2022 Rugby League World Cup Tips

The 16th edition of the Rugby League World Cup – and the first since 2017 – promises to be the biggest, best and most competitive yet.

Australia is gunning for a third straight triumph but is on a semi-final collision course with New Zealand, while on the other side of the draw Samoa and Tonga will throw down the gauntlet to hosts England – with Papua New Guinea also a smoky in the mix.

The first round of pool matches features several crunch games, as well as tournament debuts for Greece and Jamaica.

What a way to get the RLWC underway. England, runners-up in 2017 and at least semi-finalists in every other World Cup with a pool format, head into the opener at Newcastle’s St James’ Park as $2.35 underdogs against ultra-hyped Toa Samoa.

Samoa has never been beyond the quarters of a World Cup and was bitterly disappointing in 2017. But Origin current stars Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo all pledged for the island nation rather than Australia, as did boom Roosters back Joseph Suaalii.

Anthony Milford and Chanel Harris-Tavita back up Luai in the classy playmaker department, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Taylan May and Izack Tago add speed and strike out wide.

Spencer Leniu, Oregon Kaufusi, Origin rep Jadyn Su’A and Kiwi Test reps Martin Taupau and Braden Hamlin-Uele give the Samoa pack great balance.

Dynamic Roosters enforcer Victor Radley is a huge addition to an England squad that will be built around current and recent NRL stars Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman (who will miss this game), George Williams, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Burgess and Luke Thompson.

Veteran fullback Sam Tomkins will lead the side, while Knights winger Dom Young shapes as a breakout star and former Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson will be a key figure.

England was dominant in a 50-0 warm-up rout of Fiji last weekend. Samoa cruised to a 42-12 win over Cook Islands in June without their Origin contingent.

As imposing as the Samoa line-up is, England is very much an underrated contender – for the tournament overall and in this crucial showdown, which will almost certainly decide who tops Pool A.

The likely chilly and wet conditions in Newcastle play into the host nation’s hands and could blunt Samoa’s strengths. With a big chunk of Samoa’s nucleus shouldering a heavy NRL finals load, the $1.58 favourites could come in a shade underdone.

Tip: Back England to Cover the Line (+3.5 Points) @ $1.90

Australia returns to the international arena for the first time since its historic loss to Tonga in 2019. The Kangaroos’ opening assignment is against the team they vanquished in the past three World Cup semi-finals, Fiji Bati.

The green-and-golds’ hiatus means the squad is stacked with Test debutants – including some of the NRL’s biggest stars. Daly Cherry-Evans gets first crack at halfback with Penrith’s grand final contingent overlooked en masse, combining in a blue-chip spine with James Tedesco, Cam Munster and Ben Hunt.

Harry Grant debuts off the bench, while Murray Taulagi, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter and Pat Carrigan will make their international bow.

Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell and Valentine Holmes are set to terrorise the Bati out wide. Jake Trbojevic and Cameron Murray are the Test-experienced faces in the pack.

The Fiji squad is headlined by grand finalists Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo and Waqa Blake, who missed last weekend’s jarring 50-0 warm-up loss to England. NSW reps Tariq Sims and Daniel and Jacob Saifiti bring genuine quality to the pack and Kevin Naiqama is a polished backline presence.

But outside Koroisau at hooker, Fiji is seriously lacking top-shelf talent in the spine.

The Bati have overachieved at recent World Cups – most notably rolling New Zealand in the 2017 quarters – but they have been outscored in their six matches against Australia (all at World Cup) by an average scoreline of 56-3. They went down 24-14 to Papua New Guinea in June.

Australia’s combinations may be a tad rusty, but the Queensland familiarity provided by DCE, Munster, Hunt and Grant should ensure the defending champs hit the ground running. Fiji, $26 underdogs, would be doing extremely well to cover the 38.5-point line at Headingley.

Tip: Back Australia -38.5/Over 54.5 in the Line/Total Points Double @ $2.60

On the surface, Scotland and Italy are making up the Group B numbers alongside Australia and Fiji – but both teams will be fired up to bag a win here and stay in the quarter-final mix.

Scotland has consistently proven at World Cups it can’t be taken lightly, reaching the quarters in 2013 with wins over Tonga and USA and a draw with Italy, and securing a shock draw with Samoa in Cairns in 2017. The Bravehearts also held the Kiwis to a memorable draw during the 2016 Four Nations.

