18/11/2017 - Highlights Rugby League World Cup

There was plenty of talk about New

Zealand before this tournament.

Several players have actually

elected to play for Tonga ahead of

New Zealand.

Is this World Cup

mission impossible for the he Kiwis.

COMMENTATOR:

It's going to be an

early try.

Before Tonga got right up

our noses.

COMMENTATOR:

All the way! This is

extraordinary.

But you have to

understand, rugby to a New

Zealander, it defines us. Recover,

rebuild, reclaim.

Robbie's ready. Are you? Welcome to

highlights of the 2017 rugby league

World Cup, as the competition

reaches the knockout stages, we've

already seen one shock in the group

stages with Tonga deifying

expectations to beat cohost New

Zealand. Will we see another in the

quarter finals? We'll have all the

action from the kiwi's game against

Fiji and Tonga's clash with Lebanon.

Andrew Henderson, John Wilkin and

Robbie Hunter Paul joins me. Then to

the red button for a look ahead to

the England match. Our panel have

bravely agreed to take your World

Cup related questions. Send them in

using hashtag BBC RL. Here is the

Cup related questions. Send them in

using hashtag BBC RL. Here is the

line-up in full:

New Zealand began their tournament

with convincing wins against Samoa

and Scotland, but last week's

emotional defeat to Tonga turned the

competition on its head. That meant

they faced Fiji earlier today, who

sailed through their group in

impressive style and feature the

tournament's top try scorer so far.

Adam Blair and Ngama the captains of

both sides. The quarter finals of

the rugby league World Cup 2017.

Fiji undefeated. New Zealand one

loss. Let's look at New Zealand's

team for this match.

He's through! He could go all the

way! Oh, he's being held up. Lost it

over the line. Oh, that was a shame.

Fiji are trying to claim it here. A

big call.

Still has possession at

this point. Yeah, ball is gone.

Well

it's going to be no try. But a

stunning run.

Fiji get an error. Can you feel the

excitement here, the crowd, for

Fiji. Pretty simple. They've put a

bit of pressure on. You don't give

Hayne time and space. The ball comes

free. But it is a loose carry. More

possession for Fiji.

Very good tackle from Shawn Johnson.

There is a penalty to Fiji. Right in

front of the posts. And they are

going to kick for goal.

It's Marty

Taupau laying down the law here.

So the penalty to Fiji, it is 2-0.

Big man against the little man. The

big man almost won as he invariably

does. There is the off-load. Fiji a

chance on the left. Oh, I think it's

been driven into touch there.

Back

to the 20. New Zealand survive.

Great off-load. The body in front of

him, puts it on the line. Blocks his

path. Good D, one, two, three.

Inside the last 60 seconds in the

first half. Who would have thought

no tries so far. Maybe the Kiwis

might have one up their sleeve here.

Tuivasa-Sheck.

This is a good shift. Could we have

a dazzling finish to the first half?

Martin! Vunivalu saves the attacking

play there from New Zealand. Martin

had no idea that he was behind him.

Extraordinary score line. Most

unexpected in the first half. New

Zealand need to find some fire.

Martin needs to inject himself into

this game. As does Shaun Johnson.

It's gone against Fiji. Now some

back chat. Shaun Johnson. That was a

tough one there for Fiji. Looked

like a knock-on. Then the back chat.

So Shaun Johnson will line up this

attempt.

Delivers 2-2 to the game.

Great tackling there from Fiji.

Yeah, great, D. One, two, three,

four Fijians. Jarryd Hayne comes out

of that exchange smiling.

New

Zealand not smiling with that slight

mistake there from Packer.

Breaking tackles. That's a

sensational return of the football

from that pair. Now New Zealand

risking the penalty. That's a

professional foul. What will he do

here? Rapana has been sent to the

bin. New Zealand down to 12 for the

next ten minutes.

Good run from Ben Nakubuwai. Fiji

attack. Hayne. The short pass this

time. It's a double movement. The

try won't count. He has been denied

for the second time in the match.

Twice over the line. The first one

dislodged. Lovely short ball from

Hayne. So deserved the try too. The

low tackle from Martin. Yes, he just

wanted to reach out and assist

himself after the arm carrying the

football had already touched the

ground.

