From the brilliance of England to the bravery of Greece, Tonga's miracle team try and Joey Manu's solo special, the opening round of the World Cup was packed with enthralling moments.
Tournament hotshots Australia and New Zealand got the job done in style with their superstars standing tall, while hosts England sent a 10-try message to anyone who dared to question their credentials.
Just making it to the World Cup was a victory for newcomers Jamaica and Greece, while the Cook Islands and Wales brought the curtain down on a pulsating week of football when they fought out a nailbiter in Leigh.
With eight matches down, NRL.com takes a look at some of the key takeaways from the opening round.
The Story So Far
Injuries leave Samoa with a massive mountain to climb
Coming off a 42-12 win over Cook Islands in the mid-year Test, and boasting a squad packed with pace and power, Samoa went in as favourites against hosts England in the World Cup opener. The first 20 minutes went to script before England scored three tries in eight minutes to lead 18-0. Izack Tago pulled one back for Samoa before half-time, but early in the second term disaster struck when former Panther Tyrone May suffered a dislocated hip as he was dragged down in a Kallum Watkins tackle. To make matters worse, Sharks enforcer Braden Hamlin-Uele (calf) and Cowboys flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (ankle) also suffered tournament-ending injuries as England charged to a 60-6 win.
Josh Addo-Carr was seriously unlucky not to play Origin
'The Foxx' is one of the game's great entertainers - a man born for the big stage. Playing his third Test match for Australia, Addo-Carr racked up 221 running metres, three line breaks and two tries against Fiji to send a shiver down the spine of NSW Blues fans still trying to work out why he hadn't been part of the 2022 Origin series. When the whips are cracking in the knockout stages of the tournament, Addo-Carr looms as a real X-factor for the defending champs. The speed, the swerve, the showmanship and the trademark try celebration will be there for all to see as Australia hunt down a 12th World Cup title.
Addo-Carr fires in opening Rugby League World Cup match
It’s not all about winning
There are several different ways to describe success, and while winning is an important thing, it is not the only thing, as was demonstrated by the huge goodwill displayed to Cup debutants Greece and Jamaica. While the Reggae Warriors were soundly beaten by a Luke Keary-inspired Ireland, the biggest cheer of the night came when young halfback Kieran Rush slotted Jamaica's first ever points after a successful penalty goal on the stroke of half-time. His captain Ashton Golding showed how much it meant to him to be part of the history-making team with his relentless work ethic, completing a round-high 55 tackles.
Numbers game
This is not a discussion about the numbers being worn on the backs of the Kangaroos this tournament, but the fact that for many teams, the numbers on their jerseys are more of a suggestion than a positional guideline. Take for example arguably the world's biggest hooker in Keaon Koloamatangi, who despite being named in a more familiar No.12, stepped up admirably to the dummy half role for Tonga. Despite an early setback where his foot landed on the white of the sideline, in that same game, makeshift winger Dan Russell (who was wearing 15 and would normally play in the second row or centre in a pinch) was able to cross for a PNG Kumuls try.
Rugby League World Cup Round 1 Wrap: Group C
Speaking of the Kumuls
It was billed as having the potential to be the match of the round and the Mate Ma'a Tonga clash against the PNG Kumuls delivered in spades. While there was huge excitement surrounding Tonga heading into this tournament, with rugby league fans expecting the side to continue their rise up the ranks, PNG fans were not-so-quietly confident that their players could mount an upset. In a thrilling match, the Kumuls came oh-so-close, with only an 'eight-pass, last-gasp, kick to the in-goal from a forward' try preventing what would have been a well-deserved 18-18 draw. For a side that featured only two current NRL players, it was a huge effort. The national team has benefitted greatly from the inclusion of the PNG Hunters in Queensland's Hostplus Cup competition in recent seasons and their weekly high-quality encounters in the statewide league have helped unearth talents like player of the match Edwin Ipape.
Ipape's brilliant Kumuls performance
Joey Manu and James Tedesco break tackles for fun
The Roosters superstars were on fire in round one. Joey Manu stole the show in the Kiwis’ 34-12 victory over Lebanon, finishing the match with two try assists, 216 run metres and 15 tackle breaks. The 26-year-old’s 80-minute performance also featured a freakish chip and chase to beat five defenders to score an early favourite for try of the tournament. Meanwhile, Tedesco silenced any debate over the Roosters’ No. 1 jersey in his Kangaroos debut, with169 metres and 18 tackle breaks to his name. Count them, 33 tackle breaks between two of the world's most elusive and electric attackers.
The Joey Manu show
Doueihi suspension is trouble for Cedars
Lebanon will head into their must-win match against Ireland without star five-eighth Adam Doueihi after he was charged with Grade A foul and abusive language to a match official following his side’s loss to the Kiwis. Despite Lebanon lodging an appeal against the ban, the judiciary upheld their decision to suspend the 24-year-old. Coach Michael Cheika will name his side later in the week with young Bulldogs playmaker Khaled Rajab expected to be the replacement.
The best of Moses and Doueihi
