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{{Short description|15th Rugby League World Cup tournament}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

factoids

The 2017 Rugby League World Cup was the fifteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup tournament and took place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea between 27 October and 2 December 2017.NEWS

Host selection

{{see also|Rugby League World Cup hosts}}At the 2010 Rugby League International Federation executive meeting, the New Zealand Rugby League made an early submission to co-host the 2017 tournament with Australia.WEB,weblink NZ prepares bid to co-host 2017 World Cup, Kilgallon, Steve, 1 August 2010, The Sunday Star-Times, 15 September 2011, The Rugby League World Cup was last held in Australia in 2008.NEWS Two formal bids were subsequently received by the RLIF before a November 2012 deadline; the co-host bid from Australia and New Zealand and a bid from South Africa.NEWS Michael Brown, the CEO of several big name Australian sporting franchises and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, was originally appointed CEO of the World Cup in 2015, but resigned less than a year later due to 'workload' and 'homesickness'.NEWS

Teams

Qualification

It was announced on 3 August 2014 that 7 of the 8 quarter-finalists from the last World Cup would qualify automatically for the 2017 tournament; hosts Australia and New Zealand, plus England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland. The USA, who were also 2013 quarter-finalists, were denied automatic qualification after a long-running internal governance dispute saw their RLIF membership temporarily suspended in 2014; later, once the matter was resolved, they were accepted into the qualification process. Papua New Guinea were initially set to be involved in the qualifying competition but were later granted automatic qualification, due to becoming co-hosts of the tournament. In addition to the eight automatic qualifiers, the remaining six spots will come from four different qualification zones; three from Europe, one from Asia/Pacific, one from Americas and one from Middle East/Africa.WEB,weblink Qualification details for 2017, 3 August 2014, The RFL, 5 August 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140808054645weblink">weblink 8 August 2014, dead, Tonga were the first team to qualify from the qualification stage after winning the Asian-Pacific play-off. Lebanon were the second team to qualify from the qualification stage, after winning the Middle East-African play-off. The USA were the third team to qualify, winning the Americas qualification group.{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width:90%;"! scope="col"|Team! scope="col"|Captain! scope="col"|Coach! scope="col"|Previous {{tooltip|Apps|appearances}}! scope="col"|Previous best result! scope="col"|Qualification method! scope="col"|WorldRankingAustralia}}Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)>Cameron SmithAUS}} Mal Meninga14Champions ({{tooltip>10 times|1957, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2013}})|Co-hosts1England}}Sean O'Loughlin}}AUS}} Wayne Bennett5|Runners-up (1975, 1995)|Automatic3Fiji}}|Kevin NaiqamaAUS}} Mick Potter4|Semi-finals (2008, 2013)|Automatic7France}}|Théo FagesFRA}} Aurélien Cologni14|Runners-up (1954, 1968)|Automatic6Ireland}}Liam Finn (rugby league)>Liam FinnENG}} Mark Aston3|Quarter-finals (2000, 2008)|Europe 28Italy}}|Mark MinichielloITA}} Cameron Ciraldo1|Group stage (2013)|Europe play-off12Lebanon}}|Robbie FarahAUS}} Brad Fittler1|Group stage (2000)|Middle East-Africa play-off18New Zealand}}|Adam BlairNZL}} David Kidwell14|Champions (2008)|Co-hosts2{{rl|Papua New Guinea}}}}David Mead (rugby league)>David MeadPNG}} Michael Marum6|Quarter-finals (2000)|Co-hosts16Samoa}}|Frank PritchardAUS}} Matt Parish4|Quarter-finals (2000, 2013)|Automatic5Scotland}}|Danny BroughENG}} Steve McCormack3|Quarter-finals (2013)|Automatic4Tonga}}|Sika ManuAUS}} Kristian Woolf4|Group stage (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)|Asia-Pacific play-off11USA}}|Mark OfferdahlENG}} Brian McDermott1|Quarter-finals (2013)|Americas play-off10Wales}}|Craig KopczakENG}} John Kear4|Semi-finals (1995, 2000)|Europe 19

Draw

The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016NEWS The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the first two groups and the winners of the two smaller groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.{| class="wikitable" style="width:98%;"!width=25%|Group A!width=25%|Group B!width=25%|Group C!width=25%|Group D|{{rl|AUS}}{{rl|ENG}}{{rl|FRA}}{{rl|LBN}}|{{rl|NZL}}{{rl|SAM}}{{rl|SCO}}{{rl|TON}}|{{rl|IRE}}{{rl|PNG}}{{rl|WAL}}|{{rl|FIJ}}{{rl|ITA}}{{rl|USA}}

Squads

Each team submitted a squad of twenty-four players for the tournament, the same as the 2013 tournament.

