WEDNESDAY'S FIXTURES: Ireland 34-12 Samoa (full-time)
Scotland 18-16 Fiji (full-time)
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So there it is, what a quality day of football - there was absolutely no way I would have called that this morning. Thanks for your company, see you here soon. "Come on Scotland!!! Come on Ireland!!! Fantastic result for us Bravehearts!!" tugglesf239 on 606 1108
So confirmation that Fiji top Pool 2 courtesy of their superior points difference and will now face Ireland in the semi-final qualifier on the Gold Coast. FULL-TIME: SCOTLAND 18-16 FIJI 80 minutes
Jarryd Hayne passes to no-one as the ball harmlessly bounces out of touch. The resulting possession sees Scotland pound the Fiji tryline as Brough's clever grubber is pushed out of touch by Semi Tadulala, the last play of the game as the hooter sounds, Scotland have won their first ever World Cup match. 77 minutes
Oh dear - Danny Brough drops another clanger as he attempts to go for distance with a penalty kick but fails to find touch. 75 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 18-16 FIJI
Fair play to Scotland, who are throwing everything into winning this match. The semi-final qualifier is now dust but a victory isn't. Fiji are penalised for offside and Scotland are within sniffing distance of the line after clinching possession from a short kickoff. And Oliver Wilkes forces his way over, although referee Williamson once again goes upstairs for the final word to see if he actually crossed the line. Tough to see from the replays, but video referee Steve Clark gives the benefit of the doubt to the big prop. And Brough adds the extra two points. Buckle in for a tense final four minutes. 71 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 12-16 FIJI
Jarryd Hayne bursts through a broken field, gaining 30m before he is brought to ground. But the resulting play the ball sees Bradley-Qalilawa and Sevania Koroi feed Semi Tadulala for his second score of the evening. Wes Naiqama just pushes his conversion attempt from the left touchline wide. 69 minutes
Perfectly weighted kick from Aaron Groom sees Kevin Henderson forced to touch down for a drop out under his posts. 67 minutes
Ashton Sims sends a pass out to Sevania Koroi, but the centre fails to cling on to the catch. Both teams are tiring, this is a seriously physical battle. However, Danny Brough is penalised for a dangerous tackle on Bradley-Qalilawa, who thumps the ball deep into Scottish territory. 64 minutes
Kevin Henderson is penalised for not playing the ball properly, but Wade Liddell and John Duffy bundle Semi Tadulala out on the right wing to give Scotland possession on the halfway line. 61 minutes
Lovely fast feet from Akuila Uate sees the winger take on Jon Steel on the outside, display a few cheeky steps before he is brought down by three tacklers inside the 20m line. 60 minutes
Robertson spills another high ball, this time inside his in-goal area but he sends the ball out to Gareth Morton, who pushes over his tryline to ensure his side still have possession. 58 minutes
What a let-off for Scotland. Full-back Michael Robertson drops an absolute clanger, allowing a Bradley-Qalilawa high ball to bounce inside his 10m line, allowing Jone Macilai to come storming from the wings to touch down unopposed under the posts. But referee Williamson goes to the video ref, who deems that former union player Macilai had come from an offside position. Tough call. 55 minutes
Danny Brough is nailed by what looks like a high tackle, but referee Leon Williamson is not having any of it, and the ball is surrendered back into Fijian hands. Nick Bradley-Qalilawa launches the ball deep into Scotland territory. 53 minutes
Scotland make the most of a fortunate penalty inside Fiji's 20m line as John Duffy fashions a dangerous ball wide to Jon Steel, although the ball is knocked on by a Fijian hand, resetting the tackle count to zero. More handling errors from Fiji sees Scotland apply more pressure five metres from the tryline. 50 minutes PENALTY SCOTLAND 12-12 FIJI
Ian Henderson, head strapped up after his fracas with try scorer Jason Bukuya, concedes a penalty for interference at the play the ball. And Wes Naiqama adds two points to level the scores. 49 minutes
Lovely football skills from Waisale Sukanaveita sees the ball bobbling inside Scotland's in-goal area, but a wonderful last-ditch diving clearance from Wade Liddell ensures Scotland will drop out from under their posts with their lead in tact. 47 minutes
Scrappy mistakes from both sides, although Scotland knock on inside their own half, placing undue pressure on themselves with Fiji pushing for another try to take the lead. 45 minutes
Excellent kick from Nick Bradley-Qalilawa pins Wade Liddell inside his in-goal area, but the winger does well to just get outside of his area. But Fiji are controlling the early tempo of this half. 42 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 12-10 FIJI
From the resulting penalty, loose forward Jason Bukuya is bundled over the tryline by Scottish defenders , who were attempting to take him out of grounds. But rather than drag him out, they give the Cronulla player more room to ground the ball. Very strange tactics, especially when the touchline was nearer. And Fiji are now two points behind thanks to a brilliant kick from the touchline from Wes Naiqama. 41 minutes
Fiji kick off the second half but Scotland make an elementary mistake from Danny Brough sees him offload the ball to Ben Fisher after the referee had called held, handing Fiji the penalty on Scotland's 20m line. 1015
For clarification, Scotland need to win by 28 points or more to reach the semi-final play-off. The odds are as long a giraffe's scarf, but a few more tries conjured from Brough's magic hat and we could be in for an all-Celtic semi-final qualifier. "Good to see the Scots giving it a go. If only England show more against the Aussies."
