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The 2019 Touch World Cup (TWC) was held in Malaysia from 28th April to 4th May in Putrajaya, Malaysia, with a total of 28 nations taking part.

After losses to New Zealand in a few divisions (the Women’s 27s, the Men’s 40s and the Men’s 50s), Australia had to fight hard to bring home the cup.

But the newly named Emus teams finished strong, beating New Zealand in all three Opens finals – winning 4-3 in the Men’s Open, 10-2 in the Women’s Open, and 7-6 in the Mixed Open.

South Africa made it to the Grand Final in the Men’s 30s, though Australia defeated them 19-4. While the Cook Islands made it to the big dance in the Mixed 30s before going down 6-3 to the Aussies.

England and Japan were other nations that put on strong performances throughout the tournament.

Other highlights for Australia included appointing our flagbearers, Men’s Open captain Nick Good, Women’s Open captain Jess McCall, Men’s 50s Rob Day and Mixed Open Coach Mick Lovett.

Australian referee Luke McKenzie officiated his 100th international game, and Australian Men’s Open Coach Tony Trad earned his 100th international cap at the event before retiring from international coaching after the event’s end. Mick Lovett also retired from his position as Mixed Open Coach after seven outstanding years.

And Indigenous Australian player Marikki Watego was surprised to be appointed as captain of the Women’s Open team for the very first time ever for their game against Samoa when the Emus had the special experience of wearing their Indigenous jersey for the first time.

All teams toughed it out in extreme heat and also the occasional lightning storm. TFA would like to thank the hard-working coaches, assistant coaches and team managers, as well as medical staff and physios, who helped players survive playing in the heat.

TFA would also like to thank the Federation of International Touch (FIT) for putting on a fantastic event, FIT Touch Malaysia for hosting, the referees who attended from Australia and around the world to make the event possible, all our Opens and Masters Emus athletes for their passion and dedication to their sport and the country, as well as our competitor nations for providing excellent competition. The event indicated fantastic things to come for the sport of Touch Football around the world.

Finals results

Men’s Open Aus 4 def. NZ 3
Women’s Open Aus 10 def. NZ 2
Mixed Open Aus 7 def. NZ 6
Women’s 27s NZ 5 def. Aus 4
Men’s 30s Aus 19 def. Sth Afr 4
Mixed 30s Aus 6 def. Cook Isl 3
Men’s 35s Aus 6 def. NZ 5
Women’s 35s Aus 8 def. NZ 0
Men’s 40s NZ 8 def. Aus 6
Men’s 45s Aus 5 def. NZ 4
Men’s 50s NZ 9 def. Aus 5

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