Quarter-Finals Rugby League World Cup

Welcome to this week's highlights of the Rugby League World Cup. We have

reached the quarterfinal stages and here is what is in store for you.

Not one for the faint of heart, Samoa take on Fiji. It has been the

tournament to remember for the USA, but they were playing Australia. New

Zealand have looked slick. Scotland with their latest test. We reflect

on another patchy performance from England as they booked the semifinal

place at Wembley. Tonight's terrible trio of rugby

league talent... The first match is the mouthwatering

clash between two of the real heavyweights of the game. It is

Samoa against Fiji. Local rivalries were at stake, as

these two sides met in what promised to be a physical quarterfinal. Samoa

came off a winning run. Victory would see them reach the last four

for the first time. Fiji are smarting after a heavy defeat from

England and hope to repeat their success of 2008 when they reached

the semifinals. This could them -- this could be the toughest 80

minutes of the World Cup so far. It is Samoa versus Fiji in the

fourth quarter final of the Rugby League World Cup. There has been a

reshuffle. Driving there. He has got support on

his left shoulder. He finishes it off for Fiji. Striving through. He

will do anything from anywhere. They have saved him up. Watch this.

Straight through. He gets to the inside. Brilliant support play and

he just needs to keep his legs going. What a break from Uate.

Midway through this tackle count, they are progressing well, rolling

up onto the line. That is another penalty. Shoulder charge. Lining

this one up. There is no doubt that there are way of defence, it is

suspicious. Whether they have got the ball or not they are going down.

He lines up a second kick. He converted the try. This one puts him

ahead. The measures it up OK. Good drive. Stepping inside. He

kicks it through. Did he drop it or kick it? I think he was looking for

the kick. He was parked on his own out there. If he had kicked it and

executed it was a play. Spreading the play are Samoa. Looking for

spaces. Good tackle. Can they hold them out again?

Back-to-back for the second time. Edging closer but they cannot get

through. It is not close enough. I think it is a penalty. He has gone

behind the back of somebody. I saw it clearly up here. They are trying

to get him free, one-on-one, but the minute he runs past, he impedes the

defender. Great tackle. It is the turn of Samoa to exercise

the goal-line defence. He stopped a few metres short. This

is the final play for Fiji. They go right.

He is going to touch the ball down. We will have a look.

I am happy he is onside. That is fine. That is a try. The second try

of the game given to Fiji. The lead by 12 points zero.

Take a bow. Into Roberts. Struggling.

Disappointed he could not keep hold of it. It is play on. Watch out.

Watch out. They are on their own. Looking to

put him in touch. Great rugby. We saw them hold out

Samoa couple of times and now they have a couple of questions. Samoa

will look to come again. They drive on. Quickly closed down.

Desperation from the Samoans. Great defence, Samoa. Fiji did

everything right. It was a big hit. Everyone is in. It

was coming for awhile. Slipped up. Just went around his

head. Ten points is the difference at the

moment. With a successful conversion it will draw them level.

Get the ball away. Nicked the ball away, is it? Underneath the sticks!

They have booked a place in the semifinal at Wembley. He sealed the

game for Fiji. Uate is the difference. He flicked the ball out.

This has been a super effort from Fiji. Fair to say you enjoy that

game. I thought it was a terrific game, super. Everything we expected.

Last week, neither of these wingers played against England. We now know

why. It was a masterstroke. They have been waiting for the whole

tournament. They were outstanding. They have carried over 400 metres

between them. They are responsible for over a third of the metres that

Fiji made. It is the excitement that they bring to the tournament. It was

awesome. They both went around and were given a free license, in

effect. Watch this. He is just so powerful. We are you tackle this

bloke? Going like this, running down the line. Plu-mac wingers are so

important in the modern game. When you have two wingers carrying the

ball for 40 metres it makes it much easier. What a fantastic clip. It

shows you the mentality of the Fijians. The prop forward is, you

remember someone like me in the middle of the field, playing the

ball quickly, it is fantastic. He breaks the game up, he has beaten

decent players and to do that that is great athleticism and power. Try

and stop that one! Great skill and awareness. It is unfair to say that

they are just power. They have great skill and balance. It was the way

they played the rugby that got them on top. Here's the difference

again, Uate. This is literally to finish the game because they were in

control but they thoroughly deserved the win. They were much better,

tactically. I think so. These guys carried some huge metres. 150

metres, 200 metres, when two guys do it in your team, the rest of the

game is relatively easy. The halfback had one of his best games.