GoonerNo9 on 606 HALF-TIME: SCOTLAND 12-4 FIJI 39 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 12-4 FIJI
Brilliant play from Brough sees the Wakefield man thread a wonderfully weighted kick with the outside of his right boot through the Fijian defence for Manly's Michael Robertson to pounce on the loose ball just as it looked as if it was going out of bounds. Brough adds a simple two points as the hooter sounds. 37 minutes
Ashton Sims knocks on as he goes to ground in a tackle as Scotland congratulate themselves for a job well done. Sims, with a handlebar moustache Merv Hughes would describe as "impressive" has a few choice words to say too. 33 minutes
Scrappy is one of the few words that springs to mind right now, neither team is bossing the tempo and we have a right old bundle here - time to unleash the fisticuffs graphic. Loose forwards Ian Henderson and Jason Bukuya are absolutely belting several dents into each other. Referee Williamson deals with the situation admirably, issuing stern warnings to both captains. The penalty goes against Fiji as Bukuya is adjudged to have thrown the first punch, while Ian Henderson has what can only be described as a pingpong ball growing out of the side of his head. 31 minutes
Neil Lowe knocks on as he attempts to play the ball, the big prop is not happy with that decision, which prompts referee Williamson to have a stern word with captain Danny Brough. 28 minutes
Brough unleashes a stinking bomb of a high kick on the Fiji 20m line, but the ball finds its way into Fiji hands. 25 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 6-4 FIJI
Lovely running from Jarryd Hayne, who saunters upfield after a poor clearance kick from Danny Brough. The resulting set of six sees the ball spun out via Bradley-Qalilawa and Sevania Koroi to Semi Tadulala, who touches down on the left flank. Cue a bit of singing from the Fijian camp. But Scotland maintain a two-point lead as Wes Naiqama misses his conversion kick. 21 minutes
Sevania Koroi makes a burst from dummy-half right on Scotland's tryline, but the West Magpies player grounds the ball before the tryline and to make matters worse, he knocks on in his attempt to ground the ball. 20 minutes
Oliver Wilkes serves up a clothesline of a high tackle on Fiji scrum-half Aaron Groom. Ouch. 18 minutes
Lovely break from Waisale Sukanaveita at dummy-half sees Nick Bradley-Qalilawa's grubber kick on the fifth tackle taken out of bounds by Michael Robertson for a drop out from under the posts. 16 minutes
More indiscipline from Fiji, this time through Ashton Sims, sees more stern words from referee Leon Williamson. Another penalty sees Scotland advance up the field. 15 minutes
Smart play from Jarryd Hayne - the NRL rookie of the year in 2006 - as he drills the ball out of touch five metres from the Scotland tryline, ensuring the Fijians are within sniffing distance of a score. 13 minutes
Fiji's handling skills are about as silky as sandpaper, an errant offload is just about kept in white hands. 11 minutes
Smart play between Michael Robertson and Wade Liddell sees the former tripped up by Iowane Divavesi, a challenge which doesn't please the Scots, who bundle in to voice their displeasure. Referee Williamson has stiff words with the prop and captain Wes Naiqama before awarding the penalty. 9 minutes
Danny Brough makes an almighty clanger from a penalty. Attempting to kick for distance, the Wakefield scrum-half doesn't find touch and the ball lands into the grateful mitts of a Fijian player. 7 minutes
Ben Fisher makes a burst but Scotland are penalised for a forward pass. Another decent chance for more points on the board. 5 minutes TRY SCOTLAND 6-0 FIJI
Scotland farm the ball out to winger Jon Steel, who bundles off one tackler before grounding the ball. The referee asks video referee Steve Clark for a bit of advice, who confirms the try is good. And Danny Brough adds the extras with a wonderfully struck conversion from the touchline. 3 minutes
Iiisoni Vonomateiratu (every text commentator's nightmare) collects a forward pass and referee Ian Morrison is quick to blow up for the offence. 1 minute
Madness in the first minute as Wes Naiqama puts the burners on with the tryline in sight, but a knock on costs them an early try. 0912
Scotland get things under way from the kickoff. 0911
"Meda Dau Doka" is belted out by four men in very large shirts in a Aaron Neville-style falsetto. The Fiji players form a buddle and sing their own version, it's a right proper rousing affair too. Lots of passion in the eyes of these boys in white. 0908
