The upsets continued in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup last weekend as Fiji knocked out New Zealand to qualify for the semi-finals.
It doesn’t get any easier for Fiji as they take on Australia for a place in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final before Tonga and England do battle in a huge game for both sides.
We have analysed both games set to take place in the Rugby League World Cup this weekend and our complete 2017 Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finals tips can be found below.
Australia vs Fiji
Friday 24 November, 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium
Australia continued their march through this tournament with a 46-0 victory over Samoa and they will go into this clash with Fiji as clear favourites.
It always looked as though the Kangaroos had another gear during their games in the group stages and they proved to be the case as they exploded to close to their best against Samoa, with Valentine Holmes making World Cup history by scoring five tries.
Australia beat Fiji 64-0 in the same stage of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and beat them by 32 points in the Group stages of the tournament.
There is no doubt that this is a better Fiji team than the one that contested the World Cup four years ago, but the question is whether they have another level to go to against Australia.
The problem for Fiji could be that they played their Grand Final against New Zealand last Saturday afternoon and it may be tough for them emotionally to get up once again for this big clash.
Class should prevail for Australia in this clash and the line of 25.5 points will not be enough.
Back Australia To Beat The Line (-25.5 Points)
Tonga vs England
Saturday 25 November, 4:00pm, Mt Smart Stadium
This is the biggest game in history for Tonga and they face an England side that is chasing their first appearance in a Rugby League World Cup Final since 1995.
England secured their place in the semi-finals with a comfortable win over Papua New Guinea and they are a side that might be peaking at the right stages of this tournament.
Papua New Guinea threw plenty at England, but they were able to maintain their composure and they played some expansive rugby league in the process.
Tonga finished the pool stages with a huge win over New Zealand, but they came crashing back to earth somewhat with a fairly nervy performance against Lebanon.
There is no doubt that Tonga will need to improve on that performance to have any chance of beating England and the duo of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita will need to be outstanding for Tonga to have any chance.
It would be great to see Tonga qualify for the Rugby League World Cup Final, but this England side should have too much quality and they are excellent value to set-up a clash with Australia.
Back England To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)