Rugby League World Cup 2008

November 16, 2008

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21 min: Brent Tate tries to stay on the field but his injury is too serious and he is withdrawn. It looks like some kind of hip problem.

20 mins: Brent Tate is in possession. There is nobody near him but he the winger goes down in a heap. He has cleared picked up some kind of injury.

18 min: A cheeky restart from Fiji, who get the ball back from a short kick. Australian muscle up in defence and close out the set.

17 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 22-0 FIJI
Fiji have two sets close to the Aussie line. Both finish with grubber kicks, one eventually scooped up by Darren Lockyer and the second by Billy Slater. Within seconds Brent Tate is steaming down the right wing before cutting inside and scoring under the posts. Johnathan Thurston converts. Lockyer was winded during the move, taking a heavy tackle, but he is OK.

14 min: “This is going to be a cricket score! Australia have come out of the blocks firing and relentless!”
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12 min: Some territory at last for Fiji after the Kangaroos are penalised for a forward pass to Petero Civoniceva.

11 min: Fiji finally have the ball and work through their set before Jarryd Hayne kicks the ball into the Australia half. Some brief respite.

9 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 16-0 FIJI
A clean break from Johnathan Thurston takes the Kangaroos up field from the re-start. Thurston later sends a kick towards the sticks and Billy Slater collects before touching down. The video referee has a look Australia have had to make two tackles so far. Thurston makes no mistake from in front.

6 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 10-0 FIJI
Australia shift the ball out to the right wing and Brent Tate easily touches down. I might not be able to type fast enough during this match. Tricky conversion attempt from Johnathan Thurston out wide, who just misses.

3 min: Like a hot knife through butter. Johnathan Thurston breaks down the left and forces a goal-line drop-out.

1 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 6-0 FIJI
Fiji are punished for losing the ball and a series of off-loads, not to mention an incisive run from Billy Slater, results in Paul Gallen crossing. Johnathan Thurston adds the extras.

1 min: Fiji lose possession of the ball straight away. Ominous.

0902: We are into the action. Not exactly packed at the stadium.

0901: Fiji - into a huddle and singing for all they are worth. Love it. Passion. Great to see.

0858: Or what about Rocky knocking out Ivan Drago in Moscow on Christmas Day for no money. Apollo Creed you have been avenged.

0857: And we have the anthems. Real passion from the Fiji boys.

0852: Finals words of wisdom for the respective teams are they will be making their way out to the stadium in Sydney.

James Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. Wimbledon beating Liverpool in the FA Cup. Boris Becker, 17, stunning Wimbledon (tennis this time). The US defeating Russia at Ice Hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Escape to Victory. Cool Runnings. Is there any hope for Fiji?

0850: The curtain raiser to today’s contest - Great Britain beat Australia 26-16 in the Defence Force World Cup final. I’m saying nothing.

0845: Australia coach Ricky Stuart took some time out from preparing his team for today’s game to pass an assessment on the state of rugby league in England.

“Since the last World Cup, England have gone backwards,” said Stuart.

“There’s really no denying it and it’s difficult to see any improvement at the elite level while clubs persist in raiding Australia and New Zealand for talent.

“The lack of focus on developing their youth is made clear by the fact that approximately 39% of the players in the English Super League are imports.”

And can anyone really argue with that?

0839: The good news, ahem, for Fiji is that if they win today they can say they have taken on and beaten a full-strength Australian team. Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart is taking no chances.

0835: I’ll be honest, I’m still hurting from England’s defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday.

It was one of those painful defeats that we have seen so often. Never in front, not quite good enough, but always in the contest, in with a chance. They keep you believing and hoping but inevitably fall short. Painful.
Match report

0830: On to the second semi-final at the Rugby League World Cup - and can anybody seriously see anything other than a win for Australia?

Fiji have entertained with their unpredictable and exciting brand of rugby but they are being asked to climb a mountain that makes Everest look like a small mound created by a mole in your back garden.

0826: TEAMS
Australia: Slater; Monaghan, Inglis, Folau, Tate; Lockyer (capt), Thurston; Civoniceva, Smith, Price, Stewart, Laffranchi, Gallen. Replacements: Hunt, Fitzgibbon, Tupou, Kite.

Fiji: Hayne; Tadulala, Naiqama (captain), Millard, Uate; Noilea, Groom; Sadrau, Sukanaveita, Vonomateiratu, Sims, Koroi, Bukuya. Replacements (from): Storer, Bradley-Qalilawa, Macilai, Tora, Naqau, Wesele (two to be omitted).

Rugby League World Cup 2008

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