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ROCHDALE: England lock Victor Radley is under investigation by World Cup organisers after an alleged brawl with Ireland forward James Bentley after the hosts departed the tournament on Saturday afternoon (UK time).
The Sydney Morning Herald first reported about a fight, started by Bentley, in the team hotel on the outskirts of Manchester. There are also reports of another incident, involving two England players, with no further details provided.
Later reports claimed that Radley had headbutted Bentley after he had made disparaging remarks about England coach Shaun Wane. Bentley had been asked to leave the team hotel and refused to do so, causing Radley to step in.
“The Rugby League World Cup is aware of reported incidents and is in conversation with the respective parties to establish the circumstances,” said a World Cup spokesperson. “There will be no further comment at this time.”
The NRL Integrity Unit is also keeping an eye on what transpires. “The NRL Integrity Unit is aware of the matter and liaising with Rugby League World Cup officials,” an NRL spokesman told AAP.
The Herald also reported that England players had played pranks on the Samoan team, who moved from their tournament base to the Manchester area in preparation for the Final this Saturday.
The Irish side, in which Leeds forward Bentley featured, were knocked out of the tournament at the group stages.
Radley’s selection in the English squad was a controversial one, given he is Australia-born and based.
However the 24-year-old made the call to give up potential future NSW State of Origin representation by honouring his father’s heritage.
It is not the first time Radley has found himself in hot water.
(Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images)
He was suspended for two games at the start of 2021 for an incident in Byron Bay, although again it was claimed he was not the instigator of the situation.
He was also told by Roosters coach Trent Robinson midway through last year it was time to grow up and “act like a man in public” after being removed from a plane over alleged drunkenness.
The lock insisted he had heeded the message earlier this year, desperate to clean up his on-field and off-field act after a 2021 littered with suspensions.
“The last two years I haven’t played as much as I would have liked to,” Radley said in March. “I spoke last year about how I wanted to be a leader, and I didn’t really do that.”
Emma Tonegato led Australia’s demolition of Papua New Guinea as the Jillaroos cruised through to the final of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup with 82-0 victory in York.
They will face the Kiwi Ferns – who should have beaten them last week in the group stage – after New Zealand overcame England 20-6 in the other semi.
On a foggy and chilly night at the LNER Community Stadium, the Jillaroos ran in 15 tries – Tonegato and centre Isabelle Kelly contributing hat-tricks – as the Orchids’ campaign came to an abrupt end.
Australia will play the winner of the other semi-final between tournament hosts England and New Zealand at Old Trafford on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) as part of a finals double header with the Kangaroos and Samoa men.
Tonegato played at fullback but will likely come off the bench in the final with co-captain Sam Bremner expected to return to the starting line-up.
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The victory was Australia’s biggest against PNG and was the third time this tournament in which Brad Donald’s side have kept an opponent scoreless.
Keeley Davis kicked off Australia’s rout when burrowed over from close range and by the time half-time came around the Jillaroos led 40-0
Kelly had her hat-trick with Evania Pelite, Shaylee Bent, Shenae Ciesiolka and Olivia Kernick following her and Davis over the whitewash before the break.
The half-time break didn’t halt the trouble for PNG, with Jessica Sergis going over straight after the interval, Ciesiolka added one more and Tonegato chimed in with her hat-trick.
With AAP