When he is playing well and the wingers as well, that is the reason

Fiji won the game. They are a threat. It was a wonderful mix of

the physicality and skills but also so much pride and passion on show,

right from the very start. I think it was a special day in a lot of

respects. Both teams were ready to play. And then the song from Fiji

was just, the whole ground stood still. A special World Cup moment.

At the end particularly. But the stage was set here. And they

certainly got into each other. Maybe it was an energy battle in the end

because Samoa were in and Fiji had a couple more days of rest. How he got

up from that is a minor miracle, isn't it?! But this one, you slips

up beneath the head and he takes its etching delete old -- takes

exception to it. The tears of a loser and those are the tears of a

winner. It takes so much to get through. Yes. They have such a

strong cultural identity and it was a great success. The USA took on

nine time World Cup winners Australia in a David versus Goliath.

COMMENTATOR: So, here we come, a big day in the history of Rugby League.

A colourful history of America going back to the all stars tour. Now they

find themselves at the end of the draw, the top eight, in a Rugby

League World Cup. Isn't there some try scoring potential in that Aussie

side? For the Tomahawks for this historic day for them, their side

looks like this. Americans, they get numbers in the

tackles and they have to prove it can be off-loaded to have any chance

of stemming the flow of points. At the back and now there is trouble.

The two centres combine! And he scores two and a half minutes in.

Another test for the American defence. He wants to wrestle! Here

he comes! Now Australia with Cronk, first out.

Well done! This is the sort of stuff day love at the White House! -- they

love! Inglis just plunges over! You need

more than just one-on-one big play close to the line. True, true! It is

all up to Brett Morris! The long striding St George scores here. For

the kangaroos. He has the third try. Fantastic individual, and brilliance

from Maurice here. -- Brett Morris. Cameron Smith, the captain! He

scores one for the Kangaroos. Just showing the step pushes on the

inside, backing up through the middle.

The Australians are on the march again! Just too good! You know, you

are talking megastar to megastar to megastar. We don't how many gears

these guys have got! They are in about 50 at the moment! -- fifth.

This is a tough day at the office now. You can't make errors ten out

from your own line, can you, against the Kangaroos? It is an open invite.

Clear and they have got a double against Ireland. So, lovely work.

Ten metres out. 18 try. -- a team. Brett Morris is looking for a

hat-trick here and he's going to get one! He's got better than a try. It

must be absolute luxury to play outside somebody like Inglis. And

Brett Morris says, thank you, Greg. By rights, the school could be even

bigger. Nice control from Thurston. Good stuff from Craig Priestley.

Cooper Cronk on the last kick. Brett Morris has scored four tries! They

are going to check it on the video referee but if he's got it, he will

be the fifth Australian in the history of World Cup footy to score

four tries in a match! It looks like everybody is onside. That is a try,

please. He is hit and hit solidly. Just a

tough game, isn't it? Just a tough game played by tough teams! This

could be at big moment in the campaign of the Kangaroos.

Off-loaded and there is Smith. Well done again, though, from Priestley.

They tried to grab a leg, a toe, and arm... I am still going! No, I am

not! You, too! And down they go! I don't know what is happening to some

of the passing out here. That is beautiful! That is skilful from

Brett Morris! You would think they had been a set and wing combination

all their life! Look at this! It was almost like an idle pass here over

the shoulder. It is just like you receive the call of Hayne and knew

where he was going to be! -- he received. The line has run! And

Jarryd Hayne very much a contender here. This is fantastic from him. He

just runs a great line, a nice late in line and certainly stakes his

claim for a spot in the semifinal next weekend at Wembley.

Oh! What a pass! Wow! Just out the back door! He shows great strength!

You are loving this! That is the best! Give him man of the match!

It was a tough scoreline on the USA, who will be a wonderful addition to

this World Cup? Yes, get into the quarterfinals deserves massive

recognition in itself. At I can't wait to see them in the future.

