World 9s day 1 round-up

The World 9s in Sydney kicked off today with the first round of action.

In Pool A, USA & Hull FC’s Bureta Faraimo faced Papua New Guinea & Leeds Rhinos’ Rhyse Martin. 

Martin and the Kumuls overcame Faraimo and the Hawks by 27 points to 10.

PNG’s Martin made the most tackles in the game with eight, whilst Faraimo scored one of the USA’s two tries and converted one.

USA get one more try at the death 🙌#RLWC9s pic.twitter.com/B5mJSEH8Iv
— NRL (@NRL) October 18, 2019

In Pool B, plenty of Super League talent was in action.

England went head-to-head with Wales in the first round, earning a convincing 25-4 win over a Welsh side that included recent Grand Final winner Regan Grace and two London Broncos metre makers in Rhys Williams and Elliot Kear.

Hull FC’s Jake Connor scored two tries for England, whilst Catalans’ Sam Tomkins was in fine form. Tomkins recorded the most metres for England with 87, made three tackle breaks, three dummies and added a try.

💥@samtomkins1 OUTRAGEOUS pic.twitter.com/w4NKAsuU1G
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 18, 2019

Huddersfield Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary made 57 metres, two tackle breaks and touched down once. Castleford’s Liam Watts made seven tackles, more than anyone in an England shirt, and also assisted one try. Warrington’s Daryl Clark made five tackles and went over once, whilst Gareth Widdop kicked two conversions and set up one score.

France fell to Lebanon in their first round of the 9s, a 12-8 defeat with the difference being accuracy from the boot.

Catalans’ Arthur Romano was the main man for France, making the most metres with 50, most tackles with nine and also setting up a try.

Warrington’s new recruit Anthony Gelling helped the Cook Islands to a shock 30-7 victory over Tonga in Pool C.

The man of the people scored the final try for the Kukis against a Tonga side led by Jason Taumalolo. Gelling also made 46 metres, one line break and one tackle break.

Hey, @WarringtonRLFC we can’t wait to see @AnthonyGelling back in #SuperLeague 💥🙌 pic.twitter.com/HgsXmliz0E
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 18, 2019

In the Women’s World Cup 9s, England made it a first game to remember with a 25-4 win over Papua New Guinea.

Tries came from Leeds Rhinos’ Caitlin Beevers, St Helens duo Emily Rudge and Leah Burke, as well as Castleford Tigers’ Rhiannon Marshall scoring two. 

👐 Lovely play from @SineadPeach and @EmRudge! #EnglandRL | #RLWC9s pic.twitter.com/nIRyiQU34r
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 18, 2019

Castleford’s Tara Jane Stanley kicked two conversions, set up one try and made the most metres of anyone in the England side, whilst Saints’ Faye Gaskin recorded two assists.

Leeds Rhinos’ Danielle Anderson made seven tackles, more than any other English player and second most on the pitch.