2008 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP OVERVIEW
Host Nation – Australia
Number of Teams – 10
Highest Crowd – 50,599 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia (Final)
Average Crowd – 16,331
Total Crowd – 293,965
2008 World Cup Snapshot – The qualifying process for the Rugby League World Cup started in 2006. For the first time 15 nations competed for the five available World Cup positions. The other 5 places were filled by Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, England and France. The five teams that did qualify (Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Scotland, Ireland) were the most prepared teams in rugby league history. They had played throughout 2006 and 2007 to qualify. Having 15 nations take part in the qualification process was a indicator to how far the code had progressed since the 2000 World Cup.
The highly successful 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the 13th installment of the oldest rugby World Cup tournament on the planet. The World Cup saw the best 10 rugby league nations battle it out for the ultimate prize. For the first time games were broadcast to over 127 nations with a global television audience of 19.2million making it the most widely broadcast event in the game’s history.
The tournament was hailed a new start for international rugby league. The goal of the RLIF was to use the World Cup as a stepping stone to fund the international game into the future. Games were played along the east coast of Australia from Townsville to Melbourne. The participating nations were split up into three Pools. This tournament differed from previous World Cup competitions with a Super Pool containing the four best rugby league nations. With the top 3 sides qualifying for the semi finals, the other two Pools battled it out for the remaining semi-final place. On back of the TV deals secured for the tournament the World Cup generated a profit of over 5 million Australian dollars which exceeded inital projections.
The games throughout the tournament provided highly entertaining rugby league. Papua New Guinea nearly defeated England in the opening game in Townsville. Ireland and Fiji tipped to finish last in their respective pools defied the odds to finish on top. Scotland won their first ever World Cup game. Fiji brought the Fiji Islands to a stand still by defeating Ireland to make their first ever Rugby League semi-final. The best was saved to last with the final putting the icing on the cake for World Cup organisers. New Zealand pulled off the biggest shock in World Cup history to defeat the raging favourites Australia. The Kiwis secured their first ever rugby league World Cup in front of a capacity crowd in Brisbane.
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 1)
Game 1: Apr 28th 2006 Russia 40 – Netherlands 14, Location – Hoek Van Holland, Netherlands
Game 2: May 13th 2006 Georgia 45 – Serbia 10, Location – Belgrade, Serbia
Game 3: May 26th 2006 Georgia 57 – Netherlands 16, Location – Tblisi, Georgia
Game 4: Jun 4th 2006 Russia 44 – Serbia 6, Location – Belgrade, Serbia
Game 5: Jun 17th 2006 Netherlands 38 – Serbia 26, Location – Rotterdam, Netherlands
Game 6: Jun 22nd 2006 Russia 0 – Georgia 0, Game cancelled due to Visa issues with Georgia Team. Russia automatic winners
In a first for International Rugby League Georgia, Netherlands and Serbia played in the qualifying rounds. Russia finished top of the Pool as expected. The newer nations gained much needed experience from the matches. This exposure to International Rugby League will assist with local development and put nations in a better position for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers.
