Rugby League World Cup: Live Blog

Rugby league truly is a sport for everyone...

The Aussies have won twice on the field today, but how about Kevin Sinfield eh? Let's not leave the total raised under £1.5m, let's get it up some more. It's what the rugby league community does best.

That's 12 world titles. Nine in 10. Three in a row.

They're pretty good at this rugby league lark, those Kangaroos.

In the last act, Latrell Mitchell goes in from a Nathan Cleary pass as Stephen Crichton attempts another intercept.

It's not actually the final act, as Josh Addo-Carr attempts a drop-goal effort for the conversion.

Still, these Kangaroos are brilliant.

Another Samoa try! Stephen Crichton jumps in from marker to take Ben Hunt's attempted pass and streak away for an interception try.

He hits the post with his conversion attempt.

That will do it. James Tedesco runs a great angled line from a set play to score his second try, finishing a wonderful move involving Ben Hunt, Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster.

1, 6, 7 and 9. The spine has just put the World Cup beyond Samoa.

Cleary goals, and the lead is 20 again.

An exciting set as Samoa attack. They can't get the ball away on the last but the crowd are back in it and Samoa are making metres with the ball.

Jarome Luai brings the ball over to the right, throws a big cut-out pass, and from the next shift it's Brian To'o who scores!

Stephen Crichton kicks from the touchline and they're back within three scores at 20-6. A bit more enterprising play like that, and who knows?!

Josh Addo-Carr does brilliantly to break into space then kick inside, Angus Crichton should score from the grubber but fumbles. It would have been a wonderful try!

Typical Australia. They're down to 12, they'd lost possession cheaply a couple of times, the crowd were getting stirred at the thought of a Samoa comeback, and what happened? Cameron Munster steals the ball, the Kangaroos march downfield and Cam Murray breaks through a gap to score the Kangaroos' fourth try.

Cleary converts. Four scores now.

Chanel Harris-Tavita is out cold after a collision with Angus Crichton. That's a third hooker Samoa have lost in this World Cup.

Meanwhile, Crichton is off to the bin for 10 minutes since it was a raised elbow to an opponent's head. Rules is rules, James Tedesco, no matter how much you argue!

Taylan May gets away on the wing, and the inevitable cover drifts across to barge him out of play. Is there a way through this Kangaroo defence?

Forgive us for a watery start to the second half. Kevin Sinfield just arrived in the centre circle having completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days in the continued battle against Motor Neurone Disease. He was informed his bid for £777,000 has been smashed. The total is currently at beyond £1.36 million.

Rob Burrow is sure to be immensely proud of his mate.

Samoa hold out when Australia have a big set in the oppo 20, but those tries from Latrell Mitchell, James Tedesco and Liam Martin have put a big wedge between the two sides. It could have been even more, but you've got to wonder if Samoa can summon the energy needed to keep the Kangaroos out for the remainder of the game while also finding three scores from somewhere.

Samoa need something from somewhere to make a real game of this. Australia are full of energy, their opponents are blowing hard. Every half-break for Samoa is covered, latterly when Jarome Luai takes Taylan May's pass but is downed just when he tries to keep the ball alive down the left touchline.

Samoa finally build up some pressure, then get six more when Josh Addo-Carr pats down the ball to save a try being scored. But just as they look to have created an overlap on the left Anthony Milford spills the ball and Australia are able to carry it away from danger. The Kangaroos get a repeat set, work the ball to the right and Liam Martin crashes through two to score off Harry Grant's short pass. It's not initially given by Ashley Klein but video ref Chris Kendall awards it.

Cleary fails from the tee, he's one for three.

Australia are taking big chunks out of Samoa in the middle of the field now. The Kangaroos get fortunate at a dropped bomb which seemed to have been influenced by an obstruction by Josh Addo-Carr, then Toa Samoa have to knock it dead. From the repeat set, Latrell Mitchell knocks the ball on in an attempt to score. Relief for Samoa but they're on the rack.

Back-to-back tries for the Kangaroos. Josh Addo-Carr makes the break carrying through the middle after Valentine Holmes had softened them up, with the Foxx handing it off for James Tedesco to score under the posts. A big few minutes.

Cleary goals.

Jack Wighton caught a poor last-tackle kick behind his line, sprinted to take the quick tap and sent Valentine Holmes in the clear, but Samoa eventually hung on to concede a goal-line drop-out. A great defensive read by Stephen Crichton then seemed to have quelled the threat but on the following play Nathan Cleary entices Anthony Milford out of the line and Latrell Mitchell storms in on the short side to open the scoring.

Cleary's kick is well short, so it's 4-0.

The Aussies had a set restart but were then guilty of throwing a forward pass on the very next tackle, and we've seen the centre of the field take precedence again since. Samoa failed to deal with a Nathan Cleary kick but when the Kangaroos threw the ball around they ended up losing 15 or 20 metres of territory.

No score yet but already a tinge of controversy as James Tedesco failed to prevent a 40/20, his boot and the ball both touching the line. Problem was that the officials said he had actually succeeded.

This was a Siva Tau with a bit of something extra. There was some proper eye-balling in there.

Magnificent pre-match. What of the final itself?!

Anthems done, and it's game time in the 61st and final game of this year's (well, last year's!) Rugby League World Cup.

Jillaroos head coach Brad Donald has lauded his side after their World Cup win, and the players have talked about how relentless they want to be in defence.

No Daly Cherry-Evans in the 17 for Australia in the men's final. Not too many surprises elsewhere, with Jake Trbojevic starting in the front row for Mal Meninga's side.

That's a statement made from the Jillaroos. Next up, the blokes are tasked with doing the same against first-time finalists Samoa.

You'd have to go a long way to find a more complete performance in a final. Ali Brigginshaw was absolutely brilliant, but there were also key roles for the likes of Tarryn Aiken, Lauren Brown and two-try heroes Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis and Kennedy Cherrington.

It was absolutely masterful. The Jillaroos are world champions again.

New Zealand's defence is ragged now. A 10th try, this one from Evania Pelite after the Kiwi Ferns all go high and just can't pull her down.

Brigginshaw misses from the wing. She has two from five.

A great kick from Tarryn Aiken, the Aussies keep the ball alive and Cherrington beats two to score under the sticks.

Brigginshaw with a simple conversion and it's 50-4.

Normal service resumes! Kennedy Cherrington crashes through a three-player tackle for the Jillaroos' eighth try. She let herself down with the 'SIUUUUU' celebration if you ask us though. This week of all weeks!

Brown converts, and it's 44-4.

New Zealand get field position, then Krystal Rota sends the ball through hands on the left and Madison Bartlett finishes in the corner to great cheers around Old Trafford.

Raecene McGregor misses the kick, but at least the Kiwi Ferns are off the schneid. 38-4.

Tarryn Aiken is next over the line. Australia attack from deep, they have numbers over, and Yasmin Clydsdale throws the ball back inside for Aiken to complete a run-in.

Brown goals again, and it's 38-0 approaching the three-quarter mark. It's becoming a rout.

It's a stroll now. 52 gone, and the Aussies lead by 32. Brigginshaw again causes trouble, and Jess Sergis rides a tackle from Page McGregor to go over for a second.

Brown kicks, and Australia are out of sight.

Australia look unstoppable now. Emma Tonegato is in from Brigginshaw's reverse pass at the defensive line. The full-back is playing in the pack today after coming off the bench but she looks like a natural!

Lauren Brown kicks again, and the Jillaroos are five scores up.

The Jillaroos have kept their opponents at arm's length so far. Jess Sergis went in for an early try which really set the tone, with Isabelle Kelly since adding two more and Julia Robinson also crossing.

We've seen the very best of Ali Brigginshaw in open play, and Kezie Apps is already smiling like the job is done. You can hardly blame her!

Great from Brigginshaw again. She takes on the line then switches the direction of play, then Isabelle Kelly crashes over on the left once more.

Lauren Brown kicks the goal and there's a 20-point difference.

Ali Brigginshaw is brilliant! An inch-perfect kick from the Jillaroos co-captain turns around Madison Bartlett. Julia Robinson picks the ball out of the air off a favourable bounce, shrugs off Bartlett's challenge and storms to the line.

Brigginshaw is one from three with the boot after another near-miss.

The Jillaroos break forward after a forward pass by the Kiwi Ferns in an attacking position, they ship the ball left and Isabelle Kelly takes a pass, hands off a defender and crashes over.

Ali Brigginshaw misses the kick (she's one for two), but Australia already have a decent advantage.

Australia open the lead. Ali Brigginshaw darts across the line, throws an extravagant dummy and sends Jess Sergis onto a crash-ball. The centre barges through two tacklers to score.

Brigginshaw scores from the tee via a post and the Jillaroos have the early advantage.

The 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup final is underway!

There might be nobody who does the fierce haka face than New Zealand's Mya Hill-Moana. The perfect leader of a brilliant tradition. And now we're ready for kick-off.

Hairs on the neck stuff during the anthems, with Australia's Isabelle Kelly in particular showing a few tears. This is the big one!

The buzz at the Theatre of Dreams is something special.

Looking at the footage from the dressing rooms just now it seems there were some rousing speeches going on it there. These teams are going to be bang up for it come kick-off time at 1:15.

Oh my word, those are two strong-looking line-ups. How does Emma Tonegato only make it as a substitute after her performance against Papua New Guinea on Monday? That just shows the depth for the Jillaroos, and the Kiwi Ferns have similar quality on the bench.

It's a huge day ahead. Here's the full rundown of what we're expecting from Old Trafford.

Forget the problematic nonsense going on in Qatar over the next month, this is the big one. The women's final and the men's final... two massive games of rugby league.

After 36 days, it all comes down to this. If they come even close to the drama of last night's wheelchair final, we're in for one hell of a show!

If you hadn't already fallen in love with wheelchair rugby league, you have now.

That was incredible. The host nation does carry away a World Cup even after the double pain of last week's men's and women's semi-final losses. Tom Halliwell and his team are national heroes.

What a moment to keep your head, burst through the line and plant down the World Cup-winning try. Tom Halliwell just became a national hero!

TOM HALLIWELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Penalties have gone either way, with France levelling through Nicolas Clausells, then Nathan Collins tagging on two for England. Then Clausells again levels with another from distance.

Even the officials are getting hot under the collar now as we go down to the wire!

This is brilliant end-to-end stuff now. Jack Brown's second try appeared to have given England a serious edge at 22-14, but Gilles Clausells responds immediately off a pass from nephew Nicolas.

Still so little in it!

All five England players are involved from a set move as Lewis King sails in at the corner to give the hosts a first lead less than two minutes into the second half.

There's some real desperation in the tackling at times now and Joe Coyd for one is absolutely pumped. Every decision that goes his way is cheered like its the final hooter.

We're back underway. Forty minutes to decide who win's the Wheelchair World Cup!

This one has all the intensity you would expect of a World Cup final. Jack Brown had the ball over the line for what appeared to be a try but it was ruled out for a supposed infringement, but then he's in after Nathan Collins' great reverse pass. Collins' goal means there's only two points in it at the break.

