Rugby League World Cup final: Australia star Billy Slater wary of England threat

Australia are overwhelming favourites to retain their Rugby League World Cup crown but full-back Billy Slater is not taking anything for granted ahead of Saturday’s final against England.

The Brisbane encounter, which starts at 9am UK time, could see Australia win a record 11th World Cup. England are in their first final since 1995.

The Kangaroos are in such fine form that hardly any pundits believe England can cause one of the biggest shocks in rugby league history.

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But Slater says England should not be underestimated, despite Australia’s superb run of results en route to the final and the 18-4 win in the opening game of the tournament.

“England have got just as much chance as us,” he told the Daily Star. “Both their wingers have really impressed me. [Jermaine] McGillvary and [Ryan] Hall are so hard to handle, they are big, strong lads.

“We are going to have to make sure our kick chase is the best it’s been all tour and handle them with a lot of numbers and be quite physical because that is how they run the ball.”

The veteran full-back, who could be playing his final Test for the Kangaroos, believes Gareth Widdop will be England’s danger man in the Brisbane final.

The 34-year-old said: “Being aware of where Gareth is when they are attacking our line is probably key for us. He is a skilful passer of the footy and is probably their strike weapon. We need to know where he is at all times.

“He is just a natural footy player. As long as he has the ball in his hands he is going to be a danger to the opposition.”

Meanwhile, despite being named on the England team list, captain Sean O’Loughlin is rated 50-50 to face Australia in the final.

The loose forward suffered a quad injury in the semi-final win against Tonga last week and will not lead his side if unfit.

England coach Wayne Bennett said: “He is 50-50 so we are not sure. He is not going to play if he is not fit. He has done that too many times in his career before and as a coach I do not want that. He will be fit to play or he won’t be, it is as simple as that.”

Rugby League World Cup final squads:

England reach final after beating Tonga in classic

25 November

Tonga 18 England 20

England will play Australia in the Rugby League World Cup final after holding on against Tonga in today’s thrilling semi-final.

After taking a 20-0 lead England looked home and dry with seven minutes to go at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. But Tonga came roaring back with 18 points to stage a stirring comeback.

England’s tries came from Jermaine McGillvary, Gareth Widdop and John Bateman, while Tevita Pangai Junior, Siliva Havili and Tuimoala Lolohea went over for Tonga.

There was even a final chance for Tonga to win the match but Andrew Fifita’s effort was deemed as a loose carry but referee Matt Cecchin.

Played in front of Tonga’s sea of red, England prop Chris Hill said the atmosphere was better than Super League’s Grand Final. He told the BBC: “The atmosphere was insane. You couldn’t hear the person next to you at times.

“My heart was in my socks at the end. We made it hard for ourselves. We’ve proved we can cope with the atmosphere and the occasion of a World Cup. We can take a lot of confidence.”

Speaking to the BBC, England coach Wayne Bennett added: “I wasn’t nervous [at the end]. I wanted the hooter to go but nothing else. The time clock was on our side.

“It was a quality game, they missed a couple of chances they could have taken, but our defence won the game for us to today and I’m pleased with that.

“The atmosphere was great, both teams turned up and we had a tough job. They’re a quality team. We had our hands full, we were up for it and got the job done.”

England will now face Australia in the final on 2 December in Brisbane (9am UK time). It is the first time since 1995 that England have reached the final two.

We round-up the Twitter reaction to England’s win, Tonga’s fight back and the amazing crowd in Auckland.

What an atmosphere.

England are on their way to Brisbane.

The Tonga Sea of Red in Auckland.

Team of the tournament?

Celebrations despite semi-final defeat.

Who can stop Australia and Valentine Holmes?

25 November

Australia 54 Fiji 6

Australia have thrashed their way into the final of the Rugby League World Cup. Did anyone really expect anything else?

The reigning champions and overwhelming favourites for the 2017 title annihilated Fiji 54-6 in the semi-final with Valentine Holmes scoring a record six tries.

Mal Meninga’s side will now face England or Tonga in the 2 December final in Brisbane and hope to win an 11th World Cup.

With such domination, how can England or Tonga beat the Australians? Answers on a postcard, the BBC suggests.

