2008 Rugby League World Cup
 

England battle back for victory
October 25, 2008

WINGER Lee Smith scored a hat trick on debut to help England to a 32-22 win over Papua New Guinea in the opening World Cup game at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

England were headed towards an embarrassing first up defeat to the Kumuls when they trailed 16-12 at half-time but rallied with four tries to one in the final 40 minutes to secure the victory.

World Cup contenders England were expected to make easy work of the underdog Kumuls, but they were made to fight all the way before securing the win.

Smith scored in the 29th minute and again just 11 minutes after half time as England drew level at 16-all.

The Leeds flyer completed his hat trick on debut in the 73rd minute as the Lions eventually cruised home to take the Pool A encounter.

Fellow winger Ade Gardner also got amongst the tries to score twice while centre Martin Gleeson was England's other tryscorer in the six tries to four win.

Despite the loss PNG will be buoyed by their opening effort having really threatened one of the top rated teams in the tournament.

Rod Griffin levelled scores 6-all in the 20th minute before late first half tries to Jason Chan and George Keppa, in the final seconds of the half, gave the Kumuls an unlikely four point lead at the break.

But the Kumuls were unable to keep up the intensity in the second half, with Penrith hooker Paul Aiton ending the English domination by scoring a consolation try in the 75th minute.

Smith, 22, was happy with his first Test but said England had left plenty of room for improvement.

“It was personally satisfying but the team, we've got a bit to work on,'' Lee told Britain's Sky Sports.

“They came out tough but in the last 20 minutes we did all right.''

England coach Tony Smith said the close match will help his side later in the tournament.

“It will probably do us a world of good rather than a soft game, though we knew it wouldn't be a soft game,'' he said.

“We put a bit of pressure on ourselves not having enough composure in the first half. There are some lessons learned.''

PNG coach Adrian Lam criticised several decisions by referee Shayne Hayne, including a disallowed try for a forward pass while leading 16-12 early in the second half.

“That was devastating. It would have put us 10 points ahead if we had got the conversion as well,'' he said.

“That was a real hurt but we hung in there. A couple more decisions going our way and it's game on.''

But an emotional Lam was still confident his team could cause an upset over the Kangaroos or Kiwis in the coming weeks.

“Tonight we showed we are a young, courageous and spirited side and I couldn't be prouder of the way the guys played,'' Lam said.

“Tonight was a little bit about getting some respect back from the world of rugby league.

“We've obviously got a big task against New Zealand next week, and to be honest the last four weeks we have been planning to play and beat England.

“We entered the game truly believing we could win it and if we had a few of the 50-50 calls go our way who knows what could have happened.''

However, further souring the narrow defeat, PNG local Jesse Joe Parker was taken to hospital with a fractured eye socket in the first half and is unlikely to play again in the tournament.

England's win means they take the early lead in the pool ahead of the heavyweight clash between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Football Stadium.

However the Lions will need a huge improvement on the effort if they are to threaten Australia in their next game at Melbourne's Telstra Dome next Sunday.

The Kumuls meanwhile head to the Gold Coast to face the Kiwis at Skilled Stadium next Saturday.

France overcome a dogged Scotland
October 26, 2008

FRANCE have accounted for a determined Scottish outfit 36-18 in their opening Rugby League World Cup match at Canberra Stadium.

With 12 players from Super League's Catalans outfit, the Tricolores showed more class and skill than their less fancied opponents.

Five-eighth Thomas Bosc led France effectively and with the occasional show of attacking flair but the foundation was laid by the strong running of forward Adel Fellous.

French full-back Jared Taylor scored the first try of the match when he was on the supporting end of a bustling 40 metre line break from Adel Fellous in the 16th minute.

Catalans star Bosc converted and the semi-final hopefuls were away.

Three minutes later Scotland struck back via a slick backline movement that ended with a try in the corner for Jonathan Steel.

But the first half was dominated by dropped ball, ill-disciplined tackling and strong running forwards with some big hits from both sides.

The Bravehearts came out a different side in the second half with prop Oliver Wilkes grabbing a try in the 46th minute to bring the difference back to a converted try.

Scotland were denied an opportunity to tie the game up at 24-all in the 66th minute when video referee Phil Cooley opted not to award a try to five-eighth John Duffy.

It didn't matter in the end with France's Jerome Guisset and Christophe Moly both scoring tries in the final ten minutes to run away with the win.

The game was the opening match of Pool 2, which also includes Fiji.

Thurston guides Roos to victory
October 26, 2008

JOHNATHAN Thurston cast aside his personal family tragedy to lead Australia to a 30-6 victory over New Zealand in their World Cup opener at the SFS.

Only a day after his uncle Richard Saunders was bashed to death in a park south of Brisbane, Thurston produced one of his most composed efforts in a Kangaroos jumper in the most difficult of circumstances.

The star half-back had a hand in three of Australia's five tries, booted four goals and directed their attacking play in a brilliant performance worthy of man-of-the-match honours.

He was finally rested in the 72nd minute taking his record to eight wins from as many Tests for Australia.

Captain Darren Lockyer was another standout, making a seamless return to the green and gold 18 months after he last played for Australia.

Lockyer and Thurston have not played together since Origin III in 2007 but they fell immediately back into the old groove by running Australia around the paddock and controlling the tempo of the contest.

But despite being the marquee match-up of the World Cup, the game lacked the usual spark of Test match football forcing the crowd of 34,157 to start a Mexican wave with 25 minutes remaining.

Their boredom was stopped somewhat when Australian centre Brent Tate suffered concussion in the 58th minute tackling Lance Hohaia.

The loss of Tate was the only thing that went wrong for the Australians.

The same can't be said for New Zealand.

Nothing went to script for the Kiwis as their brilliant warm up form was thrown out the window as their attack fell into disarray.

Half-back Thomas Leuluai was ineffective and at times abysmal while star Benji Marshall never looked dangerous and was well below his best.

Centre Steve Matai was also put on report for a high shot on Paul Gallen in the 13th minute that could attract a suspension.

The only shining light for New Zealand was a strong solo try by forward Sika Manu in the 27th minute as he brushed aside three defenders to score their only try of the game.

Australia led 14-6 at halftime after Greg Inglis and debutant Joel Monaghan scored from sweeping backline plays down the left flank.

The Kangaroos busted the game apart shortly after oranges with Israel Folau barging over the line and then full-back Billy Slater scoring off a Thurston break on the hour for an 18-point lead.

But Slater could find himself in hot water after diving feet first at Jerome Ropati to deny a try in the 74th minute, an act he was warned about prior to the tournament.

Folau completed the dominant win by scoring his second try after some quick hands in the final 30 seconds of the game.

Tonga win thriller against Ireland
October 27, 2008

TONGA overcame adverse decisions on and off the field to beat Ireland 22-20 in a thrilling rugby league World Cup match at Parramatta Stadium.

Denied access to NRL stars Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki by the NSW Supreme Court before the match, Tonga was twice reduced to 12 men in an eventful poll three encounter.

Winger Damien Blanch scored a hat-trick of tries to give Ireland a sniff of causing the first big boilover of the competition.

However, the appropriately-named winger Esi Tonga helped his team overcome a late 20-18 deficit with a decisive 73rd minute try.

It was a case of going from villain to hero, as Tonga was one of two members of his team sin-binned by British referee Steve Ganson.

Ireland scored their first three tries and 14 points while Tonga were outnumbered.

Down 6-0 early, following a converted try to Tonga's Penrith star Michael Jennings, Ireland fully capitalised when Esi Tonga was binned for repeated infringements in the 23rd minute.

Blanch crossed for his first try three minutes later and fullback Michael Platt gave the Wolfhounds the lead despite what appeared to be a blatant forward pass by halfback Karl Fitzpatrick.

With their full complement restored, Tonga hit back with a try to winger Cooper Vuna and led 12-10 at the break following a penalty to halfback Joel Taufa'ao.

The see-sawing encounter took another twist in the 49th minute when Tongan five-eighth Feleti Mateo was sin-binned for back chatting.

Blanch scored his second try before Mateo returned to put Ireland back in front, but Tonga hit back to regain the lead with their third try.

Blanch completed his hat-hat-trick to snatch the lead back for Ireland, but Tonga's late four-pointer prevented the Wolfhounds from causing the upset.

Samoa clinch island derby
October 31, 2008

SAMOA took a big step towards the rugby league World Cup semi-finals with a dogged 20-12 win over arch rival Tonga in their island derby at Penrith.

Samoa will clinch their pool if they beat Ireland in the last pool match at Parramatta next Wednesday.

The clash featured plenty of rugged defence and jarring hits, plus occasional high tackles.

And when it was over, hundreds of excited Samoa fans charged onto the pitch to celebrate.

While it wasn't the spiteful battle some pundits had forecast, Australian referee Shayne Hayne still had his work cut out.

He placed two players on report. The first was Samoa prop Kylie Leulua'i for a high tackle on Tongan full-back Fetuli Talanoa in the first half.

After the break, Hayne placed Tonga centre Etu Uaisele on report for a dangerous tackle on full-back Smith Samau, who was picked up and driven into the ground.

