A stunning Josh Addo-Carr try has exposed a huge Origin blunder as the Bulldogs flyer leads to try-scoring leaderboard.
Jarome Luai masterminded Samoa’s resurgence with a ridiculous performance as Mitchell Moses inspired Lebanon to a big win.
RIDICULOUS ADDO-CARR MOMENT EXPOSES BLUES BLUNDER
Josh Addo-Carr’s try-scoring exploits have lit up the World Cup and exposed a huge blunder — how was the 27-year-old not picked for the Blues?
Addo-Carr was the incumbent winger in Brad Fittler’s NSW team but was brutally snubbed as Daniel Tupou earned a call-up.
At the time Fittler explained the selection came down to form and Addo-Carr fell victim to a lacklustre Bulldogs attacking line.
Mal Meninga had no hesitations in including Addo-Carr in his Kangaroos backline and pundits have been left scratching their heads questioning how he didn’t feature for NSW.
The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield didn’t hold back.
“Another slashing Josh Addo-Carr performance for the Kangaroos at the World Cup. Five tries and 386 metres in two games,” he wrote.
“His snubbing from this year’s NSW Blues side will go down as one of the greatest selection blunders in State of Origin history.”
Addo-Carr sits on top of the try-scoring leaderboard and stunned with a ridiculous four-pointer Meninga labelled one of the best of all-time.
From the 20-metre line with two defenders in front of him, Addo-Carr grubbered the ball into the skinny in-goal, managing to burn the cover defence and score.
“There aren’t many tries that rank alongside that one,” Meinga said to rlwc2021.com.
“There has been many great tries scored in international rugby league but that is right up there.”
The rugby league world went into meltdown after Addo-Carr showcased his impressive speed.
LUAI’S PLAYMAKING MASTERCLASS
Samoa five-eighth Jarome Luai masterminded a stunning 72-4 victory over Greece, shirking off criticism after an uninspired performance against England.
Matt Parish’s team’s commitment to the jersey came under fire and Fox League’s Braith Anasta questioned how they would bounce back.
“No one saw this coming. I’m not surprised that England won but it was the way that Samoa lost and a lot of pressure on them now,” Anasta said.
“He looked in a bit of shock Matt Parish and so would I if I’d just been annihilated. How does he turn that around?
“It doesn’t show much pride in the jersey, you can’t fold like that.”
Samoa needed a big performance against World Cup newcomers Greece — and Luai stepped up when called upon.
The 25-year-old recorded a ridiculous 109 running metres, three tackle breaks, three try assists, three line break assists and a linebreak.
“Jarome Luai is running this show, he is running the show here in Doncaster,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
“He has been world class tonight… he sees plays unfolding in advance of when they happen, he is so in control of this game.”
Luai himself said his team’s performance was inspired by criticism of their shock loss in the World Cup opener against the hosts.
“A lot of motivation coming into this game, we wanted to put some pride back in the jersey after last week’s performance,” Luai said.
Samoa will face France in their third group stage clash and will need a win to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
DOUEIHI-LESS LEBANON GET THE JOB DONE
Without gun playmaker Adam Doueihi, who was handed a one match suspension for abusive language towarda a referee, Lebanon won their crucial Ireland clash.
Mitchell Moses stood tall and delivered when called upon, recording two try assists and steering the ship for Michael Cheika’s side.
The 28-year-old recorded two try assists, highlighted by a set-play to find a charging Jacob Kiraz to slice through the defensive line and score.
“Beautiful pass, Jacob Kiraz, everything that this Lebanon team are doing is in and around Mitchell Moses,”
“The quality halfback from the Parramatta Eels, this is super subtle, he looks out and lies with his eyes.
“The space just opens up in front of Kiraz... all the pivotal players in this team linking up.
“One from the training ground isn’t it, Michael Cheika, it is almost a no-look pass isn’t it.”
Moses also recorded 329 kicking metres, 159 more than Ireland gun Luke Keary.
Cheika’s team now look set to secure second place in Group C, which will likely see them face the reigning champions, Australia, in the quarterfinals.