Venues

It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches.NEWS Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne hosted the opening game between Australia and England included an Aboriginal selection and a New Zealand Mãori side. and while Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane hosted the World Cup final.NEWS

Australia

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;text-align:center"! Brisbane! Sydney! Melbourne! TownsvilleLang Park>Brisbane StadiumSydney Football Stadium (1988)>Sydney Football Stadium| Melbourne Rectangular StadiumWillows Sports Complex>Townsville Stadium| Capacity: 52,500| Capacity: 45,500| Capacity: 30,050| Capacity: 26,500200px)200px)200px)200px){{location map+ |float=center |Australia |width=400 |caption= |places={{location map~ |Australia |lat=-19.25 |long=146.81 |label=Townsville |position=left }}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-27.46 |long=153.03 |label=Brisbane |position=left }}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-16.9186|long=145.7781|label=Cairns |position=left}}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-12.4634 |long=130.8456 |label=Darwin |position=right }}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-33.86 |long=151.12 |label=Sydney |position=left}}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-35.30 |long=149.12 |label=Canberra |position=left}}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-37.81 |long=144.96 |label=Melbourne |position=right }}{{location map~ |Australia |lat=-31.95 |long=115.85 |label=Perth |position=right }}}}! Canberra! Perth! Cairns! Darwin| Canberra StadiumPerth Oval>Perth Rectangular Stadium| Barlow ParkMarrara Oval>Darwin Stadium| Capacity: 25,011| Capacity: 20,500| Capacity: 18,000| Capacity: 12,000200px)200px)| 200px)

New Zealand

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;text-align:center"! Wellington! Auckland| Wellington Regional Stadium| Mount Smart Stadium| Capacity: 34,500| Capacity: 30,000200px)200px){{location map+ |float=center |New Zealand |width=300 |caption= |places={{location map~ |New Zealand |lat=-41.2865 |long=174.7762 |label=Wellington |position=left }}{{location map~ |New Zealand |lat=-36.8485 |long=174.7633 |label=Auckland |position=left }}{{location map~ |New Zealand |lat=-43.5321 |long=172.6362 |label=Christchurch |position=left }}{{location map~ |New Zealand |lat=-37.7870|long=175.279381|label=Hamilton |position=right}}}}! Hamilton! ChristchurchWaikato StadiumHTTP://WWW.STUFF.CO.NZ/WAIKATO-TIMES/SPORT/82240139/HAMILTON-TO-HOST-TWO-GAMES-OF-THE-2017-RUGBY-LEAGUE-WORLD-CUPDATE=19 JULY 2016WORK=STUFF, Rugby League Park>Christchurch Stadium| Capacity: 25,800| Capacity: 18,000200px)200px)

Papua New Guinea

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;text-align:center"! Port MoresbyLloyd Robson Oval>National Football Stadium| Capacity: 14,800| float=center width=400 lat=-9.4780label=Port Moresby |position=right}}

Officiating

{{see also|Category:Rugby League World Cup referees}}The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.WEB, 9 October 2017, RLWC2017 Match Officials Announced,weblink RLWC2017.com, 9 October 2017,

• {{AUS}}: Grant Atkins, Chris Butler, Matt Cecchin, Steve Chiddy, Ben Cummins, Adam Gee, Ashley Klein, Jared Maxwell, David Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Belinda Sleeman, Jon Stone, Bernard Sutton, Chris Sutton, Gerard Sutton, Michael Wise
• {{ENG}}: Phil Bentham, James Child, Mark Craven, Robert Hicks, Chris Kendall, Scott Mikalauskas, Liam Moore, Tim Roby, Ben Thaler
• {{NZL}}: Chris McMillan, Henry Perenara