Samoa grabbed initiative early, with winger Francis Meli crossing in the third minute.

And they bolted to a 10-0 advantage in the 11th minute, when skipper Nigel Vagana picked off a pass from Tonga hooker Tevita Leo-Latu and sprinted 90m for a try converted by Ben Roberts.

Tonga surged back into the game when classy centre Michael Jennings charged onto a brilliant flick pass from Tony Williams. The conversion cut the deficit to four points.

Vagana missed a glorious opportunity for another try when he dropped the ball over the line in what effectively became a 12-point turnaround. Just a couple of minutes later Leo-Latu burst out of dummy-half to set up a 12-10 Tonga lead.

However Bulldogs NRL star Matt Utai weaved over in the right hand corner to give Samoa a 14-12 half-time lead.

It was virtually one way traffic in the second half, with Samoa dominating possession against an outfit clearly still fatigued from last Monday's win over Ireland.

Samoa extended their lead with a brilliant try to centre George Carmont, who capitalised on some sensational lead-up work by forwards David Solomona and Lagi Setu.

The dominant Samoans had potential tries to Carmont and Ben Roberts rubbed out, but continued to monopolise possession until the closing minutes.

Tonga was further hampered by an apparent groin injury to half-back Willie Manu.


Great game and great crowd. Was lucky enough to get free tickets to see this match. Some of Best NRL and Super League players played tonight. Glad i went. cheers Dougie :)

Samoa-Tonga clash to be annual affair
November 01, 2008

RUGBY league officials will make Samoa-Tonga an annual event after their World Cup epic at CUA Stadium was compared to the birth of State of Origin.

In their first game together, the Nigel Vagana-inspired Samoans eliminated Tonga from pool three and set up a possible semi-final clash with Australia when tries either side of half-time gave them a bruising, thrill-a-minute 20-12 victory.

But the enduring image from the night was the large chunk of a vocal 11,787 crowd invading the field at fullt-ime, with Fox Sports sideline eye Scott Sattler bowled over live on air and Samoa's local hero Tony Puletua chaired from the field in his final game at Penrith. And despite the fear of violence, there was no evidence of any crowd trouble.

"We're going to make it an annual fixture," Rugby League International Federation development officer Tas Baitieri said.

"The idea is that next year Samoa and Tonga play off with the winner added to the following season's Tri-Nations, making it a Quad-Nations."

There is also push for the annual tournament to become a Six Nations from 2010, with France and a Pacific qualifier to take part every year.

Vagana, the Samoa captain, said both countries were ready to play at the top level "for the next 100 years" while second-rower David Solomona reckoned comparisons with the first Origin match in 1980 at Lang Park were not over the top.

"Hopefully it can be like that," he said. "Sixty per cent of the Toyota Cup is Polynesian. If we can get these as annual events, it's only going to make international rugby league better.

"Whoever's in charge of international league, if they came to the game today and you went to Australia-New Zealand, you tell me who's more passionate?

"I've been to Test matches, I've played in big derbys in England and it was crazy out there. It was probably the best support ever."

Samoa looked to have broken their bitter rivals' backs when George Carmont's try made it 20-12 in the 54th minute but the Tongan defence was nothing short of heroic as they repelled attack after attack for the rest of the game.

Fantastic Fiji smash France
November 01, 2008

FIJI scored the biggest upset of the Rugby League World Cup so far with a stunning 42-6 win over France at WIN Stadium on Saturday evening.

Fiji went into the tournament as 500-1 outsiders to win the title but shocked France with a spectacular seven-tries-to-one win.

Newcastle flyer Akuila Uate scored three tries - one an amazing 90-metre individual effort - as the crowd favourites out-enthused their more fancied rivals.

Full-back Jarryd Hayne was sensational at the back for Fiji, scoring two tries and proving a handful for the France defence.

The big win all but assures Fiji a place in the next phase of the tournament, a semi-final qualifier against the winner of Pool 3 on Monday week.

If they can win that game, likely to be against Samoa, they could find themselves in a semi-final against tournament favourites Australia.

Hayne brought the pro-Fiji crowd of 9213 to life with a try in the sixth minute and his side never looked back in the Pool 2 match.

They led 18-6 at the break and then sealed the amazing win with a four-tries-to-nil second-half blitz.

Fiji provided some sparkling highlights with their fluent ball movement and brilliant athleticism but the standout was Uate's third try in the 74th minute.

From dummy half he broke the line and then showed blistering pace and a devastating step to score the try of the tournament.

Captain Wes Naiqama said the amazing performance of his Newcastle teammate did not surprise him.

"Everyone knows what Aku is capable of and he has been waiting for this chance, for this opportunity to showcase what he has got,'' Naiqama said.

Fiji's NRL players were vital but the team's lesser lights from NSW sides like the Parkes Spacemen and Terrigal Sharks also provided spark.

Parkes five-eighth Alipate Noilea put his clubmate Semisitora in for a try and Sharks frontrower Iowane Divavesi also crashed over.

The Fiji players are deeply religious, and their coach Joe Dakuitoga said their faith in a higher power had propelled them to victory.

"We want to thank God for giving the boys the strength (and) the power - so we are giving him back all of the glory,'' Dakuitoga said.

France lost hooker James Wynne early to a dislocated elbow but coach John Monie refused to make excuses for his well-beaten side.

"I was disappointed,'' Monie said.

"We should have played better football than that - they had too much enthusiasm.''

The Fijians provided some sparkling highlights with their fluent ball movement and brilliant athleticism but the stand out was Uate's third try in the 74th minute.

From dummy half he broke the line and then showed blistering pace and a devastating step to score the try of the tournament.

Captain Wes Naiqama said the amazing performance of his Newcastle teammate did not surprise him.

“Everyone knows what Aku is capable of and he has been waiting for this chance, for this opportunity to showcase what he has got,” Naiqama said.

Fiji's NRL players were vital but the team's lesser lights from NSW sides like the Parkes Spacemen and Terrigal Sharks also provided spark.

Parkes five-eighth Alipate Noilea put his clubmate Semisitora in for a try and Sharks frontrower Iowane Divavesi also crashed over.

The Fijians are deeply religious and their coach Joe Dakuitoga said their faith in a higher power had propelled them to victory.

“We want to thank God for giving the boys the strength (and) the power - so we are giving him back all of the glory,” Dakuitoga said.

France lost hooker James Wynne early to a dislocated elbow but coach John Monie refused to make excuses for his well-beaten side.

“I was disappointed,” Monie said.

“We should have played better football than that - they had too much enthusiasm.”

New Zealand fly high over PNG
November 01, 2008

THE sight of Benji Marshall recovering on the sidelines couldn't wipe the smile off coach Stephen Kearney's face as New Zealand broke their World Cup duck with a 48-6 win over PNG.

After setting up two tries on the Gold Coast, star playmaker Marshall didn't take the field in the second half - something New Zealand fans have unfortunately gotten used to over the years.

But a relaxed Kiwis camp claimed the livewire pivot was rested as a precaution after he complained of hamstring tightness at half-time.

It was not the only reason Kearney looked like a relieved man.

The Kiwis have all but guaranteed a semi-final berth from Pool 1 by notching their nine-tries-to-one thumping.

Kearney cut a more anxious figure when the Kiwis arrived at Skilled Park looking to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Australia against an unpredictable PNG that gave England a first-round fright.

But PNG were as tight as Marshall's hamstring in the first half as the Kiwis romped to a 22-0 lead by the main break thanks to a Simon Mannering double.

The pro-Kumuls, 11,278-strong crowd finally had something to cheer about in the 48th minute when Gold Coast-based winger David Moore crashed over after strong lead-up work by Neville Costigan and Jessie Joe.

The 'PNG' chant resonated around the stadium as the crowd sniffed a comeback.

But within eight minutes the venue sounded more like a library as the Kiwis silenced the PNG uprising with the first of five unanswered tries.

Utility Issac Luke delivered a trademark run from dummy half to scamper 35 metres untouched and score near the posts in the 56th minute.

The floodgates opened as David Fa'alogo (60th) and Adam Blair (68th) cut through flimsy defence, Sam Perrett (71st) bagged his second off a Luke kick and Greg Eastwood (75th) did it all himself with a barnstorming run.

Perrett could have had a hat-trick but knocked on with the line wide open right on full-time.

PNG team manager Bob Bennett cut a very different figure in the coach's box to his brother, NZ assistant and Broncos legend Wayne as the massacre unfolded.

Indeed Wayne Bennett would have been tempted to crack a rare smile by half-time when the writing was on the wall.

Second game syndrome appeared to have struck down the Kumuls who failed to back up from their stirring 10-point loss to England in their cup opener.

The alarm bells began ringing for PNG coach Adrian Lam when Marshall exposed a huge overlap and set up Jerome Ropati in just the ninth minute.

Mannering then fed off under fire Kiwi half-back Thomas Leuluai to stroll over for two tries in eight minutes.

A Marshall cut-out pass allowed winger Sam Perrett to stroll over in the 34th minute.

PNG began with plenty of intent, with Perrett left lying prone on the ground in the opening minute following a tackle that looked suspiciously like a grapple from hulking prop Makali Aizue.