Can Fiji get over this time?

Williame slots into dummy half this

time. Hayne, good hands from him.

Kikau! Has he lost the ball? I think

he has. Offside play against New

Zealand.

Yeah the touch has come up

with a call here. He said offside on

the right.

They're going for goal.

You have to say Fiji are doing a

little bit better.

Milne takes over the kick. Important

kick here. It's handy enough.

Makes no mistake. Fiji reclaim the

lead. 4-2.

Nothing risky so far from New

Zealand. The Kiwi chant goes up

here. Martin! That is going to be a

line drop out.

Now the big players

stand up. Milne, the combination is

pretty easy. Only third tackle.

Martin looks most likely to score.

Hayne restarts play.

Levi. Mannering. Good tackle, over

the top. Nikorima. Johnson.

Tuivasa-Sheck. It is just too long.

Fiji getting close now. They will be

in no hurry to restart this one.

They have no other options once it

was two on two. All he can do is

kick it. They have the numbers here.

He couldn't quite get the weight

right. Fiji so close to making the

semifinals. This looking like the

second try less game in World Cup

history. One more opportunity. I

don't think there is any doubt he

will bash this into touch. He

doesn't. Tuivasa-Sheck.

Tuivasa-Sheck in serious trouble.

New Zealand have 98 metres to go.

Fiji about to post a famous victory.

Johnson with a Hail Mary kick. Fiji

are into the semifinals, a famous

victory here. Extraordinary match.

Amazing scenes at Wellington, Fiji

will play Australia in the

semifinals. Tournament that started

so promisingly for the New

Zealanders ends in disaster. Fiji

win 4-2.

We surveyed a giant

tonight, we have prepared for it all

week and all tournament, we laid the

foundations in 08 and we are seeing

the fruits in 2017. It is an unreal

feeling, it is unbelievable, it is

something that you don't see very

option.

We played dumb in the first

half, made too many errors and spent

the whole half now try line. We came

out better in the second half and

got some go forward but it was a

contest and we started slow and it

cost us.

I cannot question our

effort and toughness. We were just

missing the other part which was the

smart part. You know, that's the

thing we are working on this week.

Credit to Fiji. They dug deep as

well.

Mate, it's undescribable, I'm

so proud of these boys, I had the

utmost belief in them from the

moment we went into camp and never

stopped believing and I always said

we could win this game and it's a

dream come true to get it done.

Incredible scenes at the end of the

game. Such an emotional win for the

Fijians. I'm delighted to say that

we can speak to Ashton Sims who was

so central to that performance.

Ashton, many congratulations. What a

performance from you guys.

It was

great, we are still buzzing off it,

against one of the top teams in the

world. We have a lot of confidence

coming into the game, in the games

coming into which we scored a lot of

points and it's been the cornerstone

of our game. But tonight was a

little different obviously, we

showed grit and determination.

Physically how tough was that for

you guys?

It was just both

physically, emotionally and

mentally, I've never been in a game

where neither team has scored a try

and to have the game 4-2 you could

tell both teams' defence was really

resilient and luckily tonight the

rugby league guards fell in our

favour.

Ashton, Robbie Hunter-Paul

here come I got to say I am

heartbroken but congratulations.

Just quickly, how important was it

to win the physical battle upfront

tonight? You guys seemed to be

immense.

It was huge, guys like

minded Matel and the two big guys on

the bench, Tucker and Nelson, he is

going to have a huge career. We

identified that as one of the spots

on the field we needed to be good. I

thought all of our forwards were

exceptional tonight, special mention

to the guys like Kikau, he will be a

superstar and has a great head on

his shoulders, as a back row player

with ball skills and footwork at 120

kilos it is daunting for any

opposition.

It certainly is, Ashton.

Amazing scenes in the dressing room

afterwards. Such emotion. How do you

go again next week to take on

Australia?

Honestly, it's easy to

get up for games like that,

especially with the squad we have

this year, with the previous two

World Cups we have not fared well

against the Australians in the

corresponding match. It is a bit of

a short turnaround, which I think is

a good thing, doesn't give you much

time to think about how big a team

we are playing and how big the match

is. I know we are really up for it,

we have guys here who are great

leaders, Joe Haden and Kevin Naiqama

and a few others who can write this

ship. We are just going off the back

of a lot of emotion. We will be

ready come next Friday might.