Warm-up matches

{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 8 October 2017| time = Malta}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 24–24| report = ITA}}| try2 = | goal2 =| drop2 =Marconi Stadium, SydneyHTTP://WWW.ASIAPACIFICRL.COM/2017/09/12/MALTA-ANNOUNCE-TWO-SYDNEY-INTERNATIONALS-OCTOBER/ PUBLISHER=ASIAPACIFICRL.COM ACCESS-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017, | attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 13 October 2017| time = Country Rugby League>Country U23s| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 26–40| report = Samoa}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =| stadium = McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga| attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 13 October 2017| time = FRA}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 34–2| report = JAM}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =Stade Gilbert Brutus, PerpignanHTTP://RLIF.COM/ARTICLE/8260/FRANCE-TO-PLAY-JAMAICA-IN-PERPIGNAN PUBLISHER=RLIF.COM ACCESS-DATE=28 APRIL 2017, | attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 14 October 2017| time = FIJ}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 0–10| report = PNG}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =ANZ National Stadium, SuvaHTTP://WWW.ASIAPACIFICRL.COM/2017/05/26/KANGAROOS-FACE-FIJI-PNG-SUVA/ PUBLISHER=ASIAPACIFICRL.COM ACCESS-DATE=26 MAY 2017, | attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 14 October 2017| time = AUS}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 20–4| report = PNG}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =| stadium = ANZ National Stadium, Suva| attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 14 October 2017| time = FIJ}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 0–18| report = AUS}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =| stadium = ANZ National Stadium, Suva| attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 14 October 2017| time = LBN}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 32–16| report = NIU}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =Leichhardt Oval, SydneyHTTP://WWW.ASIAPACIFICRL.COM/2017/08/10/LEBANON-FACE-NIUE-WORLD-CUP-WARM/ PUBLISHER=ASIAPACIFICRL.COM ACCESS-DATE=11 AUGUST 2017, | attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 20 October 2017| time = Country Rugby League>Country U23s| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 50–14| report = SCO}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =Ballina, New South Wales>Ballina| attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 20 October 2017| time = ITA}}| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 6–16| report = TON}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =Innisfail, Queensland>Innisfail| attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}{{rugbyleaguebox| date = 20 October 2017| time = Affiliated States Championship>Combined Affiliated States| try1 = | goal1 =| drop1 =| score = 12–74| report = ENG}}| try2 =| goal2 =| drop2 =Perth Oval, PerthHTTP://WWW.ASIAPACIFICRL.COM/2017/05/15/ENGLAND-PLAY-NRL-AFFILIATED-STATES-WORLD-CUP-WARM/ PUBLISHER=ASIAPACIFICRL.COM ACCESS-DATE=26 MAY 2017, | attendance= | referee =| manofmatch=}}

Group stage

The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the Group A and B, and the winners of Group C and D will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.

Group A

{{2017 RLWC Group A}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|AUSvENG}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|FRAvLBN}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|AUSvFRA}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|ENGvLBN}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|AUSvLBN}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|ENGvFRA}}

Group B

{{2017 RLWC Group B}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|NZLvSAM}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|SCOvTON}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|NZLvSCO}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|SAMvTON}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|NZLvTON}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group B|SAMvSCO}}

Group C

{{2017 RLWC Group C}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C|PNGvWAL}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C|PNGvIRE}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group C|WALvIRE}}

Group D

{{2017 RLWC Group D}}{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D|FIJvUSA}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D|ITAvUSA}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup Group D|FIJvITA}}

Inter-group matches

{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches|IREvITA}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches|FIJvWAL}}

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{{#lst:2017 Rugby League World Cup inter-group matches|PNGvUSA}}

Knockout stage

Three teams from each of Groups A and B and one team from each of Groups C and D advanced to the quarter-finals. All quarter-finalists automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.WEB,weblink Statement from the RLIF Board meeting – March 28th 2017, Rlif.com, 2017-11-08, 2017-11-17, The quarter-final fixture were finalised at the conclusion of the pool stages, to ensure that Australia played in Darwin on 17 November and New Zealand in Wellington on 18 November.WEB,weblink RLWC2017 announces quarter-finals draw | Rugby League World Cup, Rlwc2017.com, 2016-10-27, 2017-11-17, {{#section-h:2017 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage|Bracket}}