Billy hobbled out. How much of a probable that the? We saw Inglis's

prowess carrying five blokes and this is the incident itself. He

lands on his bad knee and he is doubtful the semifinal. He is

doubtful for the final. We have not even mentioned Boyd. Take your pick,

I think. Jarryd Hayne. I think they are blessed with fullback and I

think Inglis could do a really good job. Canon Fiji trouble Australia in

the semifinal? -- Canon Fiji? I think they can because I think they

were exceptional. Of the back of them, they can cause a bit of

trouble for the Australians and Nikon wait to see them in action. I

think it's going to be a cracker. And Australia have already been

tested since that opening game against England. So we don't know

where they are at. There's no doubt in my mind they are ready to play.

They have great players, big players, and they know how to play

on the big stage in the semifinals is the biggest stage of all. Well,

Scotland's performance in the World Cup has been one of the highlights

so far. Their reward for their performance was a match against

these guys. COMMENTATOR: Off-loaded to the

outside! The defending World Cup champs,

looking good. Williams back to Johnson and play on, New Zealand!

They only need one tackle! And he has gone over! Bromwich has a

test drive for the Kiwis! It is just the weight of numbers and the

physical prowess of this Kiwi team. They now have 28 for the tournament.

And Roger that! They still got enough. It is just the confidence

that they play with. They are losing confidence. -- oozing. And he scores

the try for New Zealand! By the end of the night, that will be his run,

17 metres! Johnson sprints away! Well, if only

he was born in Scotland! But not tonight! There we go, left-hand

bend. Another free try. They will end up on their own

goal-line! He will sprint away and score,

Tuivasa-Sheck! And outrageous Rugby League try! As soon is he comes down

on two feet, boom, you kicks on. -- he.

And a pass comes up! And he strode through! He must of thought, this is

it, this is my big moment. -- he must have.

He will get the try this time. They can't take this one from him! He

scores again here, another test try in the career of a real star player

of the Rugby League. So, you's going out to the sideline... No, I'm not.

Then just ploughs his way over. 15 away and they build up and then they

muddle in. You are not getting through him, Powell! -- mate. On the

outside! And here it comes! Yes! Indeed! Scotland have scored the

try! Burst out the bagpipes! Scotland is on the board! This was

fantastic. He finished really well. They kick it across field. It was

high. What a take! What a beautiful take. Leaks out of the ground. What

a catch. Great catch. Scotland have been fantastic throughout this

tournament. It would be wonderful if we could see a legacy up in Scotland

from what they achieved. We used the word legacy a lot in sport. What

does it mean? It means children inspired to play the game in

Scotland. The clubs need to develop an infrastructure. At the moment

that does not exist. That needs to happen off the back of this. It is

part of the reason why it has been so great. You hope that happens. New

Zealand were just awesome. Power, pace, creativity from everybody. I

was lucky enough to be at this game and that is what impressed me. At

times it was a little like men against boys. The physical presence

of the four words is unbelievable. Just powering through people and

knocking people over for fun. That is what is scary about them but they

did not see too much pressure, although the Scots gave it a good

go. Across the park everybody seems to be able to do everybody. Williams

has been the headline. He takes the plot let's -- plaudits. Here, he is

sidestepping and he goes down the sideline. That is the absolute

brilliance of this New Zealand team. As we have seen with Australia

later, the big boys are getting to rock 'n' roll. Sean Johnson, for me,

Kieran foreign playing really well. -- Foran. Isaac Lucas has had a

really good tournament. I think Michael Maguire has had a really

good influence. His decision-making is great. -- Isaac Luke. He can run

out and cause carnage. A real issue for England will be stopping him.

What I have been most impressed with is his workrate in defence. He does

not miss many tackles, from a small guy. It does not happen. The past

selection has been great. I would reinforce that. He makes excellent

decisions on the back of the physical prowess, he knows when to

go to the fringes, and when to run. Is this a better team than when they

won the title? I would say that but they have not been challenged. It is

difficult to gauge where they are but they look very scary, especially

when they don't seem to be in patches, just pretty solid all the

time. Do you think they know how to play a tournament and the fact that

they have not been tested does not really matter? Yes. The big guys

have not really played each other. New Zealand are one of the best

because they know how to do that. Could the real England team please

stand up? We have seen great play and not so great play so far. They

are looking to find chewing their game ahead of the expected matchup

against New Zealand. The World Cup is important for England. Today, the

examination is French. Let's see if they have done their homework

properly. England's defence is working hard. Trying to drive

through, get the past to reach for the line. He is over the line, he

has got the try. The French, with a start. This was not in the script.

