12/11/2017 - Highlights Rugby League World Cup

Angleterre? France?

Welcome to highlights of

the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Over the next hour,

we will bring you all the action

from today's games, as Groups A

and C reach their conclusion

in the company of Jon Wilkin,

Kevin Sinfield and Iestyn Harris.

We'll have highlights of PNG v USA

and Wales v Ireland coming up.

But first, England needed a win

against France in Perth

to claim their place

in the quarterfinals.

Your commentators are Brian Noble

and Ian Millward with Dave Woods.

It is a very European feeling with a

very typical Australian backdrop.

England against France, the final in

game group A in this World Cup. This

is the way the French are lining up,

they have had a few problems, their

first choice hooker sent home for

disciplinary reasons. Boudezba comes

in. 12 or the 17 play in Super

League, and there you see the

England side, Mike McMeeken given a

first start in the season, and Scott

Taylor will come off the bench for

his first appearance as well. Roby

weights, Graham to his left hand

side, Hill brings it back down the

middle. Roby rested in the last

game, but a chance to shine here,

Gale goes left, and this is the

opening try, Gareth Widdop with a

matter of two minutes played,

scores, England settle into the task

right from the start.

Big tick in

the box, Luke Gale gets around the

back to outnumber people on the

fringes, Gareth Widdop just put his

foot down, and he's not going to get

stopped. That is it, at the back of

my mind probably only one player has

a chance of making the game, Kevin

Brennan Cantlay square of the line.

It was great to see Gale running, he

has been structured and mechanical

in his business, but we talk about

Gareth Widdop, when he comes into

the game, but also Currie, everyone

plays a part in the try, Currie has

tight lines to Brown, drags the

defender in, you know.

I think the

inclusion of Brown takes the

pressure off.

Has dropped it, it is

going to be a scrum down deal

England, because the attacking team

gets the scrum. Very nearly a try,

but they will take that. Nearly a

tackle too!

A penalty try, tackling

Luke Gale!

Five and a bit minutes

played, England with one score

already chalked up, and another

great opportunity, Percival being

grappled by one of the few players

who has not played in Super League

in his career. Roby takes it in,

here they go, easy out, Ratchford is

over on the left-hand corner, but he

might have spilled it at the very

last. That is the query is troubling

the referee's mind.

OK, back on the

front angle, please, pause and when

he comes to ground. Pause it there,

he has maintained possession.

This

is a wonderful start for England,

six minutes played, two tries on the

board, exactly what England fans

were hoping for and expecting.

They

will be thinking this is easy!

It

will put another ten years on his

career!

Good hands from the

full-back, Widdop has God Bateman

freed temporarily. -- has got. More

good hands, from O'Loughlin this

time, and here comes McGillvary,

trying to crash through, held up.

One play to go, Percival is going to

have a go himself, Gale spins it

away, and Graham is going to get

over the line and score England's

third, it is a rout already, eight

minutes played, and England have

three tries.

Don't worry about the

try, how smooth and fluid to get to

this part of the field, moving

across the line, everyone knowing

their role, they were scattered,

France could not get up the line,

holes everywhere. The big man gets

the try.

Devon Brown. Now Gale.

Ratchford, not just turning on the

outside, waiting for the ball to

come your way, doing a bit of work

in the middle as well. That is

Currie, four tackles gun, England

with a flurry of early tries,

looking to put themselves in good

position again, Widdop is well met

there.

They are getting into shape

and people are filling the field.

Now they have got space, Bateman

tries a little kick, it bounces

fortuitously, the referee says back

to one. Played out by the French.

That was lucky.

In by Bateman. Here

comes Roby, Frenchman left on the

floor, O'Loughlin spills and back,

Gale again, now Brown, Widdop, look

at this, and Mark Percival will

score his try. Chance given, chance

taken. And England have their fourth

score of this early evening in

Perth.

The exciting thing about it

is the way England players got off

the ball, got into their roles,

preserved the space, they just took

defenders away, created numbers on

the outside, and I keep saying,

Widdop, he looks so comfortable, so

good in regards to his jaw and bars.