Scotland’s squad is light on NRL and Super League talent but is headlined by Euan Aitken and Kane Linnett (Campbell Graham was in the frame before being snapped up by Australia), with Bulldogs back-up half Bailey Hayward firming for a halves spot.

Italy’s best moment of the 2017 World Cup came courtesy of a 46-0 drubbing of USA – but that side included James Tedesco, Paul Vaughan, Daniel Alvaro, Mark Minichiello and Nathan Brown, and was coached by Cameron Ciraldo.

Brown returns to lead the Leo Epfania-coached Azzuri in 2022, with Cooper Johns the other headline attraction and arguably their most important player as chief playmaker.

Scotland was humbled 28-4 by England Knights last weekend, while Italy hasn’t had the luxury of a warm-up fixture. The Bravehearts are very warm $1.26 favourites but expect this to be a close-fought affair – which renders the Azzuri as excellent value with a double-digit start.

Tip: Back Italy to Cover the Line (+12.5 Points) @ $1.90

Minnows Jamaica are destined to be the RLWC darlings, but that won’t prevent the Reggae Warriors from heading into their tournament debut against Ireland as $16 underdogs.

Huddersfield trio Ashton Golding, Kieran Rush and Michael Lawrence are the Caribbean outfit’s only Super League-experienced, though there’s a host of players from England’s lower tiers in the squad – including Alex Young, the towering brother of Newcastle Knights star Dominic.

Jamaica earned their spot with wins over Canadan and USA in 2018-19, while they pulled off a 30-all draw with Scotland last October.

Ireland will have its sights set on a quarter-final berth from Group C alongside heavyweights New Zealand. In 2017, the Wolfhounds thrashed Italy and Wales either side of a hard-fought loss to Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Ireland has an even stronger look about them this year courtesy of gun Sydney Roosters and ex-NSW playmaker Luke Keary, Titans forward Jaimin Joliffe and NRL journeyman James Hasson. Bulldogs back-up hooker Josh Cook will be a key man and there’s no shortage of Super League experience on deck.

The Wolfhounds should get up comfortably – the class of Keary alone is a gigantic advantage – but I’d be wary of a 32.5-point line. The Reggae Warriors will throw everything into this contest and are capable of keeping it competitive for the most part.

Tip: Back Under 50.5 Total Points @ $1.90

New Zealand suffered a humiliating quarter-final exit on home soil in 2017 after reaching three straight World Cup finals (including a watershed triumph in 2008) but has well and truly rebuilt under Michael Maguire.

The Kiwis made an emphatic mid-season statement with a 26-6 win over Tonga and wiped the floor with Leeds Rhinos 74-0 in a warm-up clash last weekend.

Courtesy of Joey Manu, Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith, the Kiwis boast a top-five NRL player in all four spine positions.

Their pack is widely regarded as the strongest in the tournament and their backline – while lacking depth – has enough strike in the form of Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jordan Rapana and Peta Hiku.

Lebanon made a big splash at the 2017 World Cup, beating France and holding its own against England and Australia to reach the quarters, where the Cedars only just went down to tournament sensations Tonga 24-22.

While lacking top-line depth, Mitchell Moses, Adam Doueihi, Josh Mansour and Abbas Miski give Lebanon a decent core of experience and class in a side largely made up of NSW-based lower-graders. A 38-22 defeat of Wales last weekend was certainly promising.

But the Cedars will almost certainly be comprehensively outmatched in the engine-room department in Warrington – and scoreline could get a bit ugly with Smith, Hughes and co. playing off that platform.

Tip: Back New Zealand to win by 41-50 @ $3.60

France is a runaway $1.02 favourite to account for World Cup debutant Greece at Doncaster in a group expected to be dominated by England and Samoa.

France’s squad is dominated by Catalans Dragons players (including former NRL journeyman Samisoni Langi) – headlined by skipper Ben Garcia, the backbone of this team’s pack – while Salford’s Morgan Escare will provide their spark from fullback.

The presence of Lachlan Ilias, Peter Mamouzelous and Billy Magoulias gives Greece an advantage over the majority of their fellow second-tier teams and minnows at this tournament. Sunshine Coast-based Jordan Meads – a former Warriors NYC star – will captain the side.

The Steve Georgallis-coached side is otherwise short on top-level experience, but they would have taken some confidence from a 24-all draw against Bradford Bulls last weekend.

France, meanwhile, lost 48-12 to Tonga in its warm-up fixture. The presence of Trent Robinson as an assistant coach is a bonus, though.