Quarter-finals

Australia vs Samoa

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=13,473|bg=|date=17 November 2017|manofmatch=Valentine Holmes (Australia)|points1=Tries:Holmes (9', 17', 51', 57', 74') 5Morgan (31', 36') 2Slater (24') 1Goal:Smith 7/8(10', 19', 26', 33', 38', 53', 58')|points2=|referee=Phil Bentham (England)|report=|score=46–0|stadium=Darwin Stadium, Darwin|team1={{rl-rt|AUS}}|team2={{rl|SAM}}|time=19:00 ACST ((UTC+9:30))}}

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Tonga vs Lebanon

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=8,309|bg=|date=18 November 2017|manofmatch=Mitchell Moses (Lebanon)|points1=Tries:Fusitu'a (19', 33') 2Lolohea (4') 1Hopoate (23') 1'Goal:Hingano 4/5(5', 24', 34', 53' pen)|points2=Tries:'2 (40', 69') Miski1 (9') Doueihi1 (30') EliasGoals:3/4 Moses(10', 31', 70')|referee=Gerard Sutton (Australia)|report=|score=24–22|stadium=Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch|team1={{rl-rt|TON}}|team2={{rl|Lebanon}}|time=17:00 NZDT (UTC+13)}}

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New Zealand vs Fiji

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=12,713|bg=|date=18 November 2017|manofmatch=Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)|points1=Goals:Johnson 1/1(45' pen)|points2=Goals:1/1 Koroisau(15' pen)1/1 Milne(62' pen)|referee=Matt Cecchin (Australia)|report=|score=2–4|stadium=Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington|team1={{rl-rt|NZL}}|team2={{rl|FIJ}}|time=19:30 NZDT (UTC+13)}}

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England vs Papua New Guinea

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=10,563|date=19 November 2017|manofmatch=Jermaine McGillvary (England)|points1=Tries:McGillvary (13', 20') 2Watkins (68', 72') 2Walmsley (33') 1Currie (56') 1Hall (79') 1'Goals:Widdop 4/7(34', 57', 69', 80')|points2=Tries:'1 (60') LoGoals:1/1 Martin(61')|referee=James Child (England)|report=|score=36–6|stadium=Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne|team1={{rl-rt|ENG}}|team2={{rl|PNG}}|time=16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)}}

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Semi-finals

Australia vs Fiji

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=22,073|date=24 November 2017|manofmatch=Cameron Smith (Australia)|points1=Tries:Holmes (18', 24', 42', 51', 65', 75') 6 Gagai (31', 69') 2Slater (14', 48') 2'Goals:Smith 7/10(15', 19', 33', 43', 49', 53', 67')|points2=Tries:'1 (59') VunivaluGoals:1/2 Koroisau(7' pen)|referee=Gerard Sutton (Australia)|report=|score=54–6|stadium=Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane|team1={{rl-rt|AUS}}|team2={{rl|FIJ}}|time=19:00 AEST (UTC+10)}}

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Tonga vs England

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=30,003|date=25 November 2017|manofmatch=Gareth Widdop (England)|points1=Tries:Pangai Junior (73') 1Havili (76') 1Lolohea (77') 1'Goals:Taukeiaho 3/3(73', 76, 77')|points2=Tries:'1 (11') McGillvary1 (16') Widdop1 (68') BatemanGoals:4/4 Widdop (12, 17, 50 pen, 69)|referee=Matt Cecchin (Australia)|report=|score=18–20|stadium=Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland|team1={{rl-rt|TON}}|team2={{rl|ENG}}|time=18:00 NZDT (UTC+13)}}

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Final: Australia vs England

{{Rugbyleaguebox|attendance=40,033|bg=|date= 2 December 2017|manofmatch=Boyd Cordner(Australia)|points1=Tries: Cordner (15')Goals:Smith 1/1 (16')|points2=|referee=Gerard Sutton (Australia)|report=|score=6–0|stadium=Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane|team1={{rl-rt|AUS}}|team2={{rl|ENG}}|time=19:00 AEST (UTC+10)}}

