Nathan Cleary’s masterclass on debut gave Mal Meninga a welcome Kangaroos headache ahead of the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Samoa bounced back to all but set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal with arch rivals Tonga.
Read on for the latest Rugby League World Cup Power Rankings.
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1. AUSTRALIA
Last week’s rank: (1st no movement)
Analysis: The Kangaroos asserted their dominance with a 84-0 win over Scotland and Mal Meninga made a host of changes to his side attempting to find new combinations. Nathan Cleary’s Test debut was emphatic and his 28 points, three linebreak assists, three try assists could spell the end for Daly Cherry-Evans international career. The 24-year-old delivered one of the most dominant performances in World Cup history while Matt Burton, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Campbell Graham were all impressive in their debut appearances. The reigning champions face Italy in their next encounter and have all but secured the top of their group. Coach Mal Meninga will use the clash to test out more combinations and attempt to finalise his team for the finals series. A number of big selection battles have firmed in the back row and centres. Angus Crichton, Jeremiah Nanai, Liam Martin and Cameron Murray are vying for the edge spot while Valentine Holmes, Matt Burton, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham and Latrell Mitchell will fight it out for the centre spots.
2. ENGLAND
Last week’s rank: (3rd up one spot)
Analysis: Off the back of a demolition of Samoa in their first game, England were brought back down to earth against France. While they were able to come away with a 42-18 win, England coach Shaun Wane said his side “have to do better” and aspects of their game “weren’t good enough”. He also indicated his side will need to improve to progress deep into the finals series. Victor Radley was once again impressive, recording a try, a try assist and two tackle breaks while Dom Young’s performance caught the eye. The 21-year-old, in his second Test game, ran for 256 metres, breaking two tackles and scoring a double. The host nation will face Greece in their final group stage clash and will likely come away win a win, sending an ominous warning to the rest of the competition, currently sitting on a 78 points differential in a tough group that includes Samoa.
3. NEW ZEALAND
Last week’s rank: (2nd down one spot)
Analysis: New Zealand once again got the job done against World Cup newcomers Jamaica with a 68-6 win at MKM Stadium in Hull. Superstar Joey Manu shifted to five-eighth and once again impressed, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad took over at fullback. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak didn’t feature in the Kiwis’ first clash, but truly made his mark against The Reggae Warriors. The speedster scored four tries and recorded 249 running metres to go with 10 tackle breaks and six line breaks, despite leaving the field in the 62nd minute due to cramp. Titans veteran Kieran Foran was impressive at halfback, but Michael Maguire still have one superstar to unleash – Jahrome Hughes. The 28-year-old missed the first two games with a thigh strain but will likely be back ready to mount a huge finals charge in the Kiwis third game against Ireland. With a spine consisting of Joey Manu at fullback, as well as Hughes and Dylan Brown in the halves, New Zealand look to be an ominous force. However, the fact they are set to face Australia at the semi-final stage sees England leapfrog them as they are on track to make the final on the weak side of the draw.
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4. SAMOA
Last week’s rank: (5th up one spot)
Analysis: After their shock thrashing at the hands of England, Samoa got their World Cup back on track with a 72-4 demolition of Greece. The result all but assures them passage to the knockout stages if they can beat France in their final pool game. Samoa’s Penrith contingent bounced back into form in style with Jarome Luai setting up three tries and scoring another, while Brian To’o ran for 320 metres and scored a try of his won. Stephen Crichton also had 131 metres and a try to go with 10 goals in a 24-point haul. Former Warriors half Chanel Harris-Tavita scored a double and set up a try with the out of form Anthony Milford in danger of being dropped when he returns from his one game ban. Joseph Suaalii also looked much more assured at the back with 280 metres, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists and a try assists with no errors. Samoa now look set to face arch rivals Tonga in a blockbuster quarterfinal and look more dangerous at this stage given their classy spine.
