Rugby League World Cup: Tonga and Fiji secure dominant victories

In the men’s Rugby League World Cup, Tonga secured a 36-0 shutout victory against Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. Despite committing 16 handling errors, Tonga’s offense was led by Sione Katoa, who scored twice, and a 95-metre intercept try by Tolutau Koula. Tonga coach Kristian Woolf stated that the squad views themselves as equals to the Kangaroos and Kiwis following the win, which virtually guarantees a semi-final spot.

In the women’s tournament, the Fiji Bulikula achieved a record-breaking 40-4 win over Papua New Guinea at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. Winger Tahlia Marshall recorded a hat-trick to lead the Fijian attack. The victory places Fiji on the verge of a semi-final berth in their first tournament appearance. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea’s women’s side faces a difficult path to the knockout stages following the loss.