Rugby League World Cup Update

AAP Created: Nov 8, 2008 Last Updated: Nov 9, 2008

Wolfman Bags Three on Debut

David Willliams aka 'Wolfman' scores a try. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

TOWNSVILLE—David "Wolfman" Williams launched his Test career with a hat-trick of tries as Australia sent a plucky PNG packing from the World Cup 46-6 at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.

The bearded 22 year-old flyer looked all class and could easily have scored four or five tries in his maiden Test.

Australia led 22-0 at halftime after Williams and centre Joel Monaghan each scored doubles in the opening 40 minutes.

The 16,239 fans showed their appreciation when PNG centre Menzie Yere showed great hands to scoop up a Rod Griffin grubber kick off his boot laces to score in the 73rd minute.

Yere, a late inclusion for George Kepa, will long remember his try because the player he burst through was young Kangaroo giant, Israel Folau.

The scoreline will look good for PNG to take home after they lost 82-0 the last time they played Australia in the 2000 World Cup.

Replacement utility Scott Prince notched the first two touch downs of the second half to blow the score line out to 34-0 at the 55th minute mark.

Prince, who started his rugby league career with the Cowboys in Townsville, appeared like a thief in the night to snatch an intercept off Kumuls veteran Stanley Gene just two minutes into the second half.

The Titans playmaker got his second after Williams made a breathtaking 60 metre swerving run only to be dragged down five metres short with a hat-trick on offer.

PNG could not be accused of not having a dig against the world champions, showing tremendous heart to keep Australia to 6-0 in the opening 20 minutes.

With some pundits tipping the Kumuls could be smashed by 100 points they stuck it out until the 80th minute despite Australia's relentless pressure.

Hard working Kangaroo forward Anthony Tupou grabbed Australia's eighth try just before fulltime.

While they failed to win a game in the "pool of death" which also included England and New Zealand, PNG can head home having won the respect of many fans for the way they played the game and conducted themselves off the field.

Te'o Stars as Samoa Belt France 42-10

Francis Meli of Samoa makes a break. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images )

SYDNEY—Samoan second-rower Ben Te'o made a fool of coach John Ackland by scoring two tries and setting up two more in a blistering World Cup debut as his side thrashed France 42-10 at CUA Stadium.

Te'o had been overlooked for Samoa's two previous World Cup encounters but took full advantage of his Test debut was a match-turning performance that secured Samoa ninth place and handed France the wooden spoon in the 10-team tournament.

"I don't know why I didn't pick him (Te'o) for the first two games," admitted Ackland.

The Samoans dominated the opening 40 minutes by running in five tries to none followed by two more in second half for a 36-0 lead before the French made a late entry onto the scoreboard with two late four-pointers.

Te'o showed his brilliance throughout with sublime offloading, but he wasn't the only star.

Five-eighth Ben Roberts was named man of the match and forwards Tony Puletua and Kylie Leulua'i led the way with some brutal defence.

Te'o threw a well-timed offload for Francis Meli to score in the 12th minute and then brushed aside five defenders to score an outstanding solo try in the 24th minute.

He continued to torment the French with a one-handed offload that led to winger Misi Taulapapa scoring in the 38th minute.

Te'o then completed his superb game by bursting through for Samoa's sixth try just eight minutes after halftime.

"I've been eyeing this World Cup for a few years now and patiently waiting for my chance," Brisbane Broncos bound Te'o said.

"Unfortunately we didn't go on to the semis but this meant a lot to me, it's great for Samoa, to represent my father and where he's from so I really enjoyed it."

It was a highly disappointing end to the French campaign after their 42-6 belting from Fiji last week.

They spent most of the first half defending their tryline and only clicked into gear in the final 20 minutes with tries to Jerome Guisset (64th minute) and Sebastien Planas (68th).

France coach John Monie couldn't explain his side's spectacular failure after they had entered the tournament as one of the leading semi-final contenders.

"This is the first time I've coached a team where we only got in the 20-metre zone once in the first half," said Monie.

"That's sort of ridiculous stuff. We expected to do much better than that."

Tongans Destroy Scots

Antonio Kaufusi of Tonga is tackled by Scottish defenders. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

ROCKHAMPTON—Tonga destroyed a battered and bruised Scotland in their final Rugby League World Cup match.

The Pacific Islanders secured a seventh place in the event with their 48-0 dismantling of the Scots in front of a sellout 5913 crowd at Rockhampton's Browne Park.

The Scots were always up against it, missing inspirational captain Danny Brough and playing in oppressive 30 degree-plus heat in the city situated on the Tropic of Capricorn.