A wonderfully out of tune "Flower of Scotland" belts out from the men in blue as a bagpiper fiddles away. 0904
Quite unbelievable. So what can Scotland do at the brilliantly named Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford against the daunting Fijians? Time to find out very shortly. 80 minutes
Damien Blanch takes the ball out of bounds as the hooter sounds for an emphatic victory - who would of thought that at the start of the day? Ireland finish top of Pool 3, while Samoa finish bottom. 78 minutes TRY IRELAND 34-12 SAMOA
Another pinpoint Liam Finn kick bobbles into the Samoa in-goal area and no defender can get near the ball as Pat Richards touches down for what could be his hat-trick. Could be because referee Albert once again goes to Steve Ganson for the decision, but the English official says there's nothing wrong with that try. Cue Richards celebrations - he doesn't really care that his conversion misses by miles. Time to make plans for the Gold Coast and the semi-final qualifier. 77 minutes
Samoa, increasingly desperate for something on the scoreboard, are throwing it around with impunity now and Francis Meli is penalised for a forward pass just as he had a bit of space to work with. 75 minutes TRY IRELAND 30-16 SAMOA
George Carmont is just held up on the left corner, but David Solomona bundles the ball over from dummy half to give Samoa some hope. But Ben Roberts completely misses with his conversion. 73 minutes
A strong set of six sees Samoa charge towards Ireland's tryline, but once again Ireland's defence is as tough as rawhide, although Pat Richards is perhaps unlucky to be pinged for taking the ball out of his in-goal area for a drop out. 70 minutes TRY IRELAND 30-12 SAMOA
Misi Taulapapa makes a real hash of a kick from Liam Finn, spilling a simple catch and the Dewsbury Ram scrum-half kicks the ball on before pouncing for Ireland's fifth try. Somehow Pat Richards contrives to miss one of the more simpler kicks of his career. And an overzealous Samoa fan is not happy with his team-s performance and races down on to the pitch to let them know, although he's quickly escorted away by security staff. 67 minutes PENALTY IRELAND 26-12 SAMOA
Pat Richards is cleaned out by a very late challenge from Tony Puletua - he'll be getting a few of those next season when he joins St Helens next season - and Thierry Albert awards yet another penalty. Richards shrugs off the challenge and thumps another two points from about 40m out. Things are looking very rosy for Ireland right now. 65 minutes
Lovely run from Ben Roberts sets Willie Talau up for a burst, but once again Ireland's obdurate defence is on the money as Ali Lauitiiti's wayward kick sails way beyond the dead-ball line. 63 minutes PENALTY IRELAND 24-12 SAMOA
Sean Gleeson gets absolutely nailed by David Solomona, who is placed on report for leading with his elbow. To be fair, on second reflection, Solomona is extremely fortunate to still be playing because that was a high tackle on the head. Pat Richards adds a further two points to extend their lead to 12. 61 minutes
Michael McIlorum's cheeky grubber from dummy half sees Francis Meli forced to concede a drop out from under his posts. Ireland have their collective dandas up right now. 60 minutes
Basic errors are creeping into Samoa's game as Francis Meli knocks on a simple pass, handing Ireland possession inside the 20m line. 59 minutes
The resulting scrum sees Willie Talau swing a wild pass out to touch 10m from the Ireland line. Good response from Samoa, who immediately form the scrum and continue the game. 58 minutes
Just seconds after protesting about the penalty he just gave away, Blanch collects a loose ball and races 90m downfield to touch down under the posts after Francis Meli knocks on attempting to offload from a Ben Roberts high kick. However, referee Albert once again calls for Steve Ganson's help to ascertain whether Blanch had knocked on going for the high kick. And yes, he did - so the score does not count. 57 minutes
Damien Blanch and two other Ireland tacklers are penalised for yanking George Carmont out to touch when referee Albert had yelled "held". 56 minutes
Absolutely brilliant defence from Ireland as Terence Seuseu is held up by three tacklers as he attempts to ground the ball. And the resulting play from the 10m line sees Nigel Vagana limp off the park with an injury after knocking the ball on in the tackle, handing Ireland the opportunity to move out of their own half. 54 minutes
