2017 Rugby League World Cup

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.^[2] The Rugby League World Cup was last held in Australia in 2008.^[3]

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.^[4][5][6] On 19 February 2014, it was announced that the joint bid from Australia and New Zealand had won hosting rights.^[7]

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'.^[8] He was replaced by Andrew Hill.^[9]

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.^[10]

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.

Team	Captain	Coach	Previous Apps	Previous best result	Qualification method	World Ranking
Australia	Cameron Smith	Mal Meninga	14	Champions (10 times)	Co-hosts	1
England	Sean O'Loughlin	Wayne Bennett	5	Runners-up (1975, 1995)	Automatic	3
Fiji	Kevin Naiqama	Mick Potter	4	Semi-finals (2008, 2013)	Automatic	7
France	Théo Fages	Aurélien Cologni	14	Runners-up (1954, 1968)	Automatic	6
Ireland	Liam Finn	Mark Aston	3	Quarter-finals (2000, 2008)	Europe 2	8
Italy	Mark Minichiello	Cameron Ciraldo	1	Group stage (2013)	Europe play-off	12
Lebanon	Robbie Farah	Brad Fittler	1	Group stage (2000)	Middle East-Africa play-off	18
New Zealand	Adam Blair	David Kidwell	14	Champions (2008)	Co-hosts	2
Papua New Guinea	David Mead	Michael Marum	6	Quarter-finals (2000)	Co-hosts	16
Samoa	Frank Pritchard	Matt Parish	4	Quarter-finals (2000, 2013)	Automatic	5
Scotland	Danny Brough	Steve McCormack	3	Quarter-finals (2013)	Automatic	4
Tonga	Sika Manu	Kristian Woolf	4	Group stage (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)	Asia-Pacific play-off	11
United States	Mark Offerdahl	Brian McDermott	1	Quarter-finals (2013)	Americas play-off	10
Wales	Craig Kopczak	John Kear	4	Semi-finals (1995, 2000)	Europe 1	9

Draw

The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016^[11] and involved the same four group format as the 2013 tournament.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.^[12]

Squads

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

It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches.^[13] The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented to the RLIF in September 2015, requesting to host three matches.^[14] In October 2015 it was confirmed that Papua New Guinea would host three matches in the group stage.^[15]

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.^[12]

Australia

Brisbane	Sydney	Melbourne	Townsville
Brisbane Stadium	Sydney Football Stadium	Melbourne Rectangular Stadium	Townsville Stadium
Capacity: 52,500	Capacity: 45,500	Capacity: 30,050	Capacity: 26,500
Townsville Brisbane Cairns Darwin Sydney Canberra Melbourne Perth
Canberra	Perth	Cairns	Darwin
Canberra Stadium	Perth Rectangular Stadium	Barlow Park	Darwin Stadium
Capacity: 25,011	Capacity: 20,500	Capacity: 18,000	Capacity: 12,000

New Zealand

Wellington	Auckland
Wellington Regional Stadium	Mount Smart Stadium
Capacity: 34,500	Capacity: 30,000
Wellington Auckland Christchurch Hamilton
Hamilton	Christchurch
Waikato Stadium[16]	Christchurch Stadium
Capacity: 25,800	Capacity: 18,000

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby
National Football Stadium
Capacity: 14,800
Port Moresby

The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.^[17]

•  Australia: 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
•  England: Phil Bentham, James Child, Mark Craven, Robert Hicks, Chris Kendall, Scott Mikalauskas, Liam Moore, Tim Roby, Ben Thaler
•  New Zealand: Chris McMillan, Henry Perenara

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.^[12]

Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Australia (H)	3	3	0	0	104	10	+94	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	England	3	2	0	1	69	34	+35	4
3	Lebanon	3	1	0	2	39	81	−42	2
4	France	3	0	0	3	30	117	−87	0

