Rugby League World Cup 2013 Scores: Predicting the Week's Results

The second week of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup gets underway with two all-Pacific ties between Papua New Guinea and Samoa and Tonga and the Cook Islands on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

A dramatic opening week of games saw Wales dumped out of the competition by an unfancied USA team with the first stage yet to be completed.

Following on from the Dragons' shock exit, the final deciding matches in Groups A, B, C and D are sure to pack even more of a punch as the competitive intensity grows across the various venues in England, Wales, Ireland and France.

Below is a brief preview and prediction for the outcome of each game scheduled between November 4 and 10.

Papua New Guinea vs. Samoa: Monday, November 4, 8 p.m. GMT (Group B)

This is a must-win game for Papua New Guinea, who face New Zealand in their final group game.

A loss to Samoa would all but eliminate the Kumuls unless they are able to pull off something miraculous against the Kiwis. Papua New Guinea also lost against France, 9-8, in their World Cup opener.

Samoa won't be taking the fixture lightly either, however, having lost to New Zealand 42-24 in their opening game. Although having scored five tries against the top team in Group B in that defeat, they will line up as favourites to pummel the Kumuls.

Prediction: Papua New Guinea 12-26 Samoa

Tonga vs. Cook Islands: Tuesday, November 5, 8 p.m. GMT (Group C/D)

The surprise emergence of Scotland and the USA in Groups C and D has thrown the plans of Tonga and the Cook Islands into complete disarray.

After being defeated by Scotland, Tonga must win both of their remaining two group games and hope that other results go their way if they are to stand any hope of making it into the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, the Cook Islands must beat Tonga and then hope that Scotland can defeat the USA in order to have any chance of progressing when they face Wales in their final game. Their surprise 32-20 loss to the USA marked the Americans' first-ever win at a Rugby League World Cup tournament.

With both teams likely to have Scotland's impending game against the USA in the backs of their minds, this could be a very nervy affair but one that Tonga should come out on top of.

Prediction: Tonga 22-18 Cook Islands

Scotland vs. USA: Thursday, November 7, 8 p.m. GMT (Group C/D)

Both Scotland and the USA came into the 2013 World Cup as rank outsiders. To say that their first-week successes were unexpected would be an understatement.

Scotland beat Tonga 26-24 and drew 30-30 with Italy while the USA won 32-20 against the Cook Islands and 24-16 against joint-hosts Wales.

With two wins under their belts, not to mention their giant-killing exploits, the U.S. will be the unlikely form team heading into a pivotal decider, the details of which would have sounded absurd before the start of the tournament.

Prediction: Scotland 14-22 USA 

New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea: Friday, November 8 2013, 8 p.m. GMT (Group B)

Based on these predictions so far, the Kumuls would need to produce something truly heroic to overturn the Kiwis, who come into this match as overwhelming favourites.

Undefeated, having beaten Samoa 42-24 and demolished France 48-0, New Zealand would be ready and waiting to sharpen their knockout-rounds claws on the remains of Papua New Guinea's hopes and dreams.

Prediction: New Zealand 42-6 Papua New Guinea

England vs. Fiji: Saturday, November 9, 2:30 p.m. GMT (Group A)

With Wales out of the tournament, it would be up to England as the most realistic contender out of the host nations to attempt to bring the trophy home.

Fortunately they've been very impressive so far, having only narrowly lost to World Cup favourites Australia in the opening game of the tournament 28-20 