England have brought on Jack Brown but it's France who have struck again. The hosts are again penalised for a ball steal and from the next set Mostefa Abassi goes in unchallenged in the right corner, with Nicolas Clausells goaling to give the world champions a two-score lead once more.

A brilliant cover tackle by Nicolas Clausells denied Lewis King as England threatened, then Joe Coyd was penalised for a push on Clausells to give France good field position. Julien Penella seemed to have got the ball down for a second try but had it ruled out for a double movement. When the hosts get up the other end Seb Bechara comes close but then Tom Halliwell makes it over under the sticks and Rob Hawkins converts. Game on!

France have been short of their usual best so far but still lead by eight points. They scored the first points thanks to a Lionel Alazard penalty after an incorrect play-the-ball by Rob Hawkins. Then Alazard was in at the corner after Les Bleus spread the play to the left. Nicolas Clausells goaled from the touchline.

Here comes the first of this weekend's three finals at a packed Manchester Central.

France coach Sylvain Crismanovich has just told the BBC that England are favourites because of their recent form, their quality players and their home advantage. It might be mind games, but it might also be true!

Make no mistake, France are fantastic. Julian Alazard, Jeremy Bourson, Gilles Clausells, Mostefa Abassi... these are all star names. But England can match them all over with this line-up. They've got Golden Boot winner Seb Bechara, Joe Coyd, Tom Halliwell, Lewis King and Rob Hawkins starting, and then the brilliant Jack Brown, Nathan Collins, Wayne Boardman, Declan Roberts and James Simpson to call upon off the bench. That's a fantastic team for Tom Coyd to have named. The quality in the starting team, the strike off the bench... it looks brilliant!

Not too many surprises, although France will be calling skipper Gilles Clausells off the bench. England have Nathan Collins and eight-try semi-final hero Jack Brown on the substitutes list ready to make an impact midway through the first half.

England captain Tom Halliwell has said he's hoping to win the World Cup tonight for rugby league legend Rob Burrow.

Do they come any bigger than this? No, they don't.

World champions France v World Cup hosts England. It's the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final between the same two teams who contested the 2013 and 2017 finals.

This is going to be massive!

The Kiwi Ferns have reached their fifth World Cup final in five attempts!

It's a 20-6 victory for the three-time winners, and the hosts are left devastated. They were just second best to a very good side tonight.

Jodie Cunningham - now with two black eyes - losing possession from Georgia Roche's pass and it's a chance missed. Can they really score three times in 17 minutes against a team who only conceded twice against world champions Australia?

A big 90 seconds, there. England received the ball from a goal-line drop-out but failed to put together a structured set, and when the Kiwi Ferns get the ball back they make big metres and Brianna Clark breaks through a gap to score under the sticks.

Nicholls converts, and that 14-point lead feels huge.

Great try from New Zealand. Mele Hufanga cuts across the face, Apii Nicholls somehow keeps the ball alive, and when the ball goes left Otesa Pule has the space to break through the line.

It's the Kiwi Ferns' third try, and Nicholls' kick gives them a two-score lead.

England or New Zealand? We'll find out in the next 40 minutes.

The Kiwi Ferns are looking formidable at times but England are sticking with it and look like they could pick off New Zealand when they get some momentum up.

This is perfectly poised at the halfway point.

Raecene McGregor's in. She takes advantage of a tiring England defence to just about nudge her way to the line and the Kiwi Ferns have their first lead.

Apii Nicholls takes the shot this time but hits the post so there's only two points in it.

This is one hell of a semi-final. New Zealand are really making some metres in their sets now but England are holding on gainfully. There's a storm to be ridden here.

New Zealand pull it back. Mele Hufanga is in after a bit of broken play, as Amber Hall went barging through from the loose pass.

Brianna Clark misses a fairly kickable conversion, so England still lead.

Apii Nicholls makes a meal of Georgia Roche's kick, and from the scrum England have the territory. They make an overlap on the right and Fran Goldthorp chimes into the line brilliantly to score.

Tara Stanley pops over the goal from out wide and England are 6-0 up!

Was Emily Rudge fazed by the Haka? The big nodding head and wry grin suggests the England captain was not one bit intimidated. Can she lead her side to the World Cup final?

It's been a mixed bag of semi-finals for England over the last couple of days. Heartache for the men, destruction from the wheelchair athletes. What of the women? We're about to find out.

So who faces Australia in the final? It's England or New Zealand, and that semi-final comes next.

Here's the England 17, and it looks strong!

As soon as they got a couple of scores ahead it was never in doubt, but Australia are now officially World Cup finalists again. Emma Tonegato added a second-half treble to Isabelle Kelly's first-half hat-trick, and Shenae Ciesiolka scored twice as 10 Jillaroos got on the trysheet.

They have their game face on ahead of the final at Old Trafford on Saturday

The NRLW fitness and experience are telling here. Australia are seriously on their game heading towards the final. Five more tries already in the second half, with Emma Tonegato grabbing two of them. They've had nine different scorers among their 13 tries. Even a clever short kick-off and regather hasn't put Papua New Guinea on the scoreboard.

The Jillaroos are heading to the final with a wet sail.

Isabelle Kelly (below) has completed her hat-trick among eight Australia tries in total. After that first nine minutes in which there was an error or two in the champs' play and the Orchids looked to be on it, it has been one-way traffic. Brad Donald will be very happy with that last 30 minutes of the first half.

Australia are just too good so far. First Keeley Davis went over from acting half after a Papua New Guinea mistake had given the Jillaroos some territory, then Isabelle Kelly got on the end of two right-to-left passing moves in quick succession to put the world champions 14 points to the good.

The Orchids have a job on here.

Has the semi-final drama so far not been enough for you? Here's some more then! It's women's semi-finals night, with Australia facing Papua New Guinea and England v New Zealand.

First up at 5pm, it's the Jillaroos, the two-time defending champions, up against the Orchids.

What a display that was from England! 

Catch our full report down below as Jack Brown scores EIGHT tries!

England are off to a flyer!

Seb Bechara has already bagged a hat-trick and England lead 22-0 after 13 mins. 

Surely their final spot vs France is already secured. 

That was absolutely remarkable from France. They showed just how good they are going forward and booked their place in the Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup final. 

They'll discover their opponents, either England or Wales, later today. 

That game kicks off at 2.30pm and we will bring you the team news shortly. 

Here's our preview piece ahead of today's action as well as the a look ahead back on England's heartbreak against Samoa. 

It's wheelchair semi-final day tomorrow, but we're not sure we'll be able to regather our energy in time after the games the four men's semi-finalists served up!

Spare a thought for Elliott Whitehead, who was brilliant for England.

But Samoa are worthy finalists, and after losing 60-6 in Newcastle four weeks ago they have their revenge and are heading to Old Trafford!

That was incredible drama. How Crichton has kept his cool to land that from 30 yards I have no idea.

Here's the full-time report from a ridiculous afternoon.

After England twice throw the ball away cheaply, Samoa are into the final as Stephen Crichton launches a massive drop-goal from deep.

History made, in an absolute epic.

Nobody does heartbreak quite like England, eh?!

The most incredible of games of rugby league.

We have more to come.

It's golden-point extra time.

Stunning, stunning drama. It turns out Australia v New Zealand was a mere appetiser.

Anyone else feel ill?

KICKS IT! 26-26!!!!!!

George Williams skips through, sends in Herbie Farnworth and England have scored from an 80-metre move!

MASSIVE kick coming up,

Stephen Crichton plucks Victor Radley's pass out of the air just when England were building up all the momentum and goes 60 metres to the line.

What about that? This is incredible drama.

He goals too, and it's 26-20 to Samoa with barely five minutes to go.

Last 10. Anybody's game! England fans right in it! Samoa giving it everything!

Who wins?

I mean, can you?!

Oh, this game! Oh, rugby league!

Junior Paulo pushes Sam Tomkins before he lands after a kick, and England have a penalty where Joseph Suaali'i collects, 10 metres out.

They go for two, and Makinson ties up the match.

Five tacklers! Herbie Farnworth just bumped off FIVE tacklers! Superb try, England right back in it.

This is a second stupendous semi-final in the space of 19 hours. What did we do to deserve this?!

Makinson goals, and there's two points in it!

Samoa lose the ball in their own half, a true rarity. From the next set, Elliott Whitehead can't quite dribble the ball past the line from George Williams' kick but they receive the drop-out. Jack Welsby's kick is just too strong on the six that follow so there's no try for John Bateman but Jarome Luai has conceded a penalty so there's still hope for England.

Is that the crucial try of this semi-final?

After Young's drop, there's a penalty at the scrum and then the winger dives out of the line in desperation to make up for his error but misses Jarome Luai, who puts in Tim Lafai for a second try.

Crichton can't convert but Samoa have the first two-score lead of the contest.

Sam Tomkins mops up well as Lafai kicks on the last in tight space, all of which came after England's attacking kick had been far too short and put Samoa in good territory for six tackles.

When Samoa next attack Dom Young puts down the most simple of catches and the visitors are in a great position to strike again.

How on earth Samoa managed to keep that ball alive I'll never know. Jarome Luai looked to be out of options on the last but then somehow found Junior Paulo, who offloaded the ball over his head for Luai to tip back and Stephen Crichton took it for a run-in try which gives his side a third lead.

He's kicked the goal too, so they're 16-12 up.

Well, well, well! England are unstructured again, it looks all messy. But then Tim Lafai's drops a simple George Williams kick close to his own line, and John Bateman mops up the loose ball for a simple try.

Makinson notches the goal easily and the hosts lead.

The second half is underway!

Samoa lead 10-6 at the break, and it's no great surprise on the balance of play. They've been big and brave through the middle and have turned England's right edge over twice for great tries. The hosts' attack looks raggy at best.

Shaun Wane has a huge half-time team talk ahead of him!

Fantastic from Ligi Sao!

The back-rower finds himself at dummy half when Samoa are shaped up to go right, but he goes to the blind side, throws the dummy to turn around Dom Young and goes himself, sliding over the line under a two-man tackle.

Superb try, and the lead has changed hands again. What a semi-final!

Stephen Crichton is successful this time from almost exactly the same spot as his last effort.

Tim Lafai tries to elbow Dom Young out of the contest for a high ball and England get a penalty deep in Samoa's end of the grass but their grubber is too long.

Meanwhile Fa'amanu Brown has failed his HIA and Oregon Kaufusi's check is ongoing. The visitors are down on numbers.

Elliott Whitehead is over, but that's brilliant from George Williams!

The scrum-half breaks through two defenders and feeds his former Canberra Raiders team-mate for an unchallenged run to the line. That's 11 tries in 24 internationals for Whitehead!

Makinson knocks over the two, and England have their first lead.

Shaun Wane is not enjoying what he's seeing from his side. So many near-misses! After Watkins' no-try, there's a Sam Tomkins kick that isn't taken from Herbie Farnworth under pressure from Brian To'o, and then Junior Paulo returns from his enforced break. Samoa are back to 13.

