Day 2 Highlights Rugby League World Cup

FUNKY MUSIC

Hull France have their first try!

And outrageous rugby league try!

A

starring moment, this is the real

thing.

Burst out the bagpipes Axel!

You just cannot stop them!

Like

father and son, England have the

lead!

USA! What about that for a

start for the United States?

High

fives all-round!

With seconds to play...

These Samoa

supporters are going mad here.

The

ball goes down!

Australia,

world-class! World champions

again...

The 14 nations of the Rugby

League World Cup...

Good afternoon and welcome

to highlights from day two -

we've got a great show lined up

for you and it's a big hello to our

three amigos - Robbie Hunter-Paul,

the legend that is Shaun Edwards

and Iestyn Harris.

A very warm welcome gents

and an early touch for you -

in a couple of words please,

what was your verdict on England's

performance in defeat

against Australia yesterday?

I thought we looked fit and

organised, and potentially very

capable later in the competition...

I would say a work in progress.

Strong with great potential.

I've

never known you be that's extinct.

-- that succinct!

Short and sweet - nice...

And news today that Sam Burgess

is likely to be back now

for the quarter finals

following that knee injury - more

on that later and from the lads.

So here's what's coming up

between now and 3 o'clock...

We are in Port Morseby for co-hosts

Papua New Guinea and Wales...

It was the land of the giants

as the Kiwis met Samoa...

A star-studded Fiji outfit took on

the USA...

We'll assess the hopes of Scotland

ahead of their debut tomorrow...

And we'll get some more reaction

from England's defeat

against Australia yesterday.

Before we go to our first match -

here's a who's who and how

the Rugby League World Cup 2017

works...

There's four teams in Pool A and B

play three matches.

Each team plays their

pool opposition once.

The top three from Pool A and B

qualify for the quarter finals.

Each team in Pool C and D

play their pool opposition once.

For their third match,

they play one match

against Pool C or D opposition.

Those C versus D matches are Ireland

v Italy, Wales v Fiji,

and Papua New Guinea v USA.

The group winners only

qualify for quarter finals.

Who meets who in the last eight

is anyone's guess...

However, already Australia

are likely to top pool

A and they then will be favourites

to play the third placed team

in Pool B...

England - if they beat

Lebanon and France

will finish second in their

group and would play

the winners of pool C...

And it's Pool C where we start now

with highlights of co-hosts

Papua New Guinea and Wales - a win

for either today would set them up

nicely for the quarter finals...

For Papa New Guinea, Rugby league is

an obsession. Having only reached

the knockout stages once, this is

their best ever squad and it is

peppered with NRL stars. This could

finally be the time for them to fly,

and they are already on a roll

having won their last two tests,

making their world ranking of 16

false. If those rankings go to plan,

ninth placed Wales could reach the

quarterfinals but at this point,

that would be some achievement.

Having not won at the World Cup

since 2000, John Kear's class of

2017 know they have a tough task

especially today. Although short on

quality, the Dragons have a

tight-knit squad. Regan Grace has

the space and the pace to score from

anywhere...

COMMENTATOR: Both teams are coming

onto the field.

Mattiello yet and

myself have been too many games

around the world. This is very hard

to describe -- Matthew Elliott. A

wonderful atmosphere in very hot

conditions.

Let's have a look at the

PNG team card... That's the line-up.

David Mead, the full-back, the

captain. We have a bit of experience

in there. Coming into the starting

side, Willie Minoga, he scored in

the Queensland cup Premiership. A

match-winning try. They are coached

by Michael Marum, and you can see

Kurt Baptiste is on the bench

alongside James Segeyaro. This is

the Welsh line-up... Elliot Kear, at

Leinbach. The captain from Salford

upfront comedy prop forward Craig

Kupchak, and we have Morgan Knowles,

from St Helens, and the coach 's

John Kear, on the bench, they have

Morris, Hopkins and Evans.

One of the real crowd favourites,

Garry Lo, he played with the

Sheffield Eagles this year, off to

the Castleford Tigers next year... A

score of 0-0, nearly five minutes

gone.

He pops the ball out, David Mead is

through! And he sees the corner!

David Mead goes on to score the

opening try! Yet to be given, they

go to the video referee but I think

you will find that David Mead, the

captain, has opened the scoring for

Papa New Guinea. Ben Cummins is

looking to see if that is a clean

take... I think we are looking at a

suspected knock-on. I certainly

didn't see anything in commentary.

It looked OK, the dummy half cook

up. A little juggle from Watson

Boas, it opened up the red Sea. They

leak the try, if it is given. David

Mead cover the captain.

How

appropriate! You can see that Ase

Boas digs in, and gets the outside

of the Welsh defence to sink in.

David Mead, you can't give him space

like that, what a finish from him.

It's only a matter of time before

the green lights go on the board...

And the try is given! They opened

scoring after only five minutes of

play at the National Football

Stadium in Port Moresby. It sets up

kindly for David Mead, here comes

Justin Olam! A big, strong and fast

unit. One of the crowd favourites, I

can tell you.

My goodness, what

about that for a fight?

Garry Lo...

Watson Boas, steaming on to it but

it's a flat ball at best. Another

opportunity for The Kumuls.

A quick play of the ball, it's

another dummy half run, linking up

with the outside man... David Mead,

The Kumuls captain! He goes with the

score, try number two after just

nine minutes of play here at Port

Moresby! Boy oh boy, the Welsh

Dragons are absolutely stunned.

They

are just rolling down the hill,

quick play of the ball. A beautiful

inside ball from The Kumuls skipper.

David Mead, once you get your hands

on the ball from close range, it

almost shut the gate.

Martin...

Albert, straight and hard. The first

local player to sign with an NRL

club with the Penrith Panthers a few

years ago. They have numbers of

three on two but they choose to hold

onto the ball. The right-hand side

is very flat. Enoch Maki, one of

seven PNG players in the line-up.

They meet again... Surely not going

over for number three? No. They

stack the short side. A bad pass

from dummy half, but there has been

some interference from the first

marker, you will find. Another

penalty to the Agricola

-- another penalty to The Kumuls.

And pressure for Wales, buckling

over and gasping for air.

They could

have let that go for longer. We saw

a PNG player get the ball and go

across the try line but as we can

see, Wales are under the pump. On

their own.

They have Enoch Maki out

there, and Wellington Albert. They

are both lurking at the three

quarters line at the moment. That's

where the money play will inevitably

end up. Watson Boas, flat ball

away... Maki! My goodness. The dummy

half is caught with the ball.

