International Results : 2019 June

The international calendar for RL suddenly burst into life. There were matches being played in different locations, some classed as a friendly but the others being part of a series.

21st June, Sydney, Australia (WC qualifying repechage match) Cook Is vs RSA

It was always going to be a big ask that the RSA would be able to contain the Kukis. While many making up the Rhinos play the game in Australia, it isn't at the top level and domestic players don't have a strong competition to develop in. The CI rely heavily on NZ born players with more experience.

That's how it transpired, as about 2,600 turned up in neutral Australia to enjoy the match. The Kukis quickly took control and raced to a 46-0 lead by half time. The second half was more even and the Rhinos managed to score too, which was some consolation.

Cook Is 66-6 South Africa.

The Cook Is will later head stateside to take on the USA to decide the final place in the 2021 WC.

22nd June, Auckland, NZ (Oceania Cup Pool A) NZ vs Tonga

Mate Ma'a Tonga have had some great wins recently and want to progress and eventually be recognised as a tier one nation. The Kiwis have had some ordinary performances over the same period and wished to get back on track. So plenty riding on the result. Nearly 24,000 were on hand to see the game.

NZ hit the ground running and Tonga struggled to stay with them. At half time it was 16-4 to the home side with the thousands on Tongan fans there unable to lift their team sufficiently. The local side continued to outplay their opponents in the second half and won surprisingly comfortably in the end. Hot and cold Shaun Johnson was outstanding on this occasion for the Kiwis, scoring three tries.

NZ 34-14 Tonga.

22nd June, Sydney, Australia (Oceania Cup Pool B) Samoa vs PNG

Toa Samoa and the PNG Kumuls came together for this clash with PNG having the better recent form. In a tight, tough encounter it was Samoa who had the slightly better first half, leading 12-6 at the break. In the end Samoa got away to win and deservedly so, in front of 8,500 spectators.

Samoa 24-6 PNG

22nd June, Sydney, Australia. Fiji vs Lebanon

At the same venue as above, Fiji Bati took on the Lebanon Cedars with the 8,500 attendees getting bang for their buck in this double header. Both sides have a strong recent history in internationals but Lebanon had some high profile defections and issues with its federation.

How much that affected the Cedars I can't be sure but Fiji were vastly stronger overall. They raced to a surprising 34-4 lead at half time, effectively having won the contest by that time. Lebanon had a nice patch in the second period but had no answer to a very polished Bati performance.

Fiji 58-14 Lebanon

22nd June, Kingston, Jamaica. Jamaica vs USA

Jamaica had not long back narrowly upset the USA Hawks in getting direct qualification to the 2021 World Cup, the latter now to play the Cook Is if they are to get there. So here was a chance to see if that was a one off win. The USA are usually successful when these two nations come together. The Reggae Warriors chose local players only, rather that use any UK based ones so an interesting test of domestic quality.

The Hawks took an early lead and after a seesaw half of scoring it was 18-14 to the visitors. The Reggae Warriors then went ahead 26-18 and went on to win a close encounter of the second kind.

Jamaica 26-24 USA