Samoa create an opportunity out wide but Jaydn Su'A is forced into touch. And from the resulting set, England are over.

They spread the ball wide on the right, finally make the most of the one-player advantage, but Kallum Watkins loses the ball as he attempts to ground. Wonderful defence from Lafai. Brilliant stuff!

George Williams' speculative pass is cut out by Stephen Crichton. It was a panic move early in the count, and Samoa put England back in their own half but Tommy Makinson makes good metres until Fa'amanu Brown is knocked out cold. Toa Samoa call upon their third-choice hooker in Chanel Harris-Tavita, while Oregon Kaufusi also trudges off needing attention for a head cut.

Ten minutes for Junior Paulo, and rightly so. He turns Tom Burgess on his head in the tackle and Gerard Sutton sends him for a breather. Big 10 coming up!

The hosts need to go set for set here and regain a foothold. Samoa look dangerous and England could do with a bit of ground.

Tim Lafai's in! That first bit of territory for Samoa proves crucial. They shift the ball left, Jarome Luai throws the cut-out pass and Lafai outdoes Kallum Watkins to score.

England trail for the first time in the World Cup, but Stephen Crichton can't make it a six-point gap.

After their poor kick-off, Samoa also kick it out on the last in their first set. England have had most of the field position so far as the two sides trade early blows but a repeat set puts the visitors into the England half for the first time.

Samoa kick off, and kick out! Penalty England.

Spine-tingling. As simple as that!

Can we just bring the game forward and kick off now? It would help our nerves no end!

Arsenal Stadium has never looked so beautiful...

Here's the England line-up, and it's a strong-looking one. There's only one alteration from the side which hammered Samoa in the Group A opener, with John Bateman in - he was suspended at St James' Park - and Mike McMeeken down on the bench rather than Matty Lees.

It's second semi-final day, and after last night's sensational clash between Australia and New Zealand, it's England versus Samoa for the second time in this year's Rugby League World Cup.

Here's everything you need to know about today's huge match-up.

Again!

Worth a scroll down to relive that one over and over again. And then there's England v Samoa in the other semi-final tomorrow.

This World Cup is well and truly alive!

Australia have now reached 15 straight finals.

They've won 17 World Cup matches on the trot.

Josh Addo-Carr has scored 12 tries in four matches at RLWC2021.

Of 3654 metres gained between the two sides in that 80 minutes, Australia had only 40 more than New Zealand.

New Zealand completed their sets at 89% to Australia's 86, and still lost.

If you don't mind, we're just going to stick around here all night delivering superlatives every five minutes.

Sport at its absolute finest. Australia hang on in a game the like of which you will very rarely see.

Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

I mean it when I say, this is absolutely anybody's.

And it is wonderful.

They're in Australian territory for the first time in what feels like a decade, and the Kiwis get over the line but it's no try. Peta Hiku touches down but jumps from outside the field of play and the ball is on the line anyway. And all that from a great kick return by Rapana and a wonderful break by Nicoll-Klokstad.

Nuts. Utterly nuts. Sporting wonder.

Who's up for a rewatch of this straight after full-time? What a wonderful game. New Zealand are somehow still in it, they just need to find a way to summon the energy to get up the field now. The action has been all at the Don Revie Stand end of Elland Road for most of this second half.

Ronaldo Mulitalo dives across with a great read to take in a grubber near his own line as the Kiwis again just about hang on. Can the Aussies put them to bed?

But for a push on Kieran Foran, the Kangaroos were surely in again. It feels like New Zealand are just about at breaking point after a massive first 50 minutes. They're sucking the air in. Can they find a second wind?

Should he have been in the bin?!

Cameron Murray bursts over from first receiver at a tap penalty after the Kiwis are caught offside as their defence slows. He might have been binned by another referee, but he's made the most of it.

Cleart goals, and Australia lead again. It's 16-14.

Fisticuffs agogo! Cameron Murray runs in on Isaiah Papali'i when the Kiwi crows in the face of Nathan Cleary following a lost ball. It starts up a bit of a melee, but referee Ashley Klein chooses not to sit the Kangaroos sub down for 10 minutes.

Australia have a reset tackle count after the ball takes a New Zealand hand, then they get six again for a play-the-ball infringement. But Cameron Murray loses the ball when there's a hand in and the Aussies don't use their Captain's Challenge. It feels like a missed opportunity when they had the Kiwis on the back foot.

NZ make it well into Australian territory on their next set and Moses Leota brilliantly keeps the ball alive when the Kangaroos don't deal with a Jahrome Hughes kick, feeding Peta Hiku for the try. But Jordan Rapana was offside from the kick and interfered so it's a no try!

More of the same please! We're back underway...

What unbelievable rugby league! These sides never disappoint, and New Zealand lead by four points having delivered easily their best 40 minutes of the World Cup so far.

Breathless stuff. Utterly breathless.

Dylan Brown is over and the Kiwis are back in front! It's a great break down the short side and Mulitalo takes on the Aussies' defence before throwing the ball back inside for Brown to dive over. Wonderful rugby league.

Rapana kicks the goal and they lead 14-10.

Australia are just trying to take the sting out of the Kiwi attack now. They have the lead and want to keep their opponents at arm's length. Harry Grant is making a difference in the middle, and the favourites look dangerous from deep.

It's so well poised!

That is genius from Jack Wighton, and a try for Valentine Holmes!

The Kangaroos seem to be penned in their own 20 but ship the ball out well and Liam Martin makes a break down the right. Later in the set, Wighton appears to be foiled metres short of the line by Joey Manu but the centre somehow throws the ball out off the floor and Holmes makes a great pick-up and walks it in. Absolutely genius stuff from Wighton.

Cleary misses the kick, but Australia have their first lead of the semi-final

It's nine offloads to one so far in the favour of New Zealand, and they win a penalty for offside after Tedesco can't hold Hughes' grubber and Munster collects in front of him.

Rapana steps up and slots over the two points to put the Kiwis back in front.

Wow! Just wow!

Australia looked all at sea as New Zealand attacked again, but then the Kangaroos break away on the right, and from the next play-the-ball Ben Hunt puts up a perfect crossfield bomb from deep, Jordan Rapana is back-pedalling furiously but Josh Addo-Carr runs onto it brilliantly to collect and score. Magnificent!

Cleary adds the two, and it's 6-6.

New Zealand's pressure pays off! The kick from Dylan Brown on the last is a good one, and Joey Manu gets up superbly to beat Latrell Michell in the air and pat down for Jahrome Hughes to collect and dive over.

Jordan Rapana converts. Is the shock on?

Australlia put themselves under pressure after Ben Hunt's 40/20 attempt wasn't even close, it landed in the seats of the John Charles Stand! But then Hunt scrambles brilliantly to take Brandon Smith's grubber and save his side on the resulting set.

The Kiwis are firing most of the shots so far.

Great play on both sides! Cameron Munster forces an error with his trademark ball steal, then when the Kiwis get the ball back there's a great 30-metre run and pass off the floor from Ronaldo Mulitalo but the Aussies hang on.

Superb start.

The Haka is over, the anthems are done. We are ready to go for one of the biggest games in rugby league.

If you need a pre-match reminder of how much these two nations like to get under each other's skin, here's the Haka from the 2008 World Cup final between them...

If you weren't excited before, you will be now. Just look at some of those names going up against each other!

Australia v New Zealand? Men's Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final?

Don't mind if we do!

It's the Jillaroos who just - JUST - top Group B, meaning they face Papua New Guinea in the semi-final and New Zealand face England. What a contest that was, though.

Australia lead New Zealand by just two points at the half-time break!

The teams are in as the Jillaroos take on the Kiwi Ferns!

Cook Islands come out on top in against France!

Wales have completed the semi-final line-up in the wheelchair tournament with their win over Scotland, which followed another big France victory over the USA earlier in the day.

So here's the semi-final schedule for Sunday in Sheffield...

12pm: France v Australia

2:30pm: England v Wales

Well that was bloody enjoyable. Here's the full match report from a great England performance.

What a wonderful win this has been. Amy Hardcastle walks in a second after the ball is put through hands on the left, and Stanley adds a fifth kick.

After being denied three times in the first half, Caitlin Beevers finally has her first try of the night. Georgia Roche's great cut-out pass finds the winger in just enough space to dive in at the corner.

Stanley misses, just falling short, so is four for seven tonight and 17 for 32 in the competition.

A hat-trick for Leah Burke. All from Courtney Winfield-Hill kicks, and the last two have been sensational diving finishes. Dive, catch, ground, all in one movement, staying in play to boot. That's magnificent!

Stanley kicks a fourth in a row, and England are home and hosed now at 32-6, with PNG also down to 12 after Carol Humeu's sin-binning moments ago for slowing down the play-the-ball.

The Orchids are tiring now and Vicky Whitfield is not! A great move from England as they ship the ball left and the prop forward takes a lead line off Courtney Winfield-Hill's pass before bursting through the defence to score.

Stanley converts, and it's a 22-point lead for the home side.

That is special! Another Winfield-Hill kick, another catch from Leah Burke, but this was a diving effort over the try line to score for England.

Tara Stanley kicks the goal and England have a 20-4 lead.

Good half from England. They bounced back after a slow first four minutes, crossed three times without scoring through Caitlin Beevers on each occasion, then eventually got their reward with three tries.

And Jodie Cunningham has a wonderful shiner. This is a proper test in every regard.

Debatable one, this one! Tara Stanley scores for England, but it went up to the video referee as Ben Casty wasn't sure if there was a double movement. James Child says it's fine, and England extend their lead.

Stanley kicks the goal from the right touchline.

And now England lead! Again it's down the left that they strike, this time Winfield-Hill throws a dummy, feeds Fran Goldthorp and then Amy Hardcastle races onto a pass and scores her 22nd try in 22 England appearances.

Stanley hits the post this time.

After three (YES, THREE!) near-things for Caitlin Beevers, England stretch the play to the left this time and Courtney Winfield-Hill lofts a perfect kick into the path of Leah Burke, who catches and drops over the line.

Tara Stanley's poor trot with the boot continues, that's 13 from 26 now at the World Cup.

We knew this wouldn't be easy! Martha Molowia capitalises on the overlap after PNG had built pressure on the England line, going in at the corner.

Veivers misses from the tee but the visitors lead.

The boot of Emily Veivers gets us underway! The top spot in Group A is up for grabs.

Canada take the W against Brazil with a late try from Alanna Fittes!

England's starting 13 to face Papua New Guinea at Headingley tonight has been named!

Canada return to the dressing room with a 10-6 lead at half time against Brazil.

Next up at Headingley in Leeds, Canada and Brazil - the two teams England have beaten so far - make their final appearances in the Rugby League World Cup women's tournament.

The winner claims third place in Group A.

Two down, two to go as Group A of the women's tournament reaches its climax. Check out our RLWC Today piece for full details...

England end up tearing Ireland apart. James Simpson and Joe Coyd finish with four tries each in a 21-try performance. Top spot well and truly locked in.

