With only three matches in the group stages, each game is important, especially for the three team groups.
Tonga 36-0 Lebanon. It was tighter than the score suggested, with Tonga ahead 14-0 at the break. Lebanon mounted many attacks but couldn't convert them into points. That ends Lebanon's hopes and Tonga are well placed to advance.
Samoa 64-6 PNG. PNG had home advantage but not ad highly rated as Samoa. Still, an interesting encounter was expected. Samoa led 14-6 at the break and then the flood gates opened. The modern rules mean you only need to be on a role and the score blows out. I think it needs addressing.
England 82-0 France. For twenty minutes it was a reasonable contest but England took control and led 34-0 at the break. The floodgates opened in the second half.
New Zealand 82-16 Cook Is. The Aitu got some early intercept tries and lead the Kiwis 16-12 but the latter came back to lead 36-16 by the break. The second half was one way traffic.
Australia 12-10 Fiji. Fiji had a good start to the match, only trailing 12-10 at the break. They went on to lead 16-12 and had a try disallowed that would have made it interesting had it been awarded. But then they tired, and the game got away from them.
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