Statistics

Top try scorers

12 tries

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Valentine Holmes

9 tries

• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Suliasi Vunivalu

7 tries

• {{flagicon|ENG}} Jermaine McGillvary

5 tries

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Billy Slater
• {{flagicon|TON}} David Fusitu'a
• {{flagicon|TON}} Michael Jennings

{{div col end}}

4 tries

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Dane Gagai
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Wade Graham
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Cameron Munster
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Taane Milne
• {{flagicon|PNG}} David Mead
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Justin Olam

{{div col end}}

3 tries

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|ENG}} Kallum Watkins
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Viliame Kikau
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Kevin Naiqama
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Henry Raiwalui
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Liam Kay
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Nene Macdonald
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Peta Hiku
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Te Maire Martin
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
• {{flagicon|TON}} Tuimoala Lolohea

{{div col end}}

2 tries

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Boyd Cordner
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Josh Dugan
• {{flagicon|AUS|rugby league}} Michael Morgan
• {{flagicon|ENG}} John Bateman
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Gareth Widdop
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Jarryd Hayne
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Marcelo Montoya
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Bastien Ader
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Oliver Roberts
• {{flagicon|ITA}} James Tedesco
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Joseph Tramontana
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Adam Doueihi
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Abbas Miski
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Travis Robinson
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Shaun Johnson
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Jason Nightingale
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Jordan Rapana
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Watson Boas
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Lachlan Lam
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Garry Lo
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Rhyse Martin
• {{flagicon|TON}} Will Hopoate
• {{flagicon|TON}} Peni Terepo
• {{flagicon|TON}} Daniel Tupou

{{div col end}}

1 try

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Tyson Frizell
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Tom Trbojevic
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Matt Gillett
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Tom Burgess
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Currie
• {{flagicon|ENG}} James Graham
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Ryan Hall
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Percival
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Stefan Ratchford
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Alex Walmsley
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Kane Evans
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Salesi Junior Fainga'a
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Joe Lovodua
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Ben Nakubuwai
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Brayden Wiliame
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Akuila Uate
• {{flagicon|FIJ}} Eloni Vunakece
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Damien Cardace
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Benjamin Garcia
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Mark Kheirallah
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Kyle Amor
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Liam Finn
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} George King
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Michael McIlorum
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Michael Morgan
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Api Pewhairangi
• {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Joe Philbin
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Justin Castellaro
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Mason Cerruto
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Ryan Ghietti
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Josh Mantellato
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Nathan Milone
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Paul Vaughan
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Anthony Layoun
• {{flagicon|LBN}} James Elias
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Nick Kassis
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Mitchell Moses
• {{flagicon|LBN}} Jason Wehbe
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Nelson Asofa-Solomona
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Kenny Bromwich
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Issac Liu
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Kodi Nikorima
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Russell Packer
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Brad Takairangi
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Joseph Tapine
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Elijah Taylor
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dean Whare
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Paul Aiton
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Wellington Albert
• {{flagicon|PNG}} James Segeyaro
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Rod Griffin
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Stargroth Amean
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Kato Ottio
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Tim Lafai
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Ken Maumalo
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Joseph Paulo
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Junior Paulo
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Ben Roberts
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Jazz Tevaga
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Young Tonumaipea
• {{flagicon|SAM}} Matthew Wright
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Danny Addy
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Frankie Mariano
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Oscar Thomas
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Lewis Tierney
• {{flagicon|TON}} Ata Hingano
• {{flagicon|TON}} Manu Ma'u
• {{flagicon|TON}} Sika Manu
• {{flagicon|TON}} Ben Murdoch-Masila
• {{flagicon|TON}} Jason Taumalolo
• {{flagicon|TON}} Tevita Pangai Junior
• {{flagicon|TON}} Siliva Havili
• {{flagicon|USA}} Matt Shipway
• {{flagicon|USA}} Junior Vaivai
• {{flagicon|WAL}} Regan Grace
• {{flagicon|WAL}} Morgan Knowles
• {{flagicon|WAL}} Ben Morris