World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 1) Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Russia |
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
108
|
20
|
6
|
|
Georgia
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
102
|
50
|
4
|
|
Netherlands
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
68
|
123
|
2
|
|
Serbia
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
42
|
127
|
0
|
Europe (Round 1) Qualifiers: RUSSIA & GEORGIA – (Due to failure to play final game against Russia, Georgia did not progress to the next round)
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – Pacific
Game 1: Sep 29th 2006 Tonga 56 – Cook Islands 14, Location – Campbelltown, Australia
Game 2: Sep 29th 2006 Samoa 30 – Fiji 28, Location – Campbelltown, Australia
Game 3: Oct 4th 2006 Fiji 30 – Tonga 28, Location – St Marys, Australia
Game 4: Oct 4th 2006 Samoa 46 – Cook Islands 6, Location – St Marys, Australia
Game 5: Oct 7th 2006 Fiji 40 – Cook Islands 4, Location – Penrith, Australia
Game 6: Oct 22nd 2006 Tonga 18 – Samoa 10, Location – Leeds, England
World Cup Qualifiers – Pacific Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Tonga |
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
102
|
54
|
4
|
|
Fiji
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
98
|
62
|
4
|
|
Samoa
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
86
|
52
|
4
|
|
Cook Islands
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
24
|
142
|
0
|
Pacific World Cup Qualifiers (6th & 7th Qualifiers): Tonga & Fiji
Pacific Repechage Round Qualifier: Samoa
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 2) Group 1
Game 1: Oct 22nd 2006 Ireland 50 – Russia 12, Location – Moscow, Russia
Game 2: Oct 28th 2006 Lebanon 22 – Russia 8, Location – London, England
Game 3: Nov 5th 2006 Ireland 18 – Lebanon 18, Location – Dublin, Ireland
Game 4: Oct 20th 2007 Ireland 58 – Russia 18, Location – Carlow, Ireland
Game 5: Oct 27th 2007 Lebanon 48 – Russia 0, Location – Penza, Russia
Game 6: Nov 2nd 2007 Ireland 16 – Lebanon 16, Location – Dewsbury, England
World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 2) Group 1 Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Ireland |
4
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
142
|
64
|
6
|
|
Lebanon
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
104
|
42
|
6
|
|
Russia
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
38
|
178
|
0
|
Europe World Cup Qualifier 1 (8th Qualifier): Ireland
The Team that finishes at the top of the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 1 wins a spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
Europe Repechage Round Qualifier: Lebanon
The Team that finishes 2nd in the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 1 gets another chance in the Repechage rounds to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup
In another first for International Rugby League Lebanon and Ireland drew both of their pool matches against each other. In the end the luck of the Irish prevailed and Ireland became the 8th team to qualify
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 2) Group 2
Game 1: Oct 29th 2006 Scotland 21 – Wales 14, Location – Bridgend, Wales
Game 2: Nov 4th 2007 Wales 18 – Scotland 16, Location – Glasgow, Scotland
Note: Georgia would have been included in this Group.
World Cup Qualifiers – Europe (Round 2) Group 2 Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Scotland |
2
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
37
|
32
|
2
|
|
Wales
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
32
|
37
|
2
|
In one of the upsets of the qualifying rounds Scotland took the 9th spot in the World Cup and Wales were forced into the Repechage round. Wales won the 2nd encounter but could not make up the F/A difference. Scotland fielded a team with many part time players. This made the feat even more amazing, against a Welsh team with the likes of Lee Briers and Iestyn Harris.
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifier 2 (9th Qualifier): Scotland
The Team that finishes at the top of the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 2 wins a spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
Europe Repechage Round Qualifier: Wales
The Team that finishes 2nd in the Pre World Cup Qualifiers Europe (Round 2) Group 2 gets another chance in the Repechage rounds to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – Atlantic
Game 1: Oct 28th 2006 United States 54 – Japan 18, Location – Aston, United States
World Cup Qualifiers – Atlantic Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
United States |
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
54
|
18
|
2
|
|
Japan
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
18
|
54
|
0
|
Atlantic Repechage Round Qualifier: United States
The Team that finishes 1st in the Pre World Cup Atlantic Qualifiers advances to the Repechage rounds for a chance to win a spot in the Rugby League World Cup
With a big crowd at Aston, the US were rarely troubled by a Japanese side that showed plenty of heart. The US ran away with the game and booked a place in the Repechage rounds in 2007.
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers – REPECHAGE
Game 1: Nov 9th 2007 Lebanon 50 – Wales 26, Location – Widnes, England
Game 2: Nov 9th 2007 Samoa 42 – United States 10, Location – Widnes, England
Repechage Final: Nov 14th 2007 Samoa 38 – Lebanon 16, Location – Featherstone, England
2008 Rugby League World Cup Repechage Qualifier (10th & Final Qualifier): Samoa
The team that wins the Repechage Final qualifies for the 10th and final spot in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
In Game 1 Lebanon showed courage when they came from behind in the second half. Wales went to sleep after half time and Lebanon ran away with the game. In Game 2 USA surprised many people when they held their own against a Samoan side with many big name players. In the end Samoa were to strong. In the Repechage Final Samoa raced to an early lead in the first half which was always going to make it hard for Lebanon. At full time Samoan’s celebrated their win with flags flying and the legendary Samoan haka.