Marshall said he wanted to go back on in the second half but was told by staff to rest.

“I was spewing,” Marshall said.

The win blew New Zealand's overall record against PNG to a staggering 15-1 - but they had not played each other since way back in 1996.

Lam said the Kumuls only had themselves to blame after suffering a hangover following their high against England.

“Everything has to line up perfectly for us to compete at this tournament and we were our own worst enemies,” Lam said.

“It's been an emotional rollercoaster all week and I knew it would be tough to get them up tonight.”

PNG must win their next game to be any hope of moving into the semi-finals - a game against no less than Australia tomorrow week at Townsville.

“It's only going to get harder for us. But we've got a great bond, you can't question that,” Lam said.

“(Against Australia) I just want the boys to compete, to play at their best, that's all I can ask.”

Lam said he was “very disappointed” with Steve Ganson's 10 metres and Kiwi mentor Kearney was obviously scratching his head over some of the English referee's interpretations.

Meanwhile, Kearney believed his side had taken a “step forward”.

“What really pleased me tonight was the defensive performance of the lads. I watched PNG play last week and I thought they really troubled the English - it was going to take a good performance to keep them out tonight,” he said.

Marshall said he would be “sweet” for New Zealand's next match against England at Newcastle next Saturday night.

Kangaroos crush toothless Lions
November 02, 2008

AUSTRALIA looked well on the way to an eighth straight Rugby League World Cup title after demolishing England 52-4 in their pool match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

A week after trouncing New Zealand - the other side expected to challenge them for the crown - the Kangaroos again looked a class above as they ran in nine tries to one, Storm pair Greg Inglis and Billy Slater delighting their home fans with hat-tricks.

The pair combined for an exhilarating 100-metre try midway through the second half, Inglis collecting an England grubber on his own goaline before finding Slater, who ran rings around Lions winger Mark Calderwood on his way to the line.

Such was Australia's dominance that coach Ricky Stuart could afford to give skipper Darren Lockyer a 23-minute early mark - the ice wrapped around his strained biceps more precaution than cause for alarm.

England showed some signs of life, particularly out of dummy half where diminutive half-back Rob Burrow and James Roby caused numerous headaches for a retreating defence, but their good moments were sporadic against a clinical Australia side.

The win all but assures the Kangaroos - provided they don't slip up against Papua New Guinea next Sunday - top spot heading into the semi-finals, but it hardly seems to matter who else qualifies for the final four with another World Cup appearing a formality for the home side.

It looked like turning into a rout early as Slater and Inglis scored their first tries inside the opening 10 minutes, Slater pouncing on a Cameron Smith grubber to continue a huge six-day period that began with the birth of his daughter on Monday.

England were rattled, even the simplest task of getting to their kick at the end of the set was too tough, but momentum shifted as the Kangaroos - perhaps plagued by complacency - dropped several balls and gave away silly penalties.

It coincided with England's best period of the match, though they received more than a little help from video referee Ashley Klein who gave Roby the benefit of the doubt as he attempted to ground the ball to put the visitors back in the contest at 12-4.

That was as good as it got, their night summed up when Paul Wellens - just minutes out from the half-time break - allowed a kick to roll over the dead ball line without a defender in sight.

Unfortunately for Wellens the ball had been touched off Cameron Smith's boot by another England player. Anthony Laffranchi crashed over from the ensuing drop out to give Australia a commanding 22-4 half-time lead.

Inglis and Slater turned the second half into a party as they toyed with their opponents.

Slater's length-of-the-field effort was followed just minutes later by Inglis's third when a short kick off went horribly wrong for England and the Melbourne superstar sprinted away after picking up the loose ball on his own 40-metre line.

Irish thrash Samoa in boilover
November 05, 2008

INSPIRED by a record-breaking performance from winger Pat Richards, Ireland caused a major boilover at the rugby league World Cup with a 34-16 win over Samoa to advance to a semi-final qualifier.

Needing to win by five points to finish top of the pool, underdogs Ireland unbelievably bolted to a 14-0 lead at Parramatta Stadium, despite taking a defensive pummeling in the first 10 minutes.

Samoa got back to within two points late in the first half before Ireland scored the next 16 points to blow the Pacific island side out of the water.

Richards haul of 22 points from three tries and five goals was the most in a World Cup match for Ireland, eclipsing Steve Prescott's bag of 14 against Samoa eight years ago.

It could have been an even bigger night for the former Wests Tigers premiership winner who missed with five of his ten kicks at goal.

But that was about all that went right for Samoa, who won their opening game against Tonga and were favourites to make it out of pool 3.

Instead they finished bottom of the pool courtesy of points differential.

Samoa pounded the Ireland line for the first ten minutes, but had two potential tries to skipper and five-eighth Nigel Vagana and hooker Terrence Seuseu rubbed out by video referee Steve Ganson.

Trailing 22-12 midway through the second half, they lost talisman Vagana to injury and then had forward David Solomona placed on report by the French referee for elbowing centre Sean Gleeson.

After surviving the early onslaught, Ireland piled on three tries in seven minutes with Richards using his 23cm height advantage to leap over for the first over opposing winger Matt Utai before four-pointers to lock Simon Finnigan and centre Sean Gleeson.

Shellshocked Samoa hit back with Vagana capitalising on a spilt ball by Ireland full-back Michael Platt before Misi Taulapapa burrowed over from dummy half.

Richards scored his second try three minutes into the second half when he cut inside and beat three defenders, the two sides then trading tries before the hulking winger completed his hat-trick inside the last two minutes.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly was proud of his team's performance, though he felt they still had room for improvement.

"I think we learnt the lesson from the Tongan game and tonight we came out a little bit stronger and a little bit wiser," Kelly said.

"It was a smashing effort."

Richards, a former Parramatta Junior, who was back on his old home ground, relished the opportunity to be part of Ireland's World Cup journey, but stressed it was a different experience to the Tiger's premiership-winning run.

"It is a totally different competition, I've never played for Ireland before, but I'm really enjoying it," Richards said.

"Being part of the squad is very special. We're very tight knit and that helped."

Samoa coach John Ackland said while the short five-day turnaround for his team after the much-anticipated clash with Tonga could have been a factor, they had known about that prior to the tournament.

He rued the series of lost scoring opportunities, but paid generous credit to Ireland's gritty defence.

"They defended their tryline terrific, three or four last-ditch tackles, full credit to them," Ackland said.

"We got into their 20 and we had numbers and didn't take advantage," he said.

Ackland said Vagana was feeling "pretty sore" after being helped off the ground.

Scots finally break Cup duck
November 05, 2008

SCOTLAND pulled off an incredible 18-16 late victory over highly-fancied Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium to claim their country's first ever rugby league World Cup win in five attempts.

Wakefield prop Oliver Wilkes barged over in the 76th minute to level scores before captain Danny Brough kept his perfect goalkicking record in tact with a left-footed conversion for victory.

But the Bravehearts had to withstand a frenetic final few minutes before securing a courageous win in front of a crowd of 9,720 fans.

Despite the narrow defeat Fiji still finish top of Pool 2 and will face Ireland in a playoff for the semi-finals at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on Monday with the winner to face Australia.

Scotland jump to second in the pool and will play Tonga in Rockhampton on Saturday while France will play Samoa at CUA Stadium on Sunday after the islanders lost top place of Pool 3 with a heavy 34-16 defeat to Ireland.

Scotland led 12-4 at half time but that was quickly eroded as lock Jason Bukuya scored in the 43rd minute with the help of four defenders to pull the deficit back to just two points.

The Fijians looked to have secured the win when sustained dominance led to winger Semi Tadulala's second try of the night in the 73rd minute.

But while the Fijians started the game with a prayer it was Scotland who received the miracle as they won the ball from a short re-start and charged down field to score a try and secure their first win since entering the World Cup in 2000.

Scotland full-back Michael Robertson gave his side a surprise lead at the break when he touched down in the final minute of the first half after Brough's chip kick ricocheted off the uprights.

Winger Jon Steel scored Scotland's first try in the sixth minute after man of the match Ian Henderson ran down the blindside.

Fiji centre Sevanai Koroi was dragged down short of the line in the 22nd minute but set up his side's first try with a brilliant offload for Tadulala to score his first try of the night in the corner.

While there was plenty of ugly football in the contest, the worst of it came when Henderson and Bukuya traded haymakers in the 35th minute after an incident in the play-the-ball.

Tonga destroy Scotland
November 08, 2008

TONGA have destroyed a battered and bruised Scotland in their final World Cup match.

The Pacific Islanders secured a seventh place in the event with their 48-0 dismantling of the Scots in front of a sell-out 5913 crowd at Rockhampton's Browne Park.

The Scots were always up against it, missing inspirational captain Danny Brough and playing in oppressive 30 degree-plus heat in the city situated on the Tropic of Capricorn.

But the Tongans had their own hurdles to overcome, with team manager Bob Jones missing the match in Yeppoon Hospital after experiencing chest pains on match morning, and the death of coach Jim Dymock's father-in-law on game eve.

