Tonga continue to improve as a rugby league nation on the back of a powerful 30-0 domination of the hapless Cook Islands. Wellington powerhouse Lesley Vainikolo was at his vintage best with a hat-trick in a man of the match performance.
Cook Islands: None.
Tonga: Lesley Vainikolo 3, Greg Wolfgramm, Eddie Paeia, and Solomon Haumona. Hansen 3/7
PoM Points: Lesley Vainikolo 3, David Fifi'iaha 2, and Eddie Paeia 1.
Ireland have added to new English coach Kermit Krockett's woes, humbling the mother-land in an 18-2 white wash that could have been far worse had Danny Orr been able to land more than one of his conversion attempts.
England: None. Deacon 1/1
Ireland: Brian Carney, Tommy O'Reilly 2, and Luke Ricketson. Orr 1/4
PoM Points: Tommy O'Reilly 3, Danny Williams 2, and Brian O'Driscroll 1.
Fijian coach Marshal Boyd has earned his first win at the helm, the Fijians upsetting AA/TSI 20-8 in an entertaining match packed full of ad-lib football. The Fijians relied heavily on Lote Tuqiri and Rupeni Caucau, who seemed to have the ball on a string as they punished some lazy AA/TSI defence.
Fiji: Rupeni Caucau 2 and Lote Tuqiri 2. Tuqiri 2/4
AA/TSI: Justin Hodges. Smith 2/2
PoM Points: Lote Tuqiri 3, Samu Valelela 2, and Rupeni Caucau 1.
Greece continue to stun the international rugby league world, the Greeks getting up 32-6 over the French in the upset of the international year. Rookie sensation Jonny Maquina was on fire in the six tries to one assault- which guarantees the new Greek team a place in the Mediterannean Cup final.
Greece: Manuel Manolis, Hakkis Husselman, Raphael Turturro, Anthony Quinn, and Michael Korkidas 2. Maquina 4/6
France: Frederick Michalak. Michalak 1/1
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina 3, Hakkis Husselman 2, and Raphael Turturro 1.
Italy have recorded their first win as a rugby league playing nation, the Italians downing the woeful Lebanese Cedars 23-16 in an exciting but messy clash at Tripoli. Despite a dominant performance from Maltese import Scott Magro, the Cedars still remain winless since before the World Cup.
Lebanon: Syrian Kor, Anthony Semrani, and Adam Peek. El Masri 2/4
Italy: Shane Rigon, Leonardo Orelli, Paul Dezolt, and Marco Brividio. Thurston 3/5. Thurston 1 fg.
PoM Points: Scott Magro 3, Marco Brividio 2, and Caesar Ramirez 1.
It was a much improved New Zealand side that took to the field against Australia in today's clash, some changes by Nathan Hoy seeming to turn the side around as they went down 24-18 in a real thriller against the world champions. The final ten minutes were especially tense, the Kiwis camped on the Aussie line.
New Zealand: Mils Muliana, David Solomona, and Stacey Jones. Mehrtens 3/4
Australia: Timana Tahu, Darren Lockyer, Ben Kennedy, and Mark O'Meley. Fitzgibbon 4/4
PoM Points: Ben Kennedy 3, Danny Buderus 2, and Darren Lockyer 1.
Some changes to the beaten US side have had a positive effect, the Tomahawks humbling Russia 30-0 in front of a 30,000 strong Moscow crowd. The inclusion of veterans David Niu, Mike Mulvihill, and Marcus Vassilakopoulus were crucial in the big away win.
Russia: None. Kalachkine 0/1
USA: Mike Mulvihill, Brooke Martin 2, Bill Rhyven, and Jeff Preston. Martin 5/5
PoM Points: Brooke Martin 3, Bill Rhyven 2, and Clint Newton 1.
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls and Samoans have put on a good match today as the Kumuls got up 18-4 in a surprisingly tight game. The Kumuls held a 12-4 lead in the final five minutes, before a late try to Port Moresby's David Furlongu increased the margin.
Samoa: Brian Leauma. Leauma 0/1
Papua New Guinea: David Furlongu, Mark Mom, and Adrian Lam. Luana 3/4
PoM Points: Mark Mom 3, Adrian Lam 2, and Jake Luana 1.
It wasn't South Africa's most convincing performance, but the Rhinos have beaten Japan 22-12 to continue a very good year for the nation both internationally and at club level. Free agent Leon Barnard was a man mountain in the Rhinos' line, while former Falcon Coenraad van der Merwe was also inspirational in the number seven.
South Africa: Tim Jonkers, Leon Barnard, and Sean Rutgerson. van Straaten 5/5
Japan: Ichiro Nazuki and Andrew Miller. Yukamizo 2/4
PoM Points: Leon Barnard 3, Kenichiaou Yukamizo 2, and Coenraad van der Merwe 1.
Wales have finally returned to the winners' circle in a high scoring 30-26 win over the disappointing Scotsmen. An abysmal first half saw last year's semi finalists down 20-8, and even a spirited second half comeback couldn't lift the Scottish as they slumped to their second loss of the international year.
Wales: Goerdan Murphy, Lee Briers, Karle Hammond 2, Chris Morley, and Gareth Raynor. Eaton 3/6
Scotland: Dream Waters, Adrian Vowles, Paul O'Connell, Pierce Connery, and Simon Greaves. Parks 0/2. Connery 3/3
PoM Points: Pierce Connery 3, Lee Briers 2, and Paul O'Connell 1.
gees thanks for sending me a form guide
Did Germany play at all? I could have sworn I sent in my formguide
Jesus I'm a god awful international coach! I mean I've been hammered by top teams, but I'm a top team too. I think if can't turn it around in the next coupla games England will be up for grabs for next year!
Fark 0-2....this week was a much better game by us thou, we put alot of pressure the world champion Kangeroos. Again i will be making a few small changes to the lineup for the next game against England, shall be interesting.
Amid the drunken celebrations of Tonga's 30-0 slaughter of Cook Islands witnesses say that coach Andrew Young kept repeating "AUSTRALIA'S NEXT!"
Can the Tongans upset the best league team in the world? Will Lesley Vainakolo dominate the weak Australian defence and will Coach Andrew Young not sound like an idiot after Tonga loses 50-0 to Australia in round 3?
All these questions will be answered next week!
:drunk:
Randell- there's 21 international nations, so one team misses out every week. I'll use your orders for next round.
Anthony- sorry, I must have forgotten to email you your orders.
Onya Italy, great win of those Lebanese, woohoo.
Now we're up against France <_< so hopefully we can make it to the finals against the Greeks
the cook islandes coach has now dropped eddie paeia to the bench of the waikato breakers for that performance against his coach.
oh fiddle de dee to be sure the irish 2 from 2, that's worth a guiness or 2 :drunk: :kicking:
