A stunning Josh Addo-Carr try has exposed a major Origin blunder as the Bulldogs fly to the Test scoring charts.
Jarome Luai led Samoa’s resurgence with a ridiculous performance as Mitchell Moses inspired Lebanon to a big win.
Read below for the biggest talking points from the weekend’s World Cup matches!
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New Zealand – Jamaica: Match details | 02:55
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THE RIDICULOUS ADDO-CARR MOMENT EXPOSES THE BLUES BLUDER
Josh Addo-Carr’s try exploits have lit up the World Cup and exposed a huge blunder – how did the 27-year-old not get picked for the Blues?
Addo-Carr was the starting winger for Brad Fittler’s NSW side but was cruelly dismissed when Daniel Tupou earned a call-up.
By the time Fittler explained the selection hit form and Addo-Carr fell victim to a lackluster Bulldogs forward line.
Mal Meninga didn’t hesitate to include Addo-Carr in his Kangaroos backline and pundits have been left scratching their heads wondering how he didn’t feature in NSW.
The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield didn’t hold back.
“Another reduced performance from Josh Addo-Carr for the Kangaroos at the World Cup. Five tries and 386 meters in two games,” he wrote.
“His rejection by the NSW Blues side this year will go down as one of the biggest selection mistakes in State of Origin history.”
Addo-Carr sits atop the try-scoring leaderboard and stunned with a ridiculous four-point Meninga labeled one of the best of all time.
From the 20m line with two defenders in front of him, Addo-Carr took the ball inside the goal, managing to burn through the cover defense and score.
“There aren’t many attempts that are next to this one,” Meinga told rlwc2021.com.
“There have been a lot of good tries scored in international rugby league but this is up there.”
The rugby league world stood up after Addo-Carr showed off his impressive speed.
Carrigan dedicates the win to Liam Hampson | 00:57
LUAI MASTER CLASS BY LUAI
Samoa five-eighth Jarome Luai produced an impressive 72-4 win over Greece, avoiding criticism after an uninspired performance against England.
Matt Parish’s team’s commitment to the jersey was criticized and Fox League’s Braith Anasta wondered how they would bounce back.
“Nobody saw it coming. I’m not surprised England won, but it was the way Samoa lost and there’s a lot of pressure now,” Anasta said.
“He looked a bit shell-shocked at Matt Parish and I would too if he’d been annihilated. How does he turn it around?
“He doesn’t show much pride in his shirt, you can’t fold like that.”
Samoa needed a big performance against World Cup newcomers Greece, and Luai stepped up when called upon.
Samoa v Greece – Full Match Recap | 04:10
The 25-year-old recorded a ridiculous 109 meters running, three tackle breaks, three try assists, three lineout assists and a lineout.
“Jarome Luai runs this show, he runs it here in Doncaster,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
“He was world class tonight … he sees plays coming before they happen, he’s in control of this game.”
Luai himself said his team’s performance was inspired by criticism of their surprise World Cup opener defeat against the hosts.
“There’s a lot of motivation for this game, we wanted to put some pride back into the shirt after last week’s performance,” Luai said.
Samoa will face France in their third match of the group stage and will need a win to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
DOUEIHI-LESS LEBANON DO THE JOB
Without goalkeeper Adam Doueihi, who received a one-match suspension for abusive language towards a referee, Lebanon won their crucial clash against Ireland.
Mitchell Moses stood tall and delivered when called upon, registering two try assists and steering the ship for Michael Cheika’s side.
The 28-year-old registered two try assists, highlighted by a set-play to find a charging Jacob Kiraz to cut through the defensive line and score.
“Nice pass Jacob Kiraz, everything this Lebanon team is doing is in and around Mitchell Moses”
“The Parramatta Eels’ quality half, that’s super subtle, he looks out and lies with his eyes.
“The space just opens up in front of Kiraz… all the core players on this team linking up.
“One from the training ground isn’t it, Michael Cheika, it’s almost a no-look pass isn’t it?”
Moses also recorded 329 meters of kicking, 159 more than Irish gunslinger Luke Keary.