But Tonga were simply too strong for their northern hemisphere counterparts, who failed to back up their shock win - Scotland's first in World Cup history - over Fiji on Wednesday.

Leading 24-0 at half-time, the Tongans picked up where they left off when Tony Williams smashed his way over in the 45th minute, his conversion giving Tonga an unassailable lead.

Cooper Vuna crossed for his second try 10 minutes later to make it 36-0.

Tired defence couldn't hold the Tongans from there, with tries from Fetuli Talanoa (59th) and Michael Jennings (80th) completing the rout.

The Tongans had taken just four minutes to get on the board, using five-eighth and man of the match Feleti Mateo's height to advantage.

Mateo went up for an Eddie Paea chip and came down with the ball to score near the posts. Williams converted and it was 6-0 early.

A high tackle by Scottish prop Scott Logan on Eddie Paea put the Tongans on the attack again, and Paea took the opportunity, scooting through a gap to score in the eighth minute.

A forward pass ruled by referee Shane Hayne saved Scotland the embarrassment of three tries in the first 14 minutes after Jenniings had put Vuna over with a long ball.

Scotland managed to gain some field position from there and were denied when second rower Iain Morrison spilled the ball with the line open in the 22nd minute.

And it was Tonga who answered, with Etuate Waisele diving over in the corner a few tackles after a 70-metres break by Jennings.

Scottish hopes appeared to be dashed again in the 33rd minute when hooker and captain Ben Fisher burrowed over from dummy-half, but lost the ball trying for downward pressure.

The Scots handed Tonga another six points just before the break when a loose pass landed in Vuna's hands and he ran 90 metres to score under the posts for a 24-0 half-time lead

Matai injury sours Kiwis victory
November 08, 2008

NEW Zealand centre Steve Matai suffered a potentially serious neck injury in a meaningless 36-24 World Cup victory over England at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle.

Matai was put in a neck brace, carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for precautionary scans complaining of neck and shoulder pain after he was squashed by team-mate Greg Eastwood in a 29th minute tackle.

It proved the turning point that galvanised the Kiwis as they turned a 24-8 deficit around with five unanswered tries to claim the win in front of 15,145 fans.

Skipper Benji Marshall and full-back Lance Hohaia ran riot as winger Manu Vatuvei scored four tries - the first time in World Cup history - with his three in the second half all set up by the Kiwis' pair of playmakers.

But the impressive win was soured by Matai's injury as play was held up for several minutes in a dramatic moment of an action packed game.

The Manly star has battled serious neck and shoulder injuries for at least two seasons with bulging discs in his neck and chipped bones in his shoulder hampering his performances throughout 2008.

He put off shoulder surgery to play in the World Cup but this latest injury has raised serious questions about his immediate playing future.

The cruel twist for the Kiwis is that the win is likely to have no influence on their World Cup fate.

New Zealand and England are almost certain to meet again in a Brisbane semi-final next week unless Papua New Guinea execute an unlikely upset of Australia by more than two points in Townsville.

While the loss of Matai will hurt the Kiwis, the glorified dress rehearsal would serve both teams well after confidence-sapping, heavy losses to Australia in recent weeks.

England - despite resting stars Leon Pryce, James Roby and James Graham - dominated the first half and led 24-14 at the break after a double to half-back Rob Burrow and superb individual four-pointers to hooker Mickey Higham and five-eighth Martin Gleeson.

But they went to sleep in the second half as the Kiwis took total control through Marshall, Hohaia, halfback Nathan Fien and "The Beast" Vatuvei.

Vatuvei's tries in the 47th and 55th minutes levelled scores at 24-all before Issac Luke milked a penalty in the 69th minute to give New Zealand their first lead of the game.

Fien sealed the result in the 75th minute with a try that resulted from Marshall putting Bronson Harrison into space before Vatuvei scored his fourth in the 78th minute.

New Zealand doctor Simon Mayhew said Matai's injury wa nothing like his ongoing issues and could be as serious as a fractured neck.

"He had searing, burning pain from his neck right down to his arm and localised pain in the centre of his neck," said Mayhew.

"He has never had anything like that before.

"If we moved him and he has an unstable fracture then he could be a quadriplegic.

"The hope is it is just a sprain and all is good."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney was impressed with his side's second half performance after delivering an "animated" half-time dressing down to his troops.

"It showed what we are capable of," Kearney said of the second half.

"We will take plenty out of tonight but we know we are up against it next week."

England coach Tony Smith was furious his side fell apart and said some players would face the axe if they survive to face the Kiwis next week.

"Very disappointing. I'm a bit angry about it. We are all angry with it," said Smith.

"We have got to get angrier and make sure things like this don't happen again."

Kiwis skipper Benji Marshall meanwhile slammed the English players as "disrespectful" after they formed a huddle inside their own half instead of facing New Zealand's pre-game haka.

"To be honest I thought it was a little bit disrespectful," said Marshall.

"If that's how they want to approach the game that is their choice."

But Smith defended his players, adding some could find the war dance offensive.

"Where we come from we get in a huddle. That is what we do, whether people are doing the haka or not," said Smith.

"When our players want to pump each other up that is what we do.

"I'm not sure you should stand there and take it as a victim. In some cultures some people may find getting a tongue poked out at them quite offensive as well."

Te'o double inspires Samoa win
November 09, 2008

SAMOAN second-rower Ben Te'o made a blistering World Cup debut with two tries as his side thrashed France 42-10 at CUA Stadium.

The result secured Samoa ninth place and handed France the unlucky wooden spoon in the 10-team tournament.

It was a highly disappointing end to the French campaign and followed their 42-6 belting from Fiji last week.

The Samoans dominated the opening 40 minutes by running in five tries to none followed by two more in second half for a 36-0 lead before the French made a late entry onto the scoreboard with two late four-pointers.

Te'o, overlooked for Samoa's first two matches, showed his brilliance throughout by setting up two tries and scoring two of his own.

He threw a well-timed offload for Francis Meli to score in the 12th minute and then brushed aside five defenders to score an outstanding solo try in the 24th minute.

He continued to torment the French with a one-handed offload that led to winger Misi Taulapapa scoring in the 38th minute.

Brisbane Broncos bound Te'o then completed his superb game by bursting through for Samoa's sixth try just eight minutes after half-time.

In an often brutal game the Samoans were rarely troubled even though a late flurry from France, with tries to Jerome Guisset (64th minute) and Sebastien Planas (68th), added some late excitement.

Skipper Tony Puletua completed Samoa's rout by scoring in the 77th minute.

Te'o was not alone in starring for Samoa with five-eighth Ben Roberts named man of the match and prop Kylie Leulua'i setting the tone with some heavy defence.

Wolfman bags three on debut
November 09, 2008

DAVID "Wolfman" Williams launched his Test career with a hat-trick of tries as Australia sent a plucky Papua New Guinea packing from the World Cup 46-6 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The bearded 22-year-old flyer looked all class and could easily have scored four or five tries in his maiden Test.

Australia led 22-0 at half-time after Williams and centre Joel Monaghan each scored doubles in the opening 40 minutes.

The 16,239 fans showed their appreciation when PNG centre Menzie Yere showed great hands to scoop up a Rod Griffin grubber kick off his boot laces to score in the 73rd minute.

Yere, a late inclusion for George Kepa, will long remember his try because the player he burst through was young Kangaroo giant, Israel Folau.

The scoreline will look good for PNG to take home after they lost 82-0 the last time they played Australia in the 2000 World Cup.

Replacement utility Scott Prince notched the first two touch downs of the second half to blow the score line out to 34-0 at the 55th minute mark.

Prince, who started his rugby league career with North Queensland in Townsville, appeared like a thief in the night to snatch an intercept off Kumuls veteran Stanley Gene just two minutes into the second half.

The Titans playmaker got his second after Williams made a breathtaking 60 metre swerving run only to be dragged down five metres short with a hat-trick on offer.

PNG could not be accused of not having a dig against the world champions, showing tremendous heart to keep Australia to 6-0 in the opening 20 minutes.

With some pundits tipping the Kumuls could be smashed by 100 points, they stuck it out until the 80th minute despite Australia's relentless pressure.

Hard working Kangaroos forward Anthony Tupou grabbed Australia's eighth try just before full-time.

While they failed to win a game in the "pool of death" which also included England and New Zealand, PNG can head home having won the respect of many fans for the way they played the game and conducted themselves off the field.

Fiji set up clash with Kangaroos
November 10, 2008

THE pluck of the Irish could not stop Fiji from claiming their first Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth with a 30-14 win at the Gold Coast.

A dogged performance by the Wolfhounds was not enough to hold out flamboyant Fiji who celebrated a bit of history - and a $300,000 winners' pay cheque.

The beaming Fijian smiles that lit up Skilled Park could not be erased by the sobering thought of taking on world champions Australia at Sydney on Sunday.

Fiji clearly revelled in their biggest achievement since receiving full international status in 1995.

Their massive pay cheque - $225,000 more than Ireland receives - will be a huge boost for Fiji where rugby league has been active for 16 years but has never threatened rugby union in popularity.

A World Cup semi-final appearance is not a bad effort from a team boasting five park footballers and several fringe NRL players.

