World Cup: England vs Fiji

[DIEHARD]

England v Fiji
The Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull
Saturday, 2:30pm (UK time)
Sunday 1:30am (AEDT); 12:30am (AEST)

Sibling rivalry takes centre stage in what has become the battle for second spot in Group A.

With tournament favourites Australia set to finish top of the group and minnows Ireland having all but exited, both England and Fiji are likely to progress through to the quarter-finals against either France or Samoa next week.

But while the final group game for both teams has essentially become a dead rubber, at stake is the title of the nation with the best band of brothers – the Burgess boys from Dewsbury, England or the Sims clan from the NSW south coast via Ba, Fiji.

The hosts regain the most recognised Burgess, Sam, who has come under fire for repeated misdemeanours on the football field in 2013, the last of which resulted in a one-game ban that saw him miss their rout of Ireland.

Sam re-unites with twins Tom and George, the latter of which suffered an ankle injury that limited him to 18 minutes against the Irish. George has been a revelation in the NRL this year and has continued to wreak havoc – he was one of their best against the Kangaroos in the tournament-opener – in the colder confines of home in the northern hemisphere.

All three of the Sims boys, on the other hand, have started both of their games so far – a resounding win over Ireland before a demoralising loss to Australia. Qualifying through Fijian-born mum Jacquline, the trio add some genuine starch to a forward pack that already includes veteran skipper Petero Civoniceva and the ball-running Jayson Bukuya.

Of course, while bragging rights aren’t the sole focus for either team, it certainly makes for an intriguing segue – and a commentator’s nightmare – into the battle for second spot.

Watch Out Fiji: You don’t think Sam Burgess is coming out with a vengeance? The Rabbitohs firebrand has come under plenty of criticism – particularly Down Under – for his knack of getting in trouble with the referees this year, and will come out with a lot to prove. He’s fast becoming the modern day version of Mark Geyer: he will undoubtedly have an impact on this game, but whether it’s good or bad for the home side, time will tell. If the Bati play this right, Slammin’ Sam could find himself in more trouble.

Watch out England: Kangaroos centre Michael Jennings wasn’t kidding when he questioned why former team-mate Petero Civoniceva is retiring after this World Cup. The most capped prop in Kangaroos history has punched out an impressive 252 metres in Fiji’s two games thus far – the most of anyone in his team. The Sims’ boys might come at England in waves, but Civoniceva’s runs are tidal.

Where it will be won: England coach Steve McNamara has copped a boatload of criticism in regards to the Gareth Hock drama, but his insertion of Rangi Chase against the Irish was a masterstroke. Together with Kevin Sinfield, England boast a dangerous halves combination. Their ability to create attacking opportunities on either side of the ruck is the biggest advantage England have over the inexperienced Fijian duo of Alipate Noilea and Aaron Groom.

Televised: 7mate – Live from 1am (NSW); 12am (Qld).

The Way We See It: England made a statement with their demolition of Ireland. Fiji will put up more of a fight, but McNamara will want to continue their momentum into the finals. The home side by at least three tries.

*Statistics: NRL Stats

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

ENGLAND V FIJI (KC Stadium)
Midnight AEST LIVE on 7mate

[teke]

This will be a good game, looking forward to this one

[DIEHARD]

This will be a good game, looking forward to this one

I really believe it will be. England need to lift gears if they hope to knock out New Zealand and Australia. And the Fijians werent too bad against Australia and just couldnt turn it into points. I think it may be happier hunting against England. Hoping for some grit and biff.

[DIEHARD]

Petero tips England to make RLWC final

Fiji captain Petero Civoniceva fully expects England will reach the Rugby League World Cup final.

Fiji will tackle England in their final group clash, in Hull on Saturday, and Australia's most capped forward knows exactly what to expect after watching some of the English talent star in the 2013 NRL season.

"Seeing what the Burgess brothers have done this year in the NRL and Sam Tomkins and the other great players they have within their team, I feel that they are definitely going to be featuring in the final," said Civoniceva, who made 45 appearances for Australia.

"All in all they have great attacking potential right across the field - their back three, their halves and their forward pack.

"It is going to be hard to contain the great players that they have but I think they will be up for some big games leading up to the final."

The 37-year-old, whose rugby league swansong will continue in the tournament's quarter-finals unless Ireland produce an immense boilover against the Kangaroos, wasn't quite ready to head home.

"We came fourth in the last World Cup in 2008 and I am hopeful we can emulate that," Civoniceva said.

"But saying that there are a lot of great sides in the competition. It is going to be tough going but if we realise our potential, that could be the case for us."

England trio Tom Burgess, James Roby and Gareth Widdop were all rested for the Fiji clash with the previously suspended Sam Burgess and Michael McIlorum coming in along with Lee Mossop.

Mossop was handed a role from the bench as England began their campaign in Cardiff with a 28-20 loss to Australia.

The 24-year-old then played no part as England got up and running with a 42-0 defeat of Ireland but is back and ready to play his role.

"The main thing is that the best 17 play every week and (coach) Steve (McNamara) has made his decision on who the best men are to beat Fiji," Mossop said.

"We all back each other. I missed out against Ireland but I was very hopeful of coming back into the team to get a shot at Fiji.

"Everyone has gelled together, the banter is good," he insisted amid reports of dressing room unrest following the exits of Zak Hardaker and Gareth Hock, the latter kicked out before the tournament started after flouting an alcohol ban.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[TITAN PETE]

England beats Fiji for quarter-final spot

AAP
4:38am Sun 10th November, 2013



England have grabbed six tries in 18 minutes either side of halftime to rally past Fiji 34-12 and book a spot in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals.

Fiji, which held a 6-0 lead approaching the break thanks to Eloni Vunakece's 32nd-minute try, must now rely on Australia beating Ireland later on Saturday to seal a last-eight berth.

Ben Westwood sparked England's recovery in Hull by crossing in the 38th before Sam Burgess, Ryan Hall (two), Brett Ferres and Rob Burrow went over in the third quarter.

Unless Ireland produces a miracle win over the Kangaroos, England will play France or Samoa in the quarters.

It was a fitting victory for the English on a day former international Steve Prescott died following a long battle against cancer.