Rugby League World Cup rolling coverage from Barlow Park
ROLLING COVERAGE: MORE than 9000 fans have been treated to a thrilling day of Rugby League World Cup action but not everything went as expected.
- Ireland’s James Hasson is back to state case for NRL return
- Nuclear sparky goes from semi-pro to tackle Taumalolo
- Mate Ma’a Tonga sprit to shine against Scotland
UPDATE: MORE than 9000 fans have been treated to a thrilling day of Rugby League World Cup action but not everything went as expected.
Ireland produced the first upset of the tournament, beating favourites Italy 36-12 to leave the Cairns crowd stunned.
Tonga gave their fans plenty to smile about in the second game of the double header, putting on nine tries to one against Scotland in a 50-4 win.
Michael Jennings scored a first half hat-trick while his winger Daniel Tupou scored a double as the left side wreaked havoc from the forwards’ work through the middle.
The Bravehearts were thoroughly outclassed in the first half, down 38-0 at half-time, but put up a fight in a scrappy second half.
Scotland will return to Cairns for their third game of the tournament on November 11, when they will take on Samoa.
EARLIER: RUGBY league diehards are diving into the record books after an extraordinary first half to the clash between Tonga and Scotland.
Tonga is putting on a show for a bumper crowd at Barlow Park after Ireland spoiled the party for fans cheering for Italy in the World Cup.
Scotland has been blown away by the star-studded team in the first half, letting in 38 points in the most one-sided match of the tournament so far.
Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick on the stroke of half-time and more entertainment is certain for hearty supporters who have stuck around after the firs
EARLIER: CAIRNS can lay claim to hosting the first boilover of the Rugby League World Cup in the first match of the double header at Barlow Park.
Ireland added three more tries in the second half after taking a 20-6 lead in halftime, putting Italy to the sword in a 36-12 result.
The Azzurri brought it back to 20-12 but could not find any fluency, falling away in the first upset of the tournament.
Scotland and Tonga are 1-17 for their match, which will kick off at 4.25pm.
EARLIER: AN opportunist play from a Far North favourite has given Italy some hope of mounting a comeback after a first half Ireland masterclass at Barlow Park.
Northern Pride centre Justin Castellaro ran 70m after intercepting a pass from Ireland fullback Scott Grix in the 38th minute in an otherwise hopeless first half from the Azzurri.
Ireland halfback Liam Finn was instrumental in helping his side to a shock 20-6 lead at the break on the back of strong defence shutting down the attacking weapons of Italy.
Wolfhounds winger Liam Kay has been the beneficiary of a brilliant left side, scoring tries in the third minute and 30th minute.
George King scored the other try off a Michael McIlorum grubber in the 10th minute.
Italy has looked well out of sorts but will have the breeze behind them in the second half.
EARLIER: FOUR local heroes will set the tone for the Rugby League World Cup double header in Cairns after a late change to the Italy line-up.
Northern Pride players Colin Wilkie, Ryan Ghietti, Justin Castellaro and Joel Riethmuller will all start the match, adding extra emotion to the clash.
Despite the heat, fans are cramming in to Barlow Park to catch a piece of the action, filling the grandstand and the hill prior to kickoff.
EARLIER: FANS are making their way to Barlow Park in anticipation of an action-packed Rugby League World Cup double header today.
Ireland and Italy will have the unenviable task of kicking off at 2pm, when they are likely to brave a temperature around 32 degrees.
Italy will no doubt be the hometown favourites, .
Terry Campese will not line up for the Azzurri, pushing Ghietti into five-eighth, Colin Wilkie to starting hooker and Joe Tramontano to the bench.
Scotland and heavyweights Tonga will follow at 4.15pm in what the bookies are tipping should be just about a walkover for the island nation.
Follow our rolling coverage throughout the day.
TEAM LISTS
Ireland v Italy, 2pm
IRELAND
1. Scott Grix 2. Shannon McDonnell 3. Ed Chamberlain 4. Michael Morgan 5. Liam Kay 6. Api Pewhairangi 7. Liam Finn (c) 8. Brad Singleton 9. Michael McIlorum 10. Kyle Amor 11. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 12. Oliver Roberts 13. George King. Interchange: 14. Tyrone McCarthy 15. James Hasson 16. Joe Philbin 17. Anthony Mullally 18. Joe Keyes 19. Will Hope 20. Jack Higginson 21. Matty Hadden
ITALY
1. James Tedesco 2. Mason Cerruto 3. Justin Castellaro 4. Nathan Milone 5. Josh Mantellato 9. Ryan Ghietti 7. Jack Johns 8. Paul Vaughan 14. Colin Wilkie 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Joel Riethmuller 12. Mark Minichiello (c) 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange:
15. Brendan Santi 16. Shannon Wakeman 17. Jayden Walker 20. Joe Tramontana
Jacob’s tip: Italy by 2
Scotland v Tonga, 4.15pm
SCOTLAND
1. Lewis Tierney 2. Matthew Russell 3. Ben Hellewel 4. Lachlan Stein 5. Will Oakes 6. Danny Brough (c) 7. Danny Addy 8. Luke Douglas 9. Kane Bentley 10. Ben Kavanagh 11. Frankie Mariano 12. Dale Ferguson 13. James Bell. Interchange: 14. Callum Phillips 15. Andrew Bentley 16. Sam Brooks 17. Johnny Walker 18. Alex Walker 19. Jarred Anderson 20. Kieran Moran 21. Brandan Wilkinson
TONGA
1. William Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Mafoa’aeata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Sika Manu (c) 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Sam Moa 16. Peni Terepo 17. Ben Murdoch-Masilia 18. Joe Ofahengaue 19. Solomone Kata
20. David Fusitua 21. Samisoni Langi
Jacob’s tip: Tonga by 14
Originally published as Rugby League World Cup rolling coverage from Barlow Park
League star flees to PNG after rape charge
An extradition process is underway to locate the rugby league star, who has fled the UK after being hit with a series of charges.
Jillaroos sweat as star sent for scans ahead of Pacific Champs final
The Jillaroos are managing injuries to two key stars ahead of the Pacific Championships final, with one sent for scans as her team scrambles to find a replacement.
Shock World Cup host contender emerges
One of the richest countries on the planet has put its hand up to play host to another World Cup, months after its last tournament.