams, Foreigners
The mid season transfer window will be opened from 22 May 2017 and closed on 18 June 2017.


2017 S.League, Teams, Foreigners
Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.


2017 S.League, Season statistics, Discipline – player
1) Madhu Mohana was handed a suspended $1,000 fine for his comments on social media directed at referee Sukhbir Singh after they lost to Albirex in the Charity Shield.


2017 S.League, Season statistics, Discipline – player
2) Raihan Rahman was charged for allegedly using a racial slur on Warriors forward Jordan Webb during an S.League match between Balestier and Warriors on 28/2/2017. He was acquitted of that charge after a Football Association of Singapore Disciplinary Committee (DC) hearing.


2017 SABA Championship
The 2017 SABA Championship is the 6th SABA Championship, and the qualifying event in the SABA sub-zone, one of the FIBA Asia's subzone for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The games were held from 19 to 23 May in Malé, Maldives. India successfully defended their SABA crown after sweeping the whole tournament. With this win, they qualified for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and the first round of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The tournament followed a single round robin format.


2017 SABA Championship
This tournaments marked the first time the Maldives hosted an international basketball tournament. Aside from the hosts, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh participated in the tournament.


2017 SAFF U-15 Championship
The 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship was the 4th edition of the SAFF U-15 Championship, an international football competition for men's under-15 national teams organized by SAFF. Since most teams use to send their U-15 team keeping in mind 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification it has been officially changed to U-15 tournament. The tournament was hosted by Nepal from 18–27 of August, 2017 at ANFA Complex, Satdobato and Halchowk Stadium. Six teams from the region took part, divided into two groups.


2017 SAFF U-15 Championship, Host selection
A draw for tournament ceremony was held on 10 July 2017 at conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation.


2017 SAFF U-15 Championship, Host selection
SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal and BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, were among others present on the occasion.


2017 SAFF U-15 Championship, Player eligibility
Players born on or after 1 January 2002 were eligible to compete in the tournament.


2017 SAFF U-15 Championship, Awards
The following awards were given for the 2017 SAFF U-15 Championship.


2017 SAFF U-15 Women's Championship
The 2017 SAFF U-15 Women's Championship was the 1st edition of the SAFF U-15 Women's Championship, an international football competition for women's under-15 national teams organized by SAFF. The tournament was hosted by Bangladesh from 17–24 December 2017 at Bangabandhu National Stadium and BSSSM Mostofa Kamal Stadium. Four teams from the region took part.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship
The 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship was the 2nd edition of the SAFF U-18 Championship, an international football competition for men's under-18 national teams organized by SAFF. But since most teams use to send their U-18 team keeping in mind 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification it has been officially changed to U-18 tournament. The tournament was hosted by Bhutan 18–27 September 2017.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship
It was the first time that Bhutan was hosting SAFF event.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Host selection
A draw for tournament ceremony was held on 10 July 2017 at conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Host selection
SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal and BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, were among others present on the occasion.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Player eligibility
Players born on or after 1 January 1999 are eligible to compete in the tournament.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Participating teams
On 6 September 2017 it was announced that Sri Lanka withdrew from the tournament whereas Pakistan didn't take part due to internal turmoil.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Format
After Sri Lanka U18 opted out from the event. Now the championship will be played on round robin basis. Each team will face every other team once respectively and the team with the most points will win the title.


2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, Awards
The following awards were given for the 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship.


2017 SANFL Grand Final
The 2017 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) grand final was played at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, 24 September to determine the premiers for the 2017 SANFL season.


2017 SANFL Grand Final
The Grand Final was contested by Port Adelaide and Sturt and was the first time the two teams played each other in the SANFL Grand Final since 1998.


2017 SANFL Grand Final
Sturt defeated Port Adelaide by just 1 point, to record their second consecutive premiership and 15th overall.


2017 SANFL Grand Final
It was the best possible finish to the season for Sturt, which became the first SANFL club to win the Under-18, Reserves and first grade premierships in the same season.


2017 SANFL Women's League season
The 2017 SANFL Women's League season was the inaugural season of the SANFL Women's League (SANFLW). The season commenced on 17 February and concluded with the Grand Final on 1 April 2017. The competition was contested by four clubs, each affiliated with clubs from the men's South Australian National Football League (SANFL).


2017 SANFL season
The 2017 South Australian National Football League season (officially the SANFL Macca's League) was the 138th season of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Australian rules football competition.


2017 SANFL season
The season commenced on 7 April and concluded with the Grand Final on 24 September. Sturt won their second consecutive premiership and 15th overall, defeating Port Adelaide by 1 point in the Grand Final.


2017 SBS Drama Awards
The 2017 SBS Drama Awards (Korean: SBS 연기대상; RR: SBS Yeon-gi Daesang), presented by Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), took place on December 31, 2017 at SBS Prism Tower, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It was hosted by Shin Dong-yup and Lee Bo-young.