David Williams will cap a stunning 2008 with a World Cup final berth after the Manly rookie was called up to replace a desperately unlucky Brent Tate for Australia’s clash with New Zealand.

Les Murray wrote: “Where in the world could we find an entire second division to the A-League when it is a struggle to identify one or two with the guaranteed security and viability to join it?”

New Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson declared he would not only clean up the Eels poor discipline but give them an attitude adjustment for the 2009 NRL season.

Fiji focused before, and subsequently after, their 52 point loss against Australia on just one thing - hope. Hope for a solid showing against the world champions. And hope for an upset of the highest order.

The pluck of the Irish could not stop Fiji from claiming their first Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth with a 30-14 win at the Gold Coast tonight.

Break out the kava, the Fijian boys need a quick pick me up. With just four days off until their crucial playoff with Ireland on Monday for a spot in the World Cup semi-finals, the Fijian team are bracing for the arduous task of playing their third game in just nine days.

Having secured a World Cup semi-final qualifier berth, Ireland coach Andy Kelly fears his side may have lost one its greatest weapons - underdog status.

Inspired by a record-breaking performance from winger Pat Richards, Ireland caused a major boilover at the rugby league World Cup with a 34-16 win over Samoa to advance to a semi-final qualifier.

Samoa captain Nigel Vagana is wary of underdog Ireland’s passion going into their important rugby league World Cup pool match tonight.

Samoa skipper Nigel Vagana claims a lot of people are tired of watching the structured rugby league in the NRL and Super League and are enjoying the different styles of free-flowing football played by the Pacific Islands at a World Cup dominated by Australia.

Sydney FC held onto top spot in the W-League courtesy of a hard-fought 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at Parramatta Stadium today.

Samoa took a big step towards the rugby league World Cup semi-finals with a dogged 20-12 win over arch rival Tonga in their island derby at Penrith tonight.

Krisnan Inu is braced for his long-awaited recall to Test rugby league with a stern dressing down from Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney ringing in his ears.

Tonga overcame adverse decisions on and off the field to beat Ireland 22-20 in a thrilling rugby league World Cup match at Parramatta Stadium last night.

Pressure was building on Michael Hagan the moment he signed on to coach a Parramatta Eels side with arguably the most gifted, yet inconsistent of playing rosters in the NRL.

The 2008 Rugby League World Cup is about much more than just wins and losses for the seven emerging nations taking part in the tournament.

Factbox on teams competing in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia from October 25-November 22.

Ireland are considered minnows at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup - and they certainly felt like it when they boarded their flight for Australia at Manchester yesterday.
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Eels star Jarryd Hayne will lead an island nation responsible for casting the darkest of clouds on Welsh Rugby Union last year, whilst also maintaining the impression that dreams really do come true.

Exasperated Tongan coach Jim Dymock has branded the Rugby League World Cup’s rules a “joke” after two more NRL stars were rubbed out of his side a day after it lost Anthony Tupou to Australia.