Scots finally break Cup duck
November 05, 2008

SCOTLAND pulled off an incredible 18-16 late victory over highly-fancied Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium to claim their country's first ever rugby league World Cup win in five attempts.

Wakefield prop Oliver Wilkes barged over in the 76th minute to level scores before captain Danny Brough kept his perfect goalkicking record in tact with a left-footed conversion for victory.

But the Bravehearts had to withstand a frenetic final few minutes before securing a courageous win in front of a crowd of 9,720 fans.

Despite the narrow defeat Fiji still finish top of Pool 2 and will face Ireland in a playoff for the semi-finals at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on Monday with the winner to face Australia.

Scotland jump to second in the pool and will play Tonga in Rockhampton on Saturday while France will play Samoa at CUA Stadium on Sunday after the islanders lost top place of Pool 3 with a heavy 34-16 defeat to Ireland.

Scotland led 12-4 at half time but that was quickly eroded as lock Jason Bukuya scored in the 43rd minute with the help of four defenders to pull the deficit back to just two points.

The Fijians looked to have secured the win when sustained dominance led to winger Semi Tadulala's second try of the night in the 73rd minute.

But while the Fijians started the game with a prayer it was Scotland who received the miracle as they won the ball from a short re-start and charged down field to score a try and secure their first win since entering the World Cup in 2000.

Scotland full-back Michael Robertson gave his side a surprise lead at the break when he touched down in the final minute of the first half after Brough's chip kick ricocheted off the uprights.

Winger Jon Steel scored Scotland's first try in the sixth minute after man of the match Ian Henderson ran down the blindside.

Fiji centre Sevanai Koroi was dragged down short of the line in the 22nd minute but set up his side's first try with a brilliant offload for Tadulala to score his first try of the night in the corner.

While there was plenty of ugly football in the contest, the worst of it came when Henderson and Bukuya traded haymakers in the 35th minute after an incident in the play-the-ball.

Tonga destroy Scotland
November 08, 2008

TONGA have destroyed a battered and bruised Scotland in their final World Cup match.

The Pacific Islanders secured a seventh place in the event with their 48-0 dismantling of the Scots in front of a sell-out 5913 crowd at Rockhampton's Browne Park.

The Scots were always up against it, missing inspirational captain Danny Brough and playing in oppressive 30 degree-plus heat in the city situated on the Tropic of Capricorn.

But the Tongans had their own hurdles to overcome, with team manager Bob Jones missing the match in Yeppoon Hospital after experiencing chest pains on match morning, and the death of coach Jim Dymock's father-in-law on game eve.

But Tonga were simply too strong for their northern hemisphere counterparts, who failed to back up their shock win - Scotland's first in World Cup history - over Fiji on Wednesday.

Leading 24-0 at half-time, the Tongans picked up where they left off when Tony Williams smashed his way over in the 45th minute, his conversion giving Tonga an unassailable lead.

Cooper Vuna crossed for his second try 10 minutes later to make it 36-0.

Tired defence couldn't hold the Tongans from there, with tries from Fetuli Talanoa (59th) and Michael Jennings (80th) completing the rout.

The Tongans had taken just four minutes to get on the board, using five-eighth and man of the match Feleti Mateo's height to advantage.

Mateo went up for an Eddie Paea chip and came down with the ball to score near the posts. Williams converted and it was 6-0 early.

A high tackle by Scottish prop Scott Logan on Eddie Paea put the Tongans on the attack again, and Paea took the opportunity, scooting through a gap to score in the eighth minute.

A forward pass ruled by referee Shane Hayne saved Scotland the embarrassment of three tries in the first 14 minutes after Jenniings had put Vuna over with a long ball.

Scotland managed to gain some field position from there and were denied when second rower Iain Morrison spilled the ball with the line open in the 22nd minute.

And it was Tonga who answered, with Etuate Waisele diving over in the corner a few tackles after a 70-metres break by Jennings.

