Canada were the story of the opening day of the Rugby League Commonwealth Championship at Broadwood Stadium in North Lanarkshire. A 24-4 victory over England - in what was most of their team’s first ever game of rugby league - stunned the crowd and they went on to beat South Africa to earn a place in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
England’s day went from bad to worse when they lost 16-10 to Papua New Guinea, who completed three straight wins to top Pool B. PNG, strong, quick and impressive all around, face inconsistent Wales in the semi-final at 3pm and look serious contenders for the gold medal.
Australia will have other ideas after winning Pool A and securing a semi-final clash with Canada tomorrow at 3.30pm, although they did not always look as dangerous as in their handsome 34-10 win over Wales, Joseph Manu scoring the first four tries in an outstanding individual display.
The young Aussies from Sydney Roosters saw off the plucky Jamaicans in their opening game before hitting top form against the Welsh, but were mightily close to be toppled by Scotland in their final group game.
The Young Bravehearts led 18-8 into the second-half thanks to tries from Hull KR’s Jack Stewart, London Broncos duo Richard Harris and Harvey Burnett, plus one from Shane Toal and an Alex Jobson conversion, and another seismic shock was on the cards.
But Australia rallied with two tries from Luke Chavez Ellis to level things up in a superb 18-all draw. Scotland now play South Africa tomorrow in the first of their two place games.
Wales have a contender for top try-scorer in exciting South Wales Scorpions’ diminutive winger James Mercurius-Tayor, who has five in three games. Manu's devastating runs up the centre of the field also earned him five tries.
The RLCC2014, which is part of the Homecoming Scotland festival of events, continues tomorrow at Broadwood Stadium with the gold medal match at 5.30m. Entry is FREE.
Pool A results:
Australia 26 Jamaica 4
Wales 18 Scotland 6
Australia 34 Wales 10
Scotland 4 Jamaica 0
Wales 34 Jamaica 0
Scotland 18 Australia 18
Pool B results:
Papua New Guinea 22 South Africa 8
Canada 24 England 4
Canada 24 South Africa 16
Papua New Guinea 16 England 10
Papua New Guinea 26 Canada 6
England 22 South Africa 6
Sunday’s fixtures:
2pm England v Jamaica
2.30pm Scotland v South Africa
3pm – semi-final: PNG v Wales
3.30pm – semi-final: Australia v Canada
4pm – 7/8th place game4.30pm – 5/6th place game
5pm – 3rd/4th place game5.30pm – Gold Medal match