RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2017

GAME ON GROUP B : New Zealand v Samoa - Sat - 08:10:00

GENERAL CHAT ABOUT THE GAME, BUILD UP, THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENS AND AFTERMATH BELOW.

I am massively looking forward to seeing all the action from group B, having Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand in the same group should produce some highly physical encounters

2nd best side in the cup v 4th best side in the cup.
Samoa have over 2000 NRL and ESL games between them and look to have a very well balanced side.
Their form since the last WC has been improving every outing, and they lost against NZ by just 2 points.
NZ look to have one of their weakest sides in a while as well.
An upset is on the cards.

This will be a particularly physical encounter me thinks, might get very willing, especially the first 20 or so

Great game to watch. If only samoa could match their intensity and aggression with some composure and game management at the times its needed. Unfortunately both samoa and tonga always seem to burn out on 'over motivation' in the opening 20 and then have nothing left.

NZ looking comfortable now

James Child getting praise from the Channel 7 commentators.
Something few of us have ever managed to do.

The size of NA-S at 21 years of age is unbelievable.

6 ft 10!!

Was the game closer than the 38-8 score line would suggest?

Maybe New Zealand aren't going to be as weak as some people feared.

10-4 at half time. New Zealand too good in the 2nd half.

New Zealand is awesome. I expect the final 4 to be Australia, New Zealand, England and PNG.

Wouldn't rule Fiji out ..they looked v capable earlier against Brian McDermott's yanks

NZ looked pretty good, and with Shaun Johnson back in the side they are capable of anything, Their much publicised defections didn't seem to hurt them too much.

I agree. Fiji or PNG look very likely 4th placers.