Scottish hopes appeared to be dashed again in the 33rd minute when hooker and captain Ben Fisher burrowed over from dummy-half, but lost the ball trying for downward pressure.

The Scots handed Tonga another six points just before the break when a loose pass landed in Vuna's hands and he ran 90 metres to score under the posts for a 24-0 half-time lead

Matai injury sours Kiwis victory
November 08, 2008

NEW Zealand centre Steve Matai suffered a potentially serious neck injury in a meaningless 36-24 World Cup victory over England at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle.

Matai was put in a neck brace, carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for precautionary scans complaining of neck and shoulder pain after he was squashed by team-mate Greg Eastwood in a 29th minute tackle.

It proved the turning point that galvanised the Kiwis as they turned a 24-8 deficit around with five unanswered tries to claim the win in front of 15,145 fans.

Skipper Benji Marshall and full-back Lance Hohaia ran riot as winger Manu Vatuvei scored four tries - the first time in World Cup history - with his three in the second half all set up by the Kiwis' pair of playmakers.

But the impressive win was soured by Matai's injury as play was held up for several minutes in a dramatic moment of an action packed game.

The Manly star has battled serious neck and shoulder injuries for at least two seasons with bulging discs in his neck and chipped bones in his shoulder hampering his performances throughout 2008.

He put off shoulder surgery to play in the World Cup but this latest injury has raised serious questions about his immediate playing future.

The cruel twist for the Kiwis is that the win is likely to have no influence on their World Cup fate.

New Zealand and England are almost certain to meet again in a Brisbane semi-final next week unless Papua New Guinea execute an unlikely upset of Australia by more than two points in Townsville.

While the loss of Matai will hurt the Kiwis, the glorified dress rehearsal would serve both teams well after confidence-sapping, heavy losses to Australia in recent weeks.

England - despite resting stars Leon Pryce, James Roby and James Graham - dominated the first half and led 24-14 at the break after a double to half-back Rob Burrow and superb individual four-pointers to hooker Mickey Higham and five-eighth Martin Gleeson.

But they went to sleep in the second half as the Kiwis took total control through Marshall, Hohaia, halfback Nathan Fien and "The Beast" Vatuvei.

Vatuvei's tries in the 47th and 55th minutes levelled scores at 24-all before Issac Luke milked a penalty in the 69th minute to give New Zealand their first lead of the game.

Fien sealed the result in the 75th minute with a try that resulted from Marshall putting Bronson Harrison into space before Vatuvei scored his fourth in the 78th minute.

New Zealand doctor Simon Mayhew said Matai's injury wa nothing like his ongoing issues and could be as serious as a fractured neck.

"He had searing, burning pain from his neck right down to his arm and localised pain in the centre of his neck," said Mayhew.

"He has never had anything like that before.

"If we moved him and he has an unstable fracture then he could be a quadriplegic.

"The hope is it is just a sprain and all is good."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney was impressed with his side's second half performance after delivering an "animated" half-time dressing down to his troops.

"It showed what we are capable of," Kearney said of the second half.

"We will take plenty out of tonight but we know we are up against it next week."

England coach Tony Smith was furious his side fell apart and said some players would face the axe if they survive to face the Kiwis next week.

"Very disappointing. I'm a bit angry about it. We are all angry with it," said Smith.

"We have got to get angrier and make sure things like this don't happen again."

Kiwis skipper Benji Marshall meanwhile slammed the English players as "disrespectful" after they formed a huddle inside their own half instead of facing New Zealand's pre-game haka.

"To be honest I thought it was a little bit disrespectful," said Marshall.

"If that's how they want to approach the game that is their choice."

But Smith defended his players, adding some could find the war dance offensive.

"Where we come from we get in a huddle. That is what we do, whether people are doing the haka or not," said Smith.

"When our players want to pump each other up that is what we do.

"I'm not sure you should stand there and take it as a victim. In some cultures some people may find getting a tongue poked out at them quite offensive as well."