It’s difficult to get a gauge on Greece with a 42-24 loss to Scotland in 2019 its only match against a fellow World Cup nation in the past decade, but I’ll back them to cover a hefty line in this one against a traditionally underwhelming France outfit.

Tip: Back Greece to Cover the Line (+24.5 Points) @ $1.90

A monster clash between the two strongest sides in Group D.

Since taking the 2017 World Cup by storm and going agonisingly close to reaching the final, Tonga has recorded historic wins over Great Britain and Australia. A 26-6 loss to New Zealand in June was something of a reality check for a star-studded team, however.

A Tonga line-up boasting the likes of Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake, David Fifita, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tesi Niu, Tui Lolohea, Konrad Hurrell, Moses Suli and Mosese Fotuaika carved up France 48-12 last weekend.

Devastatingly, Jason Taumalolo will be unavailable until the knockouts, but Daniel Tupou, Will Penisini, Keaon Koloamatangi, Felise Kaufusi and Will Hopoate are also in a stacked squad at Kristian Woolf’s disposal.

Papua New Guinea has a habit of punching above its weight on the international stage and is the big sleeper on the non-Australia and New Zealand side of the World Cup draw. The Kumuls were outstanding in a 24-14 win over Fiji earlier this year and thumped Great Britain 28-10 at home in 2019.

English conditions have traditionally been harder for PNG to negotiate, but a squad boasting Alex Johnston, Justin Olam, Xavier Coates, Lachlan Lam and Rhyse Martin – along with a host of Queensland and NSW Cup players – looks more than formidable.

Tonga is a red-hot $1.04 favourites to bank a crucial first-up win. Direction in the halves has been an Achilles heel if the pack can’t gain dominance in the middle of the park – and the Kumuls have to be considered tremendous value with a massive start, if not a genuine chance of an upset at $10.50.

Tip: Back Papua New Guinea to Cover the Line (+27.5 Points) @ $1.90

The last match of the opening round of pool fixtures sees unfancied Group D nations Wales and Cook Islands square off.

Wales copped three straight hidings from PNG, Fiji and Ireland at the 2017 tournament, while it lost 34-10 to France in June and crashed 38-22 to Lebanon in a warm-up fixture on the weekend.

Former Penrith and Canberra fullback Caleb Aekins – fresh off a 20-try campaign for Leigh in the English Second Division – is Wales’ best-known squad member, with current Super League players thin on the ground.

Cook Islands has been able to call upon the likes of Dylan Napa, Zane Tetavano, Brad Takairangi, Tepai Moeroa, Anthony Gelling, Tinirau Arona, Dominique Peyroux, Esan Marsters and highly promising NRL youngsters Davvy Moale, Kayal Iro, Brendan Piakura and Pride Pettersen-Robati.

After a spirited 2013 campaign – which included a 28-24 defeat of Wales after narrow losses to USA and Tonga – Cook Islands missed the cut for the 2017 tournament. But an under-strength side performed creditably in a 42-12 loss to Samoa at Campbelltown in June.

More familiar conditions in Leigh for the bulk of the squad appears Wales’ biggest advantage. But the Tony Iro-coached Cook Islands should have too much experience, flair and physicality for the $5.60 underdog Dragons here.

Tip: Back Cook Islands to win by 11-20 @ $3.35

Kicking off with England’s stunning demolition of highly-touted Samoa, the opening week of the Rugby League World Cup produced more than its fair share of shock results and excitement.

Seven of eight underdogs covered the line, with two – England and Italy – earning upset victories. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea and Wales came up just short in cliff-hangers after starting as rank outsiders.

Heavyweights Australia and New Zealand muddled their way through first-up assignments…and both big dogs will be eager to flex their muscle against outmatched opposition in the second round of group stage fixtures.

Will the trend of underdog overachievement continue this week, or are some blowouts on the cards?

After a rusty but convincing 42-8 win over Fiji first up, Australia sets its sights on a Scotland side coming off a bitterly disappointing Group B result.

The Kangaroos were slow out of the blocks against the Bati, conceding the first try and leading only 18-4 at halftime. Their attack never really clicked with patience and rhythm near the opposition line an issue.

But Josh Addo-Carr provided the highlight-reel moments, while Cameron Munster, James Tedesco and Harry Grant were excellent, and Angus Crichton and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were standouts in the engine-room.