I think they will still come the

right side, the western side of the

ground. Here is Nini MacDonald! Big

and strong, almost there! It's more

than that, and he is in! And then a

MacDonald, going in to score. They

had to check the grounding...

I have

no try... Can we check grounding?

They had to score in there as

well...

The grounding is what they

really need to check. Mattiello yet,

calling that and making the signal

out the corner of my eye, I can see.

I thought you were shaking your head

to say check the grounding and that

is what they will do.

Twisting out

of the tackle, Nene MacDonald shows

how much strength he has, twisting

out of that tackle. I'm not sure

about the ball there. He loses

control of it... Perhaps not

enough... I don't know if it comes

free from his grip.

8-0... Make it

12- 02 PNG! -- make it 12-0, to PNG!

Wales are really struggling to adapt

to these conditions. Hot, steamy,

sweat dripping off the players and

commentators. He strikes out

sweetly... I told you that he could

kick Rhyse Martin over the top.

Extending the lead 14-0.

What a

lovely face Paul Baos gets to Nene

MacDonald. There was no stopping

that big unit, that is for sure --

what a lovely face ball Boas has.

You get the feeling the Welsh line

could be breached at any time.

Boas... Nearly an obstruction by his

own man, Rhyse Martin. The last

tackle... James Segeyaro, bouncing

off a Welsh player. They clean it

up, grounding the goal. The Kumuls

force a goal-line drop out. So, Ben

Cummins is about to explain to all

of us what he is happy with, what he

is unhappy with. There we have it...

A biting allegation.

I think Ben

Evans is showing the touch judge and

periphery, Ben Cummins. -- and the

referee. You don't often see a

biting allegation, it is Ben Evans

from Wales, it's going on report. He

is alleging that he was bitten at

some stage in the lead up. Keep an

eye on his right forearm. Wellington

Albert is the player with the ball

on the ground. Ben Evans is the man

to allegedly have been bitten. I'm

sure that we will hear and read more

about that.

Justin Olam looks to get the

off-load away... A lead on the fly!

He has support and couldn't get to

the back row. Mead looking to play

the ball away quickly. Batista sends

the ball to Boas. A kick in... A

beautiful try for The Kumuls! They

go into score. It was the flying

machine from the Canberra waders,

scoring a stack of tries in the New

South Wales cup a couple of years

ago. But the lead up work was all

done by David Mead.

It was a

beautiful kick on and what a great

finish, getting it across the line,

Kato Ottio.

Rhyse Martin looking to

turn the scoreline into a 20-0 lead.

That's the angle... It sounded

good... It sounded beautiful! It is

high, long and over. The Kumuls

extending their lead, only a few

minutes out from half-time. 20-0

they lead. Nowhere to go for our

Zebo us. It's another penalty,

carried on... -- nowhere to go for

Ase Boas. The Kumuls players are

still down. You can understand

things getting a little heated out

there. Some frustration creeping in.

Wales with third man in. You see it,

around the knees...

That is Rhodri

Lloyd.

The man they call the

Cannonball. It isn't on, it is

illegal and it is a penalty. Perhaps

not such an illegal move in the

English Super League or English

football, I don't know. It certainly

is in the NRL.

Younger brother Stanton started the

match. The short ball, a way it

goes... This time, they have him

wrapped up on the far side. Garry

Lo... In centre field, finding

Albert who pushes away from one.

Wellington Albert with the size 15

boots, scoring for The Kumuls! They

score their fifth try of the match.

Tackle four...

What about Garry Lo?

Such a dynamic player. You can see a

you head from dummy half across the

field and he picks up a big unit in

the middle. What a try, look at

this! He looks pleased, what a great

try. Wellington Albert is absolutely

over the moon and he needs to be.

Five tries for The Kumuls. Wales are

yet to cross the stripe. As Rhyse

Martin looks to add another two...

Good as gold! The flags are up, 24-0

becomes 26-0.

Pressing down the short side...

Rhodri Lloyd, and it was a good

tackle. Here they are, under

pressure. Under a lot of pressure.

Kurt Baptiste, fake off the ball up.

Davies is on his haunches, injured

in the background. Wales are a man

down and the referee, Ben Cummins,

decides to call a stop to the play.

It was just a good and strong tackle

over the top by Kurt Baptiste. I do

not think that Davies saw him

coming. In fact, I'm sure of it.

They lead 26-0. The home team, it's

a very good chance for them here. In

the early stages of the second half,

to open up the gap again. Wellington

Albert with his arms free... Looking

for a quick play of the ball. James

Segeyaro, out the back, Boas gets

the ball... Rhyse Martin combo big

and strong! He goes on to score. A

sixth try of the afternoon for The

Kumuls. No need to go upstairs. The

New South Wales cup, the Canterbury

Bulldogs front row. He goes on to

score.

James Segeyaro, throwing the

final pass. Boas and Rhyse Martin, a

goalkicker extraordinaire, scoring a

great try.

I loved the sound from

his boot. He's got a lovely

technique, Rhyse Martin.

Jozsef almost pushes away Maki, but

that is near impossible to do. Craig

Kopczak. This is the last...

Straight into the bread basket of

James Segeyaro... He does very well,

James has support... Guess who?

David Mead again! And The Kumuls are

ten metres out of halfway. They are

really finding some holes around

these lazy markers from Wales. A

good tackle there. Coming out the

opposite side... But not on this

occasion. Wrapped up, James

Segeyaro. This is the last... Kurt

Baptiste, and appealing for a

penalty.

The word "Ouch" springs to

mind, Segeyaro with a beautiful

recovery on the try line, drawing

the penalty. That is tough for the

Welsh to endure.

If you give one or

two away, or tackle three... This

would put them under enormous

pressure. Just having a committee

meeting. But the crowd are still

alive, loving every minute of this.

Maki... He is a big lump. Enoch

Maki. Albert... Looking for number

two! He gets the ball... Segeyaro,

and then comes in. They are not

curing the ruck, the home team. My

goodness! My goodness... Nothing is

going right for Wales. They are

having an awful second half... Will

they go at it again? Segeyaro...

Boas, Ase Boas steps of the right.

Wellington Albert again...

Wellington is going over! They have

all sorts of problems containing

him. Rhodri Lloyd combining. No way

through. Segeyaro pops it up to the

back. David Mead from Boas, out back

again, the lines. Nene MacDonald,

keeping the ball alive. But

eventually taking the tackle of

Rhodri Lloyd. They go the short

side... The past from Ase Boas. I

think they will want to check this.

