The 2017 Rugby League World Cup semifinals are set after a thrilling weekend of action that saw a number of quarterfinals go right down to the final play of the game.
Heavy favourites after defeating New Zealand the week before, Tonga barely survived a late onslaught from Lebanon to earn their place in the final four, while Fiji produced arguably the biggest upset of the World Cup when they downed the Kiwis 4-2 at Wellington Stadium.
It was a much more straightforward performance from Australia and England, however, who confirmed their spot in the semifinals with routine wins over Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
QUARTERFINALS
Australia 46 def. Samoa 0 at TIO Stadium, Darwin
Tonga 24 def. Lebanon 22 at Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Fiji 4 def. New Zealand 2 at Wellington Stadium, Wellington
England 36 def. Papua New Guinea 6 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
TOURNAMENT STATS
MOST POINTS
44 — Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
40 — Rhyse Martin (Papua New Guinea)
34 — Suliasi Vunivalu (Fiji), Cameron Smith (Australia)
32 — Taane Milne (Fiji)
MOST TRIES
8 — Suliasi Vunivalu (Fiji)
6 — Valentine Holmes (Australia), Jermaine McGillvary (England)
5 — Michael Jennings (Tonga), David Fusitu'a (Tonga)
MOST TACKLES
169 — Alex Twal (Lebanon)
146 — Michael Lichaa (Lebanon)
144 — Bunty Afoa (Samoa)
137 — Tim Mannah (Lebanon)
125 — Elliott Whitehead (England)
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