Cheika’s side now look set to secure second place in Group C, which will likely see them face defending champions Australia in the quarter-finals.
Lebanon v Ireland: Full Match Recap | 03:41
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DWZ’S FOUR-TRY BLITZ
New Zealand winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has given manager Michael Maguire a major outside back headache with a ridiculous performance against Jamaica.
Despite leaving the field in the 62nd minute due to cramp, the 27-year-old made his mark, scoring four tries and racking up 249 meters to finish with 10 tackle breaks and six line breaks.
The Warriors fly-half also assisted two tries, charging down the wing before slotting the ball infield for hooker Jeremy Marshall-King to score on both occasions.
“He appreciates Watene-Zelezniak’s ability on the wing, the modern winger these days you have to be able to do everything,” said commentator Jordan Turner.
“Gone are the days where you just have to be quick and run down the wing, but we see an incredible ability from him to be able to throw the ball and find his teammates inside.
“He has also been able to score and finish and is now scoring goals.”
It took Watene-Zelezniak just 18 minutes to complete a hat-trick and Fox League’s Andrew Voss compared his performance to Kangaroos fly-half Josh Addo-Carr.
“He’s doing a Josh Addo-Carr, let’s trot baby, he’s got a hat trick in 18 1/2 minutes,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
Australia – Scotland: Match details | 02:53
“You could put your hand in the S curve of a toilet and find a gold watch right now, it’s on fire.”
In New Zealand’s first clash, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jordan Rapana played on the wing as the Kiwis cruised to a 34-12 triumph over Lebanon.
Watene-Zelezniak and Sebastian Kris took over the wing roles against Jamaica, leaving their best performances on the field.
Mulitalo and Rapana were set to be New Zealand’s first-choice wingers ahead of the World Cup, but the pair only registered a single try between them in the first game.
Mulitalo also ran 137 metres, and Rapana 108 compared to Watene-Zelezniak’s impressive 249 metres.
The Kiwis have played in the quarter-finals and Maguire now has a big decision to make after New Zealand play their final group stage match against Ireland.
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BIG WIN: Cleary rips the Scots apart but Addo-Carr steals the show in 84-0 bloodbath
THE YOUNG CONTINUES TO SHINE
England fly-half Dom Young put in another fine performance, scoring two tries, including a 95-metre interception effort, as the hosts ran away with a 42-18 win.
The 21-year-old winger now has four tries for the tournament as England look set to top their group and progress to the final qualifiers.
Young rushed for 247 yards on Sunday morning to go with two tackles and his interception had the commentators stunned.
France’s Eloi Pelissier threw an audacious pass across the face of England’s defensive line and Young pounced.
“Dom Young, absolutely brilliant, loved, aesthetically perfect,” said the commentator.
“Amazing, you just knew, you knew he was going to catch it and he was going to have the speed but it was nice to see,” added another commenter.
England v France – Full Match Summary | 02:48
“When you see athletes like that, it’s an absolute joy to watch … he’s lit up this World Cup.”
Young made his Test debut at the start of England’s World Cup but has emerged as one of manager Shaun Wane’s best players.
“Young continues to be the star who amazes us with his scoring exploits,” said the commentator.
“He’s had an outstanding start to this World Cup and his England career, just a powerful and explosive ball carrier.
“But he’s also scored some eye-opening tries.”
England face Greece in their next Group A clash to remain unbeaten, while France take on Samoa in a clash that is likely to decide who advances beyond the group stage.
FIJI’S NEMINOSA DECLARATION
Fiji made a huge statement to rugby league’s top nations with a stunning 60-4 win over Italy in their second group stage clash.
NRL stars Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo each scored two tries, while NSW Cup harrier Penioni Tagituimua won man of the match honours.
Apisai Koroisau switched to five-eighth and was impressive, while Tagituimua dominated from half-back, recording seven breaks, 118 meters and a lineout.
As a team, Fiji dominated proceedings with eight more line breaks than Italy, 18 more offloads and over 900 meters more running.
Joe Dakuitoga’s side also doubled their opponents’ contact counters and it was clear that Fiji were on a rampage.
Fiji – Italy -…