How the final round of Rugby League World Cup pool games can play out:
POOL A: (Top three qualify)
Australia 4pts (+60), England 2 (+5) , Lebanon 2 (-8), France 0 (-57)
Australia v Lebanon, England v France.
Australia will almost certainly qualify in top spot to face the winner of Samoa and Scotland, unless they are shocked by Lebanon. France’s tournament is over unless they shock England and the Kangaroos flog Lebanon. England should finish second and play Papua New Guinea or Ireland in the quarter-finals, while Lebanon should go third and face the winner of New Zealand and Tonga.
POOL B: (Top three qualify)
New Zealand 4 (+98), Tonga 4 (+60), Samoa 0 (-44), Scotland 0 (-114)
New Zealand v Tonga, Samoa v Scotland.
The winner of the Kiwis and Tonga on Saturday night will top the group and likely play Lebanon in the quarter-finals, while the loser is set to face Fiji. Samoa and Scotland face off in a do-or-die clash in Cairns, with the winner to play Australia in the finals. The Bravehearts come into the match in turmoil, with captain Danny Brough and teammates Johnny Walker and Sam Brooks sent home for misconduct.
POOL C: (Top team qualifies)
Papua New Guinea 4 (+52), Ireland 2 (+16), Wales 0 (-110)
Wales v Ireland, PNG v USA (crossover).
Ireland must account for the struggling Wales on Sunday, then hope USA shock PNG. The results will also need to be by a combined margin of at least 36 for the Irish to have any hope. Otherwise, PNG’s fairytale run will continue into a likely quarter-finals date with England. Wales’ tournament is already mathematically over.
POOL D (Top team qualifies)
Fiji 4 (+112), Italy 2 (+22), USA 0 (-92)
Fiji v Italy, PNG v USA (crossover)
Fiji will reach the quarter-finals unless Italy beat them by at least 45 points on Friday night to leap into top spot. It means that unless there is some sort of calamity, the Bati will have a tantalising quarter-final clash with the loser of New Zealand and Tonga, The USA’s tournament is already mathematically over.
LIKELY FINALS:
QF1: Australia v Samoa/Scotland, Darwin
QF2: Winner New Zealand/Tonga v Lebanon, Christchurch
QF3: England v PNG, Wellington
QF4: Loser New Zealand/Tonga v Fiji, Melbourne
Semi Finals:
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4, Brisbane
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3, Auckland
Final:
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Brisbane
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Well maestro you can pretend to have SOO Tickets again next year like you did this year. One of your many low moments.
Maestro
Guest
If that is true - it is unsurprising as the RL changes the draw for SOO to give NSW the home game even when it isn't their turn (to have 2 home games) to make sure the series isn't dead after Game 1 and then Qld at home in Game 2. Barnum and Bailey.
Surfchief
Roar Rookie
Can someone please tell me why the draw was changed ??? apparently now the England v PNG has moved to Melbourne, and NZ and Tonga have their quarters home ground on Lock with NZ playing in Wellington and Tonga playing in Christchurch the winner playing Lebanon and the loser playing Fiji, as well as with Australia v Samoa/Scotland, unchanged in Darwin, just seems a little unfair for Fiji who will play NZ or Tonga in NZ, also seems late to change the Draw, just yesterday. http://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-league/rugby-league-world-cup-fixtures/
Justin Kearney
Guest
Andrew often makes the afl argument. Not sure why he thinks we care. This is a rugby league thread
terry tavita
Roar Rookie
most of the samoan and tongan rugby union internationals were never born nor lived in the islands for 3 years..they're heritage players..which is fair enough because there is no professional rugby in the islands..
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, AFL could have a World Cup on that basis. The basis being that the nations being represented had domestic leagues of their own that were recognised by the sport's international governing body.
Maestro
Guest
So AFL could have a World Cup on that basis? Note I was answering terry Tavita...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
How does that negate the legitimacy of the World Cup given the heritage rules in place for international sports? The only time it could even be remotely considered 'laughable' was in 2000 when a team represented Lebanon despite there being absolutely no rugby leageu whatsoever in the country. But there were conditions to that tournament representation which Lebanon have admirably fulfilled. The next step will be further domestic players in the RLWC 2021. All nations being represented in 2017 HAVE domestic leagues and so on. And so on.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It is only laughable if you think the status quo is the end goal. Also, if a player is eligible under rules that other sports define eligibilty then you have to concede that all international competition is rubbish. Again, keep trying. I'm willing.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
If you dont like it dont watch it maestro. Simples
Maestro
Guest
The overwhelming majority of Rugby international teams are either born in the country they play for or have lived there for at least 3 years. You can only say that about the top 3 RL countries and without mentioning Radradra etc..
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
If its laughable then ignore it andrew.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
As far as I know, the RLIF were looking for financial guarantees and for whatever reason, the NSW State government weren't willing to offer a decent bid.
Maestro
Guest
SA True but the eligibility means that as an international competition its laughable. JK - nothing to add?? Where is Andrew??
Maestro
Guest
If it were popular in Sydney they would make a squillion on the ticket sales surely and have less travel costs - NSW Govt spending money on stadiums rather than events for games that RL wont put on in Sydney - go figure..
terry tavita
Roar Rookie
I hope league eligibility rules don't change..tonga, samoa and fiji will never be as strong as it is now if league took it's cue from rugby union..union's rules are basically to depower PI teams..
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
No, players aren't changing nationality. They are changing eligibility. Nationality is only one possible means of eligibility in international sport. Admittedly it is usually the primary one. Eventually rugby league will adopt tighter eligibility rules. But at the moment, it is not wrong at all to do what they are doing.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
New id same defences. Boring.
Maestro
Guest
Repeat JK I am not Andrew or BrafDeakins. You may defend yourself under different ids but not me. If you don't like my comments - don't comment but surely its an intellectual challenge to answer the qn posed or I assume there is no answer which is why you retreat to "jibes" No BD is not me I think you have a large brain but not being used effectively.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Defending yourself under a new id? Most amusing. Did it last week as well and we all saw how well that went maestro/Andrew!