27 October 2017 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	18–4	England
Tries: Gillett (23') 1 Slater (29') 1 Dugan (79') 1 Goals: Smith 3/4 (25', 76' pen, 80')	Report	Tries: 1 (5') McGillvary Goals: 0/1 Widdop

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne[23] Attendance: 22,724 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Player of the Match: Billy Slater (Australia)

29 October 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

France	18–29	Lebanon
Tries: Ader (16', 52') 2 Cardace (68') 1 Goals: Barthau 3/4 (20' pen, 53', 69')	Report	Tries: 2 (40', 80') Robinson 1 (8') Layoun 1 (63') Doueihi 1 (76') Moses Goals: 4/5 Moses (9', 40', 64', 77') Field Goals: 1 (74') Moses

Canberra Stadium, Canberra[24] Attendance: 5,492 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Player of the Match: Mitchell Moses (Lebanon)

3 November 2017 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	52–6	France
Tries: Graham (12', 15', 31', 66') 4 Munster (43', 74') 2 Dugan (33') 1 Frizell (49') 1 Slater (52') 1 Holmes (78') 1 Goals: Smith 6/8 (16', 32', 44', 51', 53', 67') Munster 0/2	Report	Tries: 1 (24') Kheirallah Goals: 1/1 Marginet (25')

Canberra Stadium, Canberra[25] Attendance: 12,293 Referee: Robert Hicks (England) Player of the Match: Wade Graham (Australia)

4 November 2017 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

England	29–10	Lebanon
Tries: Watkins (9') 1 McGillvary (25') 1 Hall (28') 1 Currie (32') 1 T. Burgess (56') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/5 (11', 26', 33', 57') Field Goals: Widdop (80') 1	Report	Tries: 1 (18') Kassis 1 (76') Wehbe Goals: 1/2 Moses (19')

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney[26] Attendance: 10,237 Referee: Ben Thaler (England) Player of the Match: Josh Hodgson (England)

11 November 2017 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	34–0	Lebanon
Tries: Munster (9', 50') 2 Maloney (25') 1 Cordner (55') 1 Gagai (76') 1 T. Trbojevic (79') 1 Goals: Maloney 4/4 (52', 56', 78', 80') Smith 1/2 (26')	Report

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney[27] Attendance: 21,127 Referee: James Child (England) Player of the Match: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Australia)

12 November 2017 18:00 AWST (UTC+8)

England	36–6	France
Tries: McGillvary (42', 64') 2 Widdop (3') 1 Ratchford (6') 1 Graham (9') 1 Percival (23') 1 Bateman (29') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/7 (4', 7', 10', 43')	Report	Tries: 1 (34') Garcia Goals: 1/1 Albert (35')

Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth[28] Attendance: 14,744 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Gareth Widdop (England)

Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Tonga	3	3	0	0	110	44	+66	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	New Zealand (H)	3	2	0	1	134	42	+92	4
3	Samoa	3	0	1	2	40	84	−44	1
4	Scotland	3	0	1	2	24	138	−114	1

28 October 2017 20:10 NZDT (UTC+13)

New Zealand	38–8	Samoa
Tries: Jordan Rapana (4') 1 Shaun Johnson (20') 1 Brad Takairangi (46') 1 Kodi Nikorima (52') 1 Issac Liu (55') 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (68') 1 Nelson Asofa-Solomona (72') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 5/7 (21', 53', 56', 69', 73')	Report[29]	Tries: 1 (37') Ken Maumalo 1 (80') Joseph Paulo Goals: 0/1 Peter Matautia 0/1 Tim Lafai

Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 17,857 Referee: James Child (England) Player of the Match: Joseph Tapine (New Zealand)