Scotland, meanwhile, suffered a devastating 28-4 loss to an unfancied Italy line-up as 12.5-point favourites. Virtually every statistical category was even – besides the Bravehearts’ advantages in offloads and penalties awarded – but defensive lapses let them down badly.

Nathan Cleary is the big-name inclusion for the Kangaroos, making his long-awaited Test debut along with Campbell Graham, Matt Burton, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Lindsay Collins. Grand final prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard also joins the line-up.

Australia cruised to a 54-12 win over Scotland at Hull during the 2016 Four Nations – the countries’ only previous meeting. The Bravehearts will be doing exceptionally well to score as many points or concede as few at Coventry with only the wet conditions forecast capable of keeping it respectable.

Tip: Australia to cover the line (-60.5 Points) @ $1.90

Fiji will take plenty out of its 42-8 loss to Australia last weekend, scoring the first and last tries and conceding a modest seven in between – despite losing the yardage battle by a considerable margin.

Penrith grand final heroes Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau had very mixed games, which makes the Bati’s ultra-committed display all the more impressive. A line-up laced with size in the pack and firepower out wide will relish the chance to face an opponent less equipped to combat their strengths.

But Italy is buoyant after a stunning 28-4 defeat of Scotland – after going in as double-digit underdogs. The Azzurri scored five unanswered tries before their line was finally breached in the 76th minute.

Winger Jake Maizen bagged a second-half hat-trick and combined with centre Daniel Atkinson for almost 500 running metres. Italy’s marquee player, Nathan Brown, was magnificent at lock, racking up 200 metres and 35 tackles.

Fiji are just $1.13 to take out this clash and put one hand on a quarter-final berth. Italy can make life difficult for the Bati if they can match them physically in the middle of the park – but the Fijians’ strike out wide is a serious step up from Scotland’s and I expect the favourites to cover in this one.

Tip: Back Fiji to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: FIJI/FIJI HALF-TIME/FULL-TIME / FIJI BY 21-30 POINTS / 1ST HALF FIJI TOTAL TRIES OVER 2.5 / 1ST HALF ITALY TOTAL TRIES UNDER 1.5 @ $8.14

England will be trying to keep a lid on the euphoria of their 60-6 tournament-opening rout of ultra-hyped Samoa. Installed as underdogs, the host nation exploded with a three-try burst in nine minutes after a scoreless opening quarter.

England piled on seven tries in an unbelievable second-half performance (including six in the last 17 minutes) as NRL stars Dom Young and Elliott Whitehead finished with doubles.

Halfback George Williams made a strong statement and five-eighth Jack Welsby looks a breakout star – the playmaking duo combined for two tries, five try-assists and 273 running metres. Victor Radley (138 metres, three try-assists) was also an immediate sensation in the England jumper.

France chalked up a comfortable 34-12 victory over World Cup debutant Greece but will be a touch disappointed to not go on with the job after leading 26-0 with half an hour to play. Second-rower Ben Jullien scored a try in each half, while marquee lock Ben Garcia (208 metres, 37 tackles) was best on ground.

France – the $19 underdog here – has not beaten England or Great Britain since 1990, though they did hold their own in a 30-10 loss last October against an English side missing their NRL contingent.

England is giving away 37.5 points at the line – and if their offence clicks again as it did against Samoa, we should see another landslide result at Bolton.

Tip: Back England to Cover the Line (-37.5 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: TOTAL POINTS 61-70 / ENGLAND TO SCORE 10+ ONLY / 2ND HALF WITH MOST TRIES @ $18.07

New Zealand was arguably one of the most disappointing teams of the pool stage’s opening round, making mighty hard work of a 34-12 win over Lebanon. The Kiwis dominated yardage but were overwhelmingly clunky and endured a pair of 20-plus-minute periods without scoring.

The performance of fullback Joey Manu (216 metres, 15 tackle-breaks, one try, two try-assists) was a saviour in a poor spectacle, while Brandon Smith and Joseph Tapine proved difficult for the Cedars to handle. The Kiwis will be hoping to have injured linchpin Jahrome Hughes back on deck.

Minnows Jamaica were humbled 48-2 by Ireland on World Cup debut, getting absolutely steamrolled through the middle – recording less than half the running metres of the Wolfhounds – and failing to make a line-break.

After showing some resolve to trail 18-2 at halftime, the Reggae Warriors’ defence buckled in a six-try second half. Jamaica was the only underdog who failed to cover in the first block of matches – despite being given a generous 33.5-point start.