5. TONGA
Last week’s rank: (4th down one spot)
Analysis: After coming desperately close to drawing with Papua New Guinea in their first clash, Tonga once again failed to set the world alight against Wales. Kristian Woolf’s side came away with a 32-6 win over Wales, who performed admirably and were the dominant side for the first 20 minutes of the clash. After Daniel Tupou’s four-pointer in the 21st minute, Tonga went on with the job and came out in the second half with a intensity the Welsh side couldn’t match. Woolf’s side almost scored the try of the tournament after flyer Tolu Koula somehow managed to flick to ball back in through his legs to find Katoa. Unfortunately, the ball scraped the sideline and the try was disallowed, but the young gun’s desire was on full display. Tupou recorded a hat-trick and 204 running metres, while Tesi Niu notched up two try assists and a try at fullback.
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6. FIJI
Last week’s rank: (8th up two spots)
Analysis: After their comprehensive first up loss to Australia, Fiji bounced back in style with a 60-4 thrashing of Italy to put them in the box seat to finish second in their group. Tigers recruit Api Koroisau was switched to five-eighth in a masterstroke which saw him run for 90 metres to go with two linebreaks, two try assists and a try. His replacement at hooker Penioni Tagituimua was arguably even better with 116 metres, six tackle busts and a classy double. Bulldogs recruit Viliame Kikau also found form after a poor outing against the Kangaroos with two linebreaks, two try assists and two tries of his own to tear Italy apart on the edge. Due to a far superior points differential Fiji don’t even have to beat group cellar dwellers Scotland in their final pool game to win through to the knockout stages, but will want to carry their momentum into the quarterfinals.
7. LEBANON
Last week’s rank: (9th up two spots)
Analysis: After their Round 1 loss to the Kiwis, Lebanon kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive with a convincing 32-14 victory over Ireland. The win was all the more impressive as they had to do it without suspended playmaker Adam Doueihi. Halfback Mitchell Moses stepped up in his absence with 66 run metres, three linebreak assists and three try assists in a 12-point haul. Bulldogs young gun Jacob Kiraz also impressed at fullback with 140 metres, a linebreak, a try assist and a try in a sign he could make a fist of the position at NRL level. Elie El-Zakhem set the platform up front with a game high 153 metres, a linebreak and a try to go with 19 tackles without a miss. Lebanon now welcome back Doueihi for their clash with Jamaica with a win all but guaranteeing them passage to the quarterfinals.
8. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Last week’s rank: (7th down one spot)
Analysis: Papua New Guinea got the job done against the Cook Islands, all but securing a quarterfinals appearance with a 32-16 win. The Kumuls leaped into second place in Groupd D, overtaking the Cook Islands on points differential. Winger Rodrick Tai recorded 164 running metres, five tackle breaks and two tries which included an 80-metre effort froma 20-metre restart. Alex Johnston’s playmaking ability was also on display, sparking Justin Olam’s four-pointer. Halfback Kyle Laybutt was also impressive, scoring a try of his own to go with a linebreak and try assists. The Kumuls face Wales in the final group stage clash of the World Cup and will be hoping to get through the clash unscathed. PNG will then face the winners of Group A which is set to be the hosts, England.
9. IRELAND
Last week’s rank: (6th down three spots)
Analysis: After their demolition of Jamaica, Ireland couldn’t get the job done against Lebanon in a 32-14 loss, which means they have to beat New Zealand or hope Lebanon slip up against Jamaica to progress to the knockout stages. Luke Keary had a mixed bag with two linebreak assists, two try assists, two errors and two missed tackles. 22-year-old winger Louis Senior was impressive with 82 run metres, five tackle busts, three linebreaks and a classy double. Centre Edward Chamberlain was also excellent with 110 metres, a linebreak, a try and a goal. However ill-discipline cost the Irish, who conceded 11 penalties, with Lebanon half Mitchell Moses taking full advantage. There was a spicy aftermath to the match with Lebanon coach Michael Cheika taking issue with a number of ugly tackles from Ireland, who now have it all to do in their final pool game against one of the favourites for the tournament.
10. COOK ISLANDS
Last week’s rank: (9th no movement)
Analysis: The Cook Islands were valiant in defeat but never got close to Papua New Guinea in the end. Going into halftime the game was in the balance at 10-8, but the Kumuls took the upper hand with three tries within the first 16 minutes of the second half. The Cook Islands back three ran the show on Wednesday morning, with Kayal Iro, Paul Ulberg and Anthony Gelling all running for 160 metres and recording a try a piece. Iro and Ulberg also recorded try assists and line break assists in an impressive showing. Reubenn Rennie’s late sin bin was the final nail in the coffin and coach Tony Iro’s side were never able to claw their way back into the contest. The Cook Islands face Tonga in their final World Cup clash and will be hoping to put up a fight in Middlesbrough.
