It is now do-or-die in the Rugby League World Cup, and the quarter finals brought the best out of NSW-eligible players once again on the international stage.
Australia demolition of Samoa was highlighted by a five-try effort from Valentine Holmes, but it would be David Klemmer to stamp his authority once again as one of the premier forwards in Rugby League at the moment.
He ran for 142 metres – the most of any forward – shaped up defensively with 15 tackles, and if that wasn’t enough, set up a try.
The win, however, was heavily overshadowed by Fiji’s stunning upset of New Zealand that will see them face Australia this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
If Tonga’s victory against New Zealand was the biggest boil over in international history last week, Fiji’s performance comes close to matching it as they came out on top in the try-less contest to eliminate the Kiwis.
Jarryd Hayne was superb for Fiji, but forwards Ashton Sims, Eloni Vunakece and Viliame Kikau were massive for the Bati, amassing 475 metres and 81 tackles between them.
Brad Fittler and his Lebanon side were incredibly brave against Tonga, going down by just two points in an effort that they can be more than proud of.
Robbie Farah has been instrumental in leading Lebanon for the entire tournament, and while the obvious highlight was their first up win against France, scoring one of the best tries in Rugby League history must go close.