29 October 2017 16:15 AEDT (UTC+10)

Scotland	4–50	Tonga
Tries: Danny Addy (62') 1 Goals: Danny Brough 0/1	Report[30]	Tries: 3 (3', 20', 40') Michael Jennings 2 (26', 73') Daniel Tupou 1 (17') Jason Taumalolo 1 (23') Sika Manu 1 (38') Peni Terepo 1 (76') Ata Hingano Goals: 6/7 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (4', 19', 21', 24', 75', 78') 1/2 Ata Hingano (40')

Barlow Park, Cairns Attendance: 9,216 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)

4 November 2017 17:00 NZDT (UTC+13)

New Zealand	74–6	Scotland
Tries: Te Maire Martin (32', 52', 76') 3 Pita Hiku (39', 58', 69') 3 Jason Nightingale (13', 23') 2 Kenny Bromwich (9') 1 Joseph Tapine (16') 1 Russell Packer (43') 1 Dean Whare (55') 1 Shaun Johnson (61') 1 Elijah Taylor (79') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 9/14 (11', 33', 44', 53', 56', 60', 63', 70', 80')	Report[31]	Tries: 1 (72') Oscar Thomas Goals: 1/1 Danny Addy (73')

Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 12,130 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)

4 November 2017 19:30 NZDT (UTC+13)

Samoa	18–32	Tonga
Tries: Jazz Tevaga (17') 1 Ben Roberts (65') 1 Tim Lafai (73') 1 Goals: Tim Lafai 3/3 (18', 66', 74')	Report[32]	Tries: 2 (10', 29') Michael Jennings 1 (52') Peni Terepo 1 (60') Ben Murdoch-Masila 1 (77') Manu Ma'u Goals: 4/4 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (11', 28' pen, 30', 79') 2/2 Ata Hingano (53', 61')

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 18,156 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: Andrew Fifita (Tonga)

11 November 2017 17:00 NZDT (UTC+13)

New Zealand	22–28	Tonga
Tries: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (39', 72') 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (21') 1 Jordan Rapana (28') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 3/4 (30', 40', 73')	Report[33]	Tries: 3 (48', 59', 77') David Fusitu'a 1 (62') Tuimoala Lolohea 1 (65') William Hopoate Goals: 3/4 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (7' pen, 63', 66') 1/2 Tuimoala Lolohea (60')

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 24,041 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Player of the Match: Tuimoala Lolohea (Tonga)

11 November 2017 17:00 AEDT (UTC+10)

Samoa	14–14	Scotland
Tries: Junior Paulo (12') 1 Matthew Wright (49') 1 Young Tonumaipea (66') 1 Goals: Matthew Wright 1/3 (13')	Report[34]	Tries: 1 (5') Lewis Tierney 1 (28') Frankie Mariano Goals: 3/4 Danny Addy (6', 18' pen, 30')

Barlow Park, Cairns Attendance: 4,309 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Danny Addy (Scotland)

Group C

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Papua New Guinea (H)	3	3	0	0	128	12	+116	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	Ireland	3	2	0	1	76	32	+44	4
3	Wales	3	0	0	3	18	156	−138	0

28 October 2017 15:00 AEDT (UTC+10)

Papua New Guinea	50–6	Wales
Tries: David Mead (5', 10', 60') 3 Rhyse Martin (43', 53') 2 Nene Macdonald (23') 1 Kato Ottio (34') 1 Wellington Albert (38') 1 Justin Olam (56') 1 Paul Aiton (71') 1 Goals: Rhyse Martin 5/8 (24', 36', 39', 44', 72') Ase Boas 0/2	Report[35]	Tries: 1 (80') Regan Grace Goals: 1/1 Courtney Davies (80')

National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: David Mead (Papua New Guinea)

5 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+10)

Papua New Guinea	14–6	Ireland
Tries: Garry Lo (16') 1 Nene Macdonald (26') 1 Watson Boas (78') 1 Goals: Ase Boas 1/1 (79') Rhyse Martin 0/2	Report[36]	Tries: 1 (5') Michael McIlorum Goals: 1/1 Liam Finn (6')

