SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Zealand underlined their class with a 26-6 win over Tonga in their first match of the World Cup yr, whereas Papua New Guinea surprised Fiji as worldwide rugby league returned this week after almost three years misplaced to the COVID pandemic.
The Kiwis, world champions in 2008, had not performed since November 2019 and a bumper crowd of 27,000, the bulk Tongan, turned out for Saturday’s Pacific take a look at in opposition to the 2017 World Cup semi-finalists at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
The international well being disaster additionally pressured the postponement by a yr of the 2021 World Cup and New Zealand confirmed why they are going to be among the many contenders to wrest the crown away from Australia in November.
Joey Manu was excellent at fullback and Jahrome Hughes ran the sport from halfback as they gave a Tonga aspect studded with National Rugby League (NRL) gamers a lesson on the significance of high quality in ability positions.
Halfback Lachie Lam, centre Justin Olam and fullback Alex Johnston did the identical job for Papua New Guinea because the Kumuls overcame a robust Fiji aspect 24-14 in Sydney to ship captain David Mead into worldwide retirement a winner.
Earlier on Saturday, on the similar Campbelltown Sports Stadium, David Nofoaluma scored 4 tries and his fellow winger Taylan May two as Samoa overcame a keen however restricted Cook Islands aspect 42-12.
Lebanon, quarter-finalists on the 2017 World Cup, beat Malta 30-14 in Sydney on Wednesday in their first take a look at beneath the steering of former Australia rugby union coach Michael Cheika.
Australia’s Kangaroos, champions in 11 of the 15 World Cups, haven’t performed since late 2019 however the nation’s finest gamers had been tied up this week getting ready for the second match in the State of Origin sequence.
England, dropping World Cup finalists in 2017 and hosts later this yr, haven’t performed a take a look at in nearly 4 years however did get a run out in opposition to a Combined Nations All Stars at Warrington final weekend, profitable 18-4.
The sixteenth Rugby League World Cup will happen from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