The Kiwis have plenty to work on before the quarter-finals and coach Maguire will be drumming into his troops to follow their processes, complete sets and show some patience. It’s hard to envisage anything but a landslide result here…and a whopping 71.5-point line looks to be in big danger.

Tip: Back New Zealand to Cover the Line (-71.5 Points) @ $1.90

The most pivotal match of Group C with the winner near-certain to book a quarter-final date with Australia.

Both teams will be more than satisfied with their tournament-opening efforts. Lebanon defied a sizeable yardage deficit to hold New Zealand to a 34-12 scoreline in a gutsy display – including holding the Kiwis to just one try after having Adam Doeuihi sent off with 20 minutes left.

Wingers Josh Mansour and Abbas Miski were strong metre-eaters and both bagged tries, while Mitchell Moses’ class at halfback frequently came to the fore for the 40.5-point underdogs.

Ireland was the only favourite to cover in the opening round of matches, thrashing minnow Jamaica 48-2 in an emphatic 10-tries-to-none result. The Wolfhounds steamrolled their opposition (2,438 metres to 1,111) with the entire backline and five forwards racking up 150-plus metres.

Luke Keary – easily the best-credentialled player on the park – starred with 183 metres, two line-breaks, a try-assist and three try involvements. Richie Myler was a frequent threat from fullback and Jaimin Jolliffe led Ireland’s middle-forward charge. A staggering 21 errors is an obvious work-on.

The disparity between these teams’ first-up opposition makes this a difficult one to get a gauge on. The Keary v Moses battle will be pivotal, but the pair should cancel each other out.

Moses has more to work with out wide, though Doueihi’s suspension (pending an appeal) is a crucial blow. Ireland may have the edge up front based on reputation and last week’s performances. The Wolfhounds are $1.65 favourites but it should go down to the wire.

Tip: Either Team to Win by Less Than 6.5 Points @ $2.60

SGM: IRELAND BY 1-12 / UNDER 40.5 TOTAL POINTS / IRELAND 1ST HALF TRIES OVER 1.5 @ $8.67

Samoa is reeling in the wake of a 60-6 destruction at the hands of England after going into the match as favourites and being touted as a massive World Cup final dark horse.

The longer the match went, the worse Toa Samoa got and they were outplayed in virtually every facet – while obviously their defence was abhorrent.

They received little direction or leadership from their huge contingent of NRL grand final and Origin stars, and Brian To’o (138m) and Jaydn Su’A (126m) were the only players to reach triple figures in the running metres department.

Compounding their woes, Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, Tyrone May and Braden Hamlin-Uele have succumbed to tournament-ending injuries.

Fortunately, World Cup newcomers Greece should provide a gift-wrapped opportunity for Matt Parish’s beleaguered team to bounce back and set a course for the quarter-finals.

Greece went down to France 34-12 on tournament debut, covering the line after outscoring their opponents 12-8 in the last 30 minutes. Veteran half Jordan Meads laid on both Greek tries and combined well with Souths’ Lachlan Ilias, while their were collectively nothing if not wholehearted.

Billy Magoulias aside, the Greece forwards struggled to make inroads, however, and they are set to be overwhelmingly outmatched up front here against a Josh Papalii-led Samoa pack.

Tip: Back Samoa to Win by 31-40 Points

Mate Ma’a Tonga, the darlings of the 2017 RLWC, have one hand on top spot in Group D – but they will be acutely aware they were fortunate to walk away with the two points after a nerve-shredding 24-18 win over Papua New Guinea.

Surging to an 18-6 lead that perhaps didn’t reflect how the match had unfolded with a flurry late in the first half, Tonga was held scoreless for 41 minutes before a shambolic field goal set-up resulted in an incredible, helter-skelter match-winning try to Keaon Koloamatangi with three minutes left.

Tonga was predictably strong through the middle of the park – led by Addin Fonua-Blake – while six of their seven backline starters made well over 100 metres.

Halfback Tuimoala Lolohea and young fullback Tolutau Koula were dangerous, but direction and an inability to ice opportunities inside the PNG 20-metre area let the side down.

Wales earned plenty of admirers after coming agonisingly close to pulling off an upset result against Cook Islands, ultimately being held off 18-12 as 15.5-point underdogs. The Dragons only trailed for the first time in the 60th minute and went down swinging.

