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World Cup

World Cup overnight: Kangaroos, England win big while Fiji advance

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pan66.com
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Here’s what you might have missed overnight at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.

The main takeaways

  • England secured top spot in Group A with their biggest ever World Cup victory.
  • Knights back Dom Young scored four to equal the record for most tries in a Test by an Englishman.
  • Key England forward Victor Radley suffered an elbow injury in the match.

Star performers

Outside of the obvious, being four-try star Dom Young, England had a number of impressive players in this match. Hooker Andy Ackers tore Greece to bits, scoring a double and amassing 233 metres of running, while halves George Williams and Marc Sneyd were directly involved in 10 of England's 17 tries (eight combined assists and a try each). 

Four tries for sensational Young

What the result means

England are through as Group A's undefeated top seed, with Papua New Guinea or Cook Islands their likely opponent in the quarterfinals. Greece's maiden World Cup is over, but they'll reflect on a momentous achievement in qualifying and hope that their campaign has captured the heart of others in Greece and around the world. 

Recap

Match Highlights: England v Greece

The main takeaways

  • Fiji's second win at the tournament booked them a quarterfinal place.
  • The Bati enjoyed 60 percent possession but struggled to put it together against Scotland, making 16 errors. 
  • Veteran forward Korbin Sims was penalised for a lifting tackle late in the match and may have a case to answer at Judiciary. 

Star performers

Panthers youngster Sunia Turuva continued his strong tournament with an eye-catching display at the back for Fiji, finishing with 214 run metres and seven tackle breaks, while Viliame Kikau had a try and try assist. Taniela Sadrugu and King Vuniyayawa laid a solid platform up front. 

Two of the greatest dummies you'll see set up Kikau

What the result means

Fiji will face New Zealand in the quarterfinals for the second World Cup in a row, while Scotland are out, having failed to pick up a win at the tournament. 

Recap

Match Highlights: Fiji v Scotland

The main takeaways

  • With their 15th-straight World Cup victory, stretching back to the 2013 tournament, Australia set a new record for the World Cup's longest winning streak. 
  • Reagan Campbell-Gillard suffered a cork to his leg which could rule him out of the quarterfinals. 
  • Campbell Graham's double means he now has five tries in two Tests.

Star performers

In their first appearance together, Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary both performed well, with DCE setting up four tries and having involvement in two others, and Cleary finishing with three try assists and four line-break assists. Tino
Fa'asuamaleaui had 126 metres in a 39-minute stint off the bench. 

What the result means

Australia remain the hot favourites at the tournament after a dominant opening three games and are set to play Lebanon in the quarterfinals. After starting the World Cup on a high with a big win over Scotland, Italy have failed to progress. 

Recap

Match Highlights: Australia v Italy

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.