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With the group fixtures out of the way, the business end of the rugby league World Cup is upon us and this is where the cream rises to the top.
Eight teams remain in the hunt for the title of World Champions.
Australia, England and New Zealand have been joined by France, Fiji and Samoa – teams that are thriving to eliminate the term ‘Big Three’ being bandied around as well as a couple of surprise packets in Scotland and USA.
Let’s take a look at each of the RLWC Quarter Finals taking place this weekend.
QF1: New Zealand versus Scotland
Kick Off – 7am AEDT Saturday 16th November @ Headingley Stadium, Leeds
TV Coverage: Live on 7mate from 6:30am AEDT
Both these sides come into the quarter finals undefeated after their pool games.
New Zealand demolished all opponents in Group B and displayed some high quality football along the way.
The Kiwis boast a differential of +112, which is evidence of just how good they’ve been.
Scotland went through their pool games without a loss and defeated much more fancied opposition in Tonga before having a 30-all draw with Italy.
They secured their spot in the knock-out phase with a win over the USA Tomahawks in their final pool match to finish on top of Group C.
This is the first time that the Bravehearts have qualified for the Quarter Finals at the World Cup and incredibly it will also be the first time they will take on the Kiwis. The defending champions will go into this game as heavy favourites.
The Scottish will have their work cut out for them and are going to heavily rely on their halves if they are to trouble New Zealand.
Scotland will no doubt put up a decent fight for parts of the game however the Kiwis look to be in terrific form and should provide Scotland their first taste of defeat at this year’s tournament which will result in the Bravehearts heading home.
Verdict: New Zealand
QF2: Australia versus USA
Kick off – 12am AEDT Sunday 17th November @ Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
TV Coverage: Live on 7mate from 11:30pm AEDT
The feel good story of the 2013 RLWC has been the USA Tomahawks.
The Americans have been excellent in their debut having topped Group D with wins over Wales and Cook Islands.
With their place in the quarter finals assured, the Tomahawks lost to Scotland in the final preliminary match which happened to be their third game in nine days.
After enjoying a nine-day break since the Scotland game, the task at hand this time around is much bigger having drawn a knock-out match against the number one team in the world, the Australian Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos came through Group A undefeated notching up wins against England, Fiji and Ireland along the way.
Australia have been slowly building in this tournament and the group matches have been more a trial for Tim Sheens to decide the make-up of his best 17 for the big matches.
With the squad now chosen for this match, expect the Kangaroos to start playing their best football during the knock-out matches.
The last time these two teams met, USA shocked the world by leading the Aussies 24-6 at halftime before being run down 36-24 at the final whistle.
A performance similar to that would be more than enough to ensure the Tomahawks efforts at this World Cup has been a tremendous success.
Australia will be out to make a statement and the USA will need to ensure they don’t let their fairy tale debut turn into a nightmare by keeping the score respectable.
Verdict: Australia
QF3: England versus France
Kick Off – 7am AEDT Sunday 17th November @ DW Stadium, Wigan
TV Coverage: Live on 7mate from 6:30am AEDT
These two sides are very familiar with each other having played Test matches against one another every year since 2008. France haven’t defeated England in any of those matches and Steve McNamara will be planning to ensure his men do everything possible to make sure that doesn’t change.
England have played well thus far in the tournament and appear to be getting better and better as they head towards the big games.
McNamara has planned this campaign for four years and I’m starting to feel that England are about to start reaching their peak at the right time.
After a close fought 28-20 loss in a classic encounter against Australia in the RLWC opener, the English belted Ireland 42-0 before defeating Fiji 34-12 last weekend in a tough contest.
The Bati really gave the hosts a battle which is exactly what they need going into the finals.
France on the other hand have been a little disappointing at this World Cup.
After a first up one-point win against Papua New Guinea, the tri colours went on to lose both matches played at home including a 48-0 drubbing to New Zealand and a fiery 22-6 loss to Samoa.
The Chanticleers lifted their performance in the final match against the Samoans however the young side has been found lacking in attack and struggle to cross the opposition line. Morgan Escare has been a standout for the side and his battle with Tomkins will be brilliant to watch.
I think England can win this World Cup and I have the feeling that the coach and players feel the same way and may already have an eye on a potential semi-final clash against New Zealand.
France might be able to surprise them early on but I think England will roll through the French in this one.
Verdict: England
QF4: Samoa versus Fiji
Kick Off – 2am AEDT Monday 18th November @ Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
TV Coverage: Live on 7mate from 1:30am AEDT
These two pacific island nations are just 80 minutes away from playing in a World Cup semi-final at the historic Wembley Stadium.
Both sides have played well up until this point in the 2013 RLWC and the fourth quarter final promises to be the best of the lot.
Fiji were semi-finalists in 2008 and have backed up their performance in the previous RLWC with an exceptional tournament thus far.
The Bati destroyed Ireland before going down to Australia and England admirably in their other Group A matches.
They held England to 6-all at halftime but were not able to match the quality of the English side in the second forty.
The Fijians have certainly improved since 2008 and will be looking to match their previous finish and lay claim to being the fourth best team in the world.
Toa Samoa have been magnificent thus far and really haven’t put a foot wrong.
Their worst performance was the opening forty minutes of their campaign against New Zealand however they fought back strongly in the second half and have continued their improvement since then by belting Papua New Guinea 38-4 and defeating France on French soil 22-6.
Anthony Milford has been one of the standout players of the World Cup and Samoa can cause every side headaches with him at the back.
There is not going to be much between the two sides here with a semi-final spot and a four nations berth on the line.
Samoa are coming off a brutal clash against the French and appear to be in better form however I believe Fiji have had the better lead up having played a higher quality of opposition.
It’s the toughest game to pick and could go either way so with very little confidence I’m going to tip Fiji to get up in a nail-biter. A certain tip for this game is that it’s going to be a must-see quarter final.
Verdict: Fiji
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