After scoring five tries in the 46-0 quarter-final win over Samoa, Holmes broke his own record of tries in one World Cup match with six against Fiji. He now has 12 for the tournament. Billy Slater (two tries), Dane Gagai (two) and seven kicks from Cameron Smith piled on the misery for Fiji.

“It feels just as good scoring six tries as it did scoring five tries,” said Holmes. “Full credit to the team for the victory. I’m loving the tournament and I’m very pleased that we have made the final.

“We made a few errors last week so we tried to tire them down before having a go ourselves.”

Australia skipper Smith added: “I’m really pleased with the effort the boys have put in and we are scoring points. We’ve just got to give the ball to Valentine Holmes.

“It’s been really warm, which has made it a big challenge, but the staff have done a great job looking after us so I would like to thank them for that.”

Tomorrow’s semi-final fixture

• England vs. Tonga (5am, live on BBC One)

Australian crowds an ‘embarrassment’

20 November

The Rugby League World Cup semi-final line-up is confirmed with England, Tonga and Fiji joining reigning champions Australia in the last four.

In an action-packed weekend of quarter-finals, there was a huge shock as Fiji edged out New Zealand 4-2. It’s the first time one of the “big three” – Australia, England and New Zealand – have failed to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

England, who will now take on Tonga in Auckland on Saturday, were “unconvincing” in their 36-6 win against Papua New Guinea. But “more than enough” was done, says The Guardian, for Wayne Bennett’s side to secure victory.

After their shock win against New Zealand, Fiji will play Australia on Friday in Brisbane.

The performances of the Pacific Nations – PNG, Tonga and Fiji – have been a “joy to watch” writes the Daily Star’s Julie Stott, who also praises their fans for their passion and singing.

One set of fans that has not been praised are Australia’s. Stott says they “let down” the Rugby League World Cup because of poor attendances and a lack of interest in matches that don’t involve their team.

Writing in the Star, Stott says: “The big disappointment and failing of this World Cup is the apparent apathy that comes from Australians. While crowds in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have been good, the attendances in Australia have mostly been embarrassing.

“It appears Australian fans aren’t overly bothered about watching rugby league if it doesn’t involve their team. And even the games involving Australia haven’t attracted bumper crowds and that’s because NRL and State of Origin are kingpins Down Under.

“That has also been reflected in poor publicity for the tournament in the Australian cities where games are staged. Only in Perth, a city that is desperate to join the NRL, was there any real enthusiasm to push the event for the England vs. France game.

“Walk around any other area where games are being held and you wouldn’t even know a World Cup was on.”

Although the Rugby League World Cup final on 2 December is already a sell-out, Stott suspects that’s because Aussie fans “assume they’re going to see their nation crowned world champions again”.

Rugby League World Cup results and fixtures

Quarter-final results

• Australia 46 Samoa 0
• Tonga 24 Lebanon 22
• New Zealand 2 Fiji 4
• England 36 Papua New Guinea 6

Semi-final fixtures

• Friday, 24 November: Australia vs. Fiji (Brisbane, 9am)
• Saturday, 25 November: Tonga vs. England (Auckland, 5am)

Valentine Holmes left speechless after five-star show

17 November

Australia 46 Samoa 0

Australia winger Valentine Holmes didn’t even know he’d made history after scoring a record-breaking five tries in today’s 46-0 quarter-final thrashing of Samoa.

The holders were in impressive form as they reached the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with their second clean sheet in succession.

Tries from Michael Morgan (two), Billy Slater and seven goals from Cameron Smith helped inflict damage on the Samoans in Darwin, but it’s Holmes’s performance that will get the headlines.

After becoming the first player to score five tries in a Rugby League World Cup match, Holmes said to the BBC: “I am speechless. Some of the players told me at the end but I did not believe them. I am honoured, it is awesome.

“Our main goal was to make sure we completed our sets, we knew it would be hot and sweaty. Cameron Smith did great for us.

“Physically and mentally it was very hard, training in this weather was difficult so we were feeling it and they were too. We will all be jumping into the ice baths then fly to Brisbane on Saturday.”

The Kangaroos will next face the winner of tomorrow’s New Zealand vs. Fiji quarter-final, but for Samoa, it’s the end of the road.