Nathan Collins has a hat-trick, and Lewis King is finally on the scoresheet after following up Declan Roberts' hack ahead on the last tackle. Adam Rigby then completely outstrips the cover for England's 17th try. The century is calling!

England are 78-0 up thanks to Nathan Collins' second try, but the real story now is that Declan Roberts has come on for the hosts meaning he is now up against his father Phil (pictured).

Ireland are providing a sterner test to start the second half, with Jack Brown's hat-trick try the only score since the interval so far.

Exhibition stuff from England. Jack Brown comes off the bench and immediately chases down Nathan Collins' kick to score, then Collins converts his own try to make it 60-0 and Brown quickly grabs a second to take them to the interval with a 66-point advantage.

Tom Halliwell has his second as he chases Joe Coyd's grubber to finish brilliantly in the corner, and Coyd then breaks clear for his third. Nathan Collins is two for two from the tee since taking over from Coyd with the kicks.

James Simpson has added two tries and both Bechara and Coyd have completed a brace. This is a rout from England so far!

England are well on their way already. Seb Bechara (right) and Tom Halliwell (centre) are already among the scorers, with Joe Coyd also grabbing a try and two goals.

One-way traffic!

England need just to avoid a heavy defeat to take top spot in Group A against Ireland at the Copper Box. Here are the two teams...

Australia and Rugby League World Cups, eh? The Wheelaroos have beaten Spain 52-32 today to book a place in the semi-finals of the wheelchair tournament.

Good news for both teams in this one. Good news for Australia because they won 92 points to nil. Good news for France because at least they didn't concede 100. Small mercies and all that. Three hat-trick scorers for the Jillaroos, with three each for Chapman and Robinson and a fab four for Sergis. This Australia side is going to take some beating.

New Zealand impressed against the Cook Islands, running out 34-4 winners. It was a superb day for McGregor and Hufanga, who walked out with a brace each. Rota, Hall and Nuuausala rounded out the scoring for the victors. Cook Islands got on the scoreboard through Wiki, but struggled to make a dent beyond that.

Brilliant breakaway at pace from Sione Katoa. The conversion is good and there's two points in it. 

A ball over the top somehow squirms through Tonga's defence on the bounce and To'o gets the easiest try he'll ever score. Crichton gave his side the two-score lead with his fourth successful kick out of four. 

Samoa's turn with the penalty now. Crichton edges his side in front. Fine margins.

A high tackle penalty is converted by Katoa and we are level in Warrington.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho comes off the bench to make an impact, giving Tonga a foothold in this game. Katoa converts. Game on.

Some fleet-footed skills from Luai see him through a gap in the Tongan line. Crichton puts it between the posts.

Tupou comes in as the extra man on the left with a smart overlap to get Tonga on the board. Conversion falls just short.

Su'a opens the scoring five minutes in. Crichton with the conversion.

We are underway at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Here are the sides:

Another try for Hawkins and another conversion for Roberts. England take it to triple digits.

Dec Roberts claims his hat-trick and adds the two himself. He's been superb since coming on.

Coyd with an unbelievable flicked pass sets Hawkins up. He's walloped to the floor but gets back up with a smile. What a try. Roberts adds the two.

Adam Rigby dives over for a dramatic tie. This game might be dead and buried but England are producing moments of style. Roberts converts.

Coyd doubles up and the conversion is good. What a performance from England.

Joe Coyd joins the scoring party and Roberts takes over the kicking with a powerful effort.

Gonzalez with Spain's first points for a while as he sinks a kick.

Collins weaves through and passes for King to score. Collins then made it seven from seven from the kick.

A double for Dec! Roberts scores his second his coming on before Collins kicks it over. 

Seconds into the second half, sub Dec Roberts goes over. Collins keeps up his 100% record on the kick.

Mere seconds later, Brown combines with Hawkins again. Collins converts to make it 50 points for England.

Brown passes to Hawkins, who darts over at high speed. Collins converts.

Boardman racks up his second try of the match. England are turning on the style now. Collins adds the extras

Hawkins races over, putting his renowned speed to good use. Collins takes over kicking duties and converts.

A brilliant weave from Brown opens up the space for Halliwell to cross over. Boardman misses the kick.

Boardman goes over but can't convert his try. 22-10.

A pass from Tom Halliwell sets up James Simpson for an England response. Boardman with the conversion.

Spain hit back yet again! Raphael Monedero scores and Gonzalez converts. Game on.

We could be in for a high-scorer here. Brown goes over again. Boardman adds the extras. 

Two tries in two minutes! Gonzalez goes over to get Spain back into the game.

That was quick! Jack Brown goes over with 25 seconds on the clock. Boardman converts. What a start for England.

Wheelchair action kicks off another big day at the Rugby League World Cup. Here are the sides as England take on Spain.

New Zealand booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 24-18 win over Fiji in a game of the tournament contender at the MKM Stadium on Saturday night. 

England booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals after a scintillating performance in front of a packed-out and raucous DW Stadium, thrashing Papua New Guinea 46-6. 

England put in an accomplished performance to beat Canada 54-4 in their Rugby League World Cup Group A showdown on Saturday afternoon.

It was smooth sailing for Australia as they booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with a 48-4 win over Lebanon at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield on Friday night.

England Wheelchair got their tournament off to a great start. 

Read our report below.

Spain have gotten off to a flying start with victory over Ireland this evening

The third of the three simultaneous Rugby League World Cups gets off to a flyer tonight. England are one of the teams on display in a double-header at the Copper Box Arena in London as the Wheelchair World Cup takes the spotlight.

We have all the action covered...

It's been one hell of a start to the women's tournament, with the bigger names turning it on from the start. Here are the results so far.

GROUP A

England 72-4 Brazil

Papua New Guinea 34-12 Canada

GROUP B

New Zealand 46-0 France

Australia 74-0 Cook Islands

Here's the full report as England get off to the perfect start

Olivia Wood is in for England's 14th try right on the hooter, Tara Stanley kicks her eighth goal at they have a handsome 72-4 on opening day.

Courtney Winfield-Hill has three! Hollie Dodd sends in the half-back for her hat-trick try!

Stanley goals.

Winfield-Hill and Hardcastle combine to feed Leah Burke, who hands off two and crashes over in the corner. England have 60.

Stanley hits the crossbar from the touchline.

It's Hardcastle again! 24th England try! She gets clear on the left then steps inside the full-back to stroll in.

Stanley kicks and it's 56-4.

Normal service resumes! Tara Jones follows the first law of rugby league... always run at the ref! The Brazilians leave a gap by the official and the hooker goes over from acting half.

Stanley goals, and that's the half-century.

Caitlin Beevers is pinged from a high tackle, then from the tap penalty there's a quick offload and Natalia Momberg goes through a gaping hole in the defence. It's a first World Cup try for the Amazonas!

They miss the kick, but it's 44-4.

Courtney Winfield-Hill and Fran Goldthorp spread the play well on the left and Amy Hardcastle is in in the left corner for the 23rd try of her international career.

No goal for Stanley.

Brazil make a hash of a Georgia Roche kick and Fran Goldthorp pounces for her side's eighth try.

Stanley converts, and five minutes into the restart it's 40-0 to England.

Another for Tara Stanley! A wonderful step off the left foot gives her just enough space to plant the ball down in the corner and it's 34-0.

She can't convert but England have a big lead at half-time.

The record try scorer is in! It's a 22nd England try for Amy Hardcastle as the hosts put on a scrum play and the centre charges over from 35 metres out.

Stanley adds a third conversion.

Great set from England. Having held Brazil on the last 10 yards from their own line, the hosts put together a disciplined set and Grace Field charges through to score under the sticks.

Stanley goals.

Winfield-Hill at the double! Just when England looked to have lost an opportunity, Brazil gave away a penalty and then the scrum-half exploits a gap as the Amazonas shoot out of the line.

Stanley gets her first kick from four attempts.

Brilliant from Courtney Winfield-Hill. She throws a dummy, goes to the line, beats off two defenders and takes an angled run to the line. Wonderful stuff by the half-back.

None for three for Tara Stanley from the tee.

Tara Stanley's in! Again England ship the ball right, and Georgia Roche tees up Stanley, who bursts through the gap.

She can't convert her own try though.

What a start for England! Brazil lose the ball in their first set, then Georgia Roche throws the big cut-out pass for Caitlin Beevers to dive it at the corner.

Tara Stanley can't kick the two off the touchline.

The Women's Rugby League World Cup is underway...! Tara-Jane Stanley kicks off for England.

Kick-off is just 15 minutes away. The women's tournament has been a long time in coming.

The England line-up has been confirmed and it looks very, very strong.

England captain Emily Rudge says she's been itching to get out on the field with her side. The wait is over at 2:30pm.

Brazil head coach Paul Grundy says he has used the men's RLWC to help give pointers to his side ahead of only their third ever international fixture.

The England head coach can't contain his excitement after finally getting his squad together ahead of today's opener against Brazil.

Ahead of the opening games of the Women's World Cup, we've been conducting a string of interviews with some of the star names of the tournament.

First up, here's Brazil captain Maria Graf discussing her nation's first ever participation at this level.

Finally the women's competition starts at the Rugby League World Cup today. Group A gets lift-off with England against Brazil at 2:30, then Papua New Guinea face Canada.

Here's the full guide, including flutter opportunities and all sorts.

Papua New Guinea have beaten Wales 36-0, sending the Dragons out while booking themselves a quarter-final fixture against England in Wigan next Saturday.

The men's last eight is now set!

So here's the last-eight lineup as it stands with one group game left to play...

Friday 4 Nov, 7:30pm (Huddersfield): AUSTRALIA v LEBANON

Saturday 5 Nov, 2:30pm (Wigan): ENGLAND v Group D runners-up

Saturday 5 Nov, 7:30pm (Hull): NEW ZEALAND v FIJI

Sunday 6 Nov, 2:30pm (Warrington): TONGA v SAMOA

It's a huge win for Samoa, in more than one sense. France are put to the sword, with Taylan May scoring four tries as Toa Samoa book a quarter-final against Tonga next weekend. The French are out at the first hurdle again.

It's looking like a Tonga-Samoa quarter-final as it stands. Taylan May has scored three of Samoa's five tries in the first half in Warrington and it's a healthy advantage for the favourites. France have work to do.

Here are the squads for the final game of Group A. Second place is up for grabs...

As a contest, that was a huge let-down. Cook Islands were better in the second half but not by much. Viliami Penisini crossed for four tries and Tesi Niu three as the Tongans stroll to top spot. They'll play the winners of the next game - Samoa v France - in the quarters.

It's an embarrassingly easy cake walk for Tonga at the moment. Jason Taumalolo has come back with a first-half double and there have also been a couple of tries each for Tesi Niu and Viliami Penisini. All this after it looked as though the Cook Islands were going 6-4 up only to have a try ruled out by the video ref. The Kukis have not shown up here.

Here are the teams for Tonga v Cook Islands. The Mate Ma'a know a win will confirm them as Group D winners and they'll await the winners of Samoa v France later today.

