Rugby League World Cup kicks off this weekend

October 13, 2022 10:01 am.by Wayne Heming

RLWC betting

Rugby league returns to the international stage in the UK at the weekend with the staging of the first World Cup since Australia defeated England in Brisbane in the 2017 final.

Because of their lack of involvement in the international game due to the COVID pandemic, Australia have slipped to No.4 in the world rankings as they step out to defend successive titles won in 2013 against New Zealand and 2017 against England.

This Rugby League World Cup, postponed from 2021 because of COVID, promises to toss up some wonderful contests and some cricket score results because of the difference in quality and experience between tier-one nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and England and world minnows like Jamaica, Lebanon, Greece, Scotland, Wales, and the Cook Islands.

Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and hosts England make up the big four with improvers Tonga given an outside chance of causing a major boilover.

Both Samoa and Tonga have made giant strides in world rugby league in the past decade or so and both, particularly Samoa, have squads bursting with talent.

Interestingly, England’s bid to win, or at least repeat their 2017 effort by making the final at Old Trafford on November 19, could hinge on their opening game against Samoa at St James’ Park, Newcastle, on Sunday.

Barring injuries and upsets, the winner of this clash should top Group A, which also features France and Greece, meaning England could not afford to drop another pool game.

If that scenario were to unfold, the host nation would be in serious danger of not being in the final – a potential minor financial disaster.

Samoa will field most of Penrith’s 2022 NRL Grand Final-winning backline, including Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, and bustling winger Brian To’o — one of the favourites to be the tournament’s leading tryscorer, along with Roosters teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii.

READ: Rugby League World Cup top team tryscorer tips

Their forward pack will be led by Canberra’s Josh Papalii and include the likes of Junior Paulo, big-hitting Jaydn Sua, and Braden Hamlin-Uele.

Samoa have been installed as early $1.60 favourites with England the $2.35 underdogs at BetOnline.

The fourth-ranked Kangaroos, meanwhile, kick off their campaign for a third-straight World Cup victory against the plucky sixth-ranked Fiji Bati at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on Saturday (5:30am Sunday AEDT).

They are white-hot favourites at $1.01 with their Pacific nation opposition quoted at $21 and getting up to 40 points’ start with online bookmakers.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has opted not to play any of the Penrith or Parramatta players involved in this month’s grand final in Sydney.

As a result, Meninga has handed seven players their Test debuts against Fiji.

Debuting in the green and gold will be Cowboys trio Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and tryscoring sensation Jeremiah Nanai, while Harry Grant (Storm), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans) and young Bronco forward Pat Carrigan complete the list of Test rookies.

READ: Meninga wary of NZ threat at Rugby League World Cup

Grant bruised his ribs at training during the week but has declared there is “no way” he is missing his Test debut on the weekend.

Fiji will rely heavily on their two Penrith stars, Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, and Parramatta winger Waqa Blake in attack.

They will look to their two sets of brothers — Daniel and Jacob Saifiti (Knights), and Korbin Sims (Hull KR) and Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra) — to provided much of the muscle to meet Australia head on.

It’s doubtful any nation has ever fielded two sets of brothers in a Rugby League World Cup Test.

The other World Cup games this weekend will feature Scotland ($1.25) taking on Italy ($4) at Kingston Park, Newcastle, and 500-1 tournament outsiders Jamaica taking on Ireland ($1.01) at Headingley, both on Sunday afternoon (12:30am Monday AEDT).