World Cup Wrap Week 2: Powerhouses Pile on the Points; Tupou Crosses for a Triple

The second week of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup saw a number of Tricolours representatives inject themselves into the action, including multiple miracle passes and one hat-trick hero.

Australia vs Scotland: Kangaroos put up Mammoth Scoreline over the Scottish

Heavy favourites Australia backed up last week’s impressive win over Fiji as they blew the Scottish national team off the park, posting up an 84-0 victory.

The Green and Gold were led by their Captain James Tedesco who worked hard at the back, running for almost 150 metres and breaking ten tackles as well as scoring a try, earning him a well-deserved early mark just after halftime.

Also getting in on the try-scoring action was Angus Crichton, who dived on a dropped bomb to plant the ball down for Australia’s third try after just fifteen minutes of play.

In his international debut, Lindsay Collins had a profound impact on the match off the bench as he racked up 133 running metres along with a pair of tackle busts and offloads.

Fiji vs Italy: Fiji Overcome the Italians in Ten-Try Bati Party

On a mission to bounce back from last week’s hefty loss to Australia, the Fiji Bati got the better of Italy as they tallied up a convincing 60-4 scoreline.

At the helm of the Bati was their Captain Kevin Naiqama, who carried the ball for an astonishing 234 metres.

He proved to be a constant threat to the Italian defence, busting out of four tackles, breaking the line once and offloading the ball three times, as well as pouncing on a loose pass to race 50 metres down the field and score a memorable four-pointer.

Debuting for Fiji on the wing next to Captain Naiqama was 21-year-old Vuate Karawalevu, who ran for over 170 metres, broke five tackles and assisted a try. He also broke the defensive line twice, including an astonishing 50-metre breakaway off a kick return early in the second half.

In just his second international match, young gun Siua Wong put together a complete 80-minute performance in which he totalled 180 running metres with 92 of them coming after contact, as well as three tackle busts and a pair of offloads.

England vs France: Radley Runs Riot 

After stunning Samoa the week prior, hosts England further solidified themselves as a force in the World Cup as they defeated France 42-18.

Lock forward Victor Radley put in another strong performance following his debut in the English jersey, amassing over 160 running metres along with three tackle breaks and a line break. He was just as impressive in defence, putting in a huge 35 tackles.

He also had his say on the try-scoring end, breaking the line in the 24th minute of play to send fellow NRL forward Luke Thompson over the line. Radley secured a try of his own as well, scooping up a grubber kick to plant the ball down in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

New Zealand vs Jamaica: Kiwis Thump Jamaica in Convincing Win

While Jamaica made history by scoring their first ever try in a Rugby League World Cup, New Zealand added a second win to their campaign with a convincing 68-6 victory.

Showing his versatility by playing at five-eighth, superstar Joseph Manu had yet another spectacular performance in which he set up two tries for the Kiwis.

Manu played his hand superbly, having a profound impact on the game as he ran the ball 23 times for 162 total metres and seven tackle breaks. Incoming Rooster Brandon Smith also finished off the match with two tries to his name.

Lebanon vs Ireland: Keary’s Efforts Unable to Claw Back Victory Against Lebanon

After having two very different starts to their respective World Cup campaigns last week, Lebanon got the better of Luke Keary’s Ireland 32-14.

Keary played a significant role in steering his team around the park, gaining 164 metres off the boot and assisting two tries.

He helped claw his side back into the game by throwing a spectacular looping pass to winger Louis Senior who scored in the corner to give the Wolfhounds their first try of the match just minutes before half time.

Samoa vs Greece: Suaalii Spectacular as Samoa Resurrect World Cup Hopes

After being blown off the park by England in the opening game of the 2021 World Cup, Toa Samoa bounced back to beat Greece 72-4.

Joseph Suaalii was superb in his second game at the back, running for 289 metres with almost 100 post-contact metres as he posed to be a constant threat while taking the ball back for Samoa.

The 19-year-old also tallied up three tackle busts, three linebreak assists, an offload and a linebreak in an overall dominant display.

In the 56th minute of play, Suaalii scooped a loose ball up off the turf and spectacularly passed it between his legs to Stephen Crichton who scored Samoa’s ninth try of the match.

Tonga vs Wales: Tupou Triple Helps Tonga Wallop Wales

Mate Ma’a Tonga followed up last week’s victory over Papua New Guinea with a strong 32-6 win over the Welsh.

Tonga was led from the front by their Captain Siosiua Taukeiaho, who ran for over 70 metres and made 20 tackles in just 30 minutes of play.

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou crossed the line three times for Tonga in his man of the match performance, adding even more tries to his impressive international strike rate which now sits at 12 tries from 15 games.

Tupou put the hard yards in as well, running for well over 200 metres, breaking out of five tackles and offloading the ball on two occasions.