The first round of the RL WC 2021 has been completed. I've seen every match in full and have a few observations to share.
Group A:
England 60-6 Samoa. For a game that was supposed to have the island nation as favourites (never by me I'll add), it turned out very differently.
The half time score of 18-6 to the host nation meant it was still there for either side to take. However, England took control and Samoa fell apart under the pressure. The scoreline was a surprise.
France 34-12 Greece. France has a long history in the game and Greece is relatively new. The former is rebuilding its reputation and the latter has only recently become legalised after a bizarre governmental ban.
France took control and led 20-0 at the break but Greece battled hard and scored a couple of tries while not letting the scoreline get too much away from them. Greece surprised many with its effort while France will need to up their game to get through to the knock out stage.
Group B:
Australia 42-8 Fiji. Australia are the favourites and while they comfortably won the match, they weren't at their best. Fiji were galant but short on quality. Fiji scored first but Australia came back to lead 18-4 by half time. In the second half the Kangaroos were always in control
Italy 28-4 Scotland. This was a tough one to predict but Italy was polished and Scotland clunky. The Azzurri led 12-0 after the first stanza and went on with the job, effectively shutting out their opponents until conceding a late try.
Group C:
Ireland 48-2 Jamaica. Ireland had more quality in its squad and that showed. From the get go Ireland was on top and comfortably led 18-2 when the sides changed ends. They added another 30 unanswered points in the second forty. Jamaica showed plenty of heart but that wasn't enough against some classy opponents.
New Zealand 34-12 Lebanon. The Kiwis were clear favourites but Lebanon always proves to be a tricky outfit and this was no different. Short kick offs worked for them and they soon led. The NZ side came back and led 18-6 at half time. Another brisk start by Lebanon and it was 18-12 but then the Kiwis turned it up a notch and pulled away.
Group D:
Tonga 24-18 PNG. Tonga had the much stronger roster but never got on top. The game was close throughout although the 18-6 half time score may have looked otherwise. PNG bombed a certain try down the touchline which would have had it 18-12.
PNG took the game to their more fancied opponents and got to 18-18 and should have been ahead but for a try being ruled out which seemed OK to me. A last gasp try after an amazing sequence of passing got Tonga a late winner.
Cook Is 18-12 Wales. The Cook Is team had many pro players while Wales was almost exclusively part timers. However, the Welsh side defied their status and their well drilled and disciplined style unsettled their adversaries. By half time Wales were surprised leaders 12-8.
In the second half the Cook Is team upped their game, played in a controlled manner and kept the Welsh side pinned in their own half. At around the three quarter point, two quick tries had the Island nation ahead 18-12 and looking like pulling away. However, the arm wrestle resumed, with Wales having a chance at the end to tie the match but they came up short. An absorbing contest.