Here comes Walmsley, carrying them

on his back! He gets up and plays,

it is back with Brown. Now Widdop,

Percival, looking to step into a

gap, three defenders there. The long

backed McMeeken given the task of

backing up and delivering the past,

Brown sees the gap, Kevin Brown

almost through.

The width from dummy

half, they just spread them out.

A

penalty for too much messing around

on the ground. It is another set.

Six more tackles to come. Lead in

the first instance by Walmsley, Roby

lost the ball, was there a French

hand on that? The referee has

decided it was offside. The defender

came from an offside position, so

another penalty for England.

So Roby again will tap, Walmsley

will slam it in to set up position

here, plenty left, plenty right, he

goes left to Gale. Bateman stepping

away, and Bateman is reaching, and

he has got this. And the referee, I

think he is going to agree, yes,

eventually, he decides to give the

try. Lucas is serious, Bateman has

England's fifth try of the night.

On

the edge, Gale sees him on the

outside, he backs himself, he needs

to score when he backs himself like

that. Because it is a walk-in for

Ratchford!

He likes playing against

the French, Bateman, made his debut

against the French then, scored two

tries on his debut. Five gone, this

is the last, Garcia gets himself

there, Theo Fages boots it away,

McGilvray has dropped it! Well,

there will be a note in Wayne

Bennett's little black book, they

have got to get rid of the mistakes.

Albeit it does not matter in this

situation, in another game it might,

and that is going to count against

you. So France have a chance to try

to get themselves on the board,

Benjamin Jullien runs really hard,

we see it week in, week out at

Warrington. He gets up and plays it,

Navarette will drive it in. He is

getting a penalty, he looks at the

referee, what about that? Phil

Bentham has agreed, they will get

another set, of course they are

going to take the tab. It is back

with Fages, Djalout. Still five to

go. Garcia, Fages again, inside

comes Albert. England's defence has

been pretty watertight in this game

and in this tournament, and they are

marshalling themselves well again

for the moment. Anthony Marion tries

to drive it in. Garcia. The run was

developed, Garcia with the dummy,

there is a sucker punch, and

England's defence, from being

red-hot, is suddenly red-faced -

that was a soft try to concede,

write and the sticks.

The biggest

thing is that the threat is the

person with the ball, the thread is

in front of you, and they went away

from the threat.

Gareth Widdop with

a kick downfield to get the second

half under way, caught by Fages,

England is looking to ramp it up

again. They had an electrifying

start to the first half, and now a

powerful start to the second half,

defending on the French line. What

are we expecting here?

I will tell

you what he wants, no tries, no

mistakes, that was his big emphasis

before the game, that will not

change. He will be absolutely

pouring, the way they started.

That

is a knock-on straightaway in

England's favour, Bousquet having

dropped it, England get early

position here.

And early indication

of the response of the England team

at half-time, that has caused a

little bit of disruption in their

next few plays, ending up with

Bousquet dropping the ball.

Here

comes the first run from Williams,

and it goes out to Jermaine

McGillvary, nine tries in nine

successive Test matches in an

England shirt, that impressive run

continues, England's impressive form

continues, they have hit the 30

points mark.

Sit back and have a

look at this pass from Widdop,

class, time. They go nice and

square, under pressure he knows the

winger is coming into cream him, and

he just takes his time, transfers

the ball from the inside across his

body, with a minimum of fuss. It is

interesting, the smaller players are

stepping back on the inside shoulder

of the big England defenders, and we

have talked about Walmsley and

Taylor, and they are actually

beating them. That is what they are

doing to regain the momentum.

Walmsley has to check his run, but

he still has got a presence. Roby,

Brown again, McMeeken to his right

hand side, it looked like he had

lost it, great pass away, first one

to McGillvary, a chance to get some

running here. He put the foot down

and gets the past outcome of the

off-load is forward. Well, it was

thrilling for a moment, but

ultimately disappointing, it looks

like McMeeken has got a bloodied

nose for his pains. Or is it coming

from his mouth?

Claret right from

his snozz!

