Opinion
These are not the games that will grab headlines. These are not the tier one teams with their first grade players.
These games are what international rugby league is all about – the underdog. While none of the teams in these three games are likely to go on and take out the cup, they all have plenty at stake this week.
Quarter-finals spots are on the line, and passion from the players is what will get their team through. Who knows what will happen?
If this first week has taught us anything, it’s certainly to expect the unexpected.
Kicking off 12:30am Sunday morning Sydney time, the surprise packet Italian side will meet the might of Fiji in what is essentially a do or die clash in group B.
The Bati will be battered and bruised from their physical encounter with the Kangaroos last week – but they’ll take pride in their performance against the Aussies.
Fiji were able to apply early pressure and even score the first try, before the world cup favourites took control. Italy, however, pulled off a comfortable victory over Scotland, a result that took the whole rugby league world by surprise.
With just the one NRL player, Italy put the experienced Scotland side to the sword, and they will be brimming with confidence.
While Fiji are the strong favourites to beat Italy, and then Scotland in week 3 to progress, don’t write off the Italians who have shown they mean business.
A win for the Azzurri would all but secure their first appearance in the knock-out stage of a world cup.
24 hours later, Ireland and Lebanon will clash in Leigh. One of the highly anticipated games of the group stage, both teams will feel that they deserve a spot in the quarter-finals.
Ireland put on a dominant performance to down Jamaica in week one, with Roosters half Luke Keary steering the ship alongside their experienced captain George King and Super League star Richie Myler.
Lebanon were valiant in defeat to the Kiwis in their opener, but the game may have taken a bit more out of them then Ireland’s game did – including Tigers half Adam Doueihi who failed to have his dissent charge overturned at the judiciary earlier this week.
This ruling has since been appealed, however he remains unlikely to be available for this crucial clash. He will be back when his side faces Jamaica, but by then it could be too late for the Cedars.
Ireland just have the edge on paper, and a win for the Wolfhounds would practically secure them a quarter-final spot. If Lebanon get up, they’ll need to get past Jamaica (something they’ll be confident of doing) to progress out of the group stage in second spot behind the Kiwis.
Luke Keary (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
On Wednesday morning, the Kukis and the Kumuls will round out the second week of matches. The Cook Islands looked shaky in their tournament opener against Wales, and only just managed to hold on for the victory.
The Marsters brothers were influential, but they’ll be sweating on Steven’s fitness after he left the field with an injury towards the end of the match.
19 year old Sharks fullback Kayal Iro will be looking for a big game. Papua New Guinea put up a huge fight against the might of Tonga, and were unlucky to leave their opening game empty handed.
They have plenty of experience in their side, which will be important against the relatively inexperienced Cook Islands.
An upset win for the Cook Islands would (barring Wales beating Tonga) see them through to the quarter-finals, and end PNG’s campaign.
With Wales still to come for PNG, they will want to go two from two in their remaining group games and book a quarter-final clash, likely against England.
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