2008 Rugby League World Cup Overview
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Format
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup will be hosted by Australia. 10 teams will be split up into three groups. The tournament will differ from previous events with a super pool including the top 4 rugby league nations.
Group One: Australia, England, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand
Group Two: Fiji, France, Scotland
Group Three: Ireland, Samoa, Tonga
2008 Rugby League World Cup Finals Format
The finals format will differ from previous World Cup tournaments. The teams that finish in the top 3 within Pool one (Super Pool) will qualify for the semi finals.
The teams that finish 1st in both Pool Two & Three will play each other in the semi final playoff qualifier. The winner will secure the 4th spot in the semi finals. The winner of both semi-finals will play each other a week later in the World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium
In the build-up to the World Cup the preliminary squads were announced during the first week in August 2008. England and Scotland also caused controversy by not releasing preliminary squads in August. The final 24 man squads were named early October 3 weeks before the World Cup started.
2008 Rugby League World Cup Squads
Australia: Terry Campese (Canberra), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Michael Crocker (Melbourne), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Israel Folau (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Darren Lockyer (capt, Brisbane), Joel Monaghan (Canberra), Josh Perry (Manly), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Scott Prince (Gold Coast), Billy Slater (Melbourne), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Brett Stewart (Manly), Glenn Stewart (Manly), Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Anthony Watmough (Manly), David Williams (Manly).
England: Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Mark Calderwood (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos), Mauire Faasavalu (St Helens), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington Wolves), James Graham (St Helens), Mickey Higham (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Jones Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Langley (Bradford Bulls), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves), Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos), Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins RL), James Roby (St Helens), Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Jon Wilkin (St Helens)
Fiji: Nick Bradley-Qalilawa (Manly Sea Eagles) Jason Bukuya (Cronulla Sharks) Iowane Divavesi (Terrigal Sharks) Aaron Groom (Canterburry Bulldogs) Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)* subject to eligibility change from RLIF Sevania Koroi (West Magpies) Josua Koroibulu (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs) Jone Macilai (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Daryl Millard (Canterburry Bulldogs) Wes Naiqama (Newcastle Knights) Vula Louis Dakuitoga Naqau (Terrigal Sharks) Kaliova Nauqe (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Alipate Noilea (Parkes Spacemen) Josateki Ravueta (Sawtell Panthers) Osea Sadrau (Fassifern RLFC QLD) Ashton Sims (Brisbane Broncos) James Storer (Cronulla Sharks) Waisale
Sukanaveita (Terrigal Sharks) Semi Tadulala (Bradford Bulls UK) Semisi Tora (Parkes Spacemen) Malakai Yalimaiwai Tuiloa (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs) Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights) Suguturaga Nemani Valekapa Ilisoni Vonomateiratu Jone Wesele (Darlington Point)
France: Jared Taylor (Lezignan), Justin Murphy (Catalans Dragons), Teddy Sadaoui (Carcassonne), Sebastien Raguin (Catalans Dragons), Sebastien Planas (Toulouse), John Wilson, Dimitri Pelo (both Catalans Dragons), Christophe Moly (Carcassonne), James Wynne (Lezignan), Maxime Greseque (Pia), Thomas Bosc (Catalans Dragons). Forwards: Laurent Carrasco (Villeneuve), Gregory Mounis (Catalans Dragons), Eric Anselme (Leeds), Jamal Fakir (Catalans Dragons), Jean-Christophe Borlin (Saint-Gaudens), Olivier Elima (Catalans Dragons), Adel Fellous (Lezignan), Jean-Philippe Baile, Jerome Guisset (both Catalans Dragons), Julien Rinaldi (Harlequins), Remi Casty, Matthieu Grifi (both Catalans Dragons).