Walmsley, head-on under

those circumstances by Maxime

Harold. This is Williams. Can't keep

it alive, England is less than 20

away. Roby has seen a gap, and off

he goes, James Roby almost there!

Kheirallah just about recovering

French boys with the tackle right on

the line. Taylor has gone from dummy

half, but he is going to be held up.

Roby again, now he spins it out,

there is Kevin Brown with a kick to

the corner, caught on the full by

Yaha, a tap back on the 20 again.

Sam is in good spirits this week, it

looks like he is getting better and

better, a thumbs up, he is on the

big-screen here, the England fans

have just him as well.

They put

their bodies in front, don't they,

the French? Here they go again.

Brushes away from Baitieri. Roby,

Brown, McMeeken. Down that right

channel.

The width of Roby's pass,

every time, he gets to the outside

defenders earlier.

Garcia picks it

up, and off goes Lucas Albert, they

are not going to stop him! Well, the

referee has blown his whistle for a

forward pass, and Albert goes over,

gets the celebration, but his heart

will sink into his boots, when he

looks 60 or 70 yards back downfield,

he will see an unmoved Phil Bentham

say it was a forward pass. Williams,

the new dummy half of choice,

O'Loughlin. Still carried by the

captain. Williams again. Gale,

Currie. 20 out, three tackles to go,

decent position for England to try

to probe again here, Graeme Potts

and back, McGillvary is certainly

running free enough to score in the

corner, but the referee once a

second look at that tumbling effort.

He will feel that McGillvary

probably got there, but the video

referee is required. Let's hear from

him.

OK, based on the angles

available, the ball comes in contact

with the ground, but insufficient

proof of loss of possession.

The

referee's call on the field is a big

one, it stands, insufficient

evidence to suggest that McGillvary

lost possession, so he has his

second of the night and a second of

this second half.

Once again,

execution really good, it is the

side they have favoured in the

tournament, because McGillvary does

know about it. Nice catch, pass,

drawing the defender, putting him

away. I will tell you how much they

treasure him, they have brought him

off.

Gale comes left, Widdop

involved again. Ratchford, here is

Currie. So Gale, 40 metres out from

his own line, into the final 19

seconds, this is Brown, McMeeken.

Greg Hands by O'Loughlin, Percival

could not get it in. -- quick hands.

He might have been going under Super

League rules with the advantage

played there. HOOTER BLOWS

that is it, anyway. England win

36-6. Job done in terms of a win

under their belts, first 40 minutes

terrific, but they conceded a try at

the end of the first. Although they

have not conceded any in the second

half, less than satisfactory, a lot

in there for Wayne Bennett to be

scratching his head.

I do not think

we are particularly happy with the

display, a lack of focus, maybe

getting a little bit overconfident

at times. But the start of the game,

some of the effort we put in at the

beginning, we have to highlight the

fact of how clinical we were, some

of our attacking skill was

outstanding. But we have got to be

able to match that for 80 minutes.

The first of what is what we

expected, stuck to the game plan,

but the second half, we went a bit

silly, we could have played a

smarter. There was a lot of

rotation, once we took James Roby

off, we had someone who had never

played centre in George, so a lot of

disruption, probably an excuse, we

need to tidy it up, but first off

there were some really positive

signs, and I am all happy

defensively. They got one try, and

it was a bad one, but overall happy

with the defence.

Certainly

enjoyable to pull on the jersey,

getting to run around the fields

there.

You came off with what looked

like an injury, what is the

situation?

More precautionary than

anything, I finished the try before

I came off, I took a knock, I think

Wayne decided to take me off for the

last 15 minutes, but I am fine. The

tournament is about consistency, we

get better with each game, hopefully

we will get to the final and put it

all together.

We knew it was a

chance to qualify, and we started

the game poor, and against a quality

side like England, you cannot do

this.

We had an idea of where we

were going, today has thrown up a

couple of different options,

different connotations, it is about

having a 24-man squad, we need the

best team for the knockout stages.

