World Cup to put Rugby League on the world map
Tom Driscoll
Posted on: 30 October 2008 - 16:24
Rugby League
League minnows put hot favourites in the shade
In other circumstances, a group stage display of complete dominance by the overwhelming favourites over its most competitive rival, would be more than sufficient to diminish interest in the remainder of the tournament- particularly with regards to one involving just 10 teams.
But yet, the outlandish supremacy of Australia's 30-6 victory over New Zealand was enough only to earn a share of the opening weekend's headlines.
The sheer levels of skill and commitment displayed in three pulsating matches involving the sport's minnow nations has provided welcoming evidence to suggest that this World Cup may be the breakthrough success that the tournaments organizers have hoped for.
Kumulu's earn plaudits in defeat
No better example of this is the opening match of the tournament in tropical Townsville where Papua New Guinea defied their outsider status to push a highly-fancied England team to its physical limits, before eventually succumbing to a 32-22 defeat.
Ferocious in the tackle and superbly marshalled by their influential captain and stand -off Stanley Gene, The Kulumu's were relentless and through their impressive ball-handling skills led 16-12 at half time, before a debut hat-trick from Lee Smith capped a credible English fightback.
It may appear somewhat of a fallacy to attribute a nation ranked fourth-best in the world the tag of minnows, even more so when its national sport is Rugby League itself.
But the perceived gulf between Papua New Guinea and the three highest ranked nations only serves to position their performance as an encouraging sign for the future of the so called 'Sleeping Giant' of the 13-man code, which starts against New Zealand this Saturday.
Celtic warriors make strides through format changes
The Kulumu's unfortunate draw in Group A alongside the top three seeds aside, the tournament organisers appear to have adapted sensible format changes which have served to improve the quality of the matches so far.
The absence of an overpowering nation in Groups B and C has produced two thrillingly competitive matches involving home nation sides against more established competitors.
Ireland were narrowly defeated by a vastly more experienced Tonga 22-20 after the Irish had stunned their opponents to lead 20- 18 with just a few minutes remaining.
Exemplified by a hat trick from Australian born, English-based winger Damien Blanch, the Wolfhounds collective speed and commitment caused the Tongan defence considerable problems until a 73rd minute score through Esikeli Tonga sealed the victory.
France make their mark
Meanwhile a crowd of 10,000 in Canberra saw a spirited Scotland eventually defeated 36-18 by a French side packed full of Catalan Dragons stars, who finished 3rd in the Super League last season.
Orchestrated by their outstanding five-eight Thomas Bosc, Les Tricolours ran in six tries despite a lack of fluent in their play, serving as a warning that they may remain an outside threat to cause an upset later in the tournament.
The opening four matches of this World Cup have treated us to a feast of enterprising and cavalier rugby, and despite Australia's ominous form, the tournament seems to be in particularly good health.
And the competitive action will hopefully continue to come this weekend as we anticipate a sumptuous clash between two bitter adversaries with a ferocious history of sporting rivalry between them: Not Australia v England; but rather the Pacific Island showdown in the Sydney suburbs; Tonga against Samoa