He flicks it back. It is getting a little heated. He is standing in the

stand-off position. Waiting for the early ball. The testing run at the

French line. He flicks it back, looks for the space. He gets the

try. How many times has that happened? England are back in the

contest. If they were ever out of it. He doesn't miss many. England

are level. Good one-handed pick-up from Sam Tomkins, already on the

chase forward. Little stumble and he gets away. As another go happens,

here's a handful. Strange dummy. Great ball. Great

decision. Sam Tomkins with the finish.

Just over 20 minutes played. Another finish for Josh Charnley. It is

simple when there is a bit of quality on the side. He has a big

smile on his face. Momentum building up for in going here. He is off.

Spinning back. Take the defender. Gets his second try of the night.

The wingers are having a party. He is a cross, dive for the line. That

will be the end of the first half. It has been thoroughly engaging.

England are content. You come Sam Burgess, collecting three defenders.

He rolls it forward. You don't see that often. I've muscled.

Has he ever scored an easier try than that? Another job well done.

Very strong. I hope she doesn't smell them.

Yes, she did. We will gloss over that bit. Steve McNamara shuffled

the forward pack. What did you think? The pack is the strength. The

options he has got, Sam Burgess is one of the best forwards in the

world. James Graham is a standout performer. The statistics back that

up. We talked about Fiji in wingers. He consistently does that. One of

the great things he does is get to the shoulder of a defender. Quite

often plays the ball quick. How important is it to have that kind

him? A big decision from Steve McNamara. He is trailing behind him.

They need to put them together. We can see Sam Tomkins, brilliant pass,

you would question the French defence but take nothing away, we

can see Graham in the scrum, you can play football, attract defenders and

make a pass which opens up the outside. As a forward play yourself,

when you watch the linkup he has got, do you know that you have

somebody behind you like that? Obviously it is fantastic playing

with the best players in the game really, and James Graham is no

exception. But these are set plays, they do it week in, week out. In

training, everyday. It is good to see them doing it and they have

scored from the exact same place in the weeks previous. The biggest

thing they have is variety. He can pass the ball, run the ball, the

defence do not know what he is doing. He has got support. But the

best thing for them to do is for him to play the ball, trail behind him,

a great pass. This was the crispest piece of play that England should

all day. I think fundamental will be the combination. Sam Burgess was

moved to the second role. Is that looking at the next week? Read Mac I

think he was tempted to look at that match but it might distract them and

take the attention away from the team. They need to cause a bit of

distraction but I think the balance of the team, James Roby has played

well enough to force his way into the team. You need to balance that.

They are two great teams. I am really confident that England will

be a lot better. If they are going to defeat New Zealand the kicking

game will be key. We did not see much from that. We need to see more

of that. This is a massive part of the game. Fundamental. People don't

recognise it. This is so important. If you get it out of your territory,

you can defend off the back of that. We spoke about this. This is the

favourite part of the game. Fantastic. Off the back of this, you

can see that wall of white. This is the opportunity for them to turn the

momentum and bail -- pin them into the corner. Where'd you go if you

are New Zealand -- picking the team for New Zealand? I like Sam Williams

in the middle of the free. -- field. And also Sam Ferris, he deserves an

opportunity. Who do you want on the bench? What the guys showed last

week, they have to do that ten or 15 times, they need to get New Zealand

turning around a lot. They need to take the tank down, reduce the

energy, kick well to do that. There is a debate, you need a player in

form. He looked like he was up for it. I was very impressed with that.

Sam Burgess, for me, has got to play in the middle. He needs to be the

talismanic for the team. Thank goodness we are not picking the

team. This is the final four in the 2013 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand

take on England in the first Emmy final next Saturday, and Australia

take on Fiji. -- semifinal. We have live coverage of New Zealand versus

England next Saturday. Coverage starts on BBC One and BBC One HD at

12:30pm. We will not make you wait so long to see highlights of both

semifinals next weekend. We are on at 4pm on Sunday. There are just two

weekends to go in what has been a fantastic tournament so far. There

are just four teams left but they are the big ones. Goodbye.