But there was plenty of kudos also for Ireland which held Fiji to 12-10 at half-time before pure weight of possession - and some trademark Bati brilliance - took their toll.

Ireland received a not so subtle reminder that they were minnows when they flew out to their second World Cup in cattle class - with England travelling in business on the same flight.

But the Wolfhounds have showed plenty of bite Down Under, pressuring the world body to include Ireland in a northern hemisphere tournament next year also boasting Australia, New Zealand and England.

However, the Blarney Army had little to cheer about among the disappointing 8,224-strong crowd in the second half tonight after Fiji scored three unanswered tries.

After holding on to the half-time lead despite a late try by Ireland skipper Scott Grix, Fiji poured on the pressure, at one stage enjoying four straight sets of six.

Something had to give and lock Jason Bakuya (55th minute) and Jarryd Hayne (66th) crossed before wing sensation Akuila Uate bagged his second in the 76th.

Not to be outdone, Ireland winger Damien Blanch capped a sensational tournament by crossing for his second of the night - and fifth of the tournament - with a minute left on the clock.

Former Penrith lower grader Blanch is contracted to English club Wakefield but is looking for an NRL offer - he may not have to wait too much longer after his Cup effort.

The England-based Australian became the first Irish player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup in the Wolfhounds' 22-20 opening round loss to Tonga.

And he added to his show reel when he opened his account in this match.

He dummied and stepped 40m to leave the likes of Parramatta sensation Hayne in his wake to score in the 8th minute and help lock up the scores at 6-6.

Fiji's plight was not helped by losing prop Iowane Divavesi to a two match ban for tripping just hours before his team ran out against Ireland.

Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga made the bold call that the win would be enough to boost league's popularity past rugby union in his country.

"This game was more important to us to win than Ireland. This is a big achievement for Fiji rugby league - all of Fiji are watching us,'' he said.

"It is a sport that everyone has always looked down on (at home). I think after this World Cup that league will be the No.1 game in Fiji.''

He also vowed that the players would benefit from their $300,000 windfall.

"It will go to the players. There is no money in Fijian rugby league. We asked these players to play so for them to put their hands up and come this far - we want to share the money with the players,'' he said.

He said Fiji's preparation for Mission Impossible - taking on Australia - would start straight away.

They will need all the preparation they can get. Fiji - which has never emerged from the group stage at their previous two World Cups - lost to Australia 66-8 at Gateshead in 2000 and 66-0 at Huddersfield in 1995.

"We are not going into the game with the mindset of losing, we would be stupid if we did,'' Fiji captain Wes Naiqama said.

"We know what Australia has to offer but we will go in confident.''

The semi-final sets up an intriguing clash for Fijian full-back Hayne who played for Australia in 2007.

Hayne said he would be fine to play the massive game despite collecting an upright on the way to scoring in the 66th minute.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Andy Kelly said he was proud of how his side had progressed but admitted he didn't know when their next game would be.

But he vowed the Wolfhounds would be bigger and better at the proposed 2013 World Cup.

"After the journey we had I still sit here proud of the guys,'' he said.

Kiwis through to Cup final
November 15, 2008

THEY finally stood up to the haka but England still fell 32-22 to New Zealand in their Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Brisbane.

The Kiwis made it clear they would not tolerate a repeat of last weekend's "snub" when England opted to form a huddle during the haka before their last pool match.

The English duly stood side by side and looked New Zealand in the eye during the passionate pre-match ritual - but they quickly blinked.

The Englishmen played more like schoolboys with an error riddled performance - yet somehow still fought back from 16-0 down in the first half to cut the deficit to 28-22 in the final 10 minutes.

In the end, the Kiwis ran out six tries to four winners with centre Jerome Ropati bagging a double in front of a 26,659-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd.

New Zealand will not be able to show the same leniency in next Saturday night's final at Brisbane, most certainly against world champions Australia who are expected to brush aside Fiji's challenge in Sydney on Sunday night.

England's treatment of the haka wasn't the only thing that had irked New Zealand in the match's lead-up.

The Poms had been the masters of mind games in the countdown, refusing to confirm a team and snubbing the media at their final training run on match eve - again much to New Zealand's annoyance.

The Kiwis appeared to take their frustration out on the butterfingered English tonight, jumping to 16-0 by the 22nd minute.

Then England appeared to flick a switch, scoring two tries in nine minutes including an absolute cracker to last-minute inclusion Danny McGuire in the 38th minute.

Lock Rob Purdham exploded from a scrum about 40m out and delivered a kick that surprised the Kiwis and sat up beautifully for McGuire to score.

After cruising at 16-0, a shellshocked New Zealand led by just 16-10 at half-time.

Normal service appeared to resume when New Zealand's Bronson Harrison ran off Queensland-born halfback Nathan Fien in the 57th minute to make it 22-10.

But England hung in there - despite being their own worst enemies - to trade tries with the Kiwis.

By the time McGuire - who was not even named in the initial 19-man squad by crafty England coach Tony Smith - crashed over for his second try in the 73rd minute to make it 28-22 the Poms had a sniff.

But their night was summed up by New Zealand's match-winning try.

Impressive pivot Benji Marshall pounced on a slip-up by England winger Ade Gardner to stroll over the line in the 78th and book another Cup decider with their nemesis Australia.

It ended a woeful Cup campaign for England.

They managed just one win - a hardly convincing 10 point victory over minnows PNG - and three losses, including a Cup record 52-4 drubbing at the hands of Australia.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney looked like he was on the losing side when he emerged from the dressing room.

Although pleased they had reached their third World Cup final, he knew the same performance would not stack up against a rampaging Australia.

"It's a wonderful achievement but I am disappointed with a few aspects of our game," he said.

Asked what areas New Zealand could improve, Kearney said: "How big is your (note) pad?"

"A lot of areas. I just thought for 30 minutes in the first half we showed what we were capable of ... then we drifted in and out.

"That's not going to be good enough next week.

"We don't need to be told what we are up against."

Kiwi captain Nathan Cayless also looked glum.

"There were parts of the game we can be happy with but we are disappointed we let them back in the game," he said.

Three times England came back to within a try of New Zealand before Marshall's late match-winner finally put an anxious Kearney out of his misery.

"Not for one minute did I think we had the match in the bag. I know what they are capable of," Kearney said of England.

Shattered England coach Tony Smith lamented ten errors in each half.

"It was there for us, there was an opportunity. But because of the errors in the first half we didn't take it," he said.

"We weren't really (nervous). Some players put balls down that they normally don't put down.

"I am shattered. We all wanted to do well in this tournament.

"But we didn't produce (the level) that we can play in England - that's the disappointing thing."

England captain Peacock added: "Sport is brutal.

"There is no in the middle at this level.

"When you win it is fantastic, when you lose it's the worst ever - it kills you."

With regard to last night's game, I am not anti-'pom', but do they know how to drop a ball. In the England games I have seen, much of their dropped ball has resembled 'under sevens'. These mistakes are so very costly. Anyway it's all academic now. Rugby League is what I primarily played and what I enjoy to watch but I find it very hard to get at all excited about the 'World ???' Cup.

Kangaroos cruise into final
November 16, 2008

AUSTRALIA did what was expected - and for much of the time as they pleased - in trouncing Fiji 52-0 at the Sydney Football Stadium to advance to a World Cup final against New Zealand.

Despite some willing and at times fiery second half defence from the unheralded Bati, the Kangaroos rarely got out of first gear as they ran in ten unanswered tries in one of the most anti-climactic semi-finals in the history of professional rugby league.

Rarely has a side playing for a berth in a final been given less chance of victory before a ball had even been kicked than Fiji, their mix of NRL fringe players and park footballers no match for the world champions who flexed their muscles early before coasting home over the closing hour.

Billy Slater continued his sensational tournament with a hat-trick of tries to move to a tournament best of seven while Brent Tate also scored a first half double before leaving the field with a hip flexor injury that has him in doubt for next week's clash with the Kiwis.

Johnathan Thurston bagged a hat-trick which, along with his six conversions, completed a personal tally of 24 points.

Another Greg Inglis magic act and a Paul Gallen try after just 63 seconds completed the scoring for the home side.

The Bati needed just about everything to go their way if they were to even stay close to the Kangaroos, but a knock-on from just the second tackle of the match gave an early indication that a miracle wasn't on the cards.

It was ten minutes later until Fiji got to touch the ball again, by which stage the score was 16-0 with Tate's second in the 16th minute sending statisticians scurrying for the record books.

But Fiji, who had done remarkably well just to make it the final four ahead of more fancied sides such as Samoa and Tonga, ensured the match did not turn into an embarrassment as they added some discipline with the ball to some sting in defence.

The result was only one try, a Slater four-pointer in the corner, over the ensuing half hour, the Melbourne flyer completing his hattrick nine minutes after the restart to instigate another points spree over the closing stages of the contest.

Thurston took over with his three tries coming in the space of just ten minutes, Fiji denied a late try due to a questionable forward pass ruling, much to the disappointment of the enthusiastic Bati followers.

"It was a physical game and we're going to have some bruises tomorrow," skipper Darren Lockyer told the Nine Network.

