Rugby league really can put on a show. Even at a time when hardcore fans are wondering why stadiums have been left half-full and the one-sided nature of many games have had neutrals finding it hard to maintain their attention, there have been some stunning storylines to follow in the 2021 World Cup.
Two weeks in, and with the women’s and wheelchair events about to come into the equation, the men’s tournament has already delivered some great highlights.
READ MORE:
- Making A Superstar: How Ryan Hall Can Fire Dom Young To The Top
-
RLWC State Of Play - Week 2: Favourites Firing In Group Stage
- Betfred's Latest Rugby League Outrights*
Here are just five of the standout moments of the World Cup so far…
England’s demolition of Samoa
The opening game of the tournament was meant to be a real test of England’s credentials against a Samoa team even Shaun Wane had claimed were favourites to top Group A.
“We are massive underdogs in that game and I’m not playing a game there,” said the head coach ahead of the St James’ Park fixture. “I’ve looked at their best 19 players and it’s strong. We need to be very good to beat them in that first game.”
And very good they were. A six-try onslaught in the final 15 minutes helped to turn a really professional performance into an absolute blow-out as the hosts battered Samoa 60-6 to give the competition the headline lift-off it needed.
Greece celebrates a World Cup first
Nobody expected much from Greece, it’s safe to say. This was a team which was forced to play qualifiers at midnight in secret locations due to the fact their nation’s government was running a separate federation which was banned by the Rugby League European Federation.
Even their appearance in the World Cup was a big surprise, so three big zeroes on their scoresheet in the group stage would not have come as a shock. But then Siteni Taukamo scored against France in their opening Group A clash and the whole country went nuts. It mattered not that they were 26-0 down when it happened, nor that they would eventually lose 34-12. It was a triumph just to get off the mark and the scenes from Athens were fantastic.
Two defeats but three tries on, they are very much a part of the World Cup flavour.
Addo-Carr’s absolutely beauty
The 15th and final try in an 84-0 thrashing would not normally be considered particularly noteworthy, let alone a highlight. But most tries aren’t like Josh Addo-Carr’s sublime effort against Scotland in Coventry last Friday.
The Group B clash was over as a contest almost as soon as the anthems were over, and 11-time champions Australia ran in tries at will. But none of them will be remembered with half as much joy as their last one.
Matt Burton refused to give up on a bouncing ball which looked to be heading out of play 20 metres from the try line, chasing it down and then scooping it between his legs. On hand to collect the speculative pass was Addo-Carr, who cleverly grubbered along the touchline and beat the cover to touch down. Don’t believe us? Take a look for yourself…
Jamaica’s richly-deserved first try
However patronising it might sound, Jamaica were brilliant in a 68-6 defeat to New Zealand in Hull on Saturday night. They shipped tries at will but simply wouldn’t take it lying down, regularly opting for the short kick-off to retrieve possession quickly and put the world number ones under pressure at every given opportunity.
At 68-0 down it appeared as though their try drought would continue into a third match, but on the last tackle in Kiwi territory Kieran Rush’s kick caused the world number one a headache. Brandon Smith failed to collect low down by his feet, allowing Ben Jones-Bishop to hack ahead and beat opposite number Joey Manu to the ball before grounding.
The crowd at the MKM Stadium rose in celebration at just the kind of monumental moment they had come to see, and it was the very least the Reggae Warriors had deserved for their ingenuity up against the world’s best.
Tonga and Wales fans unite
Tonga had just beaten Wales 32-6 in Group D at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, effectively eliminating the Dragons from the tournament, but the scenes after the clash on Monday night made it seem as though both sides had reached the semi-finals.
When the Tongan fans continued their victory party outside the stadium, their Welsh counterparts responded with a good, old fashioned chorus of Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’. And when the Tongans joined in it simply summed up the togetherness of rugby league supporters the world over.
It was just the latest example of this being a competition which unites the game across all borders.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