Desperate defence from Ireland as Samoa pound the tryline with a series of thumping runs thanks to an untimely knock on from Gareth Haggerty. 52 minutes PENALTY IRELAND 22-12 SAMOA
Ali Lauitiiti punches the ball away from Scott Grix as he attempts to play the ball - and the whistle of French referee Thierry Albert penalises the Leeds forward. Pat Richards slots over the two points. 50 minutes
Harrison Hansen charges through to within five metres of Ireland's tryline on the fourth tackle, while Roberts' kick is deflected off an Ireland leg and the scrum-half gathers, only for referee Albert to deem the no Ireland player had played at the ball. 48 minutes
Samoa, increasingly lacking invention, turn to the boot of Roberts once again. However, Michael Platt cannot put the burners on to get out of his half and Ireland are forced to drop out from under their posts for the first time in this match. 45 minutes
Frank Puletua can't quite get to Ben Roberts' grubber kick in time as it skips out of grounds, Pat Richards' heart must have doubled in speed for a few seconds there. 42 minutes PENALTY IRELAND 20-12 SAMOA
Lovely play from Karl Fitzpatrick on the fifth tackle, sending out a long pass, missing two team-mates, into the hands of Pat Richards, who holds off Matt Utai for the try. But the Wigan winger misses with the conversion. 41 minutes
Smart play from Ben Harrison, who snaffles a loose pass from Tony Puletua to give Ireland decent ground inside Samoa's half. 40 minutes
Samoa kick off the second half and Pat Richards sends up an enormous up and under for Smith Samau on the fifth tackle. HALF-TIME: IRELAND 16-12 SAMOA 40 minutes
The hooter goes and Ireland, who need to win by six points or more to win Pool 3, are right in this game. 38 minutes PENALTY IRELAND 16-12 SAMOA
Two successive penalties - a high tackle from Harrison Hansen and a player stripped in the tackle - sees Pat Richards add two vital points with a penalty on the 30m line. Samoa have made about a 100 tackles, while Ireland have made a whopping 50 more. 36 minutes
David Solomona makes a barracking run, bouncing off three tacklers but his offload to George Carmont finds fresh air and Ireland are handed head and feed on the halfway line. 35 minutes - TRY IRELAND 14-12 SAMOA
Nigel Vagana plays the ball just inches from the Ireland tryline and Misi Taulapapa fakes to go one way before going the other thanks to his low body angle to score Samoa's try second five minutes the interval. Ben Roberts lands a simple conversion. 33 minutes
Everyone's favourite prop Wayne Kerr is penalised for holding on in the tackle, allowing Samoa to advance to the 20m line. 31 minutes
Brilliant resolve from Ireland, who repel another Samoa drive and not only that, they pounce on a loose offload from Francis Meli to regain possession. And once again Samoa are penalised for not standing square at the play-the-ball. 29 minutes
Roberts opts for another up-and-under on the fifth tackle, but Pat Richards collects safely, but a forward pass from Michael Mcllorum to Ryan Tandy puts Ireland back under unnecessary pressure. 27 minutes
A cheeky little sidefoot from Lee Doran sees Misi Taulapapa mess up his play-the-ball as Ireland are award the head and feed in the scrum. But Samoa love to push their union scrums, so they do the same in the 13-man code and spoil Ireland's ball. However, Ireland hold off Samoa as they push for the corner. 24 minutes - TRY IRELAND 14-6 SAMOA
The Samoans aren't helping themselves with their indiscipline, but they finally get their first points on the board when Ben Roberts launches another high bomb, but Michael Platt has soap on his hands as the squirms through his grasp. Pat Richards desperately attempts to ground the bobbling ball but cannot prevent Nigel Vagana from scoring the try. Video ref Ganson has a good few viewings to ensure all Samoan chasers were onside when the kick was made, but is content to award the four points. And Roberts adds the extras. 21 minutes
Top play from Pat Richards, who secures the ball from Ben Roberts' dangerous kick inside his in-goal area, only to quickly offload to the onrushing Michael Platt to ensure Ireland will not have to drop out from under their posts. 18 minutes - TRY IRELAND 14-0 SAMOA