Te'o double inspires Samoa win
November 09, 2008

SAMOAN second-rower Ben Te'o made a blistering World Cup debut with two tries as his side thrashed France 42-10 at CUA Stadium.

The result secured Samoa ninth place and handed France the unlucky wooden spoon in the 10-team tournament.

It was a highly disappointing end to the French campaign and followed their 42-6 belting from Fiji last week.

The Samoans dominated the opening 40 minutes by running in five tries to none followed by two more in second half for a 36-0 lead before the French made a late entry onto the scoreboard with two late four-pointers.

Te'o, overlooked for Samoa's first two matches, showed his brilliance throughout by setting up two tries and scoring two of his own.

He threw a well-timed offload for Francis Meli to score in the 12th minute and then brushed aside five defenders to score an outstanding solo try in the 24th minute.

He continued to torment the French with a one-handed offload that led to winger Misi Taulapapa scoring in the 38th minute.

Brisbane Broncos bound Te'o then completed his superb game by bursting through for Samoa's sixth try just eight minutes after half-time.

In an often brutal game the Samoans were rarely troubled even though a late flurry from France, with tries to Jerome Guisset (64th minute) and Sebastien Planas (68th), added some late excitement.

Skipper Tony Puletua completed Samoa's rout by scoring in the 77th minute.

Te'o was not alone in starring for Samoa with five-eighth Ben Roberts named man of the match and prop Kylie Leulua'i setting the tone with some heavy defence.

Wolfman bags three on debut
November 09, 2008

DAVID "Wolfman" Williams launched his Test career with a hat-trick of tries as Australia sent a plucky Papua New Guinea packing from the World Cup 46-6 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The bearded 22-year-old flyer looked all class and could easily have scored four or five tries in his maiden Test.

Australia led 22-0 at half-time after Williams and centre Joel Monaghan each scored doubles in the opening 40 minutes.

The 16,239 fans showed their appreciation when PNG centre Menzie Yere showed great hands to scoop up a Rod Griffin grubber kick off his boot laces to score in the 73rd minute.

Yere, a late inclusion for George Kepa, will long remember his try because the player he burst through was young Kangaroo giant, Israel Folau.

The scoreline will look good for PNG to take home after they lost 82-0 the last time they played Australia in the 2000 World Cup.

Replacement utility Scott Prince notched the first two touch downs of the second half to blow the score line out to 34-0 at the 55th minute mark.

Prince, who started his rugby league career with North Queensland in Townsville, appeared like a thief in the night to snatch an intercept off Kumuls veteran Stanley Gene just two minutes into the second half.

The Titans playmaker got his second after Williams made a breathtaking 60 metre swerving run only to be dragged down five metres short with a hat-trick on offer.

PNG could not be accused of not having a dig against the world champions, showing tremendous heart to keep Australia to 6-0 in the opening 20 minutes.

With some pundits tipping the Kumuls could be smashed by 100 points, they stuck it out until the 80th minute despite Australia's relentless pressure.

Hard working Kangaroos forward Anthony Tupou grabbed Australia's eighth try just before full-time.

While they failed to win a game in the "pool of death" which also included England and New Zealand, PNG can head home having won the respect of many fans for the way they played the game and conducted themselves off the field.

Fiji set up clash with Kangaroos
November 10, 2008

THE pluck of the Irish could not stop Fiji from claiming their first Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth with a 30-14 win at the Gold Coast.

A dogged performance by the Wolfhounds was not enough to hold out flamboyant Fiji who celebrated a bit of history - and a $300,000 winners' pay cheque.

The beaming Fijian smiles that lit up Skilled Park could not be erased by the sobering thought of taking on world champions Australia at Sydney on Sunday.

Fiji clearly revelled in their biggest achievement since receiving full international status in 1995.

Their massive pay cheque - $225,000 more than Ireland receives - will be a huge boost for Fiji where rugby league has been active for 16 years but has never threatened rugby union in popularity.

A World Cup semi-final appearance is not a bad effort from a team boasting five park footballers and several fringe NRL players.