Ben Cummins points to the spot. They

are in again. Rhyse Martin in for

number two.

A big run-up of the back from a

Maki. Certainly not losing any

energy in this crowd. Willie Minoga.

Stanton Albert is the ball away...

Dummy income are losing his footing.

-- a dummy, losing his footing. That

was a very good run from the hooker.

Kurt Baptiste... And David Mead,

looking for number three. Ben

Cummins pulling the play up. Let's

have a listen.

Stopping play for

Michael Channing, he got a whack in

the face.

He was 80 metres away! I

don't know if I've seen play stopped

like that before, he was nowhere

near the play. The London Broncos

centre, Michael Channing. But

anyway, play goes on.

Nene MacDonald, stands on his knees.

Thought it was going halfway. Martin

puts the kick in, and the chase is

there! They have done it again.

Justin Olam goes on to score. Ben

Cummins says that is a green light,

fellas! PNG showing no pity

whatsoever.

Is there nothing that

Rhyse Martin cannot do? Kicking

goals in that time, and putting a

lovely dink on for his winger. He is

absolutely elated.

More than 20

minutes remaining. You can only

envisage a stack more points coming.

As you can see, the energy is still

there for PNG. As Albert plays the

ball.

I can tell you that Wales, their

biggest ever World Cup blasts was by

40 points, exactly what we have now.

That was against New Zealand. Back

in the year 2000. Albert... And

eventually, they bring him down.

Another penalty to the home team...

Against Phil Joseph, doing all he

could to slow them down.

A lovely

flowed from Segeyaro again. What a

handful Stanton Albert has proved to

be. A phenomenal game from him and

the Welsh under the pump yet again.

44 missed tackles. The 40 point

margin, the Welsh biggest ever loss.

That was against New Zealand in

2000. Stanton Albert again, 58-18 is

how much they lost by on that

occasion. Watson Albert...

We will get back to those pictures

as soon as we can but we got the

general feel of what was going on.

It tough day at the office.

Exceptionally tough. Wales were

rattled early on. Papa New Guinea

came out aggressively. The line

speed was up and they wanted to get

into the face of the Welsh team.

You've got to be able to handle that

start and ferocity going into Papa

New Guinea. I do not think Wales

handled it very well. But I don't

think you can take anything away

from Papa New Guinea, they looked

very impressive, strong and

powerful, and they've got guile in

there. I think there will be a force

to reckon with three home games in

the pools, they will be tough to

beat.

You have played out there, it was

tough, the physicality of it?

Unless

you have done it, you cannot

envisage how tough it is to play out

there. The heat, 36 degrees, 90%

humidity. You just feel drained. I

am not saying Wales would have

beaten them if they'd played them in

Manchester, but I cannot put it into

words how difficult it is to play up

there. And when you are 32-0 down,

trust me, the Welsh lads would have

been feeling a long way from home.

You can feel the passion, the

atmosphere and the crowds, balloon?

Because they live, breathe and eat a

rugby league, they give it

everything. But what is different,

they are not the Papa New Guinea of

old, they are actually structured.

When you have a forward carrying the

ball, you have eight defenders

flying at you like missiles. But

there would be holes all over the

field and you would score on the

back of it. But we saw a composed

defensive line, they are making

their tackles and then reloading.

They are not throwing the ball out

playing backyard footy, they are

making controlled and focused

passes, playing the ball quickly and

playing off the back of that. But

this structured and them playing in

the Australian competition.

We have

sorted out the gremlins, we pick it

up and it is 40-0 to Papa New

Guinea.

COMMENTATOR: Good tackle made. Going

again. The referee says go back and

play it. The cry don't like it.

Their cake and David Mead goes in

for number three. Everything going

their way. They are making the most

of every opportunity.

He becomes the

first Papa New Guinea player to

score a hat-trick in welcome. What a

kick from Segeyaro. That man again.

Proving a handful. Watson Boas is

still going. Watson comes down 20

yard from the line. Regardless, they

have been given another penalty PNG.

Look at this, Ottio is very hard to

contain and great support play by

Boas.

Straight through. The veteran.

He goes in to score ten years after

making his PNG Debbie. They extend

their lead now, 48.

Zero. We

wondered what the three hawkers

would be like playing together.

There is your answer right there.

No

mistake. And a half century is on

the board.

They find Rhodri Lloyd. Little bit

unorganised. They have been all

match. You will need to beat your

man, but you can't. Nothing doing.

Parry picks it up. They have got

numbers now. Parry friends away from

the high tackle. He will be stopped

a couple of metres short. The crowd

are counting down and Wales have

been given a penalty. They have

enjoyed every single minute of this

match and this is a last-ditch

effort. They have put the ball down

and going into score after the

full-time siren, Regan goes over for

Wales.

There is a Hail Mary kick

from Marksaeng mark. As we said, the

young talent half gets the ball down

after a not so great effort.

Never

say die attitude. You have to give

them full credit, Wales. They are

out on their feet. He has got it. It

puts a stop on what has been an

ordinary sentence for them. They

fought hard, Wales but they were up

against it from the outset. David

Mead going to score double but

turned it into a hat-trick in the

end. Wales have been beaten by Papa

New Guinea 50-6.

Great performance.

Everybody played well. The forwards

played well, made pathways for the

backline and David scoring two tries

and Rhyse Martin scoring two tries.

The outside forwards played well.

They were outstanding. The boys on

the inside, it was pleasing.

I

didn't think we performed well in

any aspect of rugby league today. It

has been a very harsh lesson the

southern hemisphere fellas do carry

the ball very aggressively and if

you don't stand up to that, you end

up getting rolled and losing field

position. We just never got any

opportunity to attack because we

couldn't prevent the roll on. I have

got to complement them, but I think

people will now see how to handle

them and perhaps we indicated how to

handle them to our guys, but we

didn't do it very well.

Pretty

tired, but we didn't have to defend

too much. The boys played really

well, played itself. The message

from the coach was to go out and run

hard. The boys did that and we

created the momentum and we were

able to get a good result.

This is

how it looks. Papa New Guinea on

top. Wales down on the bottom and

the remaining fixtures are Papa New

Guinea, and beaten. Ireland get

their campaign underway tomorrow

against Italy. It doesn't get any

easier for Wales because their next

game is the group match against

Fiji. John looked down after that,

he was very honest about the

assessment, but how does he pick

them up to go again against Fiji?