Captain Frank Pritchard told the BBC that Samoa’s players can hold their heads high after a tough clash against the reigning champions. He said: “It was always going to be a tough night against Australia. They’ve set the bar in rugby league and we gave it our best shot.

“We’ll hold our heads high for next year. It’s not been the greatest tour for us, but we have a young squad for the future. It’s always a pleasure to lead my boys into battle. I have much love for my friends and fans that have come out tonight to support us.”

This weekend’s quarter-final fixtures

• Tomorrow: Tonga vs. Lebanon (4am UK time); New Zealand vs. Fiji (6.30am)
• Sunday: England vs. Papua New Guinea (5am)

Sam Burgess returns for England

14 November

England forward Sam Burgess has been named in the side for the Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Papua New Guinea.

Burgess has missed the past two games after a knee injury in the opening group match against Australia, but has been declared fit for Sunday’s clash in Melbourne.

England coach Wayne Bennett told the Daily Star: “Sam will play, he is all good.” Bennett said that the priority was for Burgess to play well and not worry about the team.

“If he is playing on the edge, it is not as demanding physically as it is in the middle, so he might be able to get through the whole game.”

Papua New Guinea come into the game with a 100% winning record, and Bennett anticipates a tough match against the Kumuls.

“They are quite formidable and they are very physical but that will not be an issue for us,” he said.

Despite missing training with an ankle injury, winger Jermaine McGillvary will also be fit to face PNG. McGillvary has scored four tries so far in the Rugby League World Cup.

Rugby League World Cup quarter-final fixtures

• Friday, 17 November: Australia vs. Samoa (9am UK time)
• Saturday, 18 November: Tonga vs. Lebanon (4am); New Zealand vs. Fiji (6.30am)
• Sunday, 19 November: England vs. Papua New Guinea (5am)

Australia book quarter-final spot

3 November

Wade Graham scored four tries as Australia beat France 52-6 today to secure their place in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals.

Reigning champions the Kangaroos were impressive once again as Graham was joined on the try list by Cameron Munster (two), Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell, Billy Slater and Valentine Holmes. Cameron Smith kicked six goals to add the extras.

France got on the scoreboard thanks to a superb length-of-the-field try by the impressive Mark Kheirallah and a Remy Marginet goal.

Graham, who was making only his second appearance for Australia, was named man-of-the-match after his four-try display.

Becoming the tournament’s top try scorer, Graham told NRL.com: “That’s something I’ve never dreamed of. Playing for Australia in the first place [is amazing] but to score four tries… I’m blown away.

“I wish I could explain it, but obviously I’m stoked with how the team went. To be able to get across the line is just a bonus.”

Australia top Group A with maximum points from their two games. In the group’s other match England take on Lebanon in Sydney tomorrow (9am UK time).

In matchday one, England lost to Australia while Lebanon made history with their first ever Rugby League World Cup victory – 29-18 against France.

Cedars captain Robbie Farah warned England that the team have prepared well for the huge clash. He told the Daily Express: “I guess we’re still on a high after last week. We’ve carried that through our week of training. It’s been a good week of preparation.

“It’s a great challenge for us, a lot of these boys have probably never played against the calibre of the players the English have got.”

In tomorrow’s other games New Zealand take on Scotland and Samoa face Tonga.

This weekend’s Rugby League World Cup fixtures

Tomorrow

• New Zealand vs Scotland (4am)
• Samoa vs Tonga (6.30am)
• England vs Lebanon (9am)

Sunday, 5 November

• Italy vs United States (6am)
• Papua New Guinea vs Ireland (6am)
• Fiji vs Wales (8.30am)

Papua New Guinea and Lebanon make history

30 October

All 14 teams have now played their first games of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and it was an impressive matchday one for Papua New Guinea, Lebanon and Tonga.

After Australia’s 18-4 win over England in the tournament’s first match, fellow co-hosts PNG and New Zealand followed suit with victories. Fiji and Ireland also recorded impressive wins.

We pick out the main talking points from the opening weekend of the Rugby League World Cup.

PNG hand out ‘harsh’ lesson to Wales

Co-hosts Papua New Guinea got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a record-breaking 50-6 win over Wales.

