RL Today: Men’s quarter-finals confirmed as Women’s World Cup begins

Drew Darbyshire 01 Nov 2022 7:00 AM

Tom Burgess England World Cup SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Men’s World Cup quarter-finals confirmed

Australia v Lebanon, Friday November 4 (7.30pm), John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield (Live on BBC Three)

England v Papua New Guinea, Saturday November 5 (2.30pm), DW Stadium, Wigan (Live on BBC One)

New Zealand v Fiji, Saturday November 5 (7.30pm), MKM Stadium, Hull (Live on BBC Two)

Tonga v Samoa, Sunday November 6 (2.30pm), Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington (Live on BBC Two)

Women’s World Cup gets underway

The 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup starts today!

Tournament hosts England take on debutants Brazil at Headingley at 2:30pm, with it being shown live on BBC Two.

Papua New Guinea face Canada in the second game of the double-header in Leeds at 5pm, with it being on BBC Red Button TV.

NRL star fancies a Wigan Kebab!

Lebanon star Josh Mansour says he is loving life in the North West of England right now, and has vowed to try a Wigan Kebab for the end of the World Cup! (Wigan Today)

The Cedars are currently training at the Leigh Sports Village and are staying in Manchester. He’s even eager to try one local delicacy before he heads back to Australia at the end of the competition.

Mansour told Wigan Today: “I haven’t tried a pie yet. 80% of our diet is carbs, so you’ve won me (talking about a Wigan kebab). Now you’ve talked it up, it better be good, I’m going to try it.”

Taumalolo: We can win World Cup

Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo says they believe they can win the World Cup after he marked his return to action with two tries. (Love Rugby League)

He said: “Yes we can (win it). We’ve had that belief since 2017 and it hasn’t wavered at all.

“I’m only starting to see the ripple effects (of his commitment to Tonga) now. You see young kids like Tesi (Niu) making the decision to play for Tonga, and that shows how much of an effect not just myself, but a few other players, to come back and represent Tonga.

Gildart’s new club

In case you missed it yesterday, former Wigan centre Oliver Gildart will link up with his former England coach Wayne Bennett again in 2023 after joining the Dolphins, the NRL’s newest club.

The 26-year-old made the move to the NRL ahead of last season. He played the first eight matches of the season for Wests Tigers before being loaned out to Sydney Roosters, where he made two first-grade appearances.

Gildart played for England and Great Britain under Bennett, who will coach the Dolphins in their inaugural season in the NRL in 2023.

Jamaica creating a legacy

Jamaica lead coach Roy Calvert insisted that rugby league on the island is on the rise, and his side’s World Cup tournament has inspired the next generation of players. (Love Rugby League)

“I’ve heard the World Cup should only be played by five or six nations, that’s rubbish,” he said.

“Back in Jamaica, we have thousands of young kids who are looking for an opportunity. Rugby league is now offering a genuine opportunity to young people. There are people in Jamaica getting scholarships to go to university to play rugby league and that’s massive for us.”

Birthdays

St Helens legend and now rugby league pundit Jon Wilkin turns 39 today (November 1).

Also celebrating; former Castleford favourite Grant Millington (36), Wakefield forward Matty Ashurst (33) and England Knights international Jack Broadbent (22).

Trivia

Towering winger Dom Young equalled England’s joint record for tries in a match held by Martin Offiah when we went over for the fourth time in Saturday’s record 94-4 win over Greece.