But there was plenty of kudos also for Ireland which held Fiji to 12-10 at half-time before pure weight of possession - and some trademark Bati brilliance - took their toll.

Ireland received a not so subtle reminder that they were minnows when they flew out to their second World Cup in cattle class - with England travelling in business on the same flight.

But the Wolfhounds have showed plenty of bite Down Under, pressuring the world body to include Ireland in a northern hemisphere tournament next year also boasting Australia, New Zealand and England.

However, the Blarney Army had little to cheer about among the disappointing 8,224-strong crowd in the second half tonight after Fiji scored three unanswered tries.

After holding on to the half-time lead despite a late try by Ireland skipper Scott Grix, Fiji poured on the pressure, at one stage enjoying four straight sets of six.

Something had to give and lock Jason Bakuya (55th minute) and Jarryd Hayne (66th) crossed before wing sensation Akuila Uate bagged his second in the 76th.

Not to be outdone, Ireland winger Damien Blanch capped a sensational tournament by crossing for his second of the night - and fifth of the tournament - with a minute left on the clock.

Former Penrith lower grader Blanch is contracted to English club Wakefield but is looking for an NRL offer - he may not have to wait too much longer after his Cup effort.

The England-based Australian became the first Irish player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup in the Wolfhounds' 22-20 opening round loss to Tonga.

And he added to his show reel when he opened his account in this match.

He dummied and stepped 40m to leave the likes of Parramatta sensation Hayne in his wake to score in the 8th minute and help lock up the scores at 6-6.

Fiji's plight was not helped by losing prop Iowane Divavesi to a two match ban for tripping just hours before his team ran out against Ireland.

Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga made the bold call that the win would be enough to boost league's popularity past rugby union in his country.

"This game was more important to us to win than Ireland. This is a big achievement for Fiji rugby league - all of Fiji are watching us,'' he said.

"It is a sport that everyone has always looked down on (at home). I think after this World Cup that league will be the No.1 game in Fiji.''

He also vowed that the players would benefit from their $300,000 windfall.

"It will go to the players. There is no money in Fijian rugby league. We asked these players to play so for them to put their hands up and come this far - we want to share the money with the players,'' he said.

He said Fiji's preparation for Mission Impossible - taking on Australia - would start straight away.

They will need all the preparation they can get. Fiji - which has never emerged from the group stage at their previous two World Cups - lost to Australia 66-8 at Gateshead in 2000 and 66-0 at Huddersfield in 1995.

"We are not going into the game with the mindset of losing, we would be stupid if we did,'' Fiji captain Wes Naiqama said.

"We know what Australia has to offer but we will go in confident.''

The semi-final sets up an intriguing clash for Fijian full-back Hayne who played for Australia in 2007.

Hayne said he would be fine to play the massive game despite collecting an upright on the way to scoring in the 66th minute.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Andy Kelly said he was proud of how his side had progressed but admitted he didn't know when their next game would be.

But he vowed the Wolfhounds would be bigger and better at the proposed 2013 World Cup.

"After the journey we had I still sit here proud of the guys,'' he said.

Kiwis through to Cup final
November 15, 2008

THEY finally stood up to the haka but England still fell 32-22 to New Zealand in their Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Brisbane.

The Kiwis made it clear they would not tolerate a repeat of last weekend's "snub" when England opted to form a huddle during the haka before their last pool match.

The English duly stood side by side and looked New Zealand in the eye during the passionate pre-match ritual - but they quickly blinked.

The Englishmen played more like schoolboys with an error riddled performance - yet somehow still fought back from 16-0 down in the first half to cut the deficit to 28-22 in the final 10 minutes.

In the end, the Kiwis ran out six tries to four winners with centre Jerome Ropati bagging a double in front of a 26,659-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd.

New Zealand will not be able to show the same leniency in next Saturday night's final at Brisbane, most certainly against world champions Australia who are expected to brush aside Fiji's challenge in Sydney on Sunday night.