{{div col end}}

Top point scorers

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"!rowspan="2" |Player!rowspan="2" |Team!rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|App.|Appearances}}!rowspan="2" |Total!colspan="3" |Details{{tooltip>T|Tries}}{{tooltip>G|Goals}}{{tooltip>FG|Field goals}}Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)>Cameron Smith{{rl|AUS}}|6500250|Valentine Holmes{{rl|AUS}}|6481200|Shaun Johnson{{rl|NZL}}|4442180|Gareth Widdop{{rl|ENG}}|6412161|Rhyse Martin{{rl|PNG}}|4402160|Suliasi Vunivalu{{rl|FIJ}}|538910|Taane Milne{{rl|FIJ}}|532480|Sio Siua Taukeiaho{{rl|TON}}|4320160Liam Finn (rugby league)>Liam Finn{{rl|IRE}}|3281120|Apisai Koroisau{{rl|FIJ}}|5280140|Jermaine McGillvary{{rl|ENG}}|628700|Josh Mantellato{{rl|ITA}}|3282100

Final standings

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDLsource=World Cup 2017status_NZL=H|status_PNG=H|winpoints=2|drawpoints=1|for_against_style=points|team_order=AUS, ENG, FIJ, TON, PNG, NZL, LBN, SAM, IRE, ITA, SCO, FRA, WAL, USAdraw_AUS=0 gf_AUS=210 |ga_AUS=16draw_ENG=0 gf_ENG=125 |ga_ENG=64draw_FIJ=0 gf_FIJ=178 |ga_FIJ=84draw_FRA=0 gf_FRA=30 |ga_FRA=117draw_IRE=0 gf_IRE=76 |ga_IRE=32draw_ITA=0 gf_ITA=68 |ga_ITA=74draw_LBN=0 gf_LBN=61 |ga_LBN=105draw_NZL=0 gf_NZL=136|ga_NZL=46draw_PNG=0 gf_PNG=134 |ga_PNG=48draw_SAM=1 gf_SAM=40|ga_SAM=130draw_SCO=1 gf_SCO=24 |ga_SCO=138draw_TON=0 gf_TON=152 |ga_TON=86draw_USA=0 gf_USA=12 |ga_USA=168draw_WAL=0 gf_WAL=18 |ga_WAL=156Australia}}England}}Fiji}}France}}Ireland}}Italy}}Lebanon}}New Zealand}}Papua New Guinea}}Samoa}}Scotland}}Tonga}}United States}}Wales}}|show_groups=T#Group A>A#Group A>A#Group D>D#Group A>A#Group C>C#Group D>D#Group A>A#Group B>B#Group C>C#Group B>B#Group B>B#Group B>B#Group D>D#Group C>C|res_col_header=Final resulttext_1st=Championstext_2nd=Runners-up#Semi-finals>semi-finals#Quarter-finals>quarter-finals#Group stage>group stagesplit4=yes |split8=yesresult2=2nd result4=SF result6=QF result8=QF result10=GS result12=GS result14=GS result16=GS}}

Criticism and controversy

The lack of games in New South Wales, the heartland of rugby league in Australia, drew some criticism. Only one of the 13 confirmed tournament venues was in New South Wales (Sydney Football Stadium) and it is only hosting two group-stage fixtures, both featuring Lebanon. This was due to the refusal of the New South Wales Government to bid for hosting rights. Despite the so-called 'Sydney Cup snub', the RLWC organisers backed their decision and the venues they were using.NEWS, Sydney Snubbed at Rugby League World Cup, TRIPLE M, 19 June 2016,weblink 20 June 2016, In the buildup to the Samoa vs. Tonga game in Hamilton, controversy occurred after fans from both countries were caught having brawls in South Auckland. At least 6 people were arrested from the brawls resulting in a massive security increase for the game. Both teams, celebrities, and police urged fans to calm down.NEWS, Tonga vs Samoa: Security beefed up at rugby league match after street brawls, nzherald.co.nz, 3 November 2017,weblink 3 November 2017, Following the results of the controversial incident, a Tongan Advisory Council member lashed out at organisers, saying that this tournament is poorly organised compared to the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup, mentioning that Rugby Union World Cup organisers engaged with community groups 18 months beforehand, whereas this tournament was "scrambled around".NEWS, Watch: 'Poorly organised' – Tongan Advisory Council member slams lack of foresight at Rugby League World Cup, tvnz.co.nz, 3 November 2017,weblink 3 November 2017, After Scotland's 68-point thrashing to New Zealand in Christchurch, captain Danny Brough, Sam Brooks, and Jonathan Walker were sent home for violating code of conduct after being all deemed too 'intoxicated' for their team's flight to Cairns for Scotland's next game against Samoa. Italian players James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman were under investigation by the World Cup integrity unit for a brawl at a Cairns nightclub.NEWS, RLWC 2017: Three Scotland players including captain Danny Brough sent home from World Cup, foxsports.com.au, 5 November 2017,weblink 5 November 2017, There was criticism on how Samoa and Lebanon qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup, while Ireland missed out. Samoa played in Pool B where three sides qualify for the finals and only one misses out. Samoa lost to both New Zealand and Tonga, and drew with Scotland. Lebanon was in Pool A which had the same format as Pool B. Lebanon lost to both Australia and England and beat France. Ireland played in Pool C where there are only three teams and the winner is the only team that goes to the finals. Ireland beat both Italy and Wales and only just lost to Papua New Guinea and didn't qualify for the finals. Irish captain Liam Finn, said "I don't know if it's unfair, it probably makes sense, but to me: try and explain that to someone who's not rugby league," , "That's how we judge it. I tell someone 'we didn't go through, we won two games; someone got through by drawing one," and "That's where we should be focused: how do we attract new fans when that's how you're explaining the game to them?" in the press conference after his team's victory over Wales.WEB, Mascord, Steve, 2017-11-12, Rugby League World Cup: Ireland miss quarters while winless Samoa go through,weblink 2020-10-09, The Sydney Morning Herald, en,