Wayne is a hard task master, he will

get the best out of us during the

week, he knows the best way to

motivate the players, but I am sure

they will be well motivated after

tonight's performance. We have got

three or four weeks left in the

tank, we have got to make our own

decisions, how good we want to be as

a team, work hard. Work daily, good

choices.

We have been watching you

in training this week, you seem to

be getting better, running free,

confident of a quarterfinal place?

I

will be there.

Here is confirmation of the group A

table, England finishing as

runners-up, Lebanon also going

through to the quarterfinals. Do you

like the disappointment in the

England camp at their second-half

performance?

I think I do. They

showed enough signs in the first

half, certainly the way they played

expanse of me, I liked Brown, the

balance in the team, and they showed

enough for me first half that they

will be a thread in the

quarterfinals and semifinals,

hopefully the final. The pessimistic

side of it was the second half they

could not continue the 80 minute

game plan, which England need to do

going into the quarterfinal. It was

a deflated second-half performance,

wasn't it? But certainly the signs

in the first of were terrific.

Let's

focus on the positives, Jermaine

McGillvary, Kevin, you know, during

the game we were saying he would be

in any team of the tournament.

Without a doubt, the former winner

of the competition, he has been

awesome, our best player as well,

and if you look around the other

nations at the minute, possibly the

player from Tonga would push him

close, but I think it showed today

how valuable he is to England, the

fact that we substituted him, and

that doesn't happen very often at

all with wingers.

To protect him.

To

wrap him in cotton wool. His yardage

out of backfield has been

outstanding, he is scoring tries, a

real threat.

Yeah, strong guy, I can

tell you from first-hand experience,

trying to stop him coming out of his

heart is tough, never mind trying to

stop putting ball down in the

corner, which we saw here, his

power, but a great finisher too. One

of the best wingers in the world,

really just enhancing is value over

the last few weeks.

But that power,

the meters that he makes helps other

players in the team, it can help

them of a breed of more than

anything!

It does, and with England,

we are a big pack, we are, and you

need your backfield to bring the

ball back, so they do not have to go

all the way back behind the ball to

get back in shape. McGillvary is 20

or 30 metres consistently, fantastic

for the back four.

Gareth Widdop as

full-back was a success, and over

the next week there will be debate

amongst rugby league fans and media

about where he should play next

week.

Without a doubt, the

combination there, with the great

line from Ben Currie, resulted in

point early on in this game, and one

thing we have noticed is that that

combination of players, getting your

right players in the right positions

at the right time is crucial. I

think Gareth showed his instinct as

a full-back are still there plans,

he appeared in the right spaces, in

the mike and he is quite capable of

taking high balls, and he will be

scrutinised if he plays at that

level again. I got a feeling from

the post match interview that he

might not play in that position, but

impressed with how he played, and

his combination with the others was

one of the standout features.

He did

exactly today what he was saying

last week against Lebanon you wanted

your fallback to do.

In the right

place at the right time, you

mentioned it, Gale and Hill, their

combination today, wherever we was

attacking, he appeared, and he

seemed to know the script and

exactly what was going on. He can

run, pass, kick, so many different

options, he linked up well with the

back row is, and that is where we

wanted our full-back last week,

creating some doubt in the

opposition defence.

The big

difference for me is the big men of

England playing together,

O'Loughlin, Graham, through the

field with James Roby, we have got

the ability to stop defence is dead

in the middle of the field. I don't

see that in a lot of other sites,

and it is a real point of difference

for us. We might be talking about

Widdop and McGillvary, but the guys

in the middle are crucial.

I thought

the first 25 minutes, the execution

was sublime, they were absolute

class, every pass on the money, we

are talking about Widdop, the skill,

the Gale, Brown, O'Loughlin,

outstanding, and if we can expand

that over 80 minutes, we will cause

anyone problems.

Earlier today in Port Moresby,

co-hosts Papua New Guinea needed

a win against the USA

to win their group and progress

to the quarterfinals.

Your commentators for this

one are Chris Warren

and Matthew Elliott.

