Rugby League World Cup previews

Akuila Uate on the charge for Fiji.
Source: DailyTelegraph

THERE are plenty of reasons to get up early for some Rugby League World Cup action over the next few days. Check out our previews of the coming three games.

***

Tuesday October 29 – 7AM AEDT (6AM Queensland time)
Fiji vs Ireland
Live on 7mate

THE Bati will feel right at home in their opening match in Rochdale, which is home to one of the largest Fijian communities in the UK.

Former Kangaroos prop Petero Civoniceva captains Fiji and will be joined up front by the Sims brothers – Ashton, Korbin and Tariq.

Ireland have a good mix of youth and experience. Young Eels half Api Pewhairangi will play alongside NRL veteran Brett White and Catalans Dragons winger Damien Blanc.

Super League star Pat Richards – who returns to the NRL in 2014 with the Tigers – will play a crucial role in this game for Ireland.

He lines up against Akuila Uate and will need to be at his defensive best to shut down the Knights flyer.

With powerhouses Australia and England also in the group, this is a must win match for both nations, with the victor likely to secure a spot in the quarter finals.

OFFICIAL SQUADS

Ireland: Dave Allen, Luke Ambler, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Danny Bridge, Ben Currie, Liam Finn, Scott Grix, Kurt Haggerty, James Hasson, Rory Kostjasyn, Stuart Littler, Tyrone McCarthy, James Mendeika, Anthony Mullally, Eamon O’Carroll, Apirana Pewhairangi, Pat Richards, Brett White.

Fiji: Jayson Bukuya, Petero Civoniceva, Kane Evans, Aaron Groom, Marika Koroibete, Apisai Koroisau, Daryl Millard, Kevin Naiqama, Waisale Ligani Naiqama, Alipate Noilea, Vitale Junior Roqica, Ashton Sims, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, James Storer, Akuila Uate, Eloni Vunakece, Sisa Ledua Waqa, Semi Radradra Waqavatu.

Kiwi enforcer Sonny Bill Williams endures a rather embarrassing moment during the Kiwis win over Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup.

Wednesday, October 30 – 7AM AEDT (6AM Queensland time)
Tonga vs Scotland
Live on 7mate

AFTER downing Samoa in a one-off Test earlier this year, Tonga go into this match brimming with confidence and as the red hot favourite.

With 17 players of NRL experience, the Tongan team is arguably the best team outside the tournament’s big three, and Scotland will have a battle on their hands.

Brent Kite will lead a Tongan side filled with attacking potential, with the likes of imposing Manly winger Jorge Taufua and Warriors man-mountain Konrad Hurrell capable of piling on the points.

The Bravehearts trump the Mate Ma’a in the halves, with Panthers recruit Peter Wallace pairing up with the Super League’s ‘Man of Steel’ Danny Brough.

This is a make-or-break game for Scotland and they will need to pull off an unlikely upset to keep their quarter final chances alive.

Scotland were soundly beaten by the Kumuls 38–20 in a warm up match and will need to improve if they are to match it with the Tongans.

OFFICIAL SQUADS

Tonga: Glen Fisiiahi, Daniel Tupou, Jorge Taufua, Konrad Hurrell, Sosaia Feki, Samisoni Langi, Daniel Foster, Brent Kite, Siliva Havili, Fuifui Moimoi, Sika Manu, Jason Taumalolo, Willie Manu, Nafe Seluini, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Ukuma Ta’ai, Mickey Paea, Siosaia Vave, Siuatonga Likiliki

Scotland:
Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls) Danny Brough (C) (Huddersfield Giants)  Brett Carter (Workington Town) Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans) Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants) Ben Fisher (London Broncos) Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers) Ian Henderson (Catalans Dragons) Alex Hurst (London Broncos) Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings) Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys) Brett Phillips (Workington Town) Matthew Russell (Gold Coast Titans) David Scott (Featherstone Rovers) Mitchell Stringer (Sheffield Eagles) Alex Szostak (Sheffield Eagles) Adam Walker (Hull KR) Peter Wallace (Brisbane Broncos) Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Trinity)

New Zealand have played out a thrilling opening encounter in the Rugby League World Cup, producing a Holden Cup-like 42-24 scoreline in favour of the Kiwis.

Thursday Oct 31 – 7AM AEDT (6AM Queensland time)
USA vs Cook Islands, Bristol
Live on 7mate

COOK Islands come into the tournament with a low profile compared to their Pacific rivals, but have pulled together a side to rival the more-fancied Samoa and Tonga.

The team includes 10 players of NRL experience.

Dylan Napa, Sam Mataora, Zeb Taia, Zane Tetevano and Tinirau Arona provide some serious grunt up front, while Penrith revelation Isaac John will steer the ship from halfback.

He will be hoping to ignite a star-studded backline that includes Drury Low, Dominique Peyroux, Keith Lulia, and Brad Takairangi.

Cook Islands ($1.27) go into the match as near-unbackable favourites to defeat rugby league minnows USA ($3.82).

But even so, the Americans have put together a competitive side that includes four current NRL players – Joseph Paulo, Junior Paulo, Joel Luani and Clint Newton. 

Outside backs Matt Petersen (Cowboys, Eels, Titans) and Ryan McGoldrick (Sharks) have also played NRL, but now ply their trade in the Super League.

LIKELY TEAMS:

USA: Tuisegasega Samoa, Bureta Faramio, Matt Petersen, Ryan McGoldrick, Kristian Freed, Joseph Paulo, David Marando, Junior Paulo, Joel Luani, Mark Offerdahl, Matthew Shipway, Clint Newton, Daniel Howard. Interchange: Judah Lavulo, Mark Cantoni, Andrew Durutalo, Stephen Howard. Coach: Terry Matterson

Cook Islands: Drury Low, Chris Taripo, Dominique Peyroux, Keith Lulia, Jordan Rapana, Brad Takairangi, Isaac John, Dylan Napa, Daniel Fepuleai, Sam Mataora, Zeb Taia, Zane Tetevano, Tinirau Arona. Interchange: Jonathon Ford, Anthony Gelling, Tyrone Viiga, Tupou Sopoaga. Coach: David Fairleigh

Papua New Guinea have squandered a chance to record their first win of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, with David Mead missing an easy penalty goal to hand France a 9-8 victory.

Article source: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/fa-cup-non-league-round-up-rugby-6183110

Incoming search terms:

• rugbycollege co uk fa-cup-and-non-league-round-up-rugby-earn-replay

Rugby League World Cup previews