But the Tongans had their own hurdles to overcome, with team manager Bob Jones missing the match in Yeppoon Hospital after experiencing chest pains on match morning, and the death of coach Jim Dymock's father-in-law on game eve.

But Tonga were simply too strong for their northern hemisphere counterparts, who failed to back up their shock win - Scotland's first in World Cup history - over Fiji just last Wednesday.

Leading 24-0 at halftime, the Tongans picked up where they left off when Tony Williams smashed his way over in the 45th minute, his conversion giving Tonga an unassailable lead.

Cooper Vuna crossed for his second try 10 minutes later to make it 36-0.

Tired defence couldn't hold the Tongans from there, with tries from Fetuli Talanoa (59th) and Michael Jennings (80th) completing the rout.

The Tongans had taken just four minutes to get on the board, using five-eighth and man of the match Feleti Mateo's height to advantage.

Mateo went up for an Eddie Paea chip and came down with the ball to score near the posts. Williams converted and it was 6-0 early.

A high tackle by Scottish prop Scott Logan on Eddie Paea put the Tongans on the attack again, and Paea took the opportunity, scooting through a gap to score in the eighth minute.

A forward pass ruled by referee Shane Hayne saved Scotland the embarrassment of three tries in the first 14 minutes after Jenniings had put Vuna over with a long ball.

Scotland managed to gain some field position from there and were denied when second rower Iain Morrison spilled the ball with the line open in the 22nd minute.

And it was Tonga who answered, with Etuate Waisele diving over in the corner a few tackles after a 70-metres break by Jennings.

Scottish hopes were dashed again in the 33rd minute when hooker and captain Ben Fisher burrowed from dummy half but lost the ball trying for downward pressure.

The Scots handed Tonga another six points just before the break when a loose pass landed in Vuna's hands and he ran 90 metres to score under the posts for a 24-0 halftime lead.

Fiji Praying for More World Cup Success

SYDNEY—They start every game with a prayer but winning tomorrow's World Cup semi-final over Ireland will be no miracle according to Fiji forward Ashton Sims.

The Brisbane forward believes the Fijian spirit has been the Bati's biggest asset during their unlikely surge into the semi-final playoff and he has called upon his no-name teammates to continue the run at Skilled Stadium on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Boasting a starting side with five park footballers, and several fringe NRL players, the Fijians are one of the big success stories of the World Cup and a win over the Wolfhounds tomorrow would secure a semi-final clash with tournament heavyweights Australia.

Sims was impressed with Fiji's fighting spirit despite their narrow 18-16 loss to Scotland last Wednesday in Gosford and has called for another 80 minute fighting effort against the Irish.

"It's really the business end of the competition and there's going to be a lot of pride on the line and a lot of honour on the line too," said Sims.

"I think there was a few people in this team that showed their true colours and really stood up (against Scotland) when the grind started getting on.

"When the chips were down some people fall into a shell but a lot of these boys put their hand up and wanted to be counted.

"It's something we definitely want to see. Ireland is going to be an 80 minute game and we have to bring the same attitude.

"Our attitude wasn't a problem, it was just ball handling and errors at times."

Fullback Jarryd Hayne is excited at the prospect of reaching the World Cup semi-finals and the chance at playing his former teammates in the Kangaroos side.

Hayne made his Test debut for Australia last year and, despite a troubled 2008 NRL season, he has found his feet with the Fijians.

"It would be strange (to play Australia)," said Hayne.

"It's a credit to us (to get this far). We have really stuck together and had that spirit.

"It is unbelievable from where we've come to where we are now. The spirit that is in the team is unbelievable.

"There was a lot of talk about Tonga and Samoa as the dark horses but we've come from deep and it's sort of strange because you know us and Ireland have come from nowhere and it should be a good game."

Fiji: Jarryd Hayne, Semi Tadulala, Wes Naiqama (capt), Daryl Millard, Akuila Uate, Alipate Noilea, Aaron Groom, Iowane Divavesi, Waisele Sukanaveita, Ilisoni Vonomateiratu, Ashton Sims, Sevanaia Koroi, Jason Bukuya. Interchange: James Storer, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Osea Sadrau, Semisi Tora, Jone Macilai, Vula Naqau (two to be omitted).

Ireland: Michael Platt, Damien Blanch, Sean Gleeson, Stuart Littler, Pat Richards, Scott Grix, Liam Finn, Eamon O'Caroll, Bob Beswick, Gareth Haggerty, Ben Harrison, Lee Doran, Simon Finnigan. Interchange: Michael McIlorum, Karl Fitzpatrick, Wayne Kerr, Ryan Tandy, Ged Corcoran, Mick Cassidy (two to be omitted).