Well, the World Cup adventure

continues, looking for a place in

the quarterfinals, the colour,

passion of the locals that they are

brought to this festival of rugby

league has been one of the feel-good

stories of this World Cup. The Papua

New Guinea side, have a look at

that, James Segeyaro starting his

first match at the World Cup, and a

big occasion for the son of Adrian

and Lam, making his debut. A lot of

pressure on these guys, but not a

whole lot to lose, their hooker is

from the Northern Beaches, Marando.

And this guy from the London Broncos

has carried the side in recent

years. This is Aiton. Still no

score. PNG come into this match

after a very big win against Wales,

and they got home against Ireland.

Expected to win this, here is 76

into space, and in they go, over

they go, in two score, Lam!

It is 76

who picks up the inside ball here,

dummies, takes off, and Lam, do you

think he is happy with that?!

Segeyaro finds Lam. Now the pass.

Olam goes in to score after 11

minutes of play! Well, they are

dangerous with the ball in hand,

this outfit, and he goes in to make

it 10- mill with a kick to go. --

10-0. It's gone pretty high. They

made a meal of it! It's gone

backwards. There is another break

and they are away again. They are in

the space, they've got support on

the inside and his Segeyaro. He

races away to score. Well, this is

turning into a cakewalk. 13 minutes

old, is the match, and it is already

14-0. They are worrying signs here.

The final match for the home team

and James Segeyaro is just proving

so difficult to stop out there in

the middle. And at the moment it

really is all one-way traffic.

He's

straight through! Lucky Lam! You

straight through! Going in for

number two! Yes, indeed! -- he's

going straight through!

What about

this footwork goes off that right

foot and again absolutely elated to

get across that stripe.

What a young

talent he is.

Segeyaro to Boas. It ricocheted.

It's been played out, so six more.

Down the short side. Good tackle

over there. Wonderful tackle and it

had to be made there by Burroughs.

But the damage is still coming.

If Boas... Rob Griffin goes into

score. Easy as you like! Their most

experienced player. The hook from

Segeyaro. The tackle. Over the top.

His Boas. -- here is Boas. Danger

signs for the USA. Danger signs

indeed! And over they go again! They

go in for number six! Every

opportunity they get, they seem to

be coming up with points. Did well,

keeping the ball alive. The USA

really having problems. And the USA,

a very steep hill to climb. It will

be about damage control for them, as

has been pointed out. On the

halfway. Chasing through... They are

way! Away goes the captain! David

Mead is running 60, 70 metres! He

scored three tries a few weeks ago

against Wales and he's done it

again! They had some numbers out

there. Put the kick in, picked up

clearly by Mead. And he was a way!

The skipper. Over they go. 19 gone,

second half.

This is the last, then. Mead is back

there and puts the foot down, get

out of one. Brought down by Johnson.

I think they've made plenty of

errors. Coming to the full-back and

beyond. Still going, still going!

Eventually... He gets the ball away

to Boas and Boas will go into score!

And a procession of fire continues!

It's been given and they now lead

the USA 44-0! With one kick to go.

Breaking free here... Came to the

full-back, held on valiantly but

kept on going. Waiting for his

support runners. Eventually somebody

was there. Boas. And the number

seven goes over the score.

I like what I've seen from Page or

tournament. Very strong. -- all

tournament. Looking for a hole

behind the markers there. Baptiste

goes the other way. He pushes away!

And again! And again! McDonald goes

into score. He's a big customer,

isn't he? A big customer with good

speed and a good finish.

Yes, a

really effective finish, but the

service on the inside particularly,

the ball over the line, was super

effective.

Baptiste waiting. Long,

looping pass. McDonald with the

ball! They're going again! Can he

get there? You bet he can! Well,

they are not showing any pity here,

are they, for the Stars and Stripes?

This now becoming a cricket score!

So, can they put a point on the

board here, America? Still keeping

it alive. Dragged in. He's through!

He's through! He can see the try

line and I think he's been held up!

And if he has that same miraculous

tackle! -- that's a miraculous

tackle! He was all but home!

At 58-0

up, that shows how much importance

there is further Mead to lead his

country and keep the scoreboard at

zero. -- there is for David Mead to

lead his country.