Ireland: Scott Grix (Wakefield, captain), Pat Richards (Wigan), Damien Blanch (Wakefield), Stuart Littler (Salford), Shannon McDonnell (West Tigers), Karl Fitzpatrick (Salford), Graham Holroyd (Halifax), Wayne Kerr (London Skolars), Eamon O’Carroll (Wigan), Bob Beswick (Halifax), Brett White (Melbourne Storm), Ross Barbour (Carlow Crusaders), Simon Finnigan (Bradford), Lee Doran (Leigh), Ben Harrison (Warrington), Ryan Tandy (West Tigers), Gareth Haggerty (Harlequins), Liam Finn (Dewsbury Rams), Sean Gleeson (Wakefield), Mick McIlorum (Wigan), Michael Platt (Bradford), Mick Cassidy (Barrow), Steve Gibbons (London Skolars), Ged Corcoran (Sheffield Eagles)
New Zealand: Nathan Cayless (Parramatta, captain), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Fa’alogo (South Sydney), Nathan Fien (New Zealand Warriors), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Steve Matai (Manly), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors), Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Jeremy Smith(Melbourne), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Brent Webb (Leeds).
Papua New Guinea: Paul Aiton (Penrith), Macali Aizu (Hull KR), Jay Aston (Melbourne TC), Michael Bani (Manly), Wayne Bond (Redcliff), Tom Butterfield (Brisbane TC), Richard Cambo (Wentworthville), Jason Chan (Windsor), Neville Costigan (Canberra), Trevor Exton (Ipswitch), Steve Franciscus (Banyo Bris), Stanley Gene (Hull KR), Rod Griffin (Cairns), Sam Joe (Melbourne TC), George Keppa (Brisbane North), Tuu Maori (Sydney TC), David Moore (Gold Coast TC), Ames Nightingale (Windsor), Merv O’Flanagan (Logan), Keith Peters (Penrith), Kevin Prior (Wentworthville), John Wilshere (Salford), Dion Aiya (Bingtangor), Dominic Angra (Bingtangor), Sigfred Gragande (Bingtangor), Nigel Hukula (Bingtangor), Jessie Joe (Rangers), Benjamin John (Rangers), Gimapau Keimelo (Rangers), Geno Kima (Agmark), Nickson Kolo (Rangers), Anton Kui (Bingtangor), Larsen Marabe (Agmark), Michael Mark (Rangers), Mark Mexico (Mioks), George Moni (Muruks), Thomas Ninkama (Vipers), Joseph Omai (Muruks), Charles Onguglo (Rangers), Benny Pamunda (Bingtangor), Kingston Pisep (Lae), Rodney Pora (Muruks), Francis Ray (Bingtangor), Elizah Riyong (Vipers), Rodney Ropra (Bingtangor), Niko Ubile (Bingtangor),Charlie Wabo (Muruks), Menzie Yere (Gurias), Simon Young (Muruks).
Samoa: George Carmont (Wigan), Dave Faiumu (Huddersfield), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Tuaalagi Lepupa (unattached), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds), Wayne McDade (Auckland Vulcans), Francis Meli (St Helens), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Frank Puletua, Tony Puletua (both Penrith), Ben Roberts (Canterbury), Tangi Ropati (East Tigers), Smith Samau (Gold Coast), Lagi Setu (St George Illawarra), Terrence Seuseu (Cronulla), David Solomona (Bradford), Willie Talau (St Helens), Alby Talipeau (unattached), Misi Taulapapa (Cronulla), Ben Te’o (Wests Tigers), Tupu Ulufale (unattached), Matt Utai (Canterbury), Nigel Vagana (South Sydney).
Scotland: Chris Armit (Bulldogs), Danny Brough (Wakefield Wildcats), Dean Colton, Paddy Coupar (Edinburgh Eagles), Dean Cowan, John Duffy (Widnes Vikings), Ben Fisher (Hull KR), Andrew Henderson (Castleford Tigers), Ian Henderson, Kevin Henderson (Wakefield Wildcats), Jack Howieson (Sheffield Eagles), Paul Jackson (Huddersfield Giants), Wade Liddell (Brisbane Easts), Scott Logan (Canberra Raiders), Neil Lowe (Keighley), David McConnell (Leigh Centurions), Duncan MacGillivray (Wakefield Wildcats), Iain Morrison (Widnes Vikings), Gareth Morton (Widnes Vikings), Mick Nanyn (Oldham), Lee Paterson (Widnes Vikings), Michael Robertson (Manly Sea Eagles), Jonathan Steel (Hull KR), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Wildcats).