Things are going from bad to worse for Samoa as Liam Finn launches another high kick, this time for right winger Damien Blanch. Francis Meli completely misses the ball and Wakefield's Sean Gleeson pounces on the loose ball, cue scenes of joy from those in green in the stands. Once again referee Albert goes to video referee Ganson, who says there is no issue with that try. And Pat Richards nails arguably the hardest kick of his lot so far from the right touchline. 14 minutes - TRY IRELAND 8-0 SAMOA
Unbelievable! Ireland are 8-0 up from their two attacking sets. Wonderful play from Bob Beswick, who charges into Samoa territory with a subtle dummy. And the Widnes hooker draws in full-back Smith Samau sends through the perfect pass for Simon Finnigan to touch down not too far from the posts. But Richards misses a relatively simple kick. Wonder how costly that could be. 12 minutes - TRY IRELAND 4-0 SAMOA
Damien Blanch gets absolutely poleaxed by a highish tackle from Terence Seuseu, but from the resulting play-the-ball sees Liam Finn find Pat Richards with a pinpoint crosskick and the Wigan winger leaps way above Matt Utai to ground the ball as he lands on the ground. Fantastic start for Ireland, although Richards cannot convert his score. 10 minutes
Ireland are once again penalised for not standing square as Samoa pummel their tryline, but a Samoa forward knocks on with a metre to go to the line. Eight minutes
Ireland once again target Utai under the high ball, but the Canterbury Bulldog takes a quality catch into the sun. This ploy has potential consequences because of Utai is given space to run in, you're asking for trouble. Seven minutes
Ireland finally find Samoa territory and Bob Beswick catapults a high kick inside the 20m line as Matt Utai comes up with the ball, but the winger is bundled back a good 10m by a fine chase from Ireland's markers. Five minutes
More indiscipline from Ireland, this time ripping the ball in the tackle, sees Samoa awarded another penalty. And Tony Puletua spins off a tackler before holding off two more before laying up on the line. However, referee Albert once again calls for Steve Ganson's help, presumably for obstruction from Harrison Hanesen, who took out Michael Platt as Puletua charged for the line,. And referee Ganson agrees and awards Ireland a penalty. Another big let off. Four minutes
Basic error from Scott Grix, who kicks the ball out on the full, handing the Samoans six tackles inside Ireland territory. And the Wolfhounds are penalised for not standing square. Big-time pressure right now. Two minutes
Lovely grubber kick from Ben Roberts five metres from the Ireland line is nonchalantly dealt with by Pat Richards and the Wigan winger is bundled out of bounds, handing Nigel Vagana the opportunity to pounce on the ball. Referee Albert goes to the video official Steve Ganson, who rules the stand-off did not get sufficient downward pressure for the score. Close call for Ireland though. One minute:
Lovely offload from Ali Lauitiiti finds George Carmont, who takes the ball through to the middle. 0702: Thierry Albert blows his whistle and Ireland kick off this Group C match. 0701: The Samoans unleash their thoroughly terrifying haka, which involves lots of finger waggling and fist raising. Nigel Vagana leads the charge, his eyes are bulging like Marty Feldman's. 0657: Both teams are out at the Parramatta Stadium and it's anthem time, with Anne Robinson (no, not that one) singing the national anthem of Samoa "Ofoga Mo'omia O Samoa". 0655: To display their unity, the entire Irish squad paid a visit to a tattoo parlour to have the words "Ni Neart go cur le cheile", or "there is no strength without unity" to those non-Gaelic speakers etched permanently on their bodies. Have a watch here: 0652: Oh yes, the teams: Ireland: Platt, Blanch, Gleeson, Littler, Richards, Grix, Finn, O'Carroll, Beswick, Haggerty, Harrison, Doran, Finnigan. Replacements: McIlorum, Fitzpatrick, Kerr, Tandy. Samoa: Samau, Utai, Talau, Carmont, Meli, Vagana, Roberts, McDade, Seuseu, T. Puletua, Setu, Lauitiiti, Hansen. Replacements: Solomona, F. Puletua, Paulo, Taulapapa. Referee: Theirry Albert (France) The burly Samoans are without Leeds prop Kylie Leuluai, so Auckland Vulcan (great name for a team) Wayne McDade comes in. The Samoan forwards are looking seriously mean... 0645: Ireland coach Andy Kelly makes two changes from the side that narrowly lost to Tonga, with Liam Finn promoted from the replacements' bench in favour of Karl Fitzpatrick, while prop Ryan Tandy makes way for Harlequins' Gareth Haggerty. 0640: Gerrrrumonside. It's time for Ireland v Samoa.
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