Jamaica bow out, but they've provided great entertainment and after a poor first-half display they racked up a couple of tries in the second period to leave with a bit of a cheer.

Lebanon? They're through to face Australia in the quarter-finals at the John Smith's on Friday night. Good luck with that one!

Absolute one-way traffic so far in Leigh. Lebanon are dominant, with Adam Doueihi and Mitchell Moses causing havoc and the Cedars have seven tries from seven different scorers. Jamaica counting the cost of being asked for three big World Cup performances in the space of a fortnight. But for a video ref decision when they were held up in the opening moments, this has been a rout.

Before that first kick-off at 12pm, check out the full line-up for Sunday. There are three games coming up!

There's a big day ahead on Day 16 of the Rugby League World Cup, and first up it's Lebanon v Jamaica in Group C. A Lebanon win, and they face Australia on Friday night in the quarter-finals.

That Australia win firms up our first quarter-final fixture as we now know that New Zealand meet Fiji on Saturday in Hull.

Here's the lineup:

Friday 4 Nov, 7:30pm (Huddersfield): AUSTRALIA v Group C runners-up

Saturday 5 Nov, 2:30pm (Wigan): ENGLAND v Group D runners-up

Saturday 5 Nov, 7:30pm (Hull): NEW ZEALAND v FIJI

Sunday 6 Nov, 2:30pm (Warrington): Group D winner v Group A runners-up

Australia end their group with 192 points, having conceded just 14.

It's no 94-4 win though is it, lads?!

Lindsay Collins crashes over on the hooter and the Kangaroos have six tries in each half. Cleary slots a ninth kick and the handshakes begin. Job done for the champs.

Jeremiah Nanai adds his name to the scoresheet. Yeo and Cherry-Evans combine and the forward bursts onto the ball to dot down.

Cleary goals again. It's sixty.

Some great set-up play gets the Kangaroos downfield, then Daly Cherry-Evans switches a pass back inside for Campbell Graham to go over for his second.

Cleary is 7 from 10 with the boot.

Cameron Murray's in. Fun's over. Cleary's kicked the goal. Reality bites!

Italy go for the short kick-off and retrieve the ball. Later in the count, Radean Robinson kicks through and Ronny Palumbo pounces.

FORZA AZZURRI! The champions are breached for the first time in two games. Wonderful moment, and Jack Campagnolo adds the extras too.

They trail 42-6, but who cares at this point?!

Liam Martin is over from Cleary's pass as Italy's right-side defence disintegrates, and Cleary adds the goal.

But the big news in that passage of play is a knee injury for James Tedesco. He seems to twist it a little in a tackle and he's been immediately removed as a precaution.

Isaah Yeo is the first one over the line in the second half. James Tedesco made a great break in behind, then fed Daly Cherry-Evans who found Yeo with the final pass despite there being an Italian hanging off his shirt tails.

Cleary turns four to six, and Australia lead 36-0.

...not with an Italy score, but with a chance to hear from Shaun Wane after England's 94-4 win earlier.

What a pass from Latrell Mitchell! He draws Italy's last defender on a right-to-left shift then throws a brilliant flicked pass behind his back to Murray Taulagi. It's a walk-in for the grateful winger.

Cleary misses from the touchline, but Mitchell provides the moment of the half bang on the half-time hooter.

30-0 at the break.

There were only going to be so many tries before Mitchell notched one himself. Cleary adds the two and Australia are predictably in complete command.

Campbell Graham strolls in. He collects a misjudged short drop-out from Italy, rides a challenge and practically walks over the line. Too easy.

Cleary splits the aitches, and it's 20-0 inside half an hour.

Oh, he's good, that James Tedesco. And don't Italy know it, since he used to play for them! He collects a pass on the right, throws an outrageous dummy and goes himself to put Australia 12-0 up.

Cleary makes it 14-0.

Try number two! The Australians shift the ball left and there are numbers over, Murray Taulagi finishing off in the corner.

Cleary misses again. Remember how the Kiwis missed six of 10 last night?!

It took seven minutes, but Valentine Holmes gets the Kangaroos off the mark from Daly Cherry-Evans' perfectly-placed kick.

Nathan Cleary hits the post with the conversion.

We'll do our best to keep up with the tries, just as we did in the England game, but this one might really test us!

So, if Australia win, they're through to play the runners-up in Group C on Friday night. And that is what will almost certainly happen.

But if Italy win by anywhere between 70 and 80 they progress at Fiji's expense, and if they win by 81-plus they go through and Australia are out.

It's a funny scenario, that second one, but the top line tells you all you need to know.

...And we don't mean the Azzurri! It's world champions Australia against Italy next. Italy need to win by 70 to progress, but it's more likely they'll lose by 70.

What a contest! Scotland finally put in a performance, even if they go down with a little to spare. Henry Raiwalui and Sunia Turuva turned it on for the Fiji Bati, meaning they are almost certainly into the last eight.

Scotland are really giving this one a go. Luke Bain was sin-binned for a high shot on Sunia Turuva just after the break, and when Maika Sivo scored it looked like game over at 24-8.

But Bayley Liu scored a great try as the Scots continue to give as good as they get. This one's a great contest.

Henry Raiwalui has set up one try, scored another and handed a third to Lachlan Walmsley of Scotland in a crazy first-half performance. His assist for Viliame Kikau's effort was immense (see below), and he's the main reason Fiji lead 18-8 at the break. For the Bravehearts, Ben Hellewell has made things interesting with his touchdown just before the interval but two Walmsley misses from the tee could prove vital.

A couple of early tries from Taniela Sadrugu and Viliame Kikau looked set to begin a bit of a landslide, but Lachlan Walmsley has just picked off a Fiji pass to go about 90 metres to the line and bring Scotland back into it.

He was unable to convert his own try though, so Fiji have a 12-4 lead.

How do these two follow that from England?!

But for Morgan Knowles' disallowed try that could have been 100! Marc Sneyd was fantastic, scoring 30 points and assisting six tries.

After the first 20 minutes, that was absolutely inch perfect, and the full match report is below.

SPOILERS: There are a lot of tries in there!

Eleven different try scorers! Dom Young sends Mike McMeeken in. One more for 100!

Sneyd has 13 kicks.

Another one! This time Ackers gets his second as Sneyd sets up a great move off the back of Burgess' break.

Another kick for Sneyd too.

Kai Pearce-Paul goes over for the 15th England try after George Williams stands up a static Greece defence.

Sneyd hits the post trying to make it 84-4.

Andy Ackers deserves that for his performance today. He takes it from dummy half shortly after Greece had tried to be too clever from a goal-line drop-out.

Sneyd gets his 11th kick.

Joe Batchelor - who was guilty of not sending Ryan Hall in for an easy try a few minutes ago - gets on the end of a great right-to-left move to dive over.

Sneyd misses for only the third time in 13 attempts.

Sneyd is having a wow of a game! He slings out a huge cut-out pass, missing out two players to send in Ryan Hall for his second of the afternoon.

The half-back makes the kick too. Twenty minutes left and England lead by 64.

Sneyd is having a wow of a game! He slings out a huge cut-out pass, missing out two players to send in Ryan Hall for his second of the afternoon.

The half-back makes the kick too. Twenty minutes left and England lead by 64.

Easy for Tom Burgess, and that's his second. England win a penalty at close range, then Sneyd holds the ball long enough to send Burgess through a gap.

Sneyd kicks, and it's 62-4.

End-to-end stuff from England. Williams takes the ball from deep and is tackled on halfway, but Bateman then carries it well and feeds Sneyd for the hosts' 10th try.

The try scorer adds an eighth goal.

Tommy Makinson dives gratefully on the ball after Marc Sneyd's chip over the top isn't dealt with. One Greece player had an air-shot kick at it, another lost it from his grasp and the St Helens man drops on it for four points.

Sneyd kicks again and the 50 is up.

George Williams is over on the stroke of half-time. Jack Welsby feeds Chris Hill, who finds Williams for the run-in under the sticks.

Sneyd converts easily and England are dominant by the hooter.

We're running out of Dom Young pictures! He's got another as England make the overlap on the right and Kai Pearce-Paul draws the last defender before feeding Young.

Sneyd makes it five from seven off the tee.

Dom Young does brilliantly again to get his hat-trick try, but this time it's with his power rather than his legs, carrying two defenders with him.

That's seven for the tournament, he's now the top try scorer in the World Cup.

Sneyd kicks from the wing and England are now close to a point a minute.

Easy for Tom Burgess, who comes off the inside of Williams to charge through for England's fifth try.

A third goal for Sneyd from in front.

This is more like it! Marc Sneyd kicks over the top for Ryan Hall to chase. The winger collects, then takes two tacklers over the line with him. Great play.

Sneyd misses the goal.

At least England start to look clinical again, and George Williams throws out a great pass off the back of Andy Ackers' break to send in Dom Young. That's six tries in the World Cup for the winger.

Sneyd kicks from the same touchline he missed from last time.

Well this wasn't what was expected! Greece get a repeat set and ship the ball left, Kai Pearce-Paul jumps out of the line and leaves the way free for Siteni Taukamo to dive over. Stunning stuff!

Ilias misses the kick, but that's many score predictions shot.

After a couple of threatening moments from the Greeks, England eventually get back down the other end and grab a second.

John Bateman dances and jinks before throwing a basketball pass to Dom Young, who goes over for his fifth try of the tournament.

Sneyd misses from the touchline.

Third minute, first try. Marc Sneyd puts Matty Lees through and the St Helens prop finds it easy to finish off.

Sneyd goals.

That's another rendition of God Save The King in the back pocket, now for the action. England are expected to rack up a cricket score on a football ground playing rugby league.

Greece, remember could yet qualify for the quarter-finals. They'd need to win by about 100 points to give themselves a chance, and then hope France beat Samoa tomorrow too. So maybe they can't actually reach the quarters!

Here's the England team. Tommy Makinson comes in at full-back for the rested Sam Tomkins, with Jack Welsby slotting into the centres alongside Kai Pearce-Paul, who's making his competitive debut for his country.

Changes aplenty in the pack too, with Mike Cooper, Andy Ackers and Joe Batchelor among those starting.

Never has the 13-a-side game felt more like a contest between two whole squads. It's basically 17-a-side these days, just ask England's Andy Ackers.

Wait, you don't have to. Because we did...

Fancy a massive day of World Cup action? The Sportsman will be here with every pass, kick, tackle and try.

Oh, and did we mention this is a huge day in this tournament? We did? Good, just wanted to check.

That's the first place in the quarter-finals booked! New Zealand are into the last eight, with at least three more destinies set to be decided on Saturday. It all starts with England v Greece at 2:30pm, then Fiji face Scotland at 5pm and Australia meet (and probably hammer!) Italy at 7:30.

Come back for more in the morning!

That's the hooter. New Zealand win 48-10, inspired by Jahrome Hughes. Goal-kicking and a potential suspension for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be Michael Maguire's biggest headache, but his side are into the quarter-finals.

Here's The Sportsman's full-time report.