England's treatment of the haka wasn't the only thing that had irked New Zealand in the match's lead-up.

The Poms had been the masters of mind games in the countdown, refusing to confirm a team and snubbing the media at their final training run on match eve - again much to New Zealand's annoyance.

The Kiwis appeared to take their frustration out on the butterfingered English tonight, jumping to 16-0 by the 22nd minute.

Then England appeared to flick a switch, scoring two tries in nine minutes including an absolute cracker to last-minute inclusion Danny McGuire in the 38th minute.

Lock Rob Purdham exploded from a scrum about 40m out and delivered a kick that surprised the Kiwis and sat up beautifully for McGuire to score.

After cruising at 16-0, a shellshocked New Zealand led by just 16-10 at half-time.

Normal service appeared to resume when New Zealand's Bronson Harrison ran off Queensland-born halfback Nathan Fien in the 57th minute to make it 22-10.

But England hung in there - despite being their own worst enemies - to trade tries with the Kiwis.

By the time McGuire - who was not even named in the initial 19-man squad by crafty England coach Tony Smith - crashed over for his second try in the 73rd minute to make it 28-22 the Poms had a sniff.

But their night was summed up by New Zealand's match-winning try.

Impressive pivot Benji Marshall pounced on a slip-up by England winger Ade Gardner to stroll over the line in the 78th and book another Cup decider with their nemesis Australia.

It ended a woeful Cup campaign for England.

They managed just one win - a hardly convincing 10 point victory over minnows PNG - and three losses, including a Cup record 52-4 drubbing at the hands of Australia.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney looked like he was on the losing side when he emerged from the dressing room.

Although pleased they had reached their third World Cup final, he knew the same performance would not stack up against a rampaging Australia.

"It's a wonderful achievement but I am disappointed with a few aspects of our game," he said.

Asked what areas New Zealand could improve, Kearney said: "How big is your (note) pad?"

"A lot of areas. I just thought for 30 minutes in the first half we showed what we were capable of ... then we drifted in and out.

"That's not going to be good enough next week.

"We don't need to be told what we are up against."

Kiwi captain Nathan Cayless also looked glum.

"There were parts of the game we can be happy with but we are disappointed we let them back in the game," he said.

Three times England came back to within a try of New Zealand before Marshall's late match-winner finally put an anxious Kearney out of his misery.

"Not for one minute did I think we had the match in the bag. I know what they are capable of," Kearney said of England.

Shattered England coach Tony Smith lamented ten errors in each half.

"It was there for us, there was an opportunity. But because of the errors in the first half we didn't take it," he said.

"We weren't really (nervous). Some players put balls down that they normally don't put down.

"I am shattered. We all wanted to do well in this tournament.

"But we didn't produce (the level) that we can play in England - that's the disappointing thing."

England captain Peacock added: "Sport is brutal.

"There is no in the middle at this level.

"When you win it is fantastic, when you lose it's the worst ever - it kills you."

With regard to last night's game, I am not anti-'pom', but do they know how to drop a ball. In the England games I have seen, much of their dropped ball has resembled 'under sevens'. These mistakes are so very costly. Anyway it's all academic now. Rugby League is what I primarily played and what I enjoy to watch but I find it very hard to get at all excited about the 'World ???' Cup.

Kangaroos cruise into final
November 16, 2008

AUSTRALIA did what was expected - and for much of the time as they pleased - in trouncing Fiji 52-0 at the Sydney Football Stadium to advance to a World Cup final against New Zealand.

Despite some willing and at times fiery second half defence from the unheralded Bati, the Kangaroos rarely got out of first gear as they ran in ten unanswered tries in one of the most anti-climactic semi-finals in the history of professional rugby league.

Rarely has a side playing for a berth in a final been given less chance of victory before a ball had even been kicked than Fiji, their mix of NRL fringe players and park footballers no match for the world champions who flexed their muscles early before coasting home over the closing hour.