The ‘Kumuls’ scored ten tries in their biggest ever World Cup win, while for the Welsh it was their worst ever World Cup defeat. PNG captain and Brisbane Broncos’s full-back David Mead was the star of the show with a hat-trick.

For Wales coach John Kear he could only compliment PNG on their ball carrying ability. He told The Times: “It’s been a very harsh lesson. The southern hemisphere fellas really carry the ball very aggressively. If you don’t stand up to that, you end up getting rolled.

“We just never got any opportunity to attack because we couldn’t prevent the roll-on. I’ve got to compliment Papua.”

Lebanon win first ever World Cup match

Lebanon secured their first ever Rugby League World Cup win after beating France 29-18 in Canberra.

The Cedars have not appeared in the World Cup since 2000 and have a tough group with Australia and England, but they celebrated a win over the French after a late drop goal, try and conversion from Mitchell Moses.

France now have to beat Australia or England if they stand any chance of progressing – and they play the Kangaroos next on Friday.

France coach Aurelien Cologni was not very optimistic, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I have to answer with the reality or just with a dream? If I say realist, Australia is top level so we have to respect that.

“We didn’t play at our best level [against Lebanon] but we will give the maximum to get the goal. That’s not done for us. We know the two teams in front are very strong, but we stay proud.”

Tonga sprint out of the blocks

In Group B Tonga scored 38 first-half points in a thrilling 50-4 win against Scotland in Cairns.

Living up to the hype as ones to watch, Tonga were in scintillating form with seven tries in the first half and nine overall.

Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou led the way with three and two respectively while Danny Addy responded with Scotland’s only try.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf told the Daily Telegraph: “Let’s make sure we enjoy that win. I know it didn’t finish as well as we wanted it to, but let’s enjoy that win.”

Rugby League World Cup results and fixtures

Matchday one results

• Australia 18 England 4
• Lebanon 29 France 18
• Samoa 8 New Zealand 38
• Scotland 4 Tonga 50
• Papua New Guinea 50 Wales 6
• Fiji 58 United States 12
• Ireland 36 Italy 12

Next weekend’s fixtures (UK times)

• Friday, 3 November: Australia vs France (9am)
• Saturday, 4 November: New Zealand vs Scotland (4am); Samoa vs Tonga (6.30am); England vs Lebanon (9am)
• Sunday, 5 November: Italy vs United States (6am); Papua New Guinea vs Ireland (6am); Fiji vs Wales (8.30am)

Australia beat England in opening match

27 October

Australia 18 England 4

Reigning champions Australia beat England 18-4 in a thrilling opening match of the Rugby League World Cup.

It was the Kangaroos’ 12th straight victory over England, who lost Sam Burgess with a knee injury. England head coach Wayne Bennett told the Daily Mirror that Burgess could be out for three to four weeks with suspected medial ligament damage.

For Australia the result showed why they are the team to beat in the competition. Billy Slater played a starring role in the 18-4 victory, but Australia have their own injury worry after Jake Trbojevic was taken to hospital for scans on a “possible pectoral rupture”, says Fox Sports.

Jermaine McGillvary opened the scoring for England with a try after just four minutes but Australia hit back with tries from Matt Gillett, Slater and Josh Dugan. Cameron Smith added the extras with two conversions and a penalty.

Despite the opening victory, Australia coach Mal Meninga said his side “could play better”. He told Fox Sports: “I was pleased with our attitude and effort. We improved our defence late in the game when we were under the pump. England had a lot of field possession against us.

“We got a hard battle. A lot of fatigue amongst our players. Through the course of the competition both teams will improve. It was a really important victory for us because it sets us our campaign and puts England under a bit of pressure.”

Meanwhile, James Roby told the BBC that the England squad will not be disheartened by the defeat or Burgess’ injury.

The hooker said: “Ultimately, the whole game, we did very well and we will not let our heads go down. We defended our lines for numerous sets and I thought we were unlucky with the penalty at the end.

“I was itching to get on the field, to do my thing and try to lift the team. To lose a player of Sam Burgess’ calibre of obviously going to affect us but I thought we managed to get on with the game.”