It

is difficult. If anybody felt some

of these lesser-known teams are

going over there for a holiday,

having to go through that

experience, you realise how tough

the gamers. Coming up to the next

game, it doesn't get any easier

playing Fiji. Equally athletic and

more powerful and faster than Papa

New Guinea, but I think hopefully

not such adverse conditions.

They

are going to have to find a way to

match them physically because they

just went with Papa New Guinea?

I

watch the game from start to finish

and there were 13 individuals out

there, Wales, to be fair. Against

the physical side you have got to

work together and get numbers in the

tackles. Just one on one tackles.

Their backfield, PNG, were to

reflect. Just one on one misses

continually in the game, Wales. When

you are against teams like Papa New

Guinea, in Papa New Guinea, with a

hostile environment, Wales didn't do

that today, you can understand why

John is disappointed and why they

lost the physical battle. They did,

they dropped off and there were up

to 50 missed tackles in the game

which is a very high in any game. If

it is an international, you will not

win that game.

The number 15 looks

something?

He definitely does. This

is indicative where Wales have got

it right. If you don't muscle up and

play to win the balls, it starts a

cycle. They just got space and time

on the ball and they have a 20 metre

run up and they don't slow down.

They run at 1 million miles an hour

and they are a missile coming at

you. You have got to put your body

in the way.

You have got to be

prepared to give a few penalties

away. Just to slow them down. Wales

didn't do that this morning and PNG

got on a roll from the start and 20

minutes and the game was done and

dusted.

They weren't just about

physicality, David Mead was just

class, many of their NRL players?

We

discussed how well-organised they

look. We have played against PNG,

they have clever individuals.

Probably not well structured in the

past, but they have had some

excellent coaching. They have good

structure around the rucks. They

have an excellent kicking game.

What

does he do to regroup, to get the

group feeling positive?

John, they

have got to be more vigorous. They

know they would be up against the

heat and the humidity, but they

weren't vigorous enough and at the

next game, you will see a better

Wales team.

Let's now move on to Pool B and it

looks the toughest of all the groups

co-hosts New Zealand are joined

by Tonga Samoa and Scotland.

Tonga have managed to recruit some

of the Kiwis top names and tomorrow

Steve McCormack's Bravehearts go

head to head with them in Cairns.

First up though today

was New Zealand who've not had

the smoothest of build ups -

and they faced Samoa...

Co-host New Zealand know what it

takes to win the World Cup. They are

proven at this level and number two

in the world for a reason. But right

now, there is problems. Defections

and suspensions of key players has

given the coach many headaches. Some

are saying they will not reach the

semis. That is a brave call, given

the magical Shawn Johnson in their

side.

Shaun Johnson, with seconds to

play.

How 2013 still hurts. Samoa

will give the Kiwis a huge test.

Ranked fifth in the world they have

size, speed and skill. Led by Frank

the Tank Prichard there is 23 NRL

players in their squad. Former

Salford coach Matt Parish knows they

have to deliver. Reaching the

quarterfinals is a minimum target.

COMMENTATOR: What an entrance the

Frank Prichard. The New Zealand

Kiwis in the black. Let's have a

check of the line-ups. Plenty of

sign-ups. Fierce performance is

expected. Samoa have the ten other

17 backing up from the World Cup

four years ago, including Joey

Leilua, Tim Lafai. The captain,

Frank Prichard.

HAKA

The first time these teams have met

in three years, was the last time

the Kiwis played in New Zealand.

Someone from the offload making good

moves. 35 metres out. There goes the

kick from Roberts. Nicely weighted.

Did well. Wasn't the cleanest take.

Galt a good ride there from Kodi

Nikorima.

Great double tackle coming

in. Josh Papalii, he is wearing the

blue tonight.

On the fifth tackle. This is opening

up for New Zealand. It is going to

be an early try and it is Jordan

Rapana. New Zealand get the opening

try.

Great work from the Kiwis.

Jordan Rapana did look like he was

stretching at the end.

4-0 after

five minutes. Dream start.

They

needed a fast start, many thought

against this hugely improved Samoan

side.

Strike seems good.

The try goes

unconverted. Here they come again

through Josh Papalii. Bit of space

that matter it has been taken by

Jordan Rapana. Scored the try and

probably saved New Zealand here,

Jordan Rapana. Picked up and driven

back. Look at the Samoan defence.

Sensational. Absolutely sensational.

Risky path. All those players are

side.

How is that for line speed.

Watene-Zelezniak couldn't hold it.

Little bit of nerves. Then they kept

coming. He resented the treatments

he was given.

Roberts will lead the

scrum. Thomas Leila, running up left

shoulder.

Here they come again. Frank

Prichard. Winding back the clock

Frank Prichard, when he had the

black jersey on ten years back.

Back to the turn for the last play.

Great defence from the Kiwis. It is

needed. The size and the power of

the people coming at them. Frank

Prichard, followed by Josh Papalii.

Joseph Polo in their next.

On the

left, Joseph Paul O. Hargreaves.

So

composed when the kick went through.

Their ability to pass it as well.

Wonderful pick-up for New Zealand.

Taupau. Great run. New Zealand have

come of that heavy pressure.

Watene-Zelezniak, that is typical of

him. Looking for a bit more depth on

the kick.

Wasn't a great kick.

Here

they come again, Samoa.

Ese'ese has been brought on.

Hargreaves, that tackle needed to be

made. That is unlucky for Roberts.

Not the first time they have busted

the line and then busted the

off-load.

Jordan Rapana, off-loads

now. Great pace to this game. The

Kiwis get out of jail.

That was Simon Mannering, hauling it

on.

That is a great run from Joseph

tartine.

Johnson is going to score! Shawn

Johnson in for the second try. Some

time to spare from Leuluai. Simon

Mannering, what the player. Find

himself in the middle of the

football field.

Nicely off-loaded.

Thomas Leuluai has been a

exceptional bringing players onto

the ball.

Johnson converts his own

try. Wouldn't say the execution has

been perfect, but it has been

exciting. That is nice play from

Danny Levi. Has been spilled

forward. Back to zero tackle.

They

have had plenty of opportunities,

but this time the pass goes astray.

Let's see what sort of energy Samoa

can finish the half with.

Those errors counting against New

Zealand at the moment. Eight errors

in total. Only two to Samoa.

Roberts... Leuluai. That was an

ambitious pass. Beautifully taken.

Opportunity on the left.

Maumalo, in for the try for Samoa.