Joey Manu's in! It's a 10th try for NZ, and a stroll-in in the end for the full-back. Dylan Brown - obviously - misses the kick, so there's no half-century for the Kiwis.

Well, well, well! A big kick downfield from Ireland is fielded by Mulitalo, but when Louis Senior tries to drag him back into his in-goal the NZ winger throws the ball away and his opposite number grounds with glee for his second try of the night and sixth of the tournament! Senior is now the joint-top try scorer in the comp!

Chamberlain misses from the wing.

That's really poor from Ireland. Ed Chamberlain fails to make a fairly rudimentary catch from Kieran Foran, and it's too easy for Kenny Bromwich to dive over.

Dylan Brown goals.

Jahrome Hughes is so, so good! He's over again, the scrum-half. This time he gives a big right-foot step to make a gap for himself, then bursts through the take of James Bentley to score.

Dylan Brown converts from right in front, to the sound of ironic cheers!

James Fisher-Harris is in! He palms off two weak Irish tackles to take the Kiwis beyond 30, but Dylan Brown somehow misses the conversion. That's two kicks from seven for New Zealand, which will be a massive concern.

That's the most intuitive of finishes from Jordan Rapana! He looked to be heading out of play as he slid over after a decent left-to-right movement, but he just managed to tuck his boot in long enough to ground the ball in the corner. The Kiwis have another try.

Brown is zero for two from the tee.

It's a 24-6 Kiwi lead, but one suspects Michael Maguire will not be happy with a disjointed performance from his side so far.

They also have about eight more minutes without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Well the 12 men have scored anyway! Ronaldo Mulitalo crashes over with a great diving finish after Ireland lose the ball sloppily.

Who needs Waerea-Hargreaves?

Rapana is receiving attention so Dylan Brown attempts the kick but it's wide.

Stunning! Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is off, but only for 10 minutes!

He went in hard and high on Dan Norman, and it looked a really good shout for a red card but referee Robert Hicks sends him to the bin instead. Will that be a big moment?

Jahrome Hughes is having a field day. He fends off one, draws Richie Myler, then feeds Peta Hiku for a second try. That's one score and three assists already for Hughes though.

Rapana misses again.

What about that then?! Out of nowhere, Louis Senior picks off Briton Nikora's pass and races the remaining 40 metres to the line. Brilliant from the Ireland winger, his fifth try of the competition.

Chamberlain can't convert though, so it's 16-6.

Brilliant from Jahrome Hughes again! A perfectly-weighted kick from the Kiwi scrum half sends Peta Hiku diving over for New Zealand's third try. Ireland are already looking all at sea.

Rapana goals, and it's a three-score lead.

Some great heads-up play by Jahrome Hughes. He sees Ireland are all bent out of shape on their left edge and lifts a kick into the path of Jordan Rapana. It's too easy for the wing man.

Rapana misses the kick from out wide.

Ah, there's the quality of the Kiwis. James Hasson sloppily loses the ball, Brandon Smith makes great yardage up the middle and Jahrome Hughes makes mincemeat of Richie Myler's challenge to dive over.

Jordan Rapana goals.

Now what do Ireland have?

There's a ball steal in the tackle, and after seeing off a bit of Kiwi pressure with some solid defence it is Ireland who have a shock early lead thanks to the boot of Ed Chamberlain.

Can they? Really?

Ireland lose their Captain's Challenge in the space of 79 seconds. Surely that's never been done before?!

It's the best thing about international rugby league, isn't it? The Haka is a true spectacle again.

We have hairs on the backs of our necks we never knew existed.

Remember Dallin Watene-Zelezniak? The four-try hero for New Zealand against Jamaica? Yeah, him. Set up a couple too.

Yeah, he's been dropped.

Poor Michael Maguire and his selection headaches!

Yes, we are fully expecting a big New Zealand win. But this Kiwi side need to keep the momentum up ahead of their knockout campaign. Remember 2017? They lost their last group match and then were beaten 4-2 by Fiji in a tryless quarter-final. They won't want lightning to strike twice.

The two matchday 17s have been announced. My word, that's a strong looking Kiwi side, isn't it!

Our George Riley has been looking at England's bench. The four interchange spots could be huge as Shaun Wane's side get deep in the World Cup.

The 2008 champions New Zealand end their group campaign tonight against Ireland. Unless some sort of miracle happens, they'll top Group C and head to the quarter-finals.

Here's the full lowdown...

Congratulations to Papua New Guinea. Rodrick Tai scores twice as they beat the Cook Islands 32-16 in Group D to move up to second.

The only downer of the night was Rhyse Martin's missed conversion attempt after their first try. It means he equalled the world record of consecutive successful goal kicks on 41 rather than setting a new high mark.

He'll happily take the win though, along with a try and four goals in a great personal display.

There's more Group D fun on Tuesday night as Papua New Guinea take on Cook Islands in Warrington. Rhyse Martin is going for a 42nd straight successful goal kick too, which would be a world record.

Closer than expected. Wales give a great account of themselves but the gap in quality eventually tells. Thanks for joining us, we'll be back tomorrow with everything RLWC 2021.

It's that man again. Tupou is in for his hat-trick. Converted.

Tonga with a slick passing move to release Tupou down the left wing. The conversion is weak. 

Wonderkid Tesi Niu helps Tonga pick up where they left off in the second half. Tui Lolohea converts.

A real sickener as Wales concede another try just before half time. Koloamatangi had it far too easy breaking through the last line of Welsh defence. Lolohea converts to send his team in ten points up.

Heartbreak for Wales just before half time. Fifita goes over before Lolohea converts. For the first time tonight, Tonga lead.

Caleb Aekins' error led to a scrum that offered Tupou the chance. Sio Siua Taukeiaho puts his conversion wide and the Welsh still lead.

12 months ago Kyle Evans had never played rugby league. Now he has a try in the World Cup. What a story and what a start for the underdogs! Matthew Fozard converts.

We are ready to go at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Here's how your sides line up. 

Samoa thrash Greece 72-4 in Doncaster. This results means England are officially into the quarter-finals!

This is all a bit silly. 

Utter domination from Samoa. Harris-Tavita score the fourth try of the afternoon.

Samoa deliver their brilliant haka and we are ready to go in Doncaster! 

A cracking second half comes to an end and Lebanon have secured a huge win in their bid to reach the quarter-finals. 

Ireland did improve but came up short against this powerful side, who will be desperate to make it to the final eight.

The Irish will need something special against New Zealand if they are going to qualify. 

It's been a much closer second period as Louis Senior brought the scores back to 20-10 for Ireland, but two tries in a row have put Lebanon back in control. 

Ireland got on the scoresheet just before the break through Louis Senior and there is a bit of a scuffle on the pitch as the whistle goes. 

Two yellow cards are shown, one to each side as a result. 

This is a tough test now for Ireland who will at least be happy to have shown some fight at the end of this half. 

What a performance this has been from Lebanon.

They looked strong in their opener but after half an hour they have put Ireland to the sword with four tries in half an hour.

Brandon Morkos is the latest to cross the whitewash and Ireland look utterly dejected. 

We are underway as Lebanon take on Ireland! 

The Kiwis do what's expected of them, but what a moment for Jamaica as they seal their first try on the World Cup stage! That's all the RLWC 2021 action we've got for you today but join us right here every single day of the tournament for all the latest news and reaction.

YOU READ THAT RIGHT! Jamaica have their first ever try at a Rugby League World Cup and it falls to Jamaica's legendary Ben Jones-Bishop. The 34-year-old will cherish this one for the rest of his days. The try was converted and Jamaica are on the scoreboard.

Smith again. Foran again. Relentless.

Smith squirms through three tacklers to go between the posts. Foran left with an easy kick. 

Watene-Zelezniak crops up yet again. He goes down complaining of a tight hammy for the kick and Foran ends up converting in his place.

Watene-Zelezniak kicks down the wing for Marshall-King to finish. Watene-Zelezniak converts for the big five-o.

Kenneath Bromwich passes to Briton Nikora who charges over at pace. DWZ converted to keep the Kiwi charge going strong.

The Kiwis kick off the second half how they ended the first. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes over before Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, taking over kicking duties from Kieran Foran, adds two.

New Zealand 34-0 Jamaica

The video referee pores over Marshall-King's try just before half time. The concern was potential offside but the try was given. Foran converts.

Great pass out wide from Manu. Kris meets it and has a straightforward task to secure the try. Foran couldn't convert to keep Jamaica within 28 points.

Not the cleanest try you'll ever see but this one was all about power. Niukore shoves his way through Jamaica to score. Foran's got his eye in now and converts.

Guess who. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak goes over for his hat-trick. Foran's kick comes up short but already it doesn't look like Jamaica will make the Kiwis regret the wasted points.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak powers through on the wing to secure his second try of the day. He assisted Hiku's effort too. What a display. Foran converts at the third attempt. 

Peta Hiku doubles the lead off a pass from Watene-Zelezni. Foran fluffs his lines on the conversion. New Zealand look settled.

The Kiwis are off the mark through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Kieran Foran couldn't convert but you get the idea he'll get another go before long.

Here are your sides for our third and final match of the day.

Another victory for England in their home World Cup. But today's action isn't over. We've still got New Zealand vs Jamaica to come.

Signs of life from France. It's unlikely to change much but good to see Romano and the team powering through until the end. Mourgue converts.

A real crowd-pleaser of a try from Young. He makes the interception deep inside the England half and runs nearly the length of the pitch for the try. Absolutely electric. Sneyd makes it seven from seven.

The starlet secures his third try of the World Cup after some superb support play from Jack Welsby. Sneyd continues his excellent kicking form for the conversion.

Victor Radley collects a kick through the lines to give England a comfortable lead. Sneyd converts and England are 18 points up.

Whitehead has another World Cup try to his name. John Bateman powers through and provides the offload. Conversion is successful as England get their second half up and running.

England lead France 18-12 going into the break. 

Another one for the French! After a great start for England, les Chanticleers are right back in this game. Pelissier's effort went to the video referee before being given. Mourgue converts. Game on. 

Mourgue adds to his 18 points against Greece in France's opener. A nice kick and rush is rounded off with a conversion from the same man. Six for France, six for Mourgue. 

Luke Thompson gallops over from a Victor Radley pass. Great play from England to increase their lead. The try is converted to bolster a strong opening 25. 

Make that 37 for Hall. Sneyd converts. What a start for England!

The veteran with his record 36th try in 39 internationals. Marc Sneyd picked him out nicely to give England an early lead. Sneyd converted and England are six to the good. 

Here are your lineups for this afternoon's visit to the University of Bolton Stadium.

It's all over in Newcastle. A superb display of dominant rugby from Fiji. Up next: England take on France. 

Naiqama bursting run takes Fiji up the field and Sadrugu is there to finish a pass from Josh Wong. Henry Raiwalui was the latest to convert for Fiji with the last kick of the game. 

Sivo collects a superb pass from Kikau to notch another try. Koroisau once again takes over from Wakeham for the conversion. He did so successfully to make it 54-4.