Billy Slater continued his sensational tournament with a hat-trick of tries to move to a tournament best of seven while Brent Tate also scored a first half double before leaving the field with a hip flexor injury that has him in doubt for next week's clash with the Kiwis.

Johnathan Thurston bagged a hat-trick which, along with his six conversions, completed a personal tally of 24 points.

Another Greg Inglis magic act and a Paul Gallen try after just 63 seconds completed the scoring for the home side.

The Bati needed just about everything to go their way if they were to even stay close to the Kangaroos, but a knock-on from just the second tackle of the match gave an early indication that a miracle wasn't on the cards.

It was ten minutes later until Fiji got to touch the ball again, by which stage the score was 16-0 with Tate's second in the 16th minute sending statisticians scurrying for the record books.

But Fiji, who had done remarkably well just to make it the final four ahead of more fancied sides such as Samoa and Tonga, ensured the match did not turn into an embarrassment as they added some discipline with the ball to some sting in defence.

The result was only one try, a Slater four-pointer in the corner, over the ensuing half hour, the Melbourne flyer completing his hattrick nine minutes after the restart to instigate another points spree over the closing stages of the contest.

Thurston took over with his three tries coming in the space of just ten minutes, Fiji denied a late try due to a questionable forward pass ruling, much to the disappointment of the enthusiastic Bati followers.

"It was a physical game and we're going to have some bruises tomorrow," skipper Darren Lockyer told the Nine Network.

"Full credit to Fiji and how far they have come in this tournament, the scoreboard didn't reflect the intensity of the tackles out there.

"Our defence is great at the moment and we are going to need to keep that standard next in the final against the Kiwis."

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said his side's blistering start was always going to make it tough for Fiji, though he admitted he had some concerns over Australia's relatively easy passage into the final.

"The last two weeks is probably not the ideal preparation in regards to playing a final against New Zealand, how we handle that is going to be the most important issue now," Stuart said.

"It was very hard for (Fiji) in that first segment of the game, we had five sets of six to their one tackle.

"Any football team will score tries if you've got five sets of six against one tackle."

Tate said he hadn't given up hope of taking on the Kiwis, the Warriors centre left ruing a cruel piece of luck which could see him miss his first game of the season.

"Hopefully it's just a cork," Tate said.

"I'm not even going to think about (missing the game) at the moment, I've played every game this year so hopefully he (Stuart) can give me every opportunity for next week."

The Fiji camp was thrilled with not only their best ever result against Australia, but also their best finish in a major tournament.

"We learn a lot of things from this game," coach Joe Dakuitoga said.

"Maybe you give us another ten years and we can compete with all these big nations."

Compounding the loss was news winger Akuila Uate was rushed to hospital after the game with a suspected broken ankle.

November 19, 2008 12:00am

COACH Ricky Stuart has named injury concerns Brent Tate and Paul Gallen in an unchanged Australian team for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Tate suffered a hip flexor injury and Gallen a corked thigh in last Sunday's 52-0 semi-final demolition of Fiji at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Neither player trained yesterday, although Gallen is considered less of a concern than Tate.

Manly's David Williams is the most likely replacement for Tate if needed while Anthony Watmough and Josh Perry would come into calculations should Gallen not recover in time.

Meanwhile Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has named an unchanged line-up.

Kearney has also retained the same starting 13 who began the 32-22 defeat of England last weekend.

It means second rower Bronson Harrison, a late addition to the run-on side against England after having initially been named as a substitute, has kept his spot, with Sika Manu on the bench.

Halfback Nathan Fien, man of the match in both of the Kiwis' matches since his switch from hooker, retains the No.7 jersey.

Thomas Leuluai, who began the tournament at halfback, will again be the starting hooker, after producing his best perform ance of the World Cup in the semi-final.

Australia: Billy Slater, Joel Monaghan, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Karmichael Hunt, Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou, Brent Kite.

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Nathan Fien, Nathan Cayless (captain), Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Bronson Harrison, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith. Interchange - Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Sam Rapira, Sika Manu.