All the results and try scorers from the third week of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
FIJI v ITALY
The Fiji Bati have booked a spot in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals following a hard-fought 38-10 victory over Italy at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
Fiji 38 (Vunivalu 3, Naiqama, Raiwalui, Wiliame, Montoya tries; Koroisau 3, Milne 2 goals) defeated Italy 10 (Mantellato, Milone tries; Mantellato goal) at Canberra Stadium. Half time: Fiji 12-4. Crowd: 6733.
TONGA v NEW ZEALAND
Rugby league history belongs to Tonga.
The island nation have become the first second-tier side ever to beat a top-three team in international rugby league, powering to an emphatic 28-22 victory over the Kiwis on Saturday afternoon at Waikato Stadium.
Tonga 28 (David Fusitu'a 3, Tuimoala Lolohea, Will Hopoate tries; Sio Siua Taukeiaho 3, Tuimoala Lolohea 1 goals) def. New Zealand 22 (Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jordan Rapana, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck x2 tries; Shaun Johnson 3 goals) at Waikato Stadium. HT: 2-16. Crowd: 24,041.
SAMOA v SCOTLAND
Samoa have avoided the embarrassment of an early World Cup exit by coming from eight points down to draw 14-all with Scotland in Cairns on Saturday and advance to the quarter-finals by virtue of a superior points differential.
Samoa 14 (Junior Paulo, Matthew Wright, Young Tonumaipea tries; Matthew Wright 1 goals) drew with Scotland 14 (Lewis Tierney, Frankie Mariano tries; Danny Addy 3 goals) at Barlow Park, Cairns. Half-time: Scotland 14-6. On report: Leeson Ah Mau (Samoa).
AUSTRALIA v LEBANON
The Kangaroos have done enough to down a valiant Lebanon team 34-0 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, with the World Cup minnows giving an excellent account of themselves.
Australia 34 (Munster 2, Maloney, Cordner, Gagai, Trbojevic tries; Maloney 4, Smith goals) defeated Lebanon 0 at Sydney Football Stadium. Half time: Australia 10-0. Crowd: 21,127.
PNG v USA
Watch out England, the Kumuls are coming.
Papua New Guinea completed a clean sweep of their World Cup pool matches with a 64-0 rout of the United States of America on Sunday afternoon to advance to the quarter-finals, and former Kangaroos great Laurie Daley insists they have the point-scoring capabilities to knock off England in Melbourne next Sunday.
Papua New Guinea 64 (Justin Olam 3, Lachlan Lam 2, James Segeyaro, Rod Griffin, Stargroth Amean, David Mead, Watson Boas, Nene Macdonald tries; Rhyse Martin 10 goals) def. United States of America 0 at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby. Half-time: PNG 34-0. Crowd: 14,800.
IRELAND v WALES
Ireland defeated Wales 34-6 at Perth Rectangular Stadium in the 30 degree heat of Western Australia to wrap up World Cup Pool C on Sunday.
Ireland 34 (Oliver Roberts 2, Api Pewhairangi, Joe Philbin, Liam Finn, Liam Kay tries; Liam Finn 5 goals) def. Wales 6 (Ben Morris try; Courtney Davies goal) at Perth Rectangular Stadium. Half-time: 22-0.
ENGLAND v FRANCE
England has overcome France 36-6 in their World Cup Pool A clash at Perth Stadium on Sunday night.
Les Chanticleers needed to beat their traditional rivals to have a chance of playing in the quarter-finals, yet England snuffed out any chance of that happening with four tries inside the first 20 minutes.
England 36 (Jermaine McGillvary 2, Gareth Widdop, Stefan Ratchford, James Graham, Mark Percival, John Bateman tries; Widdop 4 goals) defeated France 6 (Benjamin Garcia try; Lucas Albert ≥goal) at Perth Stadium. Half-time: 26-6. Crowd: 14,744.
QUARTER FINALS:
Australia v Samoa, Darwin Stadium – Friday November 17th, 8.30pm (AEST)
Tonga v Lebanon, Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch – Saturday November 18th, 3pm (AEST)
New Zealand v Fiji, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington – Saturday November 18th, 5.30pm (AEST)
England v PNG, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne – Sunday November 19th, 4pm (AEST)