Ruck speed was excellent. Very well

busied. -- deserved.

His third try.

Great hands from Maumalo. Just

before half-time.

Didn't do any

goal-kicking during the NRL season.

This is the first of seven games of

this World Cup being plagued in New

Zealand. There is one in Wellington.

Johnson... Drop the ball.

It is going to be checked by the

video referee.

I thought he had done

so well here, Maumalo.

No

interference. Let's see how the ball

comes out. No intent to

play-the-ball.

The message on his wrist. Scored a

try for the Cook Islands in 2013 as

well. So it's not foreign to him. It

Kiwis, they opened the second half

scoring as well. Roberts...

That will not look good.

He is best when he carries the

football is Leuluai.

Just lacked options. Speaking of

great crowds, in a fortnight in

Hamilton and we will see New Zealand

take on Tonga. I am thinking the

place will be full to the brim and

rucking. That is in two weeks.

18,000 here tonight for this game.

Francis Johnson runs. Johnson again.

Kodi Nikorima. Fabulous try by New

Zealand. Kodi Nikorima has got it.

Johnson will want to boost his

kicking average a bit. It is

starting to look comfortable now.

Dominant second-half by New Zealand.

27 minutes gone. Johnson wanting to

finish off a try.

It is nice at the

start of a tournament, no doubt

after the six weeks, they can strike

back combination early on, what will

they be like at the end?

Martin tell Powell, over the halfway

line... So many off-loads, that was

skipped away again -- Martin Taupau.

Samoa struggling to get back on

their feet. After scoring a try,

kicking the goal, four tackles later

they get an opportunity. Yes, it's

part of the football field, you want

your hands on the ball... The ball

goes to Danny Levi again... Serious

heat on the Samoa line... And he

scores against his former team!

Another try to New Zealand, Isaac

Liu has a try on debut for the

Kiwis. Just like Takairangi earlier

in the half.

The outside Ben

Roberts, they cannot particularly

get off the line. Isaac Liu,

squeezing to the outside, squeezing

between the two Samoa defenders.

Matt Parish will not be happy with

that, it was a bit easy. He has a

great leg drop. The speed and the

change and go, driving them towards

the line.

Very direct, a

well-balanced runner, his buttocks

and his legs are very strong.

Come on, Samoa. Let's see if you

have more in the tank...

Thomas Leuluai, working really hard

on the defence. Prichard, with a 32

tackles stint before he took a seat

on the bench. Making over 40 more

tackles in this game then New

Zealand.

Space in behind the ruck.

Joseph Paulo... And here goes Sam

Lisone. A great move from Samoa at

the centre.

The ball is lost! He has off-loaded

the ball! What a great passage of

play. Paolo, followed by Sam Lisone.

Bunty tries to off-load close to the

line.

Macro

Takairangi, in the second half... He

is getting close to cracking it as

well. Dillian Whyte of the ruck...

Here he goes!

Yes, yes! Perfection personified!

This is what you want to see.

Players with speed on the outside,

taking on a tiring defence. A rising

star in a New Zealand jersey,, in

Kodi Nikorima. He took it past

Roberts, up the middle of the

football field. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

30-4. Shaun Johnson looks to make it

32... And he does so. Roger

Tuivasa-Sheck with try number 11 in

his 30th game. That is some strike

rate.

It certainly is. -- in his

13th game.

Sloppy play from Samoa

there. Great work, rushing up and

controlling that edge. A a lifetime

injury there. Extraordinary, really.

Here goes Blair... And an extension

or something, how did he get that

down?

Check grounding, please.

His

arm was like a digger's.

It is still

off the ground at this point... The

ball does not come into contact with

the ground. Maintaining possession

is that your best angle, Eric? OK,

play it a little quicker but please,

mate. Just be grounding, no double

movement involved. The arm is off

the ground. The decision goes to the

ball.

That is finishing and a half,

he should get a bonus point for that

try!

Big Nelson Asofa-Solomona,

using his impact and what an impact.

Johnson converting the try. 38-4.

Backflips in the second half. The

missed tackle bringing the big fella

down. Two tackles left in this set.

Roberts... A good set of steps

coming in from Samoa, to end the

match. Joseph Paulo...

He pulled on

him.

There is some foul play with

the ball. Samoa with one last

chance... Joseph Leilua... And the

last kick. It might be a try. Joseph

Paulo, he has got the ball down for

the try. That is going to be checked

by the video referee.

Joseph Paulo is on the side at the

point of the kick. Rolled through to

the grounding... Yes, we need

something from Saigon. It should be

good, nice and slow here for me. --

from side on.

Paolo gets to try and

end this game. Fill time here at

Mount Smart Stadium. The match

between Samoa and New Zealand is

over, and the final score is 38 -

eight.

A lot of talk about the

players in this campaign but the

talk now, the Kiwis jumper mean so

much more you guys with a display

like that?

We are giving respect back to the

jersey and the pride and

-- and the pride it deserves to be

worn with. They have dug deep for

us.

Do these games have extra value

for you, having played for the Kiwis

and Samoa? You know what it is like

to do the Haka?

It will always be

tough, the passion that goes into it

but to finish the game like that is

disappointing. To all of the fans

tonight, sorry about the loss. We

will pick it up next week.

I've a

feeling you will wake up tomorrow

with a very sore body.

Yeah, bro!

The first game in a while, a big and

physical team, a good test for us.

I'm glad it is out the way. That

combination between you and

-- and Kodi Nikorima. This can his

very quick, we've worked on it in

training but there's no better

practice than playing the game. I'm

sure combination will keep growing

and growing. I think we've got to be

happy to keep a team like Samoa at

under ten points. The last try was

disappointing but as a group I

thought we did what we spoke about

all week. For me, personally, a bit

of improvement. I needed that game

and I'm looking forward to next

week.

After just one game, New Zealand at

the top of their group...

Scotland will have to face both

Samoa and New Zealand in Poole B.

The final group game will

The final group game will be a

humdinger! Your optimism in your

country was very much justified

after that performance?

Yes, it was

interesting that they were talking

about putting all the distractions

on players not choosing to play for

New Zealand, and they were talking

about having pride in their jumper

again. The performance showed it.

The opening exchanges, the opening

20 minutes were brutal. To be

expected. Where the Mount Smart

Stadium is, that is in South

Auckland and there is a big Samoan

community there. It's 50-50 when

tries are being scored and

celebrated in the background.

Everything to play for, it's very

excited that a lot of growth is

needed by both teams.