They want to keep

this at Haydock egg. -- at a dark

animal -- duck egg. Once again! They

go into score and Justin Olam goes

in for number three! Nothing going

their way.

Look at him go! Have a

look at Ryan Burrows there. In

pursuit. He hits the deck. An

outstanding game today. Racks up

number three.

It's been an awesome

experience. The boys have been

wrapping me up all week and given me

the confidence I needed. Officer got

a few little meat pies as well,

which was pretty special! --

obviously got.

Hopefully next time

we are more competitive and I

wouldn't say we would be winning

next time but just more competitive

and better again until we can start

winning.

England in Melbourne next

weekend will be pretty tough for us

so we will work on preparing well

this week and hopefully get a result

down there.

The harsh reality is

that some of the guys are not quite

ready for this level. Week in, week

out, certainly. But that's not to

say there has been a benefit in

playing these men.

I think we played

nearly every game and it's good to

see everyone, whether they played

one or two games, they really stood

up and ready to be selected for the

next game. Like I said, we celebrate

the victory and look forward to the

game next week.

If sport is all about atmosphere and

passion and spectacle, it is a

crying shame that the quarterfinal

between Papa New Guinea and England

isn't going to be there.

Yes, it

would seem common sense for that

quarterfinal to be in that stadium,

well supported, fanatical support,

but it's not to be. It's a benefit

for England, I believe, playing in

Melbourne, because I think we are a

different proposition to Papa New

Guinea in Melbourne. Still a big

challenge, though.

Can they roughly

what they've done at home in those

three games? -- can they replicate

what they've done? Can they do that

in Melbourne?

I think what they've

done is grow in confidence in the

group stages. With the quality

they've got and how physical they

are going to be, with confidence, it

isn't going to be a pushover.

England will have to play well.

They've put a half performance

together and that would be good

enough. They are going to be a tough

proposition in that quarterfinal.

So

what do England do against them? I

still bring up your quote when we

were sitting here for the Australia

game, when you said, tackling them

is like tackling a lamp post! Which

makes me think of you tackling lamp

posts in Leeds!

Yes! Thinking of

that game next week, there are going

to be some sort bodies next --

some hurting bodies afterwards. For

me, England need to be

ultra-aggressive and really

physical, and that's why it's so

great we get Sam Burgess back. I

think him in the middle, Hill, just

being physical.

But controlled

comedy was saying? Because they

thrive on chaos? -- but controlled,

you are saying?

Yes. Having three

hookers who like to run tell you

exactly what will happen. They are

going to come up the field fast,

trying to create chaotic setups.

England can nullify that with good

contact, line speed and controlling

the rap, and if they get that right,

it will make everything easier. --

controlling the ruck.

There are

going to be opportunities and it's

how England scramble and are

prepared to work that will get them

through.

And if we look at the three

games PNG have played so far, the

ones that have caused them the most

problems are Ireland, and they've

got a big starting from row. Brad

Singleton among them. Those three

will bring that physicality.

That win for Papua New Guinea meant

they finished top of Group C,

so when Wales met Ireland earlier

today in Perth, there

was only pride at stake.

Your commentators are Andrew Moore

with Scott Sattler.

COMMENTATOR: Looking resplendent

there in their jerseys. Believing

that they can in this World Cup

round against their northern

hemisphere neighbours today.

Yes,

really looking forward to the number

two this afternoon. He's had plenty

of experience. And the number nine,

he's been a real surprise package of

the tournament. And I've been really

impressed with Kay. And Ralph, just

how excitable will he be? A really

good kicking game, he will bring.

About 37 metres away. Options both

sides. A strong run from Brad

Singleton inside the Welsh 30.

Pewhairangi is backing up with his

first try of the day for Ireland. It

took seven minutes. Finished off by

Pewhairangi for Ireland and they get

the first points of the game.

We

spoke about how dangerous he's been

out of dummy half, the number nine,

and good skill early in the game,

great to see him involved.

They lead

for- zero. -- they lead 4-0.