"Full credit to Fiji and how far they have come in this tournament, the scoreboard didn't reflect the intensity of the tackles out there.

"Our defence is great at the moment and we are going to need to keep that standard next in the final against the Kiwis."

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said his side's blistering start was always going to make it tough for Fiji, though he admitted he had some concerns over Australia's relatively easy passage into the final.

"The last two weeks is probably not the ideal preparation in regards to playing a final against New Zealand, how we handle that is going to be the most important issue now," Stuart said.

"It was very hard for (Fiji) in that first segment of the game, we had five sets of six to their one tackle.

"Any football team will score tries if you've got five sets of six against one tackle."

Tate said he hadn't given up hope of taking on the Kiwis, the Warriors centre left ruing a cruel piece of luck which could see him miss his first game of the season.

"Hopefully it's just a cork," Tate said.

"I'm not even going to think about (missing the game) at the moment, I've played every game this year so hopefully he (Stuart) can give me every opportunity for next week."

The Fiji camp was thrilled with not only their best ever result against Australia, but also their best finish in a major tournament.

"We learn a lot of things from this game," coach Joe Dakuitoga said.

"Maybe you give us another ten years and we can compete with all these big nations."

Compounding the loss was news winger Akuila Uate was rushed to hospital after the game with a suspected broken ankle.

New Zealand, Australia name teams for World Cup final
 

November 19, 2008 12:00am

COACH Ricky Stuart has named injury concerns Brent Tate and Paul Gallen in an unchanged Australian team for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Tate suffered a hip flexor injury and Gallen a corked thigh in last Sunday's 52-0 semi-final demolition of Fiji at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Neither player trained yesterday, although Gallen is considered less of a concern than Tate.

Manly's David Williams is the most likely replacement for Tate if needed while Anthony Watmough and Josh Perry would come into calculations should Gallen not recover in time.

Meanwhile Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has named an unchanged line-up.

Kearney has also retained the same starting 13 who began the 32-22 defeat of England last weekend.

It means second rower Bronson Harrison, a late addition to the run-on side against England after having initially been named as a substitute, has kept his spot, with Sika Manu on the bench.

Halfback Nathan Fien, man of the match in both of the Kiwis' matches since his switch from hooker, retains the No.7 jersey.

Thomas Leuluai, who began the tournament at halfback, will again be the starting hooker, after producing his best perform ance of the World Cup in the semi-final.

Australia: Billy Slater, Joel Monaghan, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Karmichael Hunt, Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou, Brent Kite.

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Nathan Fien, Nathan Cayless (captain), Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Bronson Harrison, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith. Interchange - Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Sam Rapira, Sika Manu.

Nsw fixed odds betting
 

Australia v New Zealand

WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - 1st Score Type
Odds updated at 08:07:44 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6183 Australia Try 1.60 $
6184 Australia Penalty Goal 12.00 $
6185 New Zealand Try 3.85 $
6186 New Zealand Penalty Goal 9.50 $
6187 Either Team Field Goal 111.00 $
Prices displayed are available to Internet customers.

WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - 1st Try Scorer
Odds updated at 08:08:45 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6241 SLATER Billy 9.00 $
6242 MONAGHAN Joel 9.00 $
6243 INGLIS Greg 9.00 $
6244 FOLAU Israel 9.00 $
6246 LOCKYER Darren 13.00 $
6247 THURSTON Johnathan 17.00 $
6248 CIVONICEVA Petero 51.00 $
6436 SMITH Cameron 26.00 $
6438 STEWART Glenn 21.00 $
6439 LAFFRANCHI Anthony 21.00 $
6440 GALLEN Paul 26.00 $
6441 HUNT Karmichael 17.00 $
6442 FITZGIBBON Craig 51.00 $
6443 TUPOU Anthony 41.00 $
6444 KITE Brent 41.00 $
6445 HOHAIA Lance 17.00 $
6446 PERRETT Sam 15.00 $
6447 MANNERING Simon 17.00 $
6448 ROPATI Jerome 15.00 $
6449 VATUVEI Manu 11.00 $
6450 MARSHALL Benji 21.00 $
6451 FIEN Nathan 26.00 $
6452 CAYLESS Nathan 51.00 $
6453 LEULUAI Thomas 34.00 $
6454 BLAIR Adam 41.00 $
6455 FAALOGO David 41.00 $
6456 HARRISON Bronson 41.00 $
6457 SMITH Jeremy 34.00 $
6458 LUKE Issac 34.00 $
6459 EASTWOOD Greg 41.00 $
6460 RAPIRA Sam 51.00 $
6461 MANU Sika 41.00 $
6462 PNQ (inc. D.Williams) 9.00 $
6463 Penalty Try 151.00 $
6464 No Tryscorer 151.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - 1stTryscorer/Margin Double
Odds updated at 08:08:44 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
8252 SLATER/Aust (13+) 12.00 $
8253 SLATER/Aust (1-12) 35.00 $
8254 SLATER/NZ (1-12) 99.00 $
8255 SLATER/NZ (13+) 261.00 $
8256 MONAGHAN/Aust (13+) 15.00 $
8257 MONAGHAN/Aust (1-12) 42.00 $
8258 MONAGHAN/NZ (1-12) 121.00 $
8259 MONAGHAN/NZ (13+) 319.00 $
8260 INGLIS/Aust (13+) 12.00 $
8261 INGLIS/Aust (1-12) 35.00 $
8262 INGLIS/NZ (1-12) 99.00 $
8263 INGLIS/NZ (13+) 261.00 $
8264 FOLAU/Aust (13+) 12.00 $
8265 FOLAU/Aust (1-12) 35.00 $
8266 FOLAU/NZ (1-12) 99.00 $
8267 FOLAU/NZ (13+) 261.00 $
8268 TATE/Aust (13+) Suspended $
8269 TATE/Aust (1-12) Suspended $
8270 TATE/NZ (1-12) Suspended $
8271 TATE/NZ (13+) Suspended $
8272 LOCKYER/Aust (13+) 23.00 $
8273 LOCKYER/Aust (1-12) 65.00 $
8274 LOCKYER/NZ (1-12) 187.00 $
8275 LOCKYER/NZ (13+) 493.00 $
8276 THURSTON/Aust (13+) 23.00 $
8277 THURSTON/Aust (1-12) 65.00 $
8278 THURSTON/NZ (1-12) 187.00 $
8279 THURSTON/NZ (13+) 493.00 $
8280 CIVONICEVA/Aust (13+) 55.00 $
8281 CIVONICEVA/Aust (1-12) 158.00 $
8282 CIVONICEVA/NZ (1-12) 451.00 $
8283 CIVONICEVA/NZ (13+) 1189.00 $
8284 SMITH C/Aust (13+) 31.00 $
8285 SMITH C/Aust (1-12) 89.00 $
8286 SMITH C/NZ (1-12) 253.00 $
8287 SMITH C/NZ (13+) 667.00 $
8288 PRICE/Aust (13+) Suspended $
8289 PRICE/Aust (1-12) Suspended $
8290 PRICE/NZ (1-12) Suspended $
8291 PRICE/NZ (13+) Suspended $
8292 STEWART/Aust (13+) 31.00 $
8293 STEWART/Aust (1-12) 89.00 $
8294 STEWART/NZ (1-12) 253.00 $
8295 STEWART/NZ (13+) 667.00 $
8296 LAFFRANCHI/Aust (13+) 28.00 $
8297 LAFFRANCHI/Aust (1-12) 81.00 $
8298 LAFFRANCHI/NZ (1-12) 231.00 $
8299 LAFFRANCHI/NZ (13+) 609.00 $
8300 GALLEN/Aust (13+) 35.00 $
8301 GALLEN/Aust (1-12) 100.00 $
8302 GALLEN/NZ (1-12) 286.00 $
8303 GALLEN/NZ (13+) 754.00 $
8304 HOHAIA/Aust (13+) 31.00 $
8305 HOHAIA/Aust (1-12) 51.00 $
8306 HOHAIA/NZ (1-12) 96.00 $
8307 HOHAIA/NZ (13+) 241.00 $
8308 PERRETT/Aust (13+) 27.00 $
8309 PERRETT/Aust (1-12) 46.00 $
8310 PERRETT/NZ (1-12) 90.00 $
8311 PERRETT/NZ (13+) 225.00 $
8312 MANNERING/Aust (13+) 31.00 $
8313 MANNERING/Aust (1-12) 51.00 $
8314 MANNERING/NZ (1-12) 96.00 $
8315 MANNERING/NZ (13+) 241.00 $
8316 ROPATI/Aust (13+) 27.00 $
8317 ROPATI/Aust (1-12) 46.00 $
8318 ROPATI/NZ (1-12) 90.00 $
8319 ROPATI/NZ (13+) 225.00 $
8320 VATUVEI/Aust (13+) 20.00 $
8321 VATUVEI/Aust (1-12) 34.00 $
8322 VATUVEI/NZ (1-12) 66.00 $
8323 VATUVEI/NZ (13+) 165.00 $
8324 MARSHALL/Aust (13+) 38.00 $
8325 MARSHALL/Aust (1-12) 64.00 $
8326 MARSHALL/NZ (1-12) 126.00 $
8327 MARSHALL/NZ (13+) 315.00 $
8328 FIEN/Aust (13+) 47.00 $
8329 FIEN/Aust (1-12) 79.00 $
8330 FIEN/NZ (1-12) 156.00 $
8331 FIEN/NZ (13+) 390.00 $
8332 CAYLESS/Aust (13+) 92.00 $
8333 CAYLESS/Aust (1-12) 156.00 $
8334 CAYLESS/NZ (1-12) 306.00 $
8335 CAYLESS/NZ (13+) 765.00 $
8336 LEULUAI/Aust (13+) 47.00 $
8337 LEULUAI/Aust (1-12) 79.00 $
8338 LEULUAI/NZ (1-12) 156.00 $
8339 LEULUAI/NZ (13+) 390.00 $
8340 BLAIR/Aust (13+) 74.00 $
8341 BLAIR/Aust (1-12) 125.00 $
8342 BLAIR/NZ (1-12) 246.00 $
8343 BLAIR/NZ (13+) 615.00 $
8344 FAALOGO/Aust (13+) 74.00 $
8345 FAALOGO/Aust (1-12) 125.00 $
8346 FAALOGO/NZ (1-12) 246.00 $
8347 FAALOGO/NZ (13+) 615.00 $
8348 HARRISON/Aust (13+) 74.00 $
8349 HARRISON/Aust (1-12) 125.00 $
8350 HARRISON/NZ (1-12) 246.00 $
8351 HARRISON/NZ (13+) 615.00 $
8352 SMITH J/Aust (13+) 61.00 $
8353 SMITH J/Aust (1-12) 104.00 $
8354 SMITH J/NZ (1-12) 204.00 $
8355 SMITH J/NZ (13+) 510.00 $
8356 COMBINATNS NOT QUOTED 5.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Dozen Start
Odds updated at 08:07:44 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6172 New Zealand +12.5 Points 2.50 $

