With three games of vital importance to the makeup of the 2003 World Cup finals series, and one all about pride, the final four clashes were always going to be big. They exceeded expectations in some cases, whilst other sides flexed their muscles heading into the finals.
USA Stun Fiji
All Fiji needed to do today to secure not only a finals berth, but first place in their pool, was to defeat the upstart USA side who had only managed to beat Lebanon in the pool games. A field goal would have done it, but instead it was the Tomahawks who came out full of pride and passion. A 10-4 halftime scoreline had things on a knife edge, before two late tries to the US side scored a memorable 20-4 win and ended Fiji’s hopes. England and New Zealand breathed sighs of relief, through to the final.
Fiji: Eparama Navalu. Tuqiri 0/1
USA: Danny Bull, David Bowe, Rory Powers, and Vea Ofa. Opan 2/4
PoM Points: Cory Sheridan 3, Howard Opan 2, and Bill Rhyven 1.
Japan Down Germany to Record First World Cup Win
With both Germany and Japan winless in their debut World Cups, today’s clash would be a chance for one or the other to get on the ledger. The last time these two sides met, Japan recorded their first international victory, and they did it again today after memorable performances from their largely amateur side.
Japan: Akido Li, Koru Tirohara, Dan Hills, and Koru Tinakita. Tirohara 2/5. Miller 1 fg.
Germany: Holger Mannhardt and Mimmi Kempter. Mason 2/3
PoM Points: Toru Suzuki 3, Ichiro Nazuki 2, and Daisuke Ohata 1.
South Africa Cream Cook Islands
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls would have had their bags packed at halftime, as the South African Rhinos showed Cook Islands no mercy and handed them a 38-8 hammering to secure themselves an unlikely finals berth behind the Australian Kangaroos who they upset in Round One. South Africa now face other unlikely finalists, Scotland, in sudden death football.
South Africa: Jamie Bloem 2, Boeta Wessels 2, Mick Van Der Wall, Tom O’Shea, and Joost van der Westuizen. Van Straaten 5/7
Cook Islands: Leroy Joe and Solomon Haumona. Paul 0/2
PoM Points: Mick Van Der Wall 3, Joost Van Der Westuizen 2, and David Ferriol 1.
Tonga Hammer Russia To Secure Finals Berth
The Tongan side have also defied their critics today, hammering Russia 28-6 to knock AA/TSI out of the finals race and set up what should be a thrilling clash against former favourites, Australia. The Tongans kept on the try-scoring power they displayed against first place Scotland to secure the win.
Tonga: Fifiata Moala, David Fifi’iaha, Greg Wolfgramm, and Brent Kite 2. Hansen 4/5
Russia: Eugeni Bozhukov. Kalachkine 1/1
PoM Points: Brent Kite 3, Greg Wolfgramm 2, and Fifiata Moala 1.
Final Tables
GROUP A
Australia- 4/3/1/0/98/51/+47/ 6 points
South Africa- 4/3/1/0/83/59/+25/ 6 points
Papua New Guinea- 4/2/2/0/68/55/+13/ 4 points
France- 4/2/2/0/0/65/80/-15/ 4 points
Cook Islands- 4/0/4/0/30/108/-78/ 0 points
GROUP B
Ireland- 4/4/0/0/146/44/+102/ 8 points
Europe- 4/3/1/0/94/94/+0/ 6 points
Samoa- 4/2/2/0/76/50/+26/ 4 points
Japan- 4/1/3/0/61/126/-65/ 2 points
Germany- 4/0/4/0/32/95/-63/ 0 points
GROUP C
Scotland- 4/3/1/0/92/56/+36/ 6 points
Tonga- 4/3/1/0/110/79/+31/ 6 points
AA/TSI- 4/3/1/0/81/66/+15/ 6 points
Wales- 4/1/3/0/70/78/-8/ 2 points
Russia- 4/0/4/0/20/98/-78/ 0 points
GROUP D
New Zealand- 4/3/1/0/98/76/+22/ 6 points
England- 4/2/1/1/93/56/+37/ 5 points
Fiji- 4/2/1/1/76/58/+20/ 5 points
USA- 4/2/2/0/78/61/+17/ 4 points
Lebanon- 4/0/4/0/40/132/-96/ 0 points
Quarter Final Draw
Australia vs. Tonga @ Aussie Stadium
Ireland vs. England @ Telstra Stadium
Scotland vs. South Africa @ the MCG
New Zealand vs. Europe @ ANZ Stadium
Tonga, Scotland, South Africa, and Europe all make their World Cup final debuts.
