CLL
2026 IIJL Commonwealth Cup - Day 1 Recap
Photo Luke Hanna
The 2026 IIJL Commonwealth Cup opens with two exciting games at Altona Lacrosse Club on the beautiful open-air Alan Lewer Box Court.
Eastern Rage/Kings vs New Zealand Storm
In a last minute change due to logistics, the Eastern Rage pivoted to wearing the double-blue and white of the Kings from the Victoria Box Lacrosse League—known moving forward as the Raging Kings!
The last minute wardrobe change did not phase the New Zealand Storm, a mix of Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders "Kiwis". The Storm took control in the first quarter coming out of the frame with a 5-3 lead. Once everyone was settled on both side, the Raging Kings went goal-for-goal with the storm in the second with each side scoring 7 Goals.
[PHOTO: #90 Adam Harper (Eastern Rage/Kings) chasing down #24 Jackson Sampare (New Zealand Storm).]
Holding on to the two goal lead into the second half, the Storm exploded for 8 Goals, while impressive the Raging Kings could only produce six of their own goals—widening the Storms lead to four.
The fourth quarter was a different story, as the Storm ran away with the game, scoring another 8 Goals while the Raging Kings were only able to put 2 Goals in the net. Final score of the opening game of the 2026 IIJL Commonwealth Cup was Storm 28 - Rage/Kings 18.
Western Thunder vs Canada
'Friday Night Lights' as Canada opened against the Western Thunder at 8:00 PM local time—Canada will play all games at 8 PM for new-found box lacrosse fans to come together for international action.
Canada's Alex Hachez wasted no time making his first impression scoring the first three goals of the game—Hachez finished the game with 8 Goals. Canada dominated the opening quarter 7-2. It was much of the same in the second quarter as Canada went on another five goal run, before the Western Thunder was able to get their only goal of the second at the 3:32 mark.
[PHOTO: #83 Orlando Kernaghan (Western Thunder) lets a shot rip against Canada.]
Coming out of halftime, the Thunder exploded in the third quarter with a 4 Goal run of their own, broken by Canada's Tobin Dougan at 2:37 of the 3rd. Thunder would score another before Canada ending the quarter, with Canada leading 13-8 into the fourth and final frame.
In a quiet 4th Quarter, Canada paced things out with a 3 Goal run. The Thunder's last goal would come from Orlando Kernaghan on a penalty shot off of a Too Many Men call at 1:02—automatic penalty shot under two minutes remaining in the game. Final score of Canada's opening game of the 2026 IIJL Commonwealth Cup was Canada 16 - Western Thunder 9.
Every game of the 2026 IIJL Commonwealth Cup can be watched live here on the CLL website and COMCUP YouTube channel.