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WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Exact Margin
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6238 Australia by 1 34.00 $
6239 Australia by 2 26.00 $
6240 Australia by 3 101.00 $
6249 Australia by 4 26.00 $
6250 Australia by 5 101.00 $
6251 Australia by 6 23.00 $
6252 Australia by 7 29.00 $
6253 Australia by 8 23.00 $
6254 Australia by 9 91.00 $
6255 Australia by 10 21.00 $
6256 Australia by 11 67.00 $
6257 Australia by 12 21.00 $
6258 Australia by 13 41.00 $
6259 Australia by 14 19.00 $
6260 Australia by 15 81.00 $
6261 Australia by 16 19.00 $
6262 Australia by 17 81.00 $
6263 Australia by 18 18.00 $
6264 Australia by 19 81.00 $
6265 Australia by 20 18.00 $
6266 Australia by 21 81.00 $
6267 Australia by 22 19.00 $
6268 Australia by 23 81.00 $
6269 Australia by 24 21.00 $
6270 Australia by 25 101.00 $
6271 Australia by 26 21.00 $
6272 Australia by 27 101.00 $
6273 Australia by 28 23.00 $
6274 Australia by 29 101.00 $
6275 Australia by 30+ 3.25 $
6276 New Zealand by 1 34.00 $
6277 New Zealand by 2 26.00 $
6278 New Zealand by 3 91.00 $
6279 New Zealand by 4 26.00 $
6280 New Zealand by 5 91.00 $
6281 New Zealand by 6 29.00 $
6282 New Zealand by 7 41.00 $
6283 New Zealand by 8 31.00 $
6284 New Zealand by 9 101.00 $
6285 New Zealand by 10 34.00 $
6286 New Zealand by 11 81.00 $
6287 New Zealand by 12 34.00 $
6288 New Zealand by 13 67.00 $
6289 New Zealand by 14 41.00 $
6290 New Zealand by 15 101.00 $
6291 New Zealand by 16 41.00 $
6292 New Zealand by 17 101.00 $
6293 New Zealand by 18 46.00 $
6294 New Zealand by 19 151.00 $
6295 New Zealand by 20 46.00 $
6296 New Zealand by 21 151.00 $
6297 New Zealand by 22 51.00 $
6298 New Zealand by 23 151.00 $
6299 New Zealand by 24 51.00 $
6376 New Zealand by 25 201.00 $
6377 New Zealand by 26 67.00 $
6378 New Zealand by 27 201.00 $
6379 New Zealand by 28 67.00 $
6380 New Zealand by 29 201.00 $
6391 New Zealand by 30+ 41.00 $
6392 Draw 41.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Half Time Margin
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6161 Australia 9+ 1.75 $
6162 Australia 5-8 5.50 $
6163 Australia 1-4 11.00 $
6164 Draw 13.00 $
6165 New Zealand 1-4 11.00 $
6166 New Zealand 5-8 11.00 $
6167 New Zealand 9+ 11.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Half/Full Double
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6143 Australia/Australia 1.25 $
6144 Australia/N Zealand 17.00 $
6145 Australia/Draw 81.00 $
6146 N Zealand/N Zealand 9.00 $
6147 N Zealand/Australia 8.00 $
6148 N Zealand/Draw 61.00 $
6149 Draw/Australia 21.00 $
6150 Draw/N Zealand 51.00 $
6151 Draw/Draw 101.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Head to Head
Odds updated at 10:51:57
Includes Extra Time 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6118 Australia 1.10 $
6119 New Zealand 6.25 $

^ Top
WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Last Try Scorer
Odds updated at 08:08:42 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6465 SLATER Billy 9.00 $
6466 MONAGHAN Joel 11.00 $
6467 INGLIS Greg 9.00 $
6468 FOLAU Israel 9.00 $
6469 TATE Brent Suspended $
6470 LOCKYER Darren 17.00 $
6471 THURSTON Johnathan 17.00 $
6472 CIVONICEVA Petero 41.00 $
6473 SMITH Cameron 26.00 $
6474 PRICE Steve Suspended $
6475 STEWART Glenn 23.00 $
6476 LAFFRANCHI Anthony 21.00 $
6477 GALLEN Paul 26.00 $
6478 HUNT Karmichael 15.00 $
6479 FITZGIBBON Craig 41.00 $
6480 TUPOU Anthony 26.00 $
6481 KITE Brent 41.00 $
6482 HOHAIA Lance 17.00 $
6483 PERRETT Sam 15.00 $
6484 MANNERING Simon 17.00 $
6485 ROPATI Jerome 15.00 $
6486 VATUVEI Manu 11.00 $
6487 MARSHALL Benji 21.00 $
6488 FIEN Nathan 26.00 $
6489 CAYLESS Nathan 67.00 $
6490 LEULUAI Thomas 34.00 $
6491 BLAIR Adam 51.00 $
6492 FAALOGO David 41.00 $
6493 HARRISON Bronson 51.00 $
6494 SMITH Jeremy 34.00 $
6495 LUKE Issac 21.00 $
6496 EASTWOOD Greg 34.00 $
6497 RAPIRA Sam 51.00 $
6498 MANU Sika 41.00 $
6499 PNQ (inc. D.Williams) 11.00 $
6500 Penalty Try 151.00 $
6501 No Tryscorer 151.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Line
Odds updated at 18:40:26
Includes Extra Time 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6120 Australia -18.5 1.90 $
6137 New Zealand +18.5 1.90 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Man of Match
Odds updated at 18:26:47 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6502 SLATER Billy 5.00 $
6503 MONAGHAN Joel 51.00 $
6504 INGLIS Greg 11.00 $
6505 FOLAU Israel 17.00 $
6507 LOCKYER Darren 7.00 $
6508 THURSTON Johnathan 4.00 $
6509 CIVONICEVA Petero 23.00 $
6510 SMITH Cameron 9.00 $
6512 STEWART Glenn 17.00 $
6513 LAFFRANCHI Anthony 17.00 $
6514 GALLEN Paul 21.00 $
6515 HUNT Karmichael 41.00 $
6516 FITZGIBBON Craig 81.00 $
6517 TUPOU Anthony 51.00 $
6518 KITE Brent 41.00 $
6519 HOHAIA Lance 26.00 $
6520 PERRETT Sam 67.00 $
6521 MANNERING Simon 41.00 $
6522 ROPATI Jerome 41.00 $
6523 VATUVEI Manu 26.00 $
6524 MARSHALL Benji 13.00 $
6525 FIEN Nathan 26.00 $
6526 CAYLESS Nathan 41.00 $
6527 LEULUAI Thomas 26.00 $
6528 BLAIR Adam 34.00 $
6529 FAALOGO David 51.00 $
6530 HARRISON Bronson 51.00 $
6531 SMITH Jeremy 34.00 $
6532 LUKE Issac 21.00 $
6533 EASTWOOD Greg 41.00 $
6534 RAPIRA Sam 81.00 $
6535 MANU Sika 51.00 $
6536 PNQ (inc. D.Williams) 23.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Margin
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6138 Australia 13+ 1.50 $
6139 Australia 1-12 3.60 $
6140 Draw 41.00 $
6141 New Zealand 1-12 8.00 $
6142 New Zealand 13+ 19.00 $