While lacking the firepower of their opponents, Wales was well-organised with halfback Josh Ralph laying on both tries and a solid back-five shouldering a big yardage load to ease the pressure on an outsized pack.

It was a hearty display from a team with only one player boasting NRL experience and just one Super League player.

Tonga will be a significant step up with Fonua-Blake, Siosiua Taikeiaho and co. laying a platform. But the big challenge for Kristian Woolf’s side will be staying on task for 80 minutes and remaining patient against a team that won’t go away.

Expect Tonga to get the job done reasonably comfortably – but Wales can keep this a lot closer than the market would suggest.

Tip: Back Tonga to Win by 11-20 Points

A likely quarter-final date with England looms for the winner of this Round 2-closing, Group D fixture in Warrington.

Papua New Guinea is regrouping from an agonising near-miss as an $11 underdog. The Kumuls’ gallant 24-18 defeat to Tonga including a bombed try, a controversial no-try ruling by the video ref and a wild late match-winning try conceded after they had erased a 12-point deficit.

Hooker Edwin Ipape was man-of-the-match in a losing team, Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt combined well in the halves and Justin Olam was a frequent handful in the centres.

PNG undoubtedly did enough to win the match, though for all the positives 10 errors and 47 missed tackles came back to bite them.

Cook Islands, meanwhile, can count themselves lucky to emerge from their clash against Wales as heavy favourites with an 18-12 win. The Kuki’s trailed for most of the match, only led for the first time at the hour mark, failed to find a killer blow and almost bottled it at the death with some amateurish play.

Cook Islands relied on their superior individual talent and bigger bodies to get on top, most notably with backs Kayal Iro, Anthony Gelling, Paul Ulberg and Esan Marsters proving a constant handful.

Zane Tetavano, Makahesi Makatoa and Davvy Moale also produced solid performances in the pack. But a similarly scattered team performance won’t be enough to force a boilover against the Kumuls.

Cook Islands have to be much more crisp with the ball rather than banking on bursts of game-breaking brilliance against a much more physical and high-quality opponent. Xavier Coates could be a huge inclusion for Papua New Guinea, who should be far too strong in this one.

Tip: Back Papua New Guinea to Win by 11-20 Points

Title threat New Zealand is yet to hit its straps at the World Cup, with Joey Manu’s five-star showing the only highlight in a clunky 34-12 defeat of Lebanon before the Kiwis cruised to a 68-6 win over minnows Jamaica.

The Kiwis piled on 13 tries against the Reggae Warriors without ever really getting out of second gear. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak stole the show with four tries and three try-assists, but otherwise there wasn’t too much to take out the victory – which can often occur in mismatches.

After putting away Jamaica 48-2, Ireland’s quarter-final hopes were dashed by a 32-14 loss to Lebanon. Crippled by 18 errors and an 11-6 penalty count against them, the Wolfhounds – pre-match favourites – had just 39 percent possession and couldn’t recover from a 20-0 deficit after 30 minutes.

Luke Keary laid on both Ireland tries but there’s a gulf in class between the halfback and his teammates. Just two Irish players – centre Ed Chamberlain and Titans prop Jaiman Joliffe – broached the 100-metre mark against a Cedars side predominantly made up of semi-pros.

It’s a case of New Zealand by how much – and coach Michael Maguire will be demanding his team switching on before a likely quarter-final date with Fiji (which entails its own harrowing memories of 2017). The Kiwis have failed to cover hefty lines in both matches so far.

Both first-choice Kiwi halves, Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes, missed the Jamaica clash and their presence would help alleviate the patchy offence near the opposition line during the campaign to date. But expect a monster forward pack to carry the heavyweights to a commanding result.

Tip: Back New Zealand to Cover the Line (-40.5 Points) @ $1.90

England has continued its march to top spot in Group A, following up a tournament-opening 60-6 rout of Samoa with a convincing – yet comparatively patchy – 42-18 victory over France in week two.

The Lions, 37.5-point favourites, raced to an 18-0 lead after 25 minutes after an early Ryan Hall double but only scored four more tries from that point, while conceding three. Dom Young’s charmed start to international football rolled on with a second-half brace to go with a game-high 292 metres.

Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley was superb again, racking up 162 metres, 35 tackles, a try and a try-assist.