Tonga:
Fraser Anderson (Cronulla), Louis Anderson (Warrington), Andrew Emelio (Canterbury), Richard Fa’aoso (Newcastle), Awen Guttenbeil (Castleford), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Antonio Kaufusi (Melbourne), Toshio Laiseni (Newtown), Taniela Lasalo (unattached), Epalahame Lauaki (NZ Warriors), Tevita Leo-Latu (Wakefield), Willie Manu (Hull), Manase Manuokafoa (South Sydney), Feleti Mateo (Parramatta), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Eddie Paea (South Sydney), Lopini Paea (Sydney Roosters), Mickey Paea (Sydney Roosters), Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney), Joel Tauf’ao (unattached), Esikeli Tonga (Gold Coast), Taniela Tuiaki (unattached), Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Etuate Uaisele (Newcastle), Cooper Vuna (Newcastle), Tony Williams (Parramatta).
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group One Super Pool Results
Game 1: Oct 25th England 32 – Papua New Guinea 22, Location – Townsville, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 10,780
Game 2: Oct 26th Australia 30 – New Zealand 6, Location – Sydney, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 34,157
Game 3: Nov 1st New Zealand 48 – Papua New Guinea 6, Location – Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 11,278
Game 4: Nov 2nd Australia 52 – England 4, Location – Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Crowd – 36,297
Game 5: Nov 8th New Zealand 36 – England 24, Location – Newcastle, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 15,145
Game 6: Nov 9th Australia 46 – Papua New Guinea 6, Location – Townsville, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 16,239
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group One Super Pool Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Australia
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
128
|
16
|
6
|
|
New Zealand
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
90
|
60
|
4
|
|
England |
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
60
|
110
|
2
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
34
|
126
|
0
|
Group One Semi-Final Qualifiers: Australia, England, New Zealand
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Two Results
Game 1: Oct 26th France 36 – Scotland 18, Location – Canberra, ACT, Australia, Crowd – 9,287
Game 2: Nov 1st Fiji 42 – France 6, Location – Wollongong, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 9,213
Game 3: Nov 5th Scotland 18 – Fiji 16, Location – Central Coast, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 9,720
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Two Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Fiji |
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
58
|
24
|
2
|
|
Scotland
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
36
|
52
|
2
|
|
France
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
42
|
60
|
2
|
Group Two Qualifying Semi-Final Playoff Qualifier: Fiji
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Three Results
Game 1: Oct 27th Tonga 22 – Ireland 20, Location – Parramatta, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 6,165
Game 2: Oct 31st Samoa 20 – Tonga 12, Location – Penrith, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 11,787
Game 3: Nov 5th Ireland 34 – Samoa 16, Location – Parramatta, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 8,602
2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Three Table
|
Team
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
|
Ireland
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
54
|
38
|
2
|
|
Tonga |
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
34
|
40
|
2
|
|
Samoa
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
36
|
46
|
2
|
Group Three Qualifying Semi-Final Playoff Qualifier: Ireland
2008 Rugby League World Cup Ranking Games
Ranking Game 1: Nov 8th Tonga 48 – Scotland 0, Location – Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 5,930 (Sellout)
Ranking Game 2: Nov 9th Samoa 42 – France 10, Location – Penrith, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 8,028
Ranking Game 1 (7th Place Winner): Tonga
Ranking Game 2 (9th Place Winner): Samoa
2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying Semi-Final Playoff
World Cup Qualifying Semi-Final Playoff: Nov 10th Fiji 30 – Ireland 14, Location – Skilled Park, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 8,224
2008 Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final Qualifier: Fiji
2008 Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finals
Semi-Final 1: Nov 15th New Zealand 32 – England 22, Location – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 26,659
Semi-Final 2: Nov 16th Australia 52 – Fiji 0, Location – SFS, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Crowd – 15,855
2008 Rugby League World Cup Final Qualifiers: New Zealand & Australia
2008 Rugby League World Cup Final
Nov 23rd New Zealand 34 – Australia 20, Location – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Crowd – 50,599 (Record test crowd in Brisbane)
2008 Rugby League World Cup Champions: New Zealand
