Nigeria’s men’s national rugby league team endured a harsh return to international action, falling 70–6 to Cumbria in a one-sided clash at the Northern Competition Stadium in Barrow, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The match, attended by 1,475 spectators, marked Nigeria’s first competitive outing in two years. However, the Green Machine were outmatched from start to finish by a well-drilled Cumbria side that dominated possession, territory, and physical play.
Cumbria drew first blood within five minutes as Luke Broadbent finished a slick move orchestrated by Jake Carter. The hosts continued their relentless attack, with Ellis Archer and Ellison Holgate scoring tries to push the lead to 16–0 inside 11 minutes. Shane Toal added a 30-metre sprint try, followed by Archer again, giving Cumbria a 26–0 advantage midway through the first half. Despite Nigeria’s defensive efforts, further tries from Curtis Teare and Luke Creswell sent the teams into halftime at 38–0.
The second half offered little respite for Nigeria, as Cumbria continued to dominate. Tries from Carter, Teare, and Connor Holliday, along with a combination effort from Brad Singleton and Creswell—who completed his hat-trick—pushed the final score to 70–0 before Nigeria’s lone highlight.
Nigeria’s perseverance was rewarded in the 70th minute when Doncaster’s Muzzi Mustapha powered over the line for their only try, converted by Rio Corkill, earning a 70–6 scoreline.
Played in freezing conditions on a heavy pitch, the match highlighted the gap between Nigeria’s developing rugby league program and England’s established northern counties system.
Despite the heavy defeat, Nigeria’s coaching staff are expected to draw encouragement from the team’s determination and effort, seeing the match as a valuable step in rebuilding the country’s international rugby league competitiveness after a long hiatus.