Broadcasting

Seven Network was the Australian and worldwide host broadcaster, winning the rights for the event in July 2016, beating the likes of Foxtel and Optus.WEB,weblink Seven named as broadcaster for 2017 Rugby League World Cup – Mumbrella, 18 July 2016, {| class="wikitable"!Country or region!Broadcaster!Broadcasting!{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}|{{AUS}}|Seven Network|All 28 matches live (via Channel 7, 7mate, or streamed from the 7Live app)TITLE=CHANNEL SEVEN WINS RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP TV RIGHTS DATE=8 APRIL 2016, 6 June 2016, |{{AUT}}{{GER}}{{SUI}}ProSieben MAXX>ProSieben Maxxran.de|6 matches live (ProSieben Maxx)All 28 matches live streamed (ran.de)DATE=10 OCTOBER 2017, |{{GER}}|Sportdeutschland.TV|All 28 matches live streamed||{{FIJ}}|Fiji One|All 28 matches livePUBLISHER=RLWC2017.COMACCESS-DATE=7 OCTOBER 2017ARCHIVE-DATE=7 OCTOBER 2017, dead, |{{FRA}}beIN Sports (France)>beIN Sports|All 28 matches livePUBLISHER=BEINSPORTS.COM, 4 November 2017, Hong Kong}} Hong Kong|PCCW|All 28 matches livePUBLISHER=RLWC2017.COM, 4 November 2017, |{{IRL}}|eir Sports|All 28 matches liveLAST=TV GUIDE, TVGuide.co.uk, |{{JAP}}|DAZN|All 28 matches live|Malaysia}} MalaysiaAstro (television)>Astro|All 28 matches live||Middle East|OSN Sports|All 28 matches live||{{NZL}}Sky Sport (New Zealand)>Sky Sport|All 28 matches livePUBLISHER=RLWC2017.COM ACCESS-DATE=11 MARCH 2017, |{{PNG}}|EM TV|All 28 matches livePUBLISHER=RLWC2017.COM ACCESS-DATE=11 MARCH 2017, {{GBR}}|BBC Sport|All England matches live; Ireland, Wales and Scotland matches delayed; highlights from all 28 matchesPUBLISHER=BBC.COM ACCESS-DATE=4 NOVEMBER 2017, |Premier Sports|27 matches Live (Delayed coverage of NZ vs Tonga due to football match)PUBLISHER=THEWEEK.CO.UK ACCESS-DATE=4 NOVEMBER 2017, |{{USA}}Fox Sports 2>Fox Sports|All USA matches and knockout matches live|

References

{{reflist}}

External links

• {{Official websiteweblink}}

{{Rlwc17}}{{Rlwc}}{{2017 in rugby league}}{{World championships in 2017}}