Greece showed some spirit to fight back late in a 34-12 loss to France first up but endured a Samoan backlash in a 72-4 demolition on Monday morning (AEDT). The longest they kept their line intact for during the 13-tries-to-one beatdown was 16 minutes as they accumulated a paltry 867 run metres.

All of the aforementioned results paint a grim picture ahead of this clash for the World Cup debutants, who go into this encounter with a 64.5-point start.

England are highly likely to rest as many of their big guns as possible and give the remaining unused squad members a run. But the hosts will inevitably have too much class and firepower across the board for the Greeks, who will be doing well to cover in their last match of the tournament.

Tip: Back England to Cover the Line (-66.5 Points) @ $1.90

Fiji virtually just need to turn up at Newcastle’s Kingston Park to seal a quarter-final date with New Zealand, but the Bati will be eager to build on what has been a solid campaign to date.

After a gutsy 42-8 loss to the might of Australia (despite the underperformance of their two biggest stars), Fiji mauled Italy 60-4 by running in 10 tries. The scoreline could have been anything when the Bati led 48-blot after 52 minutes before they eased of the gas.

Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau – both sloppy against the Kangaroos – were outstanding, with Kikau, Penioni Tagituimua and Maika Sivo all picking up doubles.

It’s been a tough campaign for Scotland, which lost 28-4 to Italy as warm favourites before leaking 15 tries in a predictable 84-0 landslide.

The Bravehearts were comprehensively outmatched physically, making just 673 metres to the Kangaoros’ 2,310 and enjoying just 33 percent possession. That is set to be their major obstacle against Fiji, while few teams in the Cup have shown as little punch or invention on attack as the Scots.

Fiji may opt to give their big-name players a rest for what shapes as a guaranteed victory – but that’s unlikely to be enough to help Scotland cover what looks to be a relatively skinny start.

Tip: Back Fiji to Cover the Line (-40.5 Points) @ $1.90

A tad rusty in a 42-8 opening win over Fiji, Australia clicked into gear to dismantle Scotland 84-0 in week two. Josh Addo-Carr scored four of the Kangaroos’ 15 tries and their other winger, Campbell Graham, iced a hat-trick on debut.

Meanwhile, Nathan Cleary was magnificent in a 28-point Test debut in his first outing since the NRL grand final – and the halfback spot looks to be his ahead of Daly Cherry-Evans. Patrick Carrigan (183m) and Isaah Yeo (192m) led the green-and-golds’ engine-room assault.

Impressive 28-4 winners against Scotland, Italy is licking its wounds following a 60-4 hammering at the hands of Fiji. The Azzurri’s lack of top-line talent and forward grunt aside from Nathan Brown was brutally exposed in a 10-tries-to-one result.

Nevertheless, this is a huge occasion for Italy in the nation’s first encounter with Australia since a hosting a historic non-Test series in 1960.

Cutting to the chase, the Kangaroos are destined to obliterate the Italians regardless of which 17-man combination coach Mal Meninga lands on.

Seemingly only a St Helens downpour or an off night for Australia’s goalkickers is capable of keeping the scorleline respectable in this one – but the massive start may be just enough for Italy to cover.

Tip: Back Italy to Cover the Line (+72.5 Points) @ $1.90

Lebanon is all but through to a quarter-final showdown with Australia after coming out on top against Ireland as the underdog.

The Cedars eased out past $2.20 following Adam Doueihi’s suspension but Mitchell Moses (143 metres, 2 try-assists) won his halfback duel with Luke Keary and fullback Jacob Kiraz (168 metres, 1 try, 1 try-assists) starred in a strong follow-up to a gritty 34-12 loss to big gun New Zealand.

Lebanon looked to be outmatched in the engine-room on paper, but the Cedars pack – led by Elie El-Zakham (192m, 1 try) – earned a decisive win in the yardage battle, while the team was considerably more disciplined than Ireland on both sides of the ball.

Jamaica’s maiden World Cup odyssey enjoyed a heart-warming upswing in the wake of a 48-2 debut loss to Ireland.

The Reggae Warriors were overpowered 68-6 by the Kiwis – but impressively only two of the 13 tries conceded came in the last 22 minutes, while Ben Jones-Bishop crossed for a historic late try.

Halfback Kieran Rush’s tactic of kicking early (regardless of where Jamaica was on the field) largely back-fired, though it did result in Jones-Bishop’s four-pointer.

Assuming Moses, Kiraz and the returning Doueihi line up for this clash, Lebanon will have no problem creating scoring chances and they will have taken note of how easily the Kiwis outstripped Jamaica out wide.