Naiqama was caught out and Maizen nipped in to score his fourth try of the tournament. The conversion didn't come off but Italian fans finally have something to cheer.

Every set is ending with a Fiji try now. Sivo is the latest to get his name on the scoresheet. Koroisau took over conversion duties successfully. We said earlier 80 points is surely out of reach. Perhaps we spoke too soon...

Great kick over the top from Wakeham and Nakubuwai goes over. Wakeham added to assist with the conversion.

Fiji start the second half how they ended the first. This really is a truly special display. Wakeham with another flawless conversion.

Santi and Robinson over-commit and the number nine slips through for Fiji's fifth try of the day. Wakeham made it five from five conversions to make it 30-0.

A brace for Kikau. Fleet footwork took him past Santi to sink his second try of the day. Wakeham converts and it's 24-0.

18-0 after just over 15 minutes. This is starting to look like Australia vs Scotland last night. This won't get up into the 80s... surely?

Pace and power from the Huddersfield Giants centre. Wakeham converts. Brilliant start for Fiji here.

Kikau powers through in between Brendi Santi and Radean Robinson to get over with eight minutes played. Brandon Wakeham converts as Fiji take the lead.

Live from Kingston Park in Newcastle comes the first of three Rugby League World Cup 2021 clashes of the day. Here's the team news as Fiji meet Italy. 

Australia cruise to a famous win in Coventry, defeating Scotland 84-0. 

Josh Addo-Carr scores the try of the game, chasing his own kick after his teammate found him with a pass through the legs when leaving the field of play. Ridiculous try. Cleary misses and it's 84-0. 

Debut try for Issah Yeo, Cleary converts to make it 80-0. 

Another hat-trick scored, this time by Campbell Graham. Cleary kicks his 11th conversion of the night, and it's 74-0. 

Matt Burton gets his first try of the campaign after Scotland looked to make this game into a brawl. Burton takes advantage of the over-eager defence and slides over for the 12th try. Cleary converts to make it 68-0. 

62-0. Campbell Graham inverts his run off the wing and Scotland are nowhere near him. Cleary misses the kick for the second time tonight. 

10 tries for Australia and a hat-trick for Josh Addo-Carr! After Cleary's kick it's 58-0. 

Australia hit a half-century of points! Ben Hunt gets his first try of the campaign. Cleary to kick from directly under the sticks, and converts with ease. 52-0. 

James Tedesco gets a try within 60 seconds and Cleary pops up with another kick. 46-0!

Scotland kick to Australia to get us underway for the second half. 

Jack Wighton gets a second and Cleary makes it 5 conversions from 6. 40-0!

Australia are CRUISING! Josh Addo-Carr getting his second of the game, capitalising on a dropped ball by Scotland and using his trademark pace to just breeze through the defenders. Cleary adds the two. 34-0. 

Nathan Cleary finally gets himself a try, crossing the whitewash underneath the posts. He converts too to make it 28-0!

Campbell Graham is next to cross for Australia, fighting off three Scotland defenders in the corner before Cleary makes another kick. 

Angus Crichton picks up on a Scotland error and grounds the ball. Cleary converts again. 16-0!

Australia take a 10-0 lead as Jack Wighton crosses the line for four points. Nathan Cleary converts this time round. 

Nathan Cleary finds Josh Addo-Carr with a pass over the defender and gets the try!

Kick isn't converted this time round. 

Australia kick to Scotland to get us underway!

Round two of the group fixtures in the men's Rugby League World Cup begins tonight as Australia clash with Scotland in Coventry. The Kangaroos have won every group game they've played since 1995, so go luck to Nathan Graham's side...!

True to his word, Shaun Wane has included all seven players who missed the game against Samoa. England face France at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday in their second Group A match...

Here's a reminder of everything that's happened in the first round of group fixtures in the Rugby League World Cup...

Heartbreak for Wales. 

Steven Marsters catches a high kick and surely puts the game out of reach for Wales! 

Davvy Moale bullies his way through the defence and puts the Cook Islands in front. 

A topsy-turvy half comes to an end and Wales lead. 

The Cook Islands pinned them back through Anthony Gelling before Ollie Olds' fine footwork lead to Wales' second try of the match. 

This one is in the balance!

Rhodri Lloyd makes a sensational pick up to get his side in front, before Matty Fozard converts to make it 6-0!

What a start for Wales!

Cook Islands get us underway in this Group D clash! 

Cook Islands

• Kayal IRO
• Paul ULBERG
• Anthony GELLING
• Esan MARSTERS
• Steven MASTERS
• Brad Takairangi
• Johnathon FORD
• Makahesi MAKATOA
• Aaron TEROI
• Tepai MOEROA
• Dominique PEYROUX
• Moses NOOVAO-MCGREAL 
• Zane TETEVANO

Substitutes 

• Tevin ARONA
• Reubenn RENNIE
• Rua NCATIKAURA
• Davvy MOALE

Welcome back to the live blog ahead of the big game tonight as Wales take on the Cook Islands.

If you missed out interview with Wales' head coach John Kear, you catch catch it down below. 

Team news to come!

Tonga win a hard-fought battle against Papua New Guinea 24-18 at the Totally Wicked Stadium!

Tonga win it late on after 73 passes! The play begins in front of the posts, a scoot throws Tonga off and the ball skips around both wings before Keaon Koloamatangi gets on the end of a grubber!

Tonga lead by six with a minute left. 24-18. 

Alex Johnston feeds Dan Russell on the wing and redeems his previous error with a try!

Rhyse Martin converts the kick and the scores are level with just over 10 minutes to go...

Championship player of the year Edwin Ipape sets up Lachlan Lam for one of the tries of the tournament! The Leigh duo powered through the Tonga line and a quick pass from Ipape to Lam saw him cross the line after his teammate did all the hard work!

Martin converts to make it 18-12.

Tonga lead 18-6 at half-time!

Tonga make it 18-6 with five minutes to go of the first half. 

Moeaki Fotuaika scores the first with Tui Lolohea moving the ball around nicely before handing it over to Fotuaika. 

Isaiya Katoa with the second score under the posts. 

Both kicks converted by Katoa!

Tonga respond in the form of Will Penisini who makes a break down the field and crosses the line unopposed!

Sione Katoa converts for Tonga to draw the scores level. 

Rhyse Martin gets over the line for Papua New Guinea and gives them a 6-0 lead after converting his own try!

Tonga receive the kick to get us underway!

Tonga: Tolutau Koula, Daniel Tupou, Mosese Suli, Will Penisini, Siona Katoa, Isaiya Katoa, Tui Lolohea, Addin Fonua-Blake, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola, Felise Kaufusi, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siosiua Takeiaho (C) 

SUBS: Soni Luke, Moeaki Fotuaika, David Fifita, Siosifa Talakai (Talatau Amone)

Papua New Guinea: Alex Johnston, Rodrick Tai, Nene MacDonald, Justin Olam, Dan Russell, Kyle Laybutt, Lachlan Lam, Wellington Albert, Edwin Ipape, Sylvester Namo, Nixon Putt, Rhyse Martin (C), Jacob Alick

SUBS: Watson Boas, Mackenzie Yei, Emmanuel Waine, Kevin Appo (Sherwin Tanabi) 

It was pretty freaking unforgettable...!

Six games in, and the Rugby League World Cup is chucking up all sorts of stories. Last night it was Greece's turn to write some headlines despite their defeat to France.

But what of Tonga? They're in action for the first time on Tuesday night, and here are all the details you need for their clash with Papua New Guinea...

France 34-12 Greece

Lachlan Ilias converts the kick for Greece at the buzzer, and France defeat a defiant Greece side making a strong showing of themselves on their World Cup debut. France will be happy with the win and will look onto their next game against England at the University of Bolton Stadium next Saturday! 

Greece get themselves another try! Nicholas Mougios with a try of the tournament contender. He's on the end of the kick, weaves in and out to send Morgan Escare to the floor and he gets another try on Greece's world cup debut! Absolutely beautiful rugby league. 

Benjamin Jullien gets his second try of the game, Greece are caught out by the fast ball movement of the French, and Jullien walks it in without opposition. 

Arthur Mourgue makes it 7/7 to put the score at 34-6.

Siteni Taukamo scores Greece's first ever try at a World Cup. Incredible scenes in Doncaster!

26-6 after Lachlan Ilias converts the kick!

France have their fourth try, Arthur Mourgue adding a try to his points tally for the game. He's third in a line of offloads and manages to escape the defenders grip to slide over the line and pop the ball down.

He converts his own try to make it 26-0 France with just over 30 minutes remaining. 

Greece kick to France to get the second half underway!

Greece have actually performed quite well but they've been outfought and outmuscled by a far superior French side. 

Laurent Frayssinous will want to see more tries in the second half. 

After a late tackle in the middle of the pitch, France get a fresh set of six and they take full advantage as Benjamin Jullien finds a gap to score.

The Greek resistance has well and truly been broken here. 

Second tie of the game for France!

It came from a clever kick down the centre and Tony Gigot bags his ninth international try as he was quicker and more determined than the Greek defence. 

Arthur Mourgue steps up to extend France's lead after a high tackle. 

Greece are testing this French outfit however. 

Greece held out for the first few minutes, but finally France have the breakthrough after some consistent pressure.

It was Jordan Dezaria who was too powerful for the Greek defence and crossed from close range for his first international try.

France kick to Greece who attack from left-to-right!

Greece name their first-ever lineup at a rugby league world cup!

1: Chaise Robinson

2: Siteni Taukamo

3: Terence Constantinou

4: Nicholas Mougios

5: Jonathan Mitsias

6: Lachlan Ilias 

7: Jordan Meads (C)

8: Robert Tuliatu

9: Peter Mamouzelos

16: Sebastian Sell

11: Mitchell Zampetides

12: Nicholas Flocas

13: Bill Magoulias

SUBS

Jake Kambos, Myles Gal, Theodoros Nianiakas, Aris Dardamanis. (*Liam Sue-Tin)

*Concussion sub

France's 13 has been named, with a predictably strong side named to get their World Cup underway. 

Good evening! Tonight we've got a great matchup from Group D between France and debutants Greece. 

If you missed our Twitter thread about why tonight's match should be a great watch, check it out below!

George Riley's weekly rugby league column addresses some of the concerns being raised after the first weekend of the World Cup. There's England's great win but the lack of crowds elsewhere among the points raised...

Ahead of their opening Group A clash with Greece at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight, France coach Laurent Frayssinous and captain Ben Garcia have insisted to The Sportsman that their side can make World Cup history, whether this year or in 2025.

What a weekend it's been to start the Rugby League World Cup. Great performances from England, Australia, Italy and Ireland, then New Zealand saw off a tough effort from Lebanon.

And there's far more to come. Tonight it's France v Greece in Group A, and we've got you covered with a full rundown...

That is all for today at the World Cup, you can find all the results below. 

We will be back tomorrow morning with reaction from all the weekend games as well as the build-up for France's Monday night clash against Greece.

Joey Manu was the star of the show, and you can read our full match report down below.