We

will let you go to bed because it is

to 30 AM in the morning for you.

Many congratulations and good luck.

I think I will be up for a little

bit longer Ashe to 30 AM. Good to

hear from you.

Amazing for Fiji but, Robbie, it's

all gone a little bit wrong.

We can

focus on what New Zealand did or

didn't do right, or we can focus on

what I thought really happened in

their game. Fiji were up for it, I

expected a backlash from the Tonga

game last week against New Zealand,

I thought New Zealand would prepare

really well this week and come out

all guns firing, quite the opposite,

Fiji took the game to New Zealand.

New Zealand in the opening 40

minutes, Adam Blair mentioned it,

Shaun Johnson mentions it, they made

ceremony mistakes, they were ill

disciplined. A lot of it came down

to pure fatigue. We were talking to

Ashton right there. In games

previous to this New Zealand were

able to outmuscle them in the middle

of the park and took passes like

that where they promoted the ball,

they have not got as many flies on

them, as we say, and the pass is

easy. Physically Fiji were strong

and could match New Zealand if not

being stronger than New Zealand. In

the second half that is the tale of

the first half, too much difference.

Are they lacking leaders as well?

Ashton talked about all the leaders

they have got, I New Zealand lacking

leaders, with the players that have

gone off and those they didn't pick

that were suspended?

What I saw this

morning was great leadership from

the right people in the right places

in the Fiji team with Jarryd Hayne

and Corris -- Koroisau in the middle

of the park, New Zealand is missing

a general in the middle of the park.

They have The X Factor but they need

to sweep around. The other half with

him was Nikorima last week. They are

both new players and New Zealand has

to build over the next couple of

years, bring back a general to the

team.

New Zealand have lost their

identity. We talk about New Zealand

playing and off-load game and being

powerful, but look down the team

sheet and I don't see that within

the team. If you can't do that

again, off-load and play quickly,

and haven't got any half-backs who

are really dominant and you can

build the team around, where is your

identity? Physically New Zealand

have been poor this tournament, they

have disrespected possession, gifted

other side is energy through being

lacklustre with their control of the

ball. Off the back of that they have

been poor. I think they've had a

poor World Cup. I thought they had

more to come and on today's evidence

I don't know as a country if they

have more to come from this group of

players.

I agree with John. When we

have seen New Zealand challenged

they have crumbled, they haven't had

the ability to continue in the

fight. What we see with this Fiji

team is it's that most well-balanced

Fiji team they have produced.

Ever?

Ever. The progression from 2008

Jarryd Hayne alluded to in his

interview, from 2008 up to 2017,

they have improved and they have

power all over the team.

Well done to Fiji. Tonga have been

the izakaya story of this petition,

boosted by selection of star players

with indigenous roots who have

defected from New Zealand.

The group stage win over The Kiwis

will go down in rugby league history

as the Tongans became the first

second-tier team to defeat the top

ranked nation in the World Cup.

What

a day for Tonga!

Question is whether

they can but the emotions of last

week behind them to progress further

in the competition. Lebanon entered

the World Cup as the tournament's

lowest ranked side but a group stage

win against France saw them through

to the knockout stage despite

defeats subsequently to England.

Hello and welcome to the

Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand

for Tonga against Lebanon. They will

try to add to their legacy in the

lamination contest this afternoon.

This very experienced team with six

Premiership brings in their match

day 17, Fifita, prop of the year in

2016. This nine, Lichaa, Moses, 400

NRL games, experience in key

positions.

HAKA.

A bit of cultural bonding. Very good

carry. Havili. Fifita's first touch

of the game. Getting the big front

row down. Havili pinches easy

metres. Down the right-hand side,

Fusitu'a. One-on-one, two on one,

shows the ball inside and it's going

to be a lovely play on the right

edge from Tonga by Lolohea. Good

skill and awareness.

The crowd goes

wild, the right side attack.

Fusitu'a, chasing through the

middle, Lolohea. What a start for

Tonga.

It wasn't the start Lebanon were

wanting. They have realised they've

got to contain the first ten or 15

minutes. Lichaa. Ellaz. Lichaa.