DWZ’S FOUR-TRY BLITZ
New Zealand winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has given coach Michael Maguire a huge outside backs headache with a ridiculous performance against Jamaica.
Despite leaving the field in the 62nd minute due to cramp, the 27-year-old made his mark, scoring four tries and recording 249 running metres to go with 10 tackle breaks and six line breaks.
The Warriors flyer also assisted two tries, charging down the wing before kicking the ball infield for hooker Jeremy Marshall-King to score on both occasions.
“Appreciate the skill from Watene-Zelezniak on the wing, the modern day winger these days you have to be able to do everything,” commentator Jordan Turner said.
“Gone are the days when you just have to be fast and run down the wing, but we see some unbelievable skill from him to be able to kick the ball and find his teammates inside.
“He has also been able to score and finish himself and now he is kicking goals.”
It only took 18 minutes for Watene-Zelezniak to notch up a hattrick and Fox League’s Andrew Voss likened his performance to Kangaroos flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
“He is doing a Josh Addo-Carr, let’s trot baby, he has a hattrick in 18-and-a-half minutes,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
“You could put his hand down the S-bend of a toilet and find a gold watch right now, he is on fire.”
In New Zealand’s first clash, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jordan Rapana played on the wing as the Kiwis came away with a scrappy 34-12 win over Lebanon.
Watene-Zelezniak and Sebastian Kris took over the wing roles against Jamaica, leaving their best performances out on the field.
Mulitalo and Rapana were set to be New Zealand’s first choice wingers ahead of the World Cup, however the pair only recorded a single try between them in the first game.
Mulitalo also ran for 137 metres, and Rapana 108 compared to Watene-Zelezniak’s impressive 249 metres.
The Kiwis have locked in a quarterfinals appearance and Maguire now has a big decision to make after New Zealand play their final group stage game against Ireland.
YOUNG CONTINUES TO SHINE
England flyer Dom Young has delivered another strong performance, scoring two tries including a 95-metre intercept effort as the hosts came away with a 42-18 victory.
The 21-year-old winger now has four tries for the tournament as England look set to top their group and progress into the qualifying finals.
Young ran for a staggering 247 metres on Sunday morning to go with two tackle breaks and his intercept try stunned commentators.
France’s Eloi Pelissier lofted an audacious pass across the face on the England defensive line and Young pounced.
“Dom Young, absolutely brilliant, they love him, aesthetically perfect,” the commentator said.
“Unbelievable, you just knew, you knew he was going to take it and have the speed, but it was beautiful to watch him,” another commentator added.
“When you see athletes like this it is just an absolutely joy to watch… he has light up this World Cup.”
Young made his Test debut in England’s World Cup opener but has emerged as one of coach Shaun Wane’s best players.
“Young continues to be the starlet that amazes us with his try-scoring exploits,” the commentator said.
“He has had an exceptional start to this World Cup and his England career, just a powerful and explosive ball carrier.
“But he has scored some telling tries also.”
England face Greece in their next Group A clash to remain undefeated while France will face Samoa in a encounter that will likely decide who progresses past the group stage.
FIJI’S OMINOUS STATEMENT
Fiji made a big statement to the top rugby league nations with an impressive 60-4 win over Italy in their second group stage clash.
NRL stars Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo both recorded two tries, while NSW Cup hooker Penioni Tagituimua earned man of the match honours.
Apisai Koroisau shifted to five-eighth and was impressive while Tagituimua dominated from dummy-half, recording seven tackle breaks, 118 running metres and a line break.
As a team, Fiji dominated proceedings with eight more linebreaks than Italy, 18 more offloads and over 900 more running metres.
Joe Dakuitoga’s side also doubled their rivals post contact metres and it was clear that Fiji were on a rampage.
“It was very clear and evident one side was just dictating with the ball and that was of course the Fiji side there and it was just so simple for them,” the commentators said post-match.
“Again they just introduced the power game and just blew Italy away, at times it was men against boys wasn’t it.
“That was the theme of the afternoon, it was all too quick.”
Fiji were bested by the reigning champions, Australia, in their first game at the World Cup, going down 42-8.
After bouncing back against Italy, they will face Scotland hoping to secure a quarterfinals appearance.