Player of the Match Joseph Manu put on a show in New Zealand's hard-fought 34-12 win over Lebanon.

Jordan Rapana takes advantage of Lebanon being a man down as he adds to New Zealand's lead. He fails to convert his try. 

Excellent from Joseph Manu who singlehandedly powers his way through the Lebanon defence to score. He was also integral in Dylan Brown's try as NZ score back-to-back tries.

Rapana converts.

Wigan Warriors winger Abas Miski gets Lebanon their first try of the second-half.

Moses converts for the second time.

Lebanon may have lost their early lead but they are still in this game.

Former Warrington Wolves centre Peta Hiku scores at his old stomping ground.  

Rapana converts once again.

Lebanon held off New Zealand for as long as they could there. Nelson Asofa-Solomona breaks through to put New Zealand in front!

Rapana converts.

That didn't last long. 

Kenny Bromwich wiggles his way over the line, eventually touching down on his back! 

All square. 

Can you believe it! 

Right from the first kick, Lebanon take a shock lead at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. 

THe ball is kicked through the New Zealand back line and Josh Mansour is there to cross home with the try! 

Lebanon kick off to get us underway, they made the quarter finals back in 2017...

We are just minutes away from kick off in our final match of the day! 

One of the favourites for the entire tournament New Zealand begin against Lebanon. 

A brilliant second half from Ireland sees them completely dismantle Jamaica, with 30 points in the second half. 

Despite the Irish win, today was all about the Reggae Warriors and they were clapped off the pitch at the end, before sharing some emotional hugs with family and friends. 

Ireland will face tougher tests with New Zealand to come, but this was a top display and a confident start. 

Ireland had as expected, taken the game away from Jamaica with four tries, but just as the half came to a close, we got a special moment. 

Jamaica were awarded a penalty and Kieran Rush, from a mile out, managed to convert to send the crowd wild. 

It was a moment of celebration as they scored their very first points in a World Cup. 

Ireland will win this comfortably, but Jamaica are on the board! 

The second game of the day begins as Jamaica gain possession!

What a moment this is for them, on their World Cup debut. 

Ireland begin their World Cup campaign next against Jamaica. 

This should be a comfortable win for the Irish - Betfred have them priced at 1/66 favourites. If you fancy a shock, Jamaica are 18/1 as they make their World Cup debut. *

*18+ | Be Gamble Aware

Wow. What a performance that was from Italy. Dominant from start to finish and only a late Scotland try prevented a whitewash. 

Jake Maizen was the star of the show and scored a hat-trick on his World Cup debut, including an outrageous dash that saw him charge the length of the pitch to cross for his third. 

Scotland would have hoped for so much more, but they simply weren't a match for Italy today. 

The start to this World Cup couldn't have gone much worse for Scotland. 

They needed a convincing win but instead Nathan Graham's team find themselves with a mountain to climb at the break, 

If the two tries with no reply were difficult enough to deal with, captain Dale Ferguson's sin-bin just a few minutes before the interval makes things much tougher. 

Midway through the first half and Dean Parata has crossed to double the Italians lead.

It comes after a good spell for the Scots, but they've got a lot of work to do now. 

Italy kick off and we are underway!

Scotland have turned up looking the part, but can they get their World Cup off to a winning start?

We're in for another cracking day of rugby league, starting with Scotland vs Italy at 2.30pm. 

We'll bring you the team news momentarily.

We've just watched a very impressive Australia performance, but it's England who have caused the big stir on day one of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

So we'll leave you with our full-time coverage of that massive win over Samoa and return tomorrow with coverage of all three games from day two.

Sweet dreams, England fans!

There are three more games on Sunday as Groups B and C wrap up their first weekend of action.

14:30 - Scotland v Italy - Group B at Kingston Park, Newcastle

17:00 - Jamaica v Ireland - Group C at Headingley, Leeds

19:30 - New Zealand v Lebanon - Group C at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington

And here's our full match report on that Australia victory at Headingley.

That's 67 wins, two draws and 11 defeats for Australia in their 80 World Cup games since the tournament's inception.

And this iteration looks ready to step up in a comp which could see them challenged like never before.

What a day of rugby league.

Fiji might have scored first and last, but there were seven great Australia scores in between as the hosts make an early statement. They're only going to get better, this lot.

That's got the crowd cheering! Brandon Wakeham kicks through and Sunia Turuva waits for the ball to bounce before sticking a hand on it to score his side's second try.

Wakeham misses the kick, so it's 42-8.

A second try for the Fox. Harry Grant brilliant again. The Melbourne Storm dummy half goes through from the play the ball and dinks a kick through for Josh Addo-Carr to dive on.

Holmes is seven for seven after putting one in off the post and it's 42-4.

Superb try from James Tedesco. He takes the pass from Cherry-Evans, throws a dummy and steps back inside to create the half a yard he needs to crash over.

Holmes converts again, and then champs can come in with a wet sail.

Harry Grant has been excellent on his Kangaroos debut, and he has a try to go with the performance. Picking the ball up from dummy half, he took the ball laterally then straightened up to escape the tackle. And it all came after his own 40/20.

Holmes makes it 30-4.

Is this where the floodgates open?

Munster breaks from deep, feeds Addo-Carr and then backs up to takes the return pass before handing it to Latrell Mitchell to dive over.

Holmes makes it four from four from the tee.

Australia have an 18-4 lead at the break. We've seen them go on to rack up a cricket score from this position in the past, but can Fiji have another crack at them in the second half?

Cameron Munster feeds Angus Crichton, and the big back rower gets just free enough to plant the ball over the line.

Val Holmes slots the kick again, and the Kangaroos suddenly have a three-score lead after that early scare.

He's a bit good, is Josh Addo-Carr! He bursts away from deep, steps Sunia Turuva as though he's not there and coasts in from 90 yards. Superb!

Valentine Holmes' kick makes it 12-4.

Hello, Normal Service... We've been expecting you!

Great play by Daly Cherry-Evans, and Jeremiah Nanai is in for the try.

Valentine Holmes makes no mistake with the conversion and Australia lead.

Well, this isn't what was expected! Siti Moceidreke grubbers through the defensive line and James Tedesco is caught out as Semi Valemei beats him to the ball.

Game on!

The Fijians have performed their stirring hymn and we're ready for kick-off at Headingley. What can the holders produce?

The England coach has been telling Betfred what he made of his side's 60-6 victory at St James' Park

Kevin Naiqama is the Fiji captain as the face the almost impossible at Headingley...

The defending champions have named this 17...

That was incredible stuff.

Want some more?

We'll be back in an hour or so to take you through Australia v Fiji. Until then, take a breath. You probably need it!

Shaun Wane has just told the BBC that he wants his side to improve next week... Because, of course he has!

He identified the back end of the first half when Samoa scored and could easily have had a second as a spell to learn from.

Reminder: His team just put 60 points on one of the competition favourites!

Here's The Sportsman's full match report from the most outstanding England display in a World Cup for a very, very, very long time.

Tom Burgess rounds out the scoring with a barge over the line. This is nuts!

Tommy Makinson's 10th kick makes it 60. (SIXTY!)

And that's the last act of the game. What a start to the World Cup!

Now it's George Williams who gets in on the act! He dives over in space on the right. Makinson is booed for missing the kick! Got to love the humour.

We can hardly keep up! Tommy Makinson dives on George Williams' grubber in the corner, then his superb conversion makes it a half-century!

England strolling through now! Makinson makes a break down the wing after a couple of speculative passes, then feeds it inside (it looked well forward!) for Whitehead to score another.

Makinson is 8 from 9 and it's an absolute rout.

Now it's Elliott Whitehead's turn! He crashes through a three-man tackle to plant the ball down and the video referee confirms the score.

Makinson now has seven out of eight from the tee.

It's all England now against the 12 of Samoa. Herbie Farnworth takes the pass and dances through against the visitors' stretched defensive line.

Makinson is successful with the kick and it's 32-6.

Anthony Milford is in the bin for Samoa. He was very late in putting in a challenge on Sam Tomkins, and Tommy Makinson kicks the two to put England 20 points up.

Oh, that's brilliant rugby league football. England go short side at the play the ball, Welsby putting Kallum Watkins into space and his step inside opens up a route to the try line.

Makinson converts, and England have an 18-point lead once again.

It's England who have an 18-6 lead at the break, but Tago's try and a near-miss from Stephen Crichton in the final minute of the half will serve as reminders that this one is far from won just yet.

Can't wait for the second 40 to start!

Out of nowhere, Samoa are back in it. They had territory after Joseph Suaali'i's break, then when England regained possession it was a Welsby pass which was collected by Izack Tago for a straightforward interception.

Stephen Crichton converts.

Jack Welsby might just be the Player of the Tournament already! Another great cut-out pass, another great finish by Young, this time diving over in the corner from close range.

Makinson misses from the touchline but England are 18-0 to the good.

What a wonderful cut-out pass by Jack Welsby for Dom Young, who then does a brilliant job to step inside Joseph Suaali'i and race under the sticks. Superb stuff from England.

Makinson kicks again, and England are in control.

Just when it looked like England wouldn't get the lead their play had deserved, George Williams bursts through from a Sam Tomkins scoot, and Jack Welsby takes the last pass and streaks clear from 30 yards.

Makinson converts, and the home side have an eight-point advantage.

Herbie Farnworth goes over but hasn't taken the ball with him, but Anthony Milford's obstruction of Elliott Whitehead means a penalty for the hosts.

Tommy Makinson slots over the two points from seven yards, just to the left of the posts.

Here goes! It's the Rugby League World Cup, and it's underway!

There was a bit of a malfunction with the PA system but it's fixed and we'll be off shortly. Lizzie Jones has just done a belting rendition of God Save the King, as ever.

This fella is the Guest of Honour at the Tournament Welcome which is taking place right now. How England could do with somebody with his guts on display over the next five weeks.

That is a daunting-looking Samoa side picked by Matt Parish, with Jerome Luai and Anthony Milford leading them around the park from the halves.

Shaun Wane has named his 17 for today's opener, and Dom Young's inclusion on the wing is one of the eye-catching additions. Meanwhile Micky McIlorum gets the nod ahead of Andy Ackers at hooker and there's plenty of forward firepower to come off the bench.

Samoa aren't the only opponents standing between England and a kind run in the knockout phase, there's Greece and France to encounter too.

So here's our full preview of Group A and what it has in store...

The hosts are here. As are the goosebumps, if you're anything like us!

England might have avoided Australia and New Zealand in the draw, but this could still be about the toughest half they've ever found themselves in.

Here are England's opponents for the opening fixture. Samoa have arrived at St James', and they have brought a fearsome reputation with them.

England battered Fiji 50-0 in their sole warm-up fixture last Friday in Salford. Here's our full report from the one-sided friendly match.

Want an in-depth look at what's to come today? Here is our complete guide to Day 1

It's the first day of rugby league Christmas today. And there's a blockbuster line-up to keep you busy.

2:30pm: England v Samoa - St James' Park, Newcastle - Group A

7:30pm: Australia v Fiji - Headingley, Leeds - Group B