Mad Monday: Pacific nations take centre stage in World Cup

Rugby league fans were treated to some sensational football as the World Cup kicked off over the weekend.

Australia confirmed their place as world No.1 but did so in a close game against the old enemy England.

Meanwhile, it was the Pacific nations who took centre stage with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga all earning promising wins.

Injuries cripple Australia and England in classic battle
Australia and England proved why they are favourites to reach the final, putting on a classic battle in the tournament opener.

England started well with a strong defensive effort resulting in an early try to Jermaine McGillvary but as the game went on, the visitors struggled to keep pace with the Australians conceding two tries in the space of six minutes as their pack tired from defending in their own half.

England managed to hold out against the Australians, having some glimpses of brilliance but in the end the Kangaroos proved too strong with Josh Dugan capitalising on a botched pass to run away to score, securing a hard-fought 18-4 victory for the hosts.

Both teams will come out of the game with plenty of confidence knowing exactly what they need to improve on however, key injuries will put a serious dent in their campaigns. Jake Trbojevic has been ruled out of the tournament with a pec injury endured in the second half.

Sam Burgess is now racing the clock for the final after suffering a knee injury late in the first half however the return of Alex Walmsley against Lebanon will be a boost for the English.

Pacific nations thrive against northern hemisphere rivals
The Pacific island nations relished the opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga thrashing their northern hemisphere opponents to announce themselves as serious contenders.

The Kumuls were too good for Wales in Port Moresby, racing off to a great start through a David Mead brace inside 10 minutes. The 14,800-strong home crowd was a huge morale booster as the home side went into the first half with a 26-0 lead.

Wales suffered in the heat, tiring on defence as Papua New Guinea dominated possession. Bulldogs backrower Rhyse Martin proved deadly early in the second half scoring two tries of his own while the Kumuls brought up a half century following a try to veteran Paul Aiton in the 70th minute.

St Helens winger Regan Grace gave Wales something to smile about, scoring on the siren in their 50-6 loss.

Fiji Bati were just as impressive against the United States in Townsville. The Fijians had the lion’s share of possession in the opening 20 minutes scoring five tries before the Americans finally got an opportunity scoring through Matt Shipway.

Fiji continued to dominate despite the loss of key forward Kane Evans who was sidelined with a broken wrist, leading 34-6 at half-time. The second term was much of the same, Fiji bringing up a half century with their 58-12 victory ahead of next week’s fixture against Wales.

(Image: NRLPhotos)

Tonga dominated the first half in their Group B fixture against Scotland with Michael Jennings scoring after only three minutes.

The Tongans were strong up the middle of the park scoring four tries in ten minutes before Peni Terepo and Michael Jennings scored late in the first half giving them a 38-0 lead at half-time.

It was a quiet second half before Danny Addy finally got the Bravehearts on the board after 62 minutes, the Tongans returning to their best late in the game with two tries before the siren to win 50-4 and go top of Group B.

Kiwis beat Samoa but still have room to improve
New Zealand’s 38-8 win over Samoa in Auckland was sloppy at times with the Kiwis back in the winner’s circle but still leaving plenty to be desired.

Shaun Johnson provided a spark in attack for the host nation leading a second half blitz alongside young half Kodi Nikorima.

The Kiwis’ debutants made themselves at home with Nelson Asofa-Solomona the leader of the pack while Danny Levi and Isaac Liu made an impact off the bench and Brad Takairangi scoring.

While the scoreline was impressive, a gulf between New Zealand and their rivals Australia and England still exists, the Kiwis completing just 26 of 42 sets in wet conditions.

Irish spirit earns Wolfhounds major upset
Ireland have caused the first upset of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after stunning Italy 36-12 in warm conditions in Cairns.

The Wolfhounds were sensational, starting strong with two tries inside ten minutes. Ireland continued to dominate in the middle of the park with Italy lacking direction following the loss of veteran Terry Campese.

Ireland continued their strong performance with Liam Kay scoring his second try of the afternoon after 30 minutes before Italy got on the board, going into the second half down 20-6.

The Azzurri got back in the game early in the second half but the Wolfhounds proved too strong to earn their first win since the 2008 World Cup.

Lebanon get off to a winning start
Lebanon have received their first ever World Cup victory with a 29-18 victory putting them in good stead for a quarter-finals finish.

Mitchell Moses and Robbie Farah combined well in the halves, young fullback Anthony Layoun also impressing after opening proceedings with a try in the eighth minute. France were able to level the scores with a 16th-minute try to centre Bastien Ader however a Travis Robinson try on the stroke of halftime saw Lebanon regain their lead.

Ader scored a second early in the second half but the Lebanese proved too good in the end for the tricolours leading from the front to get their first World Cup win, 17 years after their last appearance.

Team of the week
1. David Mead (Papua New Guinea) – Mead was the standout against Wales leading from the front with a hat trick of tries and six line breaks.

2. Daniel Tupou (Tonga) – Tupou was lethal on the left flank scoring two tries and setting up two more.

3. Michael Jennings (Tonga) – Jennings scored a hattrick of tries in a spectacular performance showing a glimpse of his best.

4. Josh Dugan (Australia) – Despite only playing 66 minutes due to HIA, Dugan was the standout member of Australia’s backline securing victory with an intercept try.

(Image: NRL)

5. Suliasi Vunivalu (Fiji) – Vunivalu’s try scoring streak could not be quelled, earning a double as well as an assist.

6. Mitchell Moses (Lebanon) – Moses led the Cedars with great composure, helping them to a win over France. He set up two tries before scoring himself late in the game.

7. Liam Finn (Ireland) – The experience of Finn showed against Italy, the Ireland skipper staying composed and providing structure for the Wolfhounds in their win.

8. James Graham (England) – Graham poured his heart into the England jersey making 163 metres and 42 tackles, never showing any signs of giving up.

9. James Roby (England) – Coming off the bench, Roby was sensational making 41 tackles and providing structure in attack for England.

10. David Klemmer (Australia) – Klemmer was unstoppable against England with 190 metres gained as well as 21 tackles and one line break.

11. Rhyse Martin (Papua New Guinea) – The Bulldogs back rower was sensational scoring two tries, having a hand in another and making 27 tackles in 80 minutes.

12. Elliott Whitehead (England) – Whitehead proved to be a workhorse making 52 tackles in an 80 minute performance.

13. Jason Taumalolo (Tonga) – The Cowboys giant lived up to the hype making a huge impact despite only playing 56 minutes. With over 200 metres and 20 tackles as well as a try he led from the front.

14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (New Zealand) – On debut for the Kiwis, he stood tall with 180 metres and 20 tackles as well as a try.

15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Ireland) – The St Helens veteran made great gains up the middle with a massive 206 metres in addition to his 13 tackles. He was sensational for the Wolfhounds leading the pack with two line breaks and a try.

16. Joseph Tapine (New Zealand) – A resilient performer in the back row, Tapine played for 80 minutes making 126 metres and 35 tackles.

17. Billy Slater (Australia) – Slater proved to be a handful in his return from the test wilderness, scoring a try and posing a threat every time he touched the ball.