RLWC2017 Match Reports And Updated Tables

RLWC2017 Match Reports And Updated Tables

New Zealand and Tonga will battle it out for top spot in Pool B and the opportunity to avoid a semi-final clash with Australia after big wins by the Kiwis and Mate Ma’a in Rugby League World Cup round 2 pool matches on Saturday.

In what equated to the New Zealand version of Super Saturday, the Kiwis demolished Scotland 74-6 at Christchurch Stadium and then watched as Tonga overcame Samoa 32-18 in a brilliant advertisement for the game at Waikato Stadium.

The Kiwis and Mate Ma’a are both undefeated and will meet next Saturday at Waikato Stadium in one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament, with the winner set to play the third-placed team from Pool A in the quarter-finals.

That team is now likely to be Lebanon after the Cedars went down to England 29-10 at Sydney Football Stadium in the later match on Saturday night.

Australia also remain unbeaten after their 52-6 defeat of France in Canberra on Friday night and will clinch top place in Pool A if they beat Lebanon next weekend.

Should they do so, the Kangaroos will set up a quarter-final clash with the third placed team in Pool B, which will be decided by next weekend’s clash between Samoa and Scotland at Barlow Park, Cairns.

RLWC2017 has provided the following rights free match reports from Saturday's games for use by media outlets. To access these rights free match reports only, click on the links below.

All other editorial content on the rlwc2017.com website is unavailable for use elsewhere without permission or unless advised otherwise.

New Zealand v Scotland

Shaun Johnson has become New Zealand’s leading Test point-scorer as the Kiwis’ ran riot in a 74-6 rout of Scotland at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Samoa v Tonga

Mate Ma’a Tonga have set up a mouth-watering showdown with New Zealand next weekend for top spot in Pool B after surviving a late resurgence from Toa Samoa to run home winners 32-18 at a packed Waikato Stadium.

England v Lebanon

England have secured their first win of RLWC2017 after overcoming a brave Lebanon outfit 29-10 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Australia v France

"Highlight of my life": French fullback Mark Kheirallah's stunning try against Australia
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