Physical is a

mild way of putting it but the

passion was there before they kicked

off?

Yes, you can see, with the

Samoa team and the New Zealand

Kiwis, they have their Haka as well.

There is a pageantry involved. With

these guys performing, that's what

you get off the back of it. 100%

brutal. The opening 20 minutes of

this game, I wouldn't even call it a

game, it was a brawl! They were so

pumped up. Normally for the New

Zealand point of view, when you play

against Samoa, the great thing is

that they sometimes do run a risk of

tarring themselves out early in the

game.

Does that bring memories

flooding back?

You summed it up at

the end. It's great to watch that

intensity for 20 minutes but rugby

league is about 80 minutes and not

20 minutes. It's all about

sustaining your effort level over a

prolonged period. Samoa will not be

able to do that, keeping the skill

level when you are fatigued in

minutes 60, 65... Rugby league is a

lot more than passion for 20

minutes.

That half-back pairing

showed us that for New Zealand. What

do you make of the mix of Shaun

Johnson and Kodi Nikorima?

Sensational, and if you add Thomas

Leuluai, they are telepathic, those

three. Building

Leuluai, they are telepathic, those

three. Building into the

competition... Only good things

coming from the New Zealand team.

Sometimes, New Zealand are at their

best when it is chaotic behind the

scenes and they had a chaotic

build-up.

There is some good

combination coming together but

Shaun Johnson said it in his

interview. They've got to be working

on it. It will be growing throughout

the rest of the tournament. Kodi

Nikorima for the Brisbane Broncos,

he is brilliant and a strike weapon.

Shaun Johnson... He makes up part of

the nucleus and the spine of the

team. Thomas Leuluai plays a massive

part.

We should stop showing this,

it breaks my heart from four years

ago!

Kevin is sick of seeing it as well!

How far have they come on?

In their

leadership, definitely. He's

probably lost a yard of pace, he

broke his ankle year ago and that

has taken the edge off it. As a

person who can move teams around the

field, I think he's doing more of

that and taking the owners but it

isn't there yet. In the next 3-4

weeks, we will see Kodi Nikorima,

Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai,

whoever they play in there, and

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will take

possession. With lost several

players but Adam Platt, so much

power in there. -- Adam Blair.

Fatigue was already setting in here.

For Samoa, the teams were beginning

to come in off the back foot. In

these positions, it is 50-50, it

could have been a hand in or a

knock-on. New Zealand get the

benefit of the doubt. If Samoa were

to do anything, they need their

decisions to stay in the game. 10-4,

still in the mix. It goes against

them all of a sudden and then there

are fatigued level goes more and

more. Picking up on your point, with

the quality of their halves, the

nine and the full-back, there are

subtleties about New Zealand which

brought fatigue on Samoa. That

physical battle at the start was

intense but New Zealand, there were

too many subtleties for me. The

fatigue came in aggressively in the

second half, then it was all New

Zealand. They will take a lot of

confidence in how they handled that

physical battle but it is about

being smarter in the next game.

An

interested guest coming up next,

Scotland have defaced New Zealand

and Samoa in their pool -- have to

face.

They play their opener tomorrow

against Tonga and joining us now

on the phone from Cairns.

I'm delighted to say

it's the Bravehearts

coach, Steve McCormack...

What did you make of the match?

As

expected, it was brutal. The early

part of the game was brutal. You've

got two outstanding teams with

world-class players. I think the big

thing is the physical presence of

the middle of the pack. From our

point of view, we know that they

were up against two world-class

teams. We are looking forward to

that.

We expect Tonga to be hugely

physical, how do you counteract

their physicality?

It's a matter of

knowing our own side really well. We

played in Wellington but we know the

conditions will be very different in

Cairns, it's boiling hot. We have

decent players in our side. We will

play around them and have a good

kicking game. We have decent skilled

players who can do that but we are

aware that we have to play better

than we ever have. We have several

players who are a threat, it's a

formidable team who we are playing

against boat as always, we are

looking forward to it.

What is the

mood in the camp, how are the boys

feeling, are they nervous?

They will

become the night before the game but

in the last few years we've done

well in these tournaments. As

always, I think we been written off.

They aren't really expecting us to

do much in the tournament and we've

had some experienced players like

Kane Linnett in the four Nations

team last year, we have a lot of

young players in the squad, that

could galvanise us and we have

seasoned players so the spirit is

really good, it always is in the

Scotland camp. We just want the game

to start now, we have prepared well.

Denny breath is key to you, as he

was when you drew with New Zealand

last year -- Danny Brough. What do

you take from the performance?

We

compete with the best in the world.

New Zealand are an outstanding team.

On the night, we have performed

really well. We've earned the right

to be at the World Cup. We played

against topsides in the last few

tournaments. As I've said before, we

were top years ago and we came

through in that competition. We got

through by winning the

championships. We have some players

who have success at international

level. Danny is making a Scotland

record appearance tomorrow with 24

caps. Some of our younger players

have also got to step up. What I've

seen in training, hopefully we will

do that.

Best of luck, thank you for

joining us.

Thank you.

And we'll see how Scotland get

on against Tonga tomorrow afternoon,

from five o'clock on BBC Two along

with Ireland's opener against Italy.

Fiji v USA in a few minutes -

but first as we have special guest

Shaun Edwards with us today -

let's take a few moments

to remind ourselves just how

good this guy was...

Shaun Edwards looking on... He has

done it! Tremendous

Shaun Edwards must score...

Wonderful rugby! A high tackle...

Edwards has been sent off! Shaun

Edwards... An excellent try.

To

embarrass you further, we have some

of your key statistics. 37 Great

Britain and England appearances. 15

tries, a league wins with Wigan,

eight consecutive Challenge Cup

wins, 541 club appearances. Are you

blushing? Not a flicker! Does it

bring back fond memories?

It was

great for me to play with my own

team at first. And playing with some

of the greatest players, certainly

in world rugby league at the time.

And possibly ever. It's always an

honour for me to line up alongside

those great players. Many of them

are still my friends.

You play more

Rugby Union as the Welsh assistant

coach, do you still keep in touch

with rugby league?

Anything, little

drills, what I can see that can be

applicable to Rugby Union. I am

always looking for the slight

advantage in the defensive side of

the game. There are many things that

I picked up from rugby league, when

I played, and since I retired.

We've

rattled off all of those statistics

are not in there was the one time

you represented Ireland... What are

your memories of that?

I just about

remember the game but I don't

remember too much afterwards!