Driven by great defence by Wales

there. He's struggled, too. He got

absolutely poleaxed and mainly by

the replacement, Rhodri Lloyd. He is

down right on the Welsh 30 metre

line. Just that right leg, he grabs

it. You just see his hand go down

there.

Immediately. That's hope he's

OK.

Setup to the left.

Eight metres

out from the line. They do go over

the side. Ralph. A wayward pass. But

Williams has it. And the off-load

for Alf as well. Good run! The young

bloke! They've got numbers! The flag

is up! Denied by about an inch. And

Ireland just hold on. Wales thought

they were going to hit back with

their first try today.

What a moment

of brilliance! A fantastic call here

by the linesman. But an equally

beautiful finish there. At least

they showed something, Andrew.

A

good run again as he carves aside.

And he wins the penalty. I reckon

Wales will be happy to concede the

penalty. No thought of a shot at

goal, though. That's the goal line,

a metre away. Try! He got that down,

Oliver Roberts! Off the bench! He

will be awarded with a 4-point are.

The lead goes to ten. -- 4-pointer.

The amount of defence they've had to

do and Oliver Roberts comes off the

bench and creates an opportunity.

It's exactly what you want from your

bench players.

Ireland go into a

10-0 lead against Wales. How much

more can they do? The 20 metre

line... Good hands there. That's the

ten metre line so Ireland not far

away. Philbin! Try! He got it down

between the posts! He's come off the

bench, Joe Philbin, and he scores a

try. Seconds -- second try in three

minutes for Ireland.

This basically

comes down to who wants it more.

It's just one determined runner

running into the face of the

defence, and his aggressive running

has got a great result for his side.

16-0 Ireland over Wales.

Good off-load there. Good backing

up. Too quick for the proper! Ways

the back-up? There it is! The

skipper! Finn! 22 metres out.

Roberts will play it. Blindside

right. The goal in seven metres away

for Ireland, looking for their

fourth before half-time. Finn! He's

over to get it down to school

therefore for Ireland! He's up, he's

hugging Oliver Roberts, and he's

scored the try! We're going to the

video referee.

Does he maintain

position? Yes, he does. It looks on

that replay as though it's OK. The

ball's in his hand. Yes. He's

maintained position. OK. I've got

the decision.

Ireland now 20 20 over

Wales. -- now 22-0 over Wales.

It

goes to Ben Evans. This is where

they should go to the right of that

openside and use the numbers.

13

just come back on.

Good ball away to Evans. 20 metres

out. Wales looking for first points.

He held it well. 11 out for the goal

line. Last tackle. Ralph. Lovely

cutout pass to Morris! Beautiful

stuff, young man! Josh Ralph! Wales

open their account! Nearly three

quarters of the way through the

game! First point for Wales.

What a

point by Ralph! We spoke earlier on

in the game and said if he takes the

line on and delivers the past

directly he will create

opportunities and he's done exactly

that.

Wales trailing 22-4. 12 metres

out, Ireland.

Philbin will recover it. Get to it

within a few metres. He's been great

for them, hasn't he? Lunge! Try for

Ireland! Oliver Roberts! At full

stretch! Oliver Roberts reckons he

has two. They will check it out.

Make sure it's grounded first on the

line, please. Go slowly, please.

Could we see that from behind on

that high shot, if possible, please?

Nice and slow, please. That's

definitely short there. And then his

hands, off the ball, so I've got a

decision. I'm going to the board.

Oliver Roberts was absolutely

convinced it shook -- scored his

second try of the day. -- convinced

he had scored. Another strong run by

the number ten for Ireland. 20

metres out from the goal line. It

off contest, this. That's a bad

penalty. Fourth tackle, again.

Another 20 metres out. Comes back to

Singleton. You can see the ten metre

line. 7-3, the penalty count to

Ireland. Desperate last-ditch

defence. Two metres out. Finn...

Good feet for a front row are! --

good feet for a front rower.

Blindside set to the left. Good

off-load. He had McCarthy steaming

through. Maybe this time... Oliver

Roberts! Does he get number two this

time? He does! Two tries to Oliver

Roberts!