Expect wingers Josh Mansour and Abbas Miski to cash in – and the Cedars to win handsomely – against the spirited but outclassed Reggae Warriors.

Tip: Back Lebanon to Cover Alternate Handicap (-46.5) @ $2.20

Tonga is yet to hit its straps at this World Cup, getting out of jail 24-18 against Papua New Guinea as heavy favourites and initially making hard work of a 32-6 victory over gritty group minnows Wales.

Predictably, Tonga’s pack laid a solid platform and the side’s slew of quality backs (all of whom made over 100 metres) ultimately proved too hot to handle, making eight line-breaks to none. Tesi Niu shone at fullback, Daniel Tupou nabbed a hat-trick and Siosifa Talakai and Talatau Amone had two try-assists.

But Tonga are still not getting the requisite direction from their spine players across the 80 minutes – and the onus has to fall on the experienced Tui Lolohea.

Cook Islands need an upset win by a decent margin and for Wales to tip up PNG to snare a quarter-final berth that probably always looked beyond them at the start of the tournament.

The Kuki’s were fortunate to get away with an 18-12 win over Wales but showed spirit and enterprise in a 32-16 defeat to the Kumuls in week two. They competed well physically – narrowly winning the run metres tally and completing an impressive 85 percent – but defensive lapses let them down.

Kayal Iro (202m, 6 tackle breaks, 1 try, 1 try-assist) again impressed at fullback in a strong back-five performance. But the makeshift halves pairing of Esan Marsters and Brad Takairangi struggled with the unfamiliar role of steering the team around with veteran playmaker Jonathan Ford a late scratching.

Tonga boasts a 10-1 record against Cook Islands, whose sole win came in 2004. Tonga got away with a 22-16 result at the 2013 World Cup in England, while a 28-8 scoreline in 2015 is the island nations’ only meeting since.

This is a good test for Tonga ahead of a likely quarter-final blockbuster against Samoa. Their five-star pack should ensure a comfortable victory, but Kristian Woolf’s line-up is yet to show enough to suggest they will totally blow out a reasonably handy Cook Islands outfit.

Tip: Back Tonga to win by 21-30 points

Samoa and France square off for second spot in Group A and a quarter-final berth.

Regrouping from a disastrous 60-6 opening-day loss to England, Samoa obliterated minnows Greece 72-4 in Doncaster.

The under-fire Jarome Luai responded with a try and five try-assists, while Tim Lafai, Danny Levi and Chanel Harris-Tavita – who came in for Anthony Milford at halfback – crossed for two tries apiece. Josh Papalii led the pack in style after a quiet night against England and Brian To’o had 371 metres.

France, comfortable 34-12 victors against Greece in week one, were outclassed 42-18 by England. But they showed plenty of resolve after falling behind 18-0 early. Though outmatched physically, France completed at 90 percent and conceded just one penalty and clawed back admirably.

Samoa have won all three previous World Cup clashes with France by an average margin of 32 points. Playing to their potential, Matt Parish’s side should power away by similar margin in Warrington.

But $19 underdogs France has shown enough pluck to suggest it won’t be completely steamrolled on the scoreboard.

Tip: Back France to Cover the Line (+29.5 Points) @ $1.90

The World Cup group stage concludes with a clash between two nations that will be reasonably happy with their campaigns to date.

A win here will secure a quarter-final spot for Papua New Guinea, most likely against England. Following their 24-18 heart-breaker against Tonga as big outsiders, the Kumuls put one foot through the door to the knockout phase with a 32-16 defeat of Cook Islands.

Winger Rodrick Tai scored two tries, fullback Alex Johnston had two try-assists and the pack produced a strong collective performance.

Kyle Laybutt and Lachlan Lam give PNG arguably the best halves pairing outside of the Kangaroos, Kiwis and Lions line-ups and Edwin Ipape is having a tremendous tournament at dummy-half.

Wales came desperately close to knocking over Cook Islands – eventually going down 18-12 – before causing Tonga a few problems in St Helens. The Dragons scored first through impressive winger Kyle Evans and only trailed for the first time in the latter stages of the first half.

Wales lack the engine-room grunt to compete with the Pacific nations but they are a hearty bunch who won’t roll over and they’ll be determined to put in another gritty showing after already claiming a couple of moral victories.

Tip: Back Papua New Guinea to Win by 21-30 Points