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Fiji vs USA |
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2017 Rugby League World Cup, October 28 |
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Townsville Stadium, Townsville, QLD, Aus | ||
Fiji | USA | |
58 | SCORE | 12 |
11 | Tries | 2 |
7 | Conversions | 2 |
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Fiji ran 11 tries and a half-century of points on the United States of America in their opening match of the Rugby League World Cup.
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Final score
Fiji 58
USA 12
Fiji will be out to get their Rugby League World Cup campaign off on the right foot when they take on underdogs the USA in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:40pm (AEDT).
The Fijians are bolstered by the return of Jarryd Hayne, who played for the Bati in 2009, before being snapped up by Australia.
Hayne’s journey has since taken him to the NFL and rugby sevens, before returning to the NRL with the Titans, where he wasn’t consistent enough to make the Kangaroos.
Still, he could run rings around the USA here, and his combination with fullback Kevin Naiqama and halves partner Henry Raiwalui will also be key.
The Fijian line-up is further strengthened by the NRL’s top try-scorer Suliasi Vunivalu and exciting youngster Marcelo Montoya, who are in line to have a field day on the edges.
The forward pack isn’t anything to blink at either, with Korbin and Ashton Sims leading the charge, alongside Kane Evans, young lock Tui Kamikamicka and Penrith second-rower Viliame Kikau.
As for the USA, they have built their domestic league to the point most players have been selected from it, with halves combination Matthew Walsh and Kristian Freed both turning out consistent performances for the White Plains Wombats, despite the side missing the finals.
The most recognisable players for an NRL audience though will be Eddy Pettybourne, Junior Vaivai and Bureta Faraimo. London Broncos prop Mark Offerdahl, with eight Tests’ experience, will captain the side.
But if the qualifiers are anything to go by, Wentworthville fullback Corey Makelin will be the key man for the Tomahawks, while Toronto Wolfpack winger Ryan Burroughs will play an important role running his side out of trouble.
Prediction
There’s no underestimating how important every game in Groups C and D are, but Fiji, who are expected to blitz through to the quarter-finals, shouldn’t have too many problems here.
Fiji by 22.
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