He doesn't see any options

so he just gets the ball up the arm,

creates the opportunity himself,

scores the second.

It's now 26-6,

Ireland leading. Can they break it

here? Only seven metres out.

Philbin! Last-ditch defence by

Morrison.

At the back and firing numbers. He

gets the ball away! Kay is going to

score his first try for Ireland

right in the corner! The Irish get

their six.

Beautiful work. Look at

the work that Finn does but

equally... Commits the defenders,

which creates that space. Beautiful

from Kay.

Congratulations, firstly.

That was a really nice way for you

to finish the tournament.

Yes, we

wanted to finish the campaign

strongly as we were disappointed

last week. I think Rugby League in

Ireland has made a strong impression

in this World Cup.

A lack of

possession really cost you guys?

Yes, different areas of the field.

Errors in yardage again. Just

couldn't get that battle. But we

did, we scored troubled them a bit

but again it cost us.

I think we've

done out families and country proud

over the last few weeks. The thing

that fantastic.

So this is how the

quarter-final line-up looks.

And this is how things finished.

They probably deserved better,

Ireland, and whether better two

performers of the two home nations.

I think they took a stronger swap

than they've had in previous years

and played very well. -- a stronger

team. It's a shame we don't see them

in the quarterfinals because I

believe they would be capable and

could give Samoa a real run for

their money. Disappointing they are

not in there.

He had been saying if

they had been in group A or B, they

would have probably finished third

in one of those.

Yes, and I think

they have momentum in the

competition and a terrific

performance in PNG in difficult

circumstances, and they were

exceptional, and they showed again

today that they have quality on

their side, so it's a shame they're

not going to be there in the

quarterfinal. But that's how it is

set up.

What's gone wrong for Wales?

To feel they've gone backwards or is

it where they've been based, or a

mixture of things?

A difficult

question, that, isn't it? I'm glad

the World Cup is over for them

because it's been difficult to

watch. The first two games in

particular, they were out of the

game before they even got started.

They were better, they had a bit

more resilience today, but they were

still second-best by a long way and

I think there's a lot of work to do.

Within Wales, within grassroots,

lots more work to do, lots more

money needed in the game in Wales,

and it's a long way away from the

2000 World Cup. That last win seems

a long way away.

It's down to

personal for me. Wales have gone

into this with a young squad. They

will learn an awful lot from this

from my perspective. Two lads from

St Helens have gone out there. If

there's one exceptional thing for

Wales in this tournament, it's that

they have a leader for the future,

not just for now.

Yes, and he's been

the one performer you could say that

every game he's played he's been and

eight, nine, ten.

But as we've

discussed in the last few weeks, it

feels like northern hemisphere

countries are playing catch up,

particularly with the islands.

I

think that's probably true at this

stage. I think the difficulty is

Wales, Scotland and a bit island. I

think what they face is a large

number of Super League players

either being unavailable or they've

not put their hand up. -- and a bit

Ireland. I think the last World Cup,

the amount of Super League players

that filled those three squads, they

are just not there any more, those

players, so those nations have had

to rely on championship and League

1. The quality is now tougher.

The

number one sport in Samoa, PNG, and

it's tough to compete with that.

When for Scotland and Wales is not.

Let's be honest.

So this is how the

quarter-final line-up looks.

Group A winners Australia

will face Samoa.

Tonga play Lebanon.

New Zealand will take on Fiji.

England will play Papua New Guinea

in Melbourne early next Sunday.

You can see extended highlights

of Australia versus Samoa

on BBC Two next Friday at 1pm.

And join Tanya on Saturday at 1.15pm

on BBC One for highlights

of the first three quarter-finals,

including New Zealand versus Fiji.

And we'll be back nice

and early next Sunday,

at 4.30am on BBC Two,

for England versus Papua New Guinea.

Look at that! Look at John Wilkins'

smiling face at the enthusiasm at

half four start! Thank you to all of

you. Get the copy on! We will see

you next Sunday. Goodbye. -- get the

coffee on!