With games taking place over the course of a week, round three spread the games out across the nation to make sure everyone got a chance to see the ASRL's showpiece international tournament.
Australia Struggle Against Cook Islands
The Kangaroos went back to the same sloppy brand of football that cost them a game against South Africa, but were thankfully up against weak opposition, and managed to close out a disappointing game 16-6 over the side at the opposite end of the world ladder to them. The Islanders were full of passion, and showed some of the flare that saw them upset New Zealand.
Australia: Craig Wing, Matthew Gidley, and Luke Bailey. Johns 2/3
Cook Islands: Henry Paul. Paul 1/1
PoM Points: Henry Paul 3, Craig Wing 2, and Matthew Gidley 1.
Widders Puts AA/TSI on Track
A dominant performance from Parramatta's Dean Widders has lead AA/TSI to a valuable World Cup win, and given Tonga their first loss of the tournament, 25-16. The Aboriginals jumped to an early 14-0 lead before the Tongans stormed back through their backs- but a solid second half from Widders, and a late field goal from Anthony Mundine sealed the result and gives AA/TSI an excellent chance of a finals berth.
Tonga: John Hopoate, Tevita Vaikona, and Lesley Vainakolo. Hansen 2/3
AA/TSI: Dean Widders 2, Matt Sing, and Rhys Wesser. Narwan 1/3. Prince 3/3. Mundine 1 fg.
PoM Points: Dean Widders 3, Nathan Blacklock 2, and Mark Tookey 1.
US Perform Again, but NZ Get Away
The US Tomahawks have put in another quality performance against world class opposition, pushing New Zealand to the limit on Aussie lose 26-18 in a real nail-biting finish. Like last week's loss to England, the US scored as many tries as their opposition, but gave away almost twice the penalties to give Mehrtens four extra shots at goal.
USA: Christian Rahui 2 and David Bowe. Opan 3/4
New Zealand: Nigel Vagana, Tony Puletua, and Christian Cullen. Mehrtens 7/7
PoM Points: Nigel Vagana 3, Harley Autitia 2, and Caleb Ralph 1.
The second phase of round three games has been completed, with the big sides from Group B recording wins, whilst the likes of Fiji and PNG were shocking sides in their divisions.
Europe Roll On
In the much hype which pitted former European team-mates against each other, the European side have won through 24-14 in a tight clash, and now set up a mouth-watering clash between Ireland to decide who will top the group. The biggest downside to the win came to the loss of star five eighth, Braith Anasta.
Europe: Leonardo Orelli, Michael Vella, Brent Sherwin, and John Skandalis. Takawira 4/5
Germany: Till Mason and Tobi Dassinger. Mason 3/3
PoM Points: Marco Brividio 3, Matteo Giocometti 2, and Scott Magro 1.
Tuqiri Does a Wilkinson
Where it's usually England's Jonny Wilkinson booting his side out of trouble, today it was Fijian captain Lote Tuqiri who knocked over three penalty goals to set up a 12 all dead-lock with the pool topping Lions. The English scored two tries to one, but poor discipline from the forward pack gave Tuqiri a chance to excercise his kicking boots. The Fijian fans, in a packed Fiji International Stadium, were elated by the result.
Fiji: Stephen Smith. Tuqiri 4/5
England: Keith Senior and Jamie Peacock. Wilkinson 2/3
PoM Points: Jason Robinson 3, Jamie Peacock 2, and Gary Connolly 1.
Ireland Beat Japan Despite the Ref
Some blatantly biased refereeing from Tokiro Hadiza has not been able to derail the Ireland machine, the Irish having five tries disallowed but still recording a solid 30-14 win over the Japanese side. Although Hadiza is Chinese, many suggested he was paid off by the wealthy Japanese backers, to no avail. The Irish have lost Brian Carney and Shannon O'Reilly for their big clash with Europe in Melbourne.
Ireland: Streve Prescott, Tommy O'Reilly 2, Barrie McDermott, and Brian O'Driscroll. O'Gara 5/6
Japan: Toutai Kefu, Kenji Morita, and Ichiro Nazuki. Tirohara 1/3
PoM Points: Ronan O'Gara 3, Terry O'Connor 2, and Barrie McDermott 1.
PNG Win, but Lose Luana
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls have re-gained the leadership in Pool A courtesy of a dominant 18-6 over the South Africans, who were nothing like the team that upset Australia a fortnight ago. But leading into their clash with Australia to decide first place, the Kumuls have lost ASRL star and Premier League lock of the year, Graham Luana for seven weeks to a broken leg.
South Africa: Braam van Straaten 1. van Straaten 1/1
Papua New Guinea: Augustine Justine, Alfred Songoro, and Graham Luana. Luana 3/3
PoM Points: Melvin Hart 3, Graham Luana 2, and Michael Marum 1.
GROUP A
Papua New Guinea- 3/2/1/0/62/29/+33/ 4 points
Australia- 3/2/1/0/72/45/+27/ 4 points
South Africa- 2/1/1/0/35/34/+1/ 2 points
France- 2/1/1/0/0/29/48/-19/ 2 points
Cook Islands- 2/0/2/0/10/52/-42/ 0 points
GROUP B
Ireland- 3/3/0/0/92/34/+58/ 6 points
Europe- 3/3/0/0/84/40/+44/ 6 points
Samoa- 2/0/2/0/26/38/-12/ 0 points
Germany- 2/0/2/0/14/58/-44/ 0 points
Japan- 2/0/2/0/34/80/-46/ 0 points
GROUP C
Scotland- 2/2/0/0/40/14/+26/ 4 points
AA/TSI- 3/2/1/0/51/48/+3/ 4 points
Wales- 3/1/2/0/52/48/+4/ 2 points
Tonga- 2/1/1/0/40/47/-7/ 2 points
Russia- 2/0/2/0/14/44/-30/ 0 points
GROUP D
England- 3/2/0/1/75/32/+43/ 5 points
New Zealand- 3/2/1/0/74/58/+16/ 4 points
Fiji- 2/1/0/1/40/22/+18/ 3 points
USA- 2/0/2/0/34/51/-17/ 0 points
Lebanon- 2/0/2/0/18/76/-58/ 0 points
Shit, how'd I forget that when I coached them for the match!?
I'll post it later tonight.
Chris
Fuck, i sent the orders in right?