National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Player of the Match: Garry Lo (Papua New Guinea)

12 November 2017 15:30 AWST (UTC+8)

Wales	6–34	Ireland
Tries: Ben Morris (57') 1 Goals: Courtney Davies 1/1 (59')	Report[37]	Tries: 2 (34', 66') Oliver Roberts 1 (8') Api Pewhairangi 1 (34') Joe Philbin 1 (39') Liam Finn 1 (74') Liam Kay Goals: 5/6 Liam Finn (9', 32', 35', 67', 76')

Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth Attendance: 14,744 Referee: Ben Thaler (England) Player of the Match: Oliver Roberts (Ireland)

Group D

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Fiji	3	3	0	0	168	28	+140	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	Italy	3	1	0	2	68	74	−6	2
3	United States	3	0	0	3	12	168	−156	0

28 October 7:40pm (AEST)

Fiji	58–12	United States
Tries: Taane Milne (3', 11') 2 Kevin Naiqama (7', 30') 2 Suliasi Vunivalu (35', 64') 2 Akuila Uate (14') 1 Kane Evans (17') 1 Jarryd Hayne (46') 1 Viliame Kikau (60') 1 Henry Raiwalui (66') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 5/8 (8', 13', 18', 31', 47') Taane Milne 2/3 (61', 68')	Report[38]	Tries: 1 (21') Matt Shipway 1 (72') Junior Vaivai Goals: 2/2 Bureta Fariamo (22', 74')

Townsville Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 5,103 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)

5 November 4:00pm (AEST)

Italy	46–0	United States
Tries: Joey Tramontana (8', 37') 2 James Tedesco (14', 43') 2 Josh Mantellato (18') 1 Ryan Ghietti (25') 1 Paul Vaughan (59') 1 Mason Cerruto (73') 1 Goals: Josh Mantellato 7/8 (9', 16', 26', 38', 45', 60', 74')	Report[39]

Townsville Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 7,732 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Joey Tramontana (Italy)

10 November 7:40pm (AEDT)

Fiji	38–10	Italy
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (60', 63', 68') 3 Kevin Naiqama (28') 1 Henry Raiwalui (40') 1 Brayden Wiliame (54') 1 Marcelo Montoya (75') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 3/4 (29', 40', 61') Taane Milne 2/3 (64', 69') Sin Bins: Jarryd Hayne (34')	Report[40]	Tries: 1 (20') Josh Mantellato 1 (43') Nathan Milone Goals: 1/2 Josh Mantellato (44') Sin Bins: (12') Jayden Walker (34') Joey Tramontana

Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 6,733 Referee: Robert Hicks (England) Player of the Match: Apisai Koroisau (Fiji)

Inter-group matches

29 October 2017 14:00 AEDT (UTC+10)

Ireland	36–12	Italy
Tries: Liam Kay (3', 30') 2 George King (10') 1 Kyle Amor (55') 1 Michael Morgan (60') 1 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (79') 1 Goals: Liam Finn 6/7 (4', 11', 18' pen, 31', 56', 61')	Report[41]	Tries: 1 (38') Justin Castellaro 1 (47') Nathan Milone Goals: 2/2 Josh Mantellato (39', 48')

Barlow Park, Cairns Attendance: 9,216 Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia) Player of the Match: Liam Finn (Ireland)

5 November 2017 18:30 AEDT (UTC+10)

Fiji	72–6	Wales
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (14', 51', 61') 3 Viliame Kikau (22', 40') 2 Taane Milne (31', 56') 2 Eloni Vunakece (6') 1 Henry Raiwalui (16') 1 Salesi Fainga'a (27') 1 Marcelo Montoya (33') 1 Jarryd Hayne (42') 1 Joe Lovodua (65') 1 Ben Nakubuwai (70') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 4/7 (7', 17', 23', 28') Taane Milne 3/5 (40', 43', 52') Suliasi Vunivalu 1/2 (66')	Report[42]	Tries: 1 (11') Morgan Knowles Goals: 1/1 Courtney Davies (12')