Robbie Farah, two runners inside

looking for Moses, another behind

play, now they have a chance,

Lebanon. Terrific play from Doueihi,

beautifully set up by Moses command

Robbie Farah, nice and deceptive on

the left edge.

Defence has been a

slight issue for them but this was

exceptional work, Moses outside,

look at the left footstep, great

attacking set from Lebanon. That

will build confidence for the side.

But it was a simple set piece that

has just brought in those players on

the outside. Konrad Hurrell,

Fusitu'a and Lolohea coming in and

striking the combinations for

Lebanon. Getting away from the first

offender, he needs a couple more to

come in. The play in front of the

posts ten metres out. Havili. Onto

the inside, Michael Jennings. Two

and a half metres out.

Havili goes

behind, Lolohea. There is a chance

for Fusitu'a. Yes! Fusitu'a on the

right-hand side. Great skill and

poise, and a great finish.

Confidence is sky high. Let's see if

Fusitu'a reached the line first and

foremost. Does he get the ball down?

Absolutely. Without fail Fusitu'a

will score this try.

The kick to

come.

Great work from the Tongan

team, Lolohea combining with

Hopoate. Putting down in the

right-hand corner.

Now Ma'u gets the

team inside the 20 again. They have

great field position. Havili. From a

standing start, Hingano. Now they

are eight metres short, and a

penalty.

Taumalolo.

Havili.

Hingano. They look at the left edge,

Fifita loses his footing. They are

in again, Tonga!

It is a continuous

flow from Tonga. Fifita, Taumalolo,

straight into the hands of the

experienced Hopoate. What a great

kick. Confidence is high.

Moses has opened up the tongian

defence. Were they first to the

ball? It looks like they were.

Still no touch. Keep playing on with

this angle, please. In control. The

ball is grounded. That will be a

try.

He's been spooked by the Tongan kick

pressure. A little bit of luck to

get the ricochet. They've chased it

through and Elias gets the try.

16-12.

For the Tongans watching this

game, they're starting to get a bit

nervous now. Hats off to the way

Lebanon are playing.

What about that! . 6'7" on one wing,

6'6" on the other. Great hang time.

Great hands for Fusitu'a to get a

double.

The pin point kicking here

has been fantastic. There's no

better player in the air, scoring

tries near the flag or jumping up,

the aerodynamics of this man is

fantastic. Three tries last week.

Two in today's match.

Did he get it down? He celebrates

like he has. If there's one player

on the park who deserves a try it's

him.

Tremendous opening 40 minutes.

It has been a seven-try spectacular.

We go into halftime, 22-16.

There it is! The combination of

Robbie Farah and Mitchell Moses

creating magic.

I have a try. Want

to make sure there's no obstruction

from the lead runner on the inside

this afternoon play.

He stops in that line. 18 then has

to adjust and get across to him.

Therefore, I'm going to overturn

this and give - I am overturning the

decision, yes.

I thought it was the

right decision. It stops the

defensive players coming across and

filling in that hole.

And the penalty.

Sika Mannah

powering through the -- Manu

powering through the middle. He gets

the penalty. The line all over him.

Manu pushes it out to an eight-point

lead. They get the ball back after

kickoff.

They say it's not how long you have

the ball, it's what you do with it.

Moses has it again. Too strong. Too

quick. Did he hold onto the ball?

No, he didn't! He deserved it. He

has been such an instigator and

initiator of the Lebanon attack

today. He's seemingly at his best

when there's nothing on.

A good read from the Tongan defence

on that occasion.

Sensational try from Lebanon. They

are back. They are well and truly

back. Absolute spectacular play.

Surprising football from Lebanon.

Farah, Moses, all in play. They

bullied the off-load and carried.

It's been a feature of their game.

They're back in the game.

Isn't he

happy. So he should be. It can't get

any better for Mitchell Moses.

They've given every option for these

players to play as they see it.

What

a contest and what a match.

The ball goes behind. The referee

says play on. Moses has kicked the

ball away. Mitchell Moses. Big

decision at the end from Moses.

Thought he was going to get a

penalty and Tonga will hang on to

take this out. The last 15 seconds.

