RLWC2021: Men’s World Cup warm-up round-up

There were five World Cup warm-up fixtures on Saturday ahead of the RLWC2021 in England, including action for Tonga, New Zealand and Lebanon. 

Scotland fell to a 28-4 defeat to England Knights in Edinburgh in their only warm-up match ahead of the tournament. 

Warrington youngster Josh Thewlis scored four for the Knights, joined on the scoresheet by Jez Litten and Jack Broadbent. Kane Linnett scoring Scotland’s only try. 

The Bravehearts open their World Cup campaign against Italy in Newcastle next Sunday,

Wales were beaten 38-22 by Lebanon at Heywood Road in their final preparations ahead of the World Cup.

Caleb Aekins and Kyle Evans were handed their debuts by Wales boss John Kear, the latter scoring on his first appearance. 

Khaled Rajab, Jacob Kiraz, Elie El-Zakhem, Michael Tannous, Josh Mansour, Tony Maroun, Bilal Maarbani and Andrew Kazzi all scoring for Michael Cheika’s Lebanon.

Wales open their World Cup campaign against the Cook Islands at Leigh on October 19. Lebanon open their tournament against New Zealand next Sunday at Warrington.

Tonga defeated France 48-12 in Halifax. NRL superstar David Fifita made his debut for Kristian Woolf’s side. Brisbane’s Tesi Niu was named at full-back with Tui Lolohea in the halves. Mahe Fonua, Albert Vete and Agnatius Paasi were all called up to the bench but will not be a part of Tonga’s 24-man World Cup squad.

Greece come from behind in RLWC2021 warm-up tie

Greece came from behind at Bradford for a 34-34 score at Odsal Stadium. The Bulls had led 22-0 just 20 minutes into the clash, before Steve Georgallis’ side hit back for a 22-12 half-time score. 

Bradford again extended their advantage in the second 40 to 34-18, before tries from Peter Mamouzelos, Adam Vrahons and Billy Magoulias levelled the scores at full-time.

Nick Mougious and Theodoris Nianakis also scoring, while Magoulias scored his first in the opening half. 

In the final fixture of the day, New Zealand defeated Leeds 74-0 in front of a crowd of 9,125 at Headingley Stadium.

More World Cup content

Brian McDermott on his role with Fiji and “very good” England

Dom Young on Huddersfield exit, life in the NRL & England call-up

Ed Chamberlain bullish about Ireland’s World Cup prospects

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