Super League World Cup Round-up | Week 6

A festival of league

Australia brought down the curtain on Rugby League World Cup 2021 with a double Old Trafford triumph after a memorable six weeks of action across all competitions.

The Jillaroos comprehensively beat New Zealand 54-4 before Mal Meninga's men's side defeated Samoa 30-10 in front of 67,502 supporters.

The action came the day after England Wheelchair's unforgettable 28-24 triumph over France at Manchester Central, Leeds Rhinos' Tom Halliwell scoring a dramatic late try to seal the game. 

With England also having lifted the inaugural PDRL competition previously, it concluded a festival of rugby league action in this country.

Betfred Super League stars have played their full part throughout, with Salford's Tim Lafai and Hull FC's Ligi Sao making it all the way to the final with Samoa.

There was disappointment at the semi-final stage for England's men and women's teams, but some of their players were among the shining lights of their respective tournaments overall.

George Williams, Tara-Jane Stanley and Vicky Molyneux made the official teams of the tournament, while the likes of Jodie Cunningham, Fran Goldthorp, Chris Hill and Tommy Makinson all stood tall for their sides throughout. 

A truly inclusive tournament ??

Rugby League is a sport for all ? pic.twitter.com/4uD8hI3wV6
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 19, 2022

Elsewhere in the men's competition, Hull KR's Louis Senior finished among the competition top try scorers for Ireland, incoming Huddersfield centre Kevin Naiqama was outstanding for Fiji and Leigh Leopards hooker Edwin Ipape turned heads for Papua New Guinea.

There were others from Betfred Super League that had excellent campaigns - Ash Golding led Jamaica from the front throughout their first ever World Cup, Wakefield winger Kyle Evans was part of a Wales team full of courage and Benjamin Garcia was everything that you'd expect in a French captain.

Those stars and many more will be back in action when Betfred Super League kicks off again in February, chasing another dream of reaching the Theatre of Dreams and next year's Grand Final on Saturday October 14.

Super League Player of the Tournament

Just a year ago, Tim Lafai (Samoa) didn't have a top level club and was working on building sites to help support his family. A move to Salford Red Devils helped transform his fortunes, resulting in a run to within one game of the Grand Final and a place in the Betfred Super League Dream Team. 

Lafai initially missed out on selection for Samoa's World Cup squad, but when injuries hit, he took his chance with both hands again, playing a key role in their stunning run to the final at Old Trafford, including scoring two tries against England in the semi-final.

Super League Quote of the Tournament

"We fell short of what I think we were capable of and that is tough. But there are so many positives to take away. It was a true honour to captain England in a home World Cup and I will cherish the memories forever. The dream continues." England captain and St Helens back rower Emily Rudge sums up feelings of disappointment, pride and hope at the end of the tournament. 

Super League Team of the Tournament 

1 Fran Goldthorp (England)
2 Tommy Makinson (England)
3 Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)
4 Tim Lafai (Samoa)
5 Louis Senior (Ireland)
6 Courtney Winfield-Hill (England)
7 George Williams (England)
8 Vicky Whitfield (England)
9 Edwin Ipape (Papua New Guinea)
10 Chris Hill (England)
11 Ligi Sao (Samoa)
12 Vicky Molyneux (England)
13 Jodie Cunningham (England)