What a game. What a contest. What a

tournament. They will be very, very

popular semifinalists, the kingdom

of tong ya, first time into the

quarter final, along with Lebanon

and now first time into the

semifinal. 24-22, Tonga over

Lebanon.

semifinal. 24-22, Tonga over

Lebanon.

I'm pretty heartbroken at

the moment. Stayed in the game for

80 minutes, a few calls didn't go

our way. I think there's a try

opportunity there. We had those

calls not go our way the whole

tournament. We hold our heads high.

It's gone against our team, whether

it's tries against us or

suspensions, whatever it's been.

They've earned every sentiment on

the footy field. They've been

outstanding.

Credit to Lebanon,

they've had a really tough game.

They played really well today. They

gave it to us.

Scrappy win, think I

guess the positive today, there's

always next week to improve on.

We'll have to be better against

whoever we're playing next week.

Hopefully create history again and

go, first team to make the Grand

Final for Tonga.

It almost feels

like a losing dressing room. Our

blokes realise we're well off the

park today in terms of what we can

be. We've got to be a lot better.

I'd expect to get to Auckland next

week. I don't know what the stadium

holds, 25,000 to 30,000. I reckon

it's going to be 25,000 Tongans. We

want to encourage everybody to get

there. That's going to be

outstanding. That's something that

will find some energy out of the

boys as well.

They've been a real

credit to the tournament, Lebanon.

Fittler and Moses presumably talking

specifically about the try not given

for obstruction. What was your view

of it, is it obstruction and do we

need to change this rule if it is?

First thing is Manu takes himself

out. That forces the Tongan line to

work really hard to cover this play.

My issue is that technically, yes,

it's obstruction. The Tongan

defender from

it's obstruction. The Tongan

defender from the inside is blocked.

But it's caused by actually what was

the fundamentally a lazy decision by

the Tongan defence. Manu commits

himself. Probably not needed. If you

give this try, it encourages that

defender to be on his toes and work

hard. What that disallowed try it

encourages play acting and lazy

defence. Technically he was right.

Technically you can find a penalty

in every single tackle, technically.

It comes down to just perception

really and what they decide. It was

an important call. A game breaking

call.

It's happened. Did Tonga look

tired after last week?

I wouldn't

say they looked tired. They didn't

seem to have the same energy about

them. Probably because they came to

the game as favourites. Lebanon came

in with nothing to lose. They took

it to them. A lit bit of complacency

in that performance. They didn't

have the same energy levels and

spark that they showed from the week

before.

They got through, you know.

All they had to do was win the game.

Now they're in it to win the

competition. That's all they needed

to do. I think he alluded to the

fact that they were disappointed and

down. That maybe shows where the

aspiration of Tonga lies in this

tournament. They want to go on and

do something. They've got through

this round. It's tricky. They were

always going to have a tricky game

here and there, but they're in the

hat. I tell you what, the sides left

will not be happy about having to

face Tonga.

I think we also do

Lebanon a disservice. They've grown

stronger and stronger throughout

this tournament. They've played a

clinical game. They knew exactly

where they were going. When they got

into position to score tries,

actually put points on the board,

Mitchell Moses himself, personally,

has been outstanding this whole

tournament. I think he's a player

that -

They need to hang onto him,

next World Cup he could be in the

Aussie ranks.

Yeah I'm sure he'll

put his name forward. He's

definitely a stand out for the

future;

New Zealand could do with

Mitchell Moses, England could do

with him. Every team could do with

him.

We're going to be cloning him

ahead of the 2021 World Cup. This is

how next week's semifinals are

shaping up:

The Rugby Union follows us next on

BBC One. Wales take on Georgia in

the Autumn internationals. You can

see England's quarter final clash

against Papua new Guinea at 4. 30am,

that's on BBC Two. If that's too

early for you, there'll be extensive

highlights on BBC Two at the more

civilised time of 2pm. That's all

from us here on BBC One. If you have

any World Cup related questions,

please use the hashtag BBC RL. We're

moving over to the red button.

Goodbye for now.

Getting ready for bet at a regular

time is one of the most important

habits you can learn.

Good night,

David.

In sleep the muscles of the

body are relaxed. It's the most

perfect way to relax that we have.

Good night Vienna.

Dreams are normal

too.

England's impressive form continues.