Townsville Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 7,732 Referee: Chris Kendall (England) Player of the Match: Akuila Uate (Fiji)

12 November 2017 15:00 AEDT (UTC+10)

Papua New Guinea	64–0	United States
Tries: Justin Olam (12', 66', 75') 3 Lachlan Lam (8', 16') 2 James Segeyaro (14') 1 Rod Griffin (25') 1 Stargroth Amean (39') 1 David Mead (42') 1 Watson Boas (60') 1 Nene Macdonald (63') 1 Goals: Rhyse Martin 10/11 (10', 15', 18', 26', 40', 44', 62', 65', 68', 77')	Report[43]

National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Adam Gee (Australia) Player of the Match: Lachlan Lam (Papua New Guinea)

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.^[44] 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.^[45]

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	17 November – Darwin
	Australia	46
					24 November – Brisbane
	Samoa	0
					Australia	54
	18 November – Wellington
					Fiji	6
	New Zealand	2
									2 December – Brisbane
	Fiji	4
									Australia	6
	18 November – Christchurch
									England	0
	Tonga	24
					25 November – Auckland
	Lebanon	22
					Tonga	18
	19 November – Melbourne
					England	20
	England	36
	Papua New Guinea	6

Quarter-finals

Australia vs Samoa

17 November 2017 19:00 ACST (UTC+9:30)

Australia	46–0	Samoa
Tries: Holmes (9', 17', 51', 57', 74') 5 Morgan (31', 36') 2 Slater (24') 1 Goal: Smith 7/8 (10', 19', 26', 33', 38', 53', 58')

Darwin Stadium, Darwin Attendance: 13,473 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Valentine Holmes (Australia)

Tonga vs Lebanon

18 November 2017 17:00 NZDT (UTC+13)

Tonga	24–22	Lebanon
Tries: Fusitu'a (19', 33') 2 Lolohea (4') 1 Hopoate (23') 1 Goal: Hingano 4/5 (5', 24', 34', 53' pen)		Tries: 2 (40', 69') Miski 1 (9') Doueihi 1 (30') Elias Goals: 3/4 Moses (10', 31', 70')

Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 8,309 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Player of the Match: Mitchell Moses (Lebanon)

New Zealand vs Fiji

18 November 2017 19:30 NZDT (UTC+13)

New Zealand	2–4	Fiji
Goals: Johnson 1/1 (45' pen)		Goals: 1/1 Koroisau (15' pen) 1/1 Milne (62' pen)

Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 12,713 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Player of the Match: Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)

England vs Papua New Guinea

19 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

England	36–6	Papua New Guinea
Tries: McGillvary (13', 20') 2 Watkins (68', 72') 2 Walmsley (33') 1 Currie (56') 1 Hall (79') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/7 (34', 57', 69', 80')		Tries: 1 (60') Lo Goals: 1/1 Martin (61')

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 10,563 Referee: James Child (England) Player of the Match: Jermaine McGillvary (England)

Semi-finals

Australia vs Fiji

24 November 2017 19:00 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	54–6	Fiji
Tries: Holmes (18', 24', 42', 51', 65', 75') 6 Gagai (31', 69') 2 Slater (14', 48') 2 Goals: Smith 7/10 (15', 19', 33', 43', 49', 53', 67')		Tries: 1 (59') Vunivalu Goals: 1/2 Koroisau (7' pen)

Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 22,073 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Player of the Match: Cameron Smith (Australia)

Tonga vs England

25 November 2017 18:00 NZDT (UTC+13)

Tonga	18–20	England
Tries: Pangai Junior (73') 1 Havili (76') 1 Lolohea (77') 1 Goals: Taukeiaho 3/3 (73', 76, 77')		Tries: 1 (11') McGillvary 1 (16') Widdop 1 (68') Bateman Goals: 4/4 Widdop (12, 17, 50 pen, 69)

Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 30,003 Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia) Player of the Match: Gareth Widdop (England)

Final: Australia vs England

2 December 2017 19:00 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	6–0	England
Tries: Cordner (15') Goals: Smith 1/1 (16')

Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 40,033 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia) Player of the Match: Boyd Cordner(Australia)

Top try scorers

12 tries

• Valentine Holmes

9 tries

• Suliasi Vunivalu

7 tries

• Jermaine McGillvary

5 tries

4 tries

3 tries

2 tries

1 try

Top point scorers

Player	Team	App.	Total	Details
				T	G	FG
Cameron Smith	Australia	6	50	0	25	0
Valentine Holmes	Australia	6	48	12	0	0
Shaun Johnson	New Zealand	4	44	2	18	0
Gareth Widdop	England	6	41	2	16	1
Rhyse Martin	Papua New Guinea	4	40	2	16	0
Suliasi Vunivalu	Fiji	5	38	9	1	0
Taane Milne	Fiji	5	32	4	8	0
Sio Siua Taukeiaho	Tonga	4	32	0	16	0
Liam Finn	Ireland	3	28	1	12	0
Apisai Koroisau	Fiji	5	28	0	14	0
Jermaine McGillvary	England	6	28	7	0	0
Josh Mantellato	Italy	3	28	2	10	0

Final standings

Pos	Grp	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Final result
1	A	Australia (H)	6	6	0	0	210	16	+194	12	Champions
2	A	England	6	4	0	2	125	64	+61	8	Runners-up
3	D	Fiji	5	4	0	1	178	84	+94	8	Eliminated in semi-finals
4	B	Tonga	5	4	0	1	152	86	+66	8
5	C	Papua New Guinea (H)	4	3	0	1	134	48	+86	6	Eliminated in quarter-finals
6	B	New Zealand (H)	4	2	0	2	136	46	+90	4
7	A	Lebanon	4	1	0	3	61	105	−44	2
8	B	Samoa	4	0	1	3	40	130	−90	1
9	C	Ireland	3	2	0	1	76	32	+44	4	Eliminated in group stage
10	D	Italy	3	1	0	2	68	74	−6	2
11	B	Scotland	3	0	1	2	24	138	−114	1
12	A	France	3	0	0	3	30	117	−87	0
13	C	Wales	3	0	0	3	18	156	−138	0
14	D	United States	3	0	0	3	12	168	−156	0

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.^[46]

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.^[47] 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".^[48]

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.^[49]

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.^[50]

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.^[51]

Country or region	Broadcaster	Broadcasting	Ref.
Australia	Seven Network	All 28 matches live (via Channel 7, 7mate, or streamed from the 7Live app)	[52]
Austria  Germany  Switzerland	ProSieben Maxx ran.de	6 matches live (ProSieben Maxx) All 28 matches live streamed (ran.de)	[53]
Germany	Sportdeutschland.TV	All 28 matches live streamed	[53]
Fiji	Fiji One	All 28 matches live	[54]
France	beIN Sports	All 28 matches live	[55]
Hong Kong	PCCW	All 28 matches live	[56]
Ireland	eir Sports	All 28 matches live	[57]
Japan	DAZN	All 28 matches live	[56]
Malaysia	Astro	All 28 matches live	[56]
Middle East	OSN Sports	All 28 matches live	[56]
New Zealand	Sky Sport	All 28 matches live	[58]
Papua New Guinea	EM TV	All 28 matches live	[59]
United Kingdom	BBC Sport	All England matches live; Ireland, Wales and Scotland matches delayed; highlights from all 28 matches	[60]
	Premier Sports	27 matches Live (Delayed coverage of NZ vs Tonga due to football match)	[61]
United States	Fox Sports	All USA matches and knockout matches live	[56]

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