Does anyone know if this game is doubling up as a Four Nations qualifier for next years tournament down under?

There is nothing anywhere stating how next years '4th' nation are to be decided.

Wouldn't really be fair on Tonga who might have had a slow start but I would fancy them and the Cook Islands for a superb qualifying tournament. As both Samoa and Fiji were practically guaranteed a semi final berth by virtue of their groups it doesn't seem right to me they are guaranteed a crack at the four nations above the previously mentioned nations.

They should try and squeeze it in, maybe even not long before the 4 nations, and this would help the qualifier with some quality time together as well as being toughened up for the tournament ahead.

And I know PNG might be a bit miffed at being ignored but they don't cut the mustard against those four at the moment.

I think this logic is a bit harsh on PNG who were in a tough group at this world cup. I would expect them to beat Cook Islands in a close game if they played today

Maybe, Maybe not. Thing is though the other three are far ahead of the PNG and the Cooks (agree with you when I think about how they were against Wales, they are a distance behind the others).

Maybe a qualifier for the fourth spot in a qualifier comp for the Tri Nations, between PNG and Cooks and then let the Polynesians go mental on each other before they hit AusNZEng?

I still think gb should be brought back for a 4 nations,
Ideally with a strong team of the pacific islands, but I don't know what you would call them

But who would coach GB (if McNamara I don't think he would include anyone other than the current England team)?

I think GB should only compete for the Ashes now, not in RLWC's or 4N's

Just don't know how a Pacific Cup comp can be fitted in between now and next Autumn.

The only thing I can think of is if the State of Origin is going to be played over 3 consecutive weeks next year then it gives a window in which to play it.

three nations for me Gb Aus NZ, with png Samoa Tonga and France in a sub group to run along side main tournament with double header games. Would be cracking

And Fiji?

4 year cycle with strict rules for changing teams to develop stronger national teams.
World Cup.
Then 4 nations with gb
Then another tournament which includes England, Scotland, Wales etc..
4 nations again
World Cup
So on

there are too many things being abolished which identify rugby league.
Great Britain is one of them,
Shoulder charge is another.

Let's use this thread to comment on the match.

You mean he won't pick Brough ?

I'm sure this game was due to be live on BBC2 on Sunday but now BBC seem to have changed their listings. Either that or I'm going mad!

Fiji has the better backline, but Samoa has better forwards and much better halves.
If Fiji are to win, I think it will be because their coach comes up with a better game plan and gets Uate, Koroibete and Kev Naiqama into the game a lot more than they have been so far in this WC.

Going back to the OP, noticed that Brian Noble said the winner today is to play in next years Four Nations.

It would be great if England could play the Fijians in Suva, capital of Fiji, like they did on the 1996 tour.

It could really help the game in Fiji.

Saw this in the BBC too. Like you I really hope they play England V.S Fiji in Fiji. Would be a waste if not

Just a matter of stadium safety. If they can't play it in Fiji I presume they will play in in the town in Australia with the highest Fijian population.

Would be brill if come Jan/Feb time, the RLIF have announced dates, times, venues for the tournament so that fans can plan ahead. I convinced that is why we've had such a good RLWC cos we've known things like dates for more than 12 months.

You got next week's lottery numbers roops?

Naiqama ran 165 metres.
Koroibete ran 220 metres.
Uate ran 179 metres.
That's some solid work.