LAUGHTER

I did sink a few Guinnesses! I was

with my good friend, and his

brother, Roddy Collins. They are

good friends of mine. I did miss the

plane home!

LAUGHTER

And Brian Kearney was alongside you?

He was making his debut as well. Two

debutants together. I remember

flying down the wing and I was

thinking, he could really be

something special with good

coaching. He was a fantastic player.

Do you remember the score, the year,

where you work?

I think we drew

against France. I remember, I knew

my mates were watching me play. I

trained really hard to make sure

that I did not make a fool of myself

in front of them! Afterwards,

yeah... I had a bit of hair in those

days and I left it down!

And how

much did you two take from watching

Sean play?

From my point of view, it

was awesome. I grew up in New

Zealand and we would wake up at

three o'clock in the morning to

watch the Challenge Cup, Wigan were

playing every year. They had so many

great New Zealanders playing for

Wigan. But he was leading the pack?

Sean in the middle, telling all of

these legends what to do. Very

inspirational, as a young man

growing up.

You would have been

towards the tail end of your Wigan

days but you were still sharp,

brilliant when you were there and

then you move to London... Played

against the Leeds Rhinos when I was

there. He slowed down a little, it

was nice to get one over!

Will we

ever see you back in the league in a

coaching capacity?

Never say never,

and still contracted to the Rugby

World Cup with the Welsh Rugby

union. I've enjoyed my time there

but in future, who knows? I never

would have thought that I would be

living in London at some stage and

coaching rugby union. 20 odd years

ago, it would have been unthinkable.

But obviously, here we are now.

And

between the three of you, we

shouldn't just talk about Shaun

between the three of you, we

shouldn't just talk about Shaun,

there were 1383 club and

international appearances and an

ex-cook up a 697 tries, you aren't

bad!

It tells you how old we are!

Sean has probably scored more tries

than all of us together and your

camera fair, was, weren't you thin

in those days, Shaun

it shows how

greedy we were, we didn't

The Valley! This guy can play

anywhere.

Now to the third and final

match of the day -

a group D clash between Fiji

and the USA.

Fiji have reached the semi-finals

in the last two World Cups

while the Tomahawks,

coached by Leeds' four time grand

final winner Brian McDermott -

were quarter finalists

four years ago.

Watching this for us in Townsville

was Andrew Moore and Scott Sattler.

The United States, with their game

faces on early, they've got nothing

to lose. The rank outsiders, no

doubt of that but their last World

Cup in 2013 proved very successful

indeed. Two wins in four games. We

are in for a treat with the Fijian

cultural challenge, the USA lock

arms and watch on.

SINGING

Just brilliant from Fiji. A couple

of changes to both sides...

This is

the side, Montoya on the wings. The

forward pack will be sins, Koroisau,

and on the bench, we have Lovadua.

The US team is Ryan Burrows.

Offerdahl, the captain, is the

skipper. Coach is Brian McDermott.

Fiji are all stacked to the right.

Clearly, that's where they go. In

close proximity... A lovely pass

away to Vunivalu! Can they get it

down to Fiji to open up the scoring?

The referee checks, and it is first

blood to Fiji.

The work of the

number six, Jarryd Hayne,

straightening his body, creating an

overlap. The beautiful transition of

the ball on to Vunivalu, and Milne

finishes that try beautifully. No

need to go to the referee.

Kane

Evans, isn't he a giant human? On

the far side of the field, it's the

last tackle. A nice pass down the

right.

What a play and what a catch.

What a try for the Fijian skipper.

Look at this defence from the USA.

Well done. The support numbers,

pouring through the middle. Naiqama

with his second try of the night for

Fiji.

20 metres from the USA line...

Jarryd Hayne, the first receiver.

The defence are scrambling. Last

tackle, back to the right they go...

Milne, one over! Their third try.

Milne has had a hand in all three.

What a start for Fiji. They are up

by 12-0 after just 11 minutes of

play.

A beautiful short pass there,

Milne scoring

the third try of the night. And an

opportunity on the left for Fiji...

They come back to the right. Jarryd

Hayne inside of the ten metre line.

You can see the posts... That was a

big hit on Ashton Sims from Corey

Makelim... What a try! A great

stepping run, he has played for both

Australia and Fiji but this time he

can score for Fiji, we know him more

as a winger but I tell you what, his

footwork will work anywhere!

There

is this beautiful contact on Sims,

and he activates, reacting

straightaway. This is his footwork,

on the side of his opposite

defender.

Scored by Akuila Uate. The

30 metre line... Joshua Rice in from

behind. An important tackle. Jarryd

Hayne, inside ball... Kane Evans!

The full-back cannot stop him. He is

a dead set giant. Kane Evans,

scoring the try for Fiji. They are

over again. That is now five tries

in the opening 17 minutes. Fiji 24-0

USA. The poor full-back, that's what

happens when you try and tackle Kane

Evans one-on-one.

Concern for both

players but it is Jarryd Hayne

injecting himself, the body is in

motion and big man Kane Evans scores

in the fifth try, so it's 24- 04

Fiji. Good running and support by

the big front row. -- 24-0 for Fiji.

He looks in pain having scored the

try with his left wrist looking like

it is causing him all kinds of

problems... It's really bad news for

Fiji, a confirmed broken wrist for

Kane Evans, so that is the end of

his World Cup campaign. Losing

Korbin Sims, that will really hurt

Fiji.

USA, their first opportunity. That

is Corey Main Klim. Uncharted

territory tonight for the USA. The

Fijian defence with Kamikamica. He

is over. Matt Shipway is over. The

USA finally got an opportunity and

they have capitalised.

Fantastic

work. It is the number six,

Christian freed who was involved.

Get inside the defenders.

A lot of

pressure on the United States. The

pass goes astray. Fiji, ten metres

out. He is over to score his second

try, the Fiji captain, Kevin

Naiqama.

Good vision as well.

Vunivalu. Corey Main Klim, couldn't

make the tackle. Vunivalu, as he

does week in, week out with the

Melbourne storm, he is too hard to

stop because he is big, strong and

brilliant.

It is the jab of Kevin

Naiqama who splits them through the

middle. Then it is the uppercut from

Vunivalu. Shows skill and Paul's

defenders of him. Shows good speed

and strength.

Is there time for the

USA to grab one before the break. It

will need to be displayed. They have

48 to travel. There is your miracle

try. Right on the bell. They are

going to the video referee.