11. FRANCE
Last week’s rank: (12th up one spot)
Analysis: France backed up their clinical win over Greece with a brave effort in a 42-18 loss to arch rivals England. Five-eighth Arthur Mourgue impressed with 47 run metres, two tackle busts and a try in a 10-point haul. Winger Arthur Romano ran for the second most metres for France with 124 to go with two tackle busts and a try. Replacement dummyhalf Eloi Pelissier provided real spark off the bench with 70 run metres, two tackle busts, a linebreak and a try. However, France just couldn’t contain England out wide with wingers Ryan Hall and Dominic Young both grabbing doubles. France now face a winner takes all clash with Samoa in their final pool game to advance to the quarterfinals.
12. ITALY
Last week’s rank: (11th down one spot)
Analysis: After their impressive win over Scotland, Italy came crashing back to earth with a 60-4 trashing at the hands of Fiji to all but end their chances of progressing. Eels forward Nathan Brown was disappointing with just 46 metres from five runs to go with three missed tackles and a penalty conceded. Winger Jake Maizen continued his impressive World Cup backing up his hat-trick against Scotland with another try and 100 metres in a well beaten side. However, Italy were made to pay for a woeful defensive display, missing a whopping 57 tackles to five, which gave them no chance against the flying Fijians. If they defend that poorly against Australia, the kangaroos will put 100-plus on them.
13. WALES
Last week’s rank: (13th no movement)
Analysis: Wales put up a fight against a strong Tonga side and their performance was labelled ‘brave’ by Fox League’s commentators. John Kear’s side opened the scoring in the 15th minute via winger Kyle Evans moments after Dalton Grant looked certain to score before being held up. Wales only held their lead for five minutes before Tonga go into their work and stormed past the Welsh defence six times. It seems Wales come out of the blocks hard and also held a 12-8 lead at halftime against the Cook Islands before eventually going down 18-12. Without a single NRL player, the Welsh side have been impressive with Evans and backrower Bailey Antrobus starring on Tuesday morning.
14. GREECE
Last week’s rank: (14th no movement)
Analysis: Greece felt the full might of Samoa in their second World Cup, who came out with a point to prove after being flogged by England. The Titans leaked 72 points and were completely outclassed as Jarome Luai and Brian To’o starred for Matt Parish’s side. Lachlan Ilias performed and scored off the back of a Billy Magoulias chip. The 22-year-old also recorded an impressive 495 kicking metres from only 13 kicks to steer his side around the park. Greece face a tough assignment coming up against England in their final encounter and coach Steve Georgallis will be hoping to see some improvement in their final game for the tournament.
15. JAMAICA
Last week’s rank: (16th up one spot)
Analysis: It was all smiles for Jamaica after veteran Ben Jones-Bishop score the Caribbean nation’s first ever World Cup try. Jones-Bishop was playing his 300th career game when a golden opportunity arose from a New Zealand error. The Reggae Warriors came together in a huge embrace and trainers celebrated the historic moment. Even though Jamaica were beaten 68-6 by New Zealand, their grit and determination against the No.1 ranked team made rugby league fans across the world smile. Jamaica haven’t lit the world alight in their first World Cup appearances but have improved in their first two games and will be hoping to cross the line more than once against Lebanon to close out their campaign.
16. SCOTLAND
Last week’s rank: (15th down one spot)
Analysis: Scotland had a game to forget against the Kangaroos, leaking more than a point a minute in an 84-0 flogging. The reigning champions completely dismantled the Scots, who had no answers, and even less possession. Scotland completed only 10 of their 22 sets, Australia had a whopping 42 sets and completed 36 of them. Scotland have the equal worst points differential as it stands, sitting at -108 with newcomers Jamaica. That figure could grow even bigger when they take on Fiji in their third game, fresh off a 60-4 thumping Italy, who beat the Scots 28-4. Euan Aitken is the only current NRL player plying his trade for Scotland and coach Nathan Graham will be desperate for him to stand up.
