He breaks the record for the fastest ever try scored in a full international rugby league match.

The Guinness Book of World Records has officially recognised that the try scored by James Merceski for Serbia against Greece is the fastest ever try scored in a full international rugby league game.

The previous holder was Bob Fulton who scored for Australia against France in a World Cup match at Odsal Stadium, Bradford in 15 seconds back in 1970.

James has almost halved that time. His spectacular try came just 7.9 seconds into the Rugby League World Cup Qualification game played in the Makis Stadium in Belgrade in November 2019 – almost exactly 49 years later.

Serbia scored this remarkable try but it was their only score of the game as they went on to lose the game 6-82.

Commenting on being recognised as the fastest ever international try-scorer, James said;

“This is a dream… I made record for the Guinness Book of Records. I would not have thought that my name would be written in the history of the rugby league.

“I’m proud that I did it and I hope this will promote our sport in emerging nations like Serbia and Greece. Despite the great defeat by Greece, this match went down in history from several aspects, Greece qualified for the World Cup for the first time, and Serbia achieved the fastest try ever in international matches.

“I wish Greece good luck at the World Cup, because it means a lot for promotion of the rugby league in whole Balkans and South East Europe region.”