Nice and

slow here, he is out. His foot is

down. Has already touched the ball

before he gets his next foot in

play. Touched the ball. He is in

touch, no try.

Fiji on their own 30

metre line. Seven tries... Great

feat. Great pace. Jarryd Hayne will

join Bob Fulton on 13 World Cup

tries. Jarryd Hayne backing up some

brilliant footwork again.

We have

seen this so often, Jarryd Hayne in

open space. Sizes up the situation

beautifully and that man, Jarryd

Hayne takes the scoreline to 40-6.

Right in front of the posts.

Can he be stopped? No, got it down

next to the operates. -- uprights.

Too much strength.

Vunivalu, can he keep his feet and

power his way over? He can. Fiji get

50.

He was never going to be stopped

that close to the try-line.

Milne, trust is outside Ringo. And

too much power from Vunivalu.

The

Fiji and 30 metre line. He has a 30

metres sprint. It will be 56-6. Set

up by Kikau.

Sized up the situation

beautifully to get it to his number

seven.

The USA looking for their

second I of the night. They are not

denied this time. The USA are over.

One of the most experienced in this

side, Vaivai gets across the line.

There is the siren. And Fiji with a

stunning command performance to open

their World Cup campaign. They have

beaten the United States 58-12.

Great start the Fiji, top of the

table, looks like it will be a long

World Cup for the USA. They have

Italy next, which is possibly the

game they will be targeting, but

they have a difficult one at the end

as they travel to Papa New Guinea.

The celebrations the Fiji were led

by Ashton Sims in the middle.

Spirits were high amongst the Fijian

squad?

All the reason in the world

to be high. They have done well over

the last couple of World Cups and

looks like they will do well again.

The only difference is the

experience in the right places.

Jarryd Hayne and experience he

brings to the table. They are a

different entity this year.

The

moves of Ashton Sims as well. The

USA have brought a lot of USA

players rather than falling back on

Australian ones. How important is

that if we have the World Cup over

their in 2025?

It is looking likely.

Brian McDermott will not panic. It

is a long-term strategy for the USA.

We are developing the game over

there, talk of a team in New York.

Lots of good things happening in the

UK. If we can see a spirited US side

in this, it will give energy to the

country and they can build over the

next few years and get stronger and

stronger.

It is a great prospect.

Are you excited to see is trying to

develop the game over there and what

is going on in Toronto?

Absolutely,

Toronto has been a huge success.

They are a tough team to play,

particularly when you go over there.

Any spread of rugby is beneficial

and good for the game.

We will be

seeing those moves of Ashton seems

next year.

Thanks fellas - before we move

on here's details of our World Cup

coverage on the BBC over

the next week.

Tomorrow from 5:00 on BBC Two,

Sam Tomkins and Jamie Jones Buchanan

will join me for highlights

of Scotland Tonga, Ireland Italy

and France Lebanon.

We've highlights on Friday night

as Australia take on France

in their Poole A clash.

And a week today, England play

their second match against Lebanon.

We are live for that match from 8.30

on BBC Two next Saturday.

And you can follow the Rugby League

World Cup on the BBC over the next

five weeks across TV,

5live, the website,

and the BBC Sport App.

And you can sign up

for notifications on your phone

or tablet to follow your teamt.

or tablet to follow your team.

It will send line ups,

score updates, half-time

scores and the result.

And there's lots of

football on the BBC today.

At 3.20 on BBC Two we have live

coverage of the U-17 World Cup

final as England take

on Spain - don't miss that.

At 4.20 here on BBC One,

its Final Score, with all the news,

views and analysis of a busy

day in all the leagues.

And at 10.30 tonight Gary

and the gang will have

a mouthwatering Match Of The Day,

featuring Manchester United

against Spurs and West Brom

aagainst Manchester City.

And following that

at 11.55pm on BBC One,

its football of the American kind

with Chappers and the NFL Show.

Yesterday, England kicked

off their campaign against

Australia and lost 18-4 -

we'll hear the thoughts

of our guests after a brief reminder

of what happened...

COMMENTATOR: The kick-off to the

2017 rugby league World Cup. Over

the top to mug of worry. England

will claim the opening try of this

World Cup. After all the defending

England have done, they will

consider that a real disappointment.

Slater...

It is all too easy again, it seems.

Burgess. Flag from the touch judge

says the ball was lost. Make that

the ball-macro out of three. It is

an 8-point lead now for the

Australians. This will be a dagger

in the heart of England. England

were going for it but it is the

Australians who get it. It is

Australia who take the spoils to

night. This is how the table looks.

England on the bottom. England still

have France and Lebanon and we would

expect them to beat them and

finished second in the table. Sean,

what did you make of that

performance overall?

I don't think

the score represented the game.

England were very competitive.

Having done a mountain of tackling

in the first half, he thought they

may have tired in the second half,

they didn't. It looked like

Australia were blowing up times. I

think the game turned on one

refereeing decision, which was just

before the Billy Slater try. In my

opinion, what Sherlock London had

been going on all day. I thought it

was a tough call on the England

guys. But having said that, it was

never about the first game, it is

about the latter stages. I know

Wayne Bennett well and you has a lot

of positive things he said about his

team, but they have too steadily

improved. I thought the wingers were

amazing. It was tough. The score

didn't represent the game.

McGilvary

was fantastic. Standout player?

Standout player and he has become

exceptionally dependable. Every time

he plays, you know you will get and

eight, nine out of ten performance.

Defensively, he was brilliant. These

carries, all day, he kept taking it

into the heart of the Australian

defence. What we didn't do in the

first half was get the kicking game

right, which gave us positions.

McGilvary gave them a spot on

defensive position, bringing it back

30, 40 metres. That is why England

were better in the second half

because they got the field position.

They could launch some attacks and a

lot of it came from him. Rightly so,

man of the match and the standout

performer for England.

And the new

Sam Burgess could be back sooner

than we thought. Went with knee

injury. They were saying semifinals,

but possibly the quarterfinals, what

kind of boost is that?

Massive

performance. Massive confidence.

Just to have that man mountain

walking around with that confidence,

relates to the players themselves.

You start to get the aura of

competitiveness he exudes, are new.

Those players are going to deputise

for him. They will have to perform

for their positions. It makes the

internal competitiveness good for

England, meaning they have got to

sharpen what they do.

That's it from us.

Sadly the Dragons were

pummelled by the Kumuls.

Tomorrow the baton passes to

the Bravehearts and the Wolfhounds.

See you at 5.00pm on BBC Two.