ROCHDALE – The Rugby League World Cup is essentially two tournaments, held back to back. There’s the groups, which can be a glorified training run for the big nations, and then the knockouts, which is where the tough get going.
The best stories of the first three weeks have been the underdogs – the Greeks and Jamaicans on debut, the spectacular tries and the big hits from unexpected places. Now, though, it’s time for the proper footy to begin.
“This is when the best teams in the world really start to click into gear, with the prospect of lifting the Paul Barrière Trophy, getting ever closer,” said tournament CEO Jon Dutton.
“The stakes are high and across the weekend we will witness unscripted drama, athleticism, skill and cultures both colliding and uniting.”
He’s not wrong. Let’s run the rule over them.
Australia have had tougher runs in training than their games with Fiji, Italy and Scotland – but that will all change on Friday night, local time, in Huddersfield.
Lebanon are perhaps the surprise package of the tournament, with an eye-catching style crafted by rugby union coach Michael Cheika. He’s midway through the busiest week of his life, with his day job, the Argentina Pumas, set to face England at Twickenham less than 24 hours after his passion project, the Cedars, take on his birth nation, Australia. If that’s confusing, imagine what his week is going to be like.
Mal Meninga is yet to pick a team – there’s a bit of a drama about it, dontcha know – but whatever combination he goes for, they’ll likely be too good for Lebanon. Expect fireworks, though, from the unpredictable Lebanese.
The hosts have been red hot so far. They disposed of an underdone Samoa, battled through a resilient France and then tore new boys Greece to pieces. Everything that could go right, largely, has. Their only cloud is an injury to lock Victor Radley. He might miss this week.
The PNG Kumuls are everyone’s second favourite team. If you don’t like them, rugby league might not be for you. There’s the story, of course, of the way that the nation stops to watch their games, and the images of hundreds of fans crowded around the one TV set.
But then there’s the other part, where they actually play. They’re a great side to watch, with supreme physicality allied to an adventurous style of play. They won’t die wondering in Wigan.
The Kiwis have warmed into the tournament. They are far from the finished article, but with a semi against Australia a distinct possibility should they get past Fiji, they’ll want to show signs of improvement here.
The first-choice spine of Joey Manu, Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown and Brandon Smith was together for the first time against Ireland last Friday and looked ominous. The forward pack, minus Jared Waerea-Hargreaves this week through suspension, is already one of the best.
The caveat is the Fijians. They’ve got form here: it was at this stage in 2017, away in Wellington, where they pulled off one of the all-time great upsets to dump New Zealand out and progress to a third successive semi. They go again in pursuit of greatness and glory in Hull.
Let’s be real here: this is what we all wanted. As much as Aussie punters thought England losing to Samoa in the first game would have been hilarious for the hosts, it would have robbed us of the all-Pacific clash in the quarters.
Happily, the rugby league gods have provided. Samoa have improved since their round one thrashing and put on a superb showing to dispose of France and qualify from the group. Brian To’o is making a claim for the best winger in the tournament. Jarome Luai is playing himself into form.
Their issue might be that, in the other corner, lie their greatest foe. Mate Ma’a Tonga struggled a little against PNG in their first outing, but when you have the depth of talent that they have at their disposal, you often get away with being below your best. Since then, they’ve only got better.
Set your alarm for this one Aussie time – or just leave your TV on, because when the two cultural performances hit five minutes before kick off, it’ll shake the world and wake you up anyway.
Friday, November 11 – winner of Australia/Lebanon v winner of New Zealand/Fiji at Elland Road, Leeds.
Saturday, November 12 – winner of England/PNG v winner of Tonga/Samoa at the Emirates Stadium, London.
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DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No crowd goes off like those watching the Samoan and Tongan war cries... I love it just hear the crowd go berko..
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh for heaven sake, how about every time you pipe up with your antiquated views and the last time I was the very last time you were here. 1, I would like to know why you are so offended by it? 2, Should Messi not play for Argentina? 3, Should Korobiete not play for Fiji? Oh wait… 4, Why is it with you that because a player was good enough to represent a suburban rugby league club they should denounce the heritage of their family when given the choice? Everyone knows how the heritage rule works and I fully support it. I would sooner like to see a competitive 2/3/4 additional teams than maintain the 4 team dominance the you union boys believe is a world game. I think deep down you know that for all the blow outs, exactly the same as union WC, people would rather watch and enjoy the league WC for what it is.
sheek
Roar Guru
Nat, Oh for heaven's sake, when? Anyway, my position is clear, it's all a crock of crap. You know it deep down, but don't have the courage to admit it to yourself. But like all the other mindless sheep, you would rather be "entertained". It's your opium.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Tony, you also said the PI's should play for their heritage country and leave the Kangaroo jerseys to the Aussies, did you not ?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Will we go to war against the Cook Islands? I had my honeymoon in Suva so hopefully we don't invade Fiji anytime soon. And Italy...well who knows what Italy will do. They might change sides, not pick a side or they might declare war on themselves. I think we could take out San Marino though.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Growth Junior and Senior.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He's more chance of winning this argument as I am against the misso about why valances are really stupid and pointless
Nat
Roar Guru
I've asked you multiple questions. Given you many chances to have a discussion. Maybe you have no answers. Just like Tedd, all confused and angry about the changing world that has left you behind.
Nat
Roar Guru
Gotta choose a side in case we go to war hey soldier! FMD, you lost when the century flipped over and you decided to stay there.
sheek
Roar Guru
Nat - once again, get personal, you lose. You know the drill.....
sheek
Roar Guru
Nat - get personal & you lose. You know the drill.
Footy fan in SG
Guest
I'm definitely taking an Uber if he's on my bus route.
Nat
Roar Guru
Is he a bus driver? He might like to to tell people he is but i would suspect he’s the bus cleaner, aspiring to be a driver. No chance would a company allow him to interact with the public.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Have to admire (or not) the pretty-much sneering condescension in the first two paragraphs. “Now the tough get going…time for the proper footy…” Really? I’ve seen a huge display of toughness, courage and commitment from teams other than the four favourites. “Tonga against Samoa is the Pacific clash we all wanted.” Again, really? Tonga did not “struggle a little” against PNG. They were a whisker away from being beaten by the Kumuls until that flying Tongan shoulder charge was ignored instead of a red card and penalty try. So it should have been PNG playing Samoa and Tonga against England. And I do think England may be in for a nasty surprise. On the other hand, the organisers and money men will be desperate for the Poms to at least make the semi-finals. Was this well understood by the officials who made the dreadful calls in favour of Tonga and the Cook Islands? What will happen next? Still, Australia will almost certainly win. Huzzah!
clipper
Roar Rookie
Aust. and NZ 'should' win - don't think there has been anything more certain. The oods on Aust are 1.002 - which means you would have to put $1000 on just to win $2. NZ is 1.01, which isn't much better and England is $1.05. Unless the bookies have become a charity, they are all shoe ins.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Amazing to see someone - and a “guru” at that! - pleasuring himself so intensely.
Footy fan in SG
Guest
You know it’s a sharp intellect that has to explain his (sure let’s call them) jokes. He really is the arch-mansplainer on this website. Bus drivers.
Tony
Roar Guru
Ted Bullpit :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
Here he is, Ted Bullpit, just the unfunny version. Maybe have a look at the scenes in the clip below to understand what entertainment is. When was the last time you and the old white tweed jacket crowd turned up to a game?
Nat
Roar Guru
I’m probably wrong but I still think there is a twist coming here somewhere. PNG are going to give Eng a real shake. Not sure they will win but if PNG get away early it might be very interesting. Bothe Tonga and Samoa are playing themselves into form. Aust and NZ have had a rails run but inconsistent in the team selections and fluidity.