^ Top
WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6393 SLATER B (AUS) 2.90 $
6394 Tie 2.50 $
6395 INGLIS G (AUS) 2.90 $
6396 All players must play or Suspended $
6397 bets will be refunded Suspended $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6400 MONAGHAN J (AUS) 2.75 $
6417 Tie 2.25 $
6418 VATUVEI M (NZ) 3.50 $
6419 All players must play or Suspended $
6420 bets will be refunded Suspended $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6421 FOLAU I (AUS) 3.00 $
6422 Tie 2.50 $
6423 INGLIS G (AUS) 2.75 $
6424 All players must play or Suspended $
6425 bets will be refunded Suspended $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6426 MONAGHAN J (AUS) 3.10 $
6427 Tie 2.35 $
6428 WILLIAMS D (AUS) 2.90 $
6429 All players must play or Suspended $
6430 bets will be refunded Suspended $

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WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6431 PERRETT S (NZ) 4.00 $
6432 Tie 1.90 $
6433 VATUVEI M (NZ) 3.10 $
6434 All players must play or Suspended $
6435 bets will be refunded Suspended $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Most Tries Scored
Odds updated at 08:07:46 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6215 LAFFRANCHI A (AUS) 4.00 $
6216 Tie 1.55 $
6217 STEWART G (AUS) 5.00 $
6218 All players must play or Suspended $
6219 bets will be refunded Suspended $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Team 1 Score
Odds updated at 09:23:47 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6194 Aust Scores 0-10 Points 26.00 $
6195 Aust Scores 11-20 Points 4.50 $
6196 Aust Scores 21-30 Points 3.50 $
6197 Aust Scores 31-40 Points 3.50 $
6198 Aust Scores 41-50 Points 5.50 $
6199 Aust Scores 51+ Points 6.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Team 2 Score
Odds updated at 15:37:16 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6188 NZ Scores 0-10 Points 2.15 $
6189 NZ Scores 11-20 Points 2.30 $
6190 NZ Scores 21-30 Points 5.00 $
6191 NZ Scores 31-40 Points 17.00 $
6192 NZ Scores 41-50 Points 67.00 $
6193 NZ Scores 51+ Points 151.00 $

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WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Total Match Points
Odds updated at 13:33:15
Includes Extra Time 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6173 0-10 Points 81.00 $
6174 11-20 Points 17.00 $
6175 21-30 Points 6.50 $
6176 31-40 Points 3.40 $
6177 41-50 Points 3.10 $
6178 51-60 Points 5.00 $
6179 61-70 Points 9.00 $
6180 71+ Points 17.00 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Total Match Tries
Odds updated at 14:36:30
Includes Extra Time 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6211 0-5 Tries Scored 4.25 $
6212 6-7 Tries Scored 3.25 $
6213 8-9 Tries Scored 3.15 $
6214 10+ Tries Scored 3.75 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Total Score Over/Under
Odds updated at 12:07:15
Includes Extra Time 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6181 Over 45.5 Points 2.15 $
6182 Under 45.5 Points 1.65 $


WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Tri Bet
Odds updated at 08:07:47 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6168 Australia Over 6.5 Pnts 1.22 $
6169 Either Team Under 6.5 Pnts 5.00 $
6170 New Zealand Over 6.5 Pnts 11.00 $

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WC Fnl Australia-N Zealand 22/11 - Winning Margin
Odds updated at 19:00:44 20:05 Sat 22 Nov 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
6152 Australia by 19+ 1.90 $
6153 Australia by 13-18 4.50 $
6154 Australia by 7-12 6.00 $
6155 Australia by 1-6 8.00 $
6156 Draw 41.00 $
6157 New Zealand by 1-6 11.00 $
6158 New Zealand by 7-12 19.00 $
6159 New Zealand by 13-18 34.00 $
6160 New Zealand by 19+ 51.00 $

New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final
 

November 22, 2008

A BILLY Slater moment of madness and a penalty try have combined to deliver New Zealand their first ever rugby league World Cup with a stunning 34-20 upset win over Australia in Saturday night's final at Suncorp Stadium.

Massive underdogs heading into the match, the Kiwis pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history as the Kangaroos surrendered their No.1 ranking to their trans-Tasman rivals with their first loss since 2006.

The Aussies were left lamenting a series of blunders and a massive call from video referee Steve Ganson - the Englishman awarding the visitors a penalty try with 10 minutes remaining, which extended New Zealand's lead to beyond a converted try.

Adam Blair then confirmed the win with a try four minutes from time to revive memories of their memorable 2005 Tri-Nations final triumph.

Ganson ruled Australian winger Joel Monaghan had taken out Lance Hohaia as he chased through a Benji Marshall grubber, Slater's proximity to the incident giving doubt as to whether the Kiwi No.1 would have got to the ball first.

The Australians had just got themselves back into the contest when Darren Lockyer, who scored two tries, sent Greg Inglis over to cut the deficit to 22-20, coming after Slater's season of magic spontaneously combusted with a monumental brain-snap.

Slater, who had a stunning first half in which he set up tries for Lockyer and David Williams, chanced his arm one too many times with his flirtation with the touchline ending in disaster as he flicked the ball infield 10 metres from his own line, only to watch Marshall pounce and dive over for a 22-16 lead with just 19 minutes remaining.

It set up the sort of grandstand finish tournament officials had been craving after the Australians had romped though the preliminary rounds with massive winning margins over every opponent.
Fears of another landslide Kangaroo win evaporated after a committed first half from both sides.

The scene was set for an epic opening as the Kiwis got within centimetres of their opponents while performing their traditional pre-game haka, the emotion spilling over into several heavy hits early in the contest.

New Zealand were their own worst enemies early on, with Marshall blowing an easy chance for an early try when he failed to ground a Nathan Fein grubber.

The Australians were not so charitable, with Lockyer crossing for his first after Slater looked like he had butchered the opportunity when he elected to go himself.

Williams then ran away for a 10-0 lead but a denied try to Lockyer turned the contest, with Jeremy Smith and then Jerome Ropati - after Marshall had been ruled to have been stripped of the ball - putting the Kiwis up 12-10.

Lockyer completed his double to restore Australia's advantage but it wasn't enough as the Kiwis flew home after the break to become the first side other than Australia to win a World Cup since Great Britain's win in 1972.

ARL leaves door open for Ricky Stuart to return
 

December 08, 2008

MOMENTS after confirming Ricky Stuart had stood down as Kangaroos coach for behaviour that "we just can't condone", Australian Rugby League chairman Colin Love left the door open for his return.

A "shattered" Stuart fell on his sword after a two and a half hour meeting at Sydney's ARL headquarters on Monday.

He had endured two weeks of intense scrutiny over an abusive outburst at referee Ashley Klein and match officials director Stuart Cummings in a Brisbane hotel lobby the day after Australia's shock Rugby League World Cup loss to New Zealand.

Although Love insisted Stuart wasn't pushed, an Australian Rugby League (ARL) board meeting at Brisbane on Tuesday was expected to dump him.

Queensland coach and Stuart's former Kangaroos teammate Mal Meninga is tipped to replace him.

Stuart was also fined $20,000 by World Cup organisers on Monday after they received a report by lawyer Robert Weber into the post-final dummy spit.

Weber's report was damning, finding that Stuart had come into physical contact with Cummings and his abuse of both officials while not loud was "littered with profanities".

"This conduct ... could have adverse effect on the retention and recruitment of referees and it is something we just can't condone," Love said.

"(But) He wasn't pushed - it was Ricky's decision to go.

"Ricky has done the honourable thing ... most people who know him know how passionate he is about the job and he is absolutely shattered."

However, Love did not rule out Stuart returning to the Kangaroos fold.

"I would hate to think that this was a life suspension because I think that would be over the top,'' he said of the Sharks coach.

But Australian World Cup assistant coach John Cartwright claimed Stuart was still the best man for the national job.

"It's a sad day," he told AAP.

"He made a mistake, he admitted his mistake. In the scheme of things we see a lot worse things in every day life.

"I think Ricky is the best man for the job.

"I think certain sections of the media have definitely made it hard for him to keep his job.

"Ricky is the sort of guy who will always say what is on his mind, and over the years he has probably trodden on some toes.

"It's not to say what he did was right (but) it happened in the heat of the moment.

"The penalty that he had to pay far outweighs what he did."

QRL boss Ross Livermore expected the Kangaroos job to be mentioned at the ARL meeting on Tuesday but did not expect a replacement to be announced until the New Year.

Stuart did not comment after leaving his meeting with Love but issued a statement.

"This has been the most difficult decision to make in view of the great honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team," he said.

"I believe that making this decision is in the best interests of the game and for me personally.

"In view of the circumstances it was the only decision.

"There are some elements of the fine that I could debate but in the best interests of the game it is time to move on and leave them unchallenged."

Sydney Roosters' Craig Fitzgibbon - who has played under Stuart at club and representative level - said the Australia players felt they had let their coach down.

"Ricky is a passionate guy and we feel we let him down against New Zealand so I am sure all the guys in the squad will be disappointed and sad for Ricky that he has opted to walk away," he said.