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Opinion

By the numbers, RLWC a success: Blowouts a teething problem as all sports expand their footprint

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Expert
17th November, 2022
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After 30 matches and 299 tries, the only number that counts this weekend at the Rugby League World Cup is who scores the most points when the Kangaroos tackle Samoa at Old Trafford.

It will most likely be another coronation for the Australians and a 12th title, yet one that will be won differently to many others, with very little between the top four teams; England, Samoa, New Zealand and the Kangaroos.

As the talent developed in the NRL competition continues to spread widely across nations represented by players connected by birth or heritage to them, the time will eventually come when Australia is stunningly beaten in a World Cup finals match by one of them.

However, it is unlikely to be this time around, with the Australians firm favourites to hold the trophy aloft a couple of hours before breakfast time on the east coast of Australia.

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The tournament has featured a few beatings, some matches fought out on a knife-edge and seen stunning performances from individuals that have reminded us all of the sheer beauty and brutality of the game.

But how has the World Cup stacked up from a statistical point of view?

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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A total of 1681 points have been scored across the tournament, for an average of 56.03 points per game. Not frightfully high considering some of the mismatches we saw in group play.

Interestingly, across the six sudden-death finals, the average drops to 44.5, matching 2022 NRL numbers and perhaps reflecting a well officiated tournament and a pleasant balance between attack and defence.

Crowds have been strong for the home nation’s matches and the semi-final blockbuster between the Kangaroos and Kiwis, yet a little disappointing at times elsewhere.

Just 8206 people made the trip to Huddersfield for the Kangaroos’ quarter-final with Lebanon and just over 7000 saw the ripping quarter-final between New Zealand and Fiji in Hull.

However, viewing numbers have been excellent, making the event the most watched rugby league World Cup on record.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Daly Cherry-Evans of Australia is tackled by Siti Moceidreke and Viliame Kikau of Fiji during the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Pool B match between Australia and Fiji at Headingley on October 15, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

That presents an interesting addition to the arguments around bums on sets and broadcast money, something all sports continue to grapple with in modern professionalism.

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Those who took the decent odds offered on Josh Addo-Carr as the tournament’s top try-scorer should have already cashed out. The Bulldogs winger has been utterly unstoppable at times, looks in superb physical condition and you wonder just how on earth he was left out of the NSW Origin team earlier in the year.

England’s Tommy Makinson was not too far behind Addo-Carr, yet his nine tries and 20 goals makes him the tournament’s top scorer, with Australia’s Nathan Cleary likely to steal the crown from him on the final day.

Adam Doueihi holds the unfortunate honour of being the only man marched from the field during the tournament and interestingly, just 17 yellow cards were issued, with Samoa and Scotland accounting for seven of those. The Samoans will be in dangerous waters should such a lack of discipline surface on Sunday morning.

The fact that the Kangaroos have avoided sanction says a great deal about the professionalism in Mal Meninga’s squad, with his team again able to combat considerable opposition brawn with brains and efficiency.

Pleasingly, even the most over-powered and out-witted nations managed to hit the scoreboard, with Wales (18), Scotland (18), Jamaica (20) and Greece (20) all finishing a distant last in their respective groups but also creating a few thrilling moments for their fans and celebrating their World Cup participation with plenty of enthusiasm.

It is hard to see the neat 16-team format as having been anything but successful and while the four teams above do have plenty of work to do to return in 2024 as more competitive units, further improvement from Cook Islands, Fiji, Lebanon and Papua New Guinea is likely during that time.

Mosese Suli of Tonga (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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The latter three finished second in their groups and competed courageously in the quarter-finals, with Fiji close to pulling off a stunning upset against the Kiwis before going down 24-18.

All up, the organisers should be pleased. Great viewing numbers, reasonable crowds, plenty of points, competent refereeing in the most part and worthy champions no matter the result on Sunday.

Whilst concerns around blow-outs reared their heads again, the issue is one present in most World Cups in any sport and the importance of expansion and growing a game lacking a strong foothold in many parts of the world, simply overrides any dislike for lop-sided results.

Despite the dramas and 12-month delay in holding the event, the World Cup was well-organised blast and a celebration of the greatest game of all. The icing on the cake would be a Samoa win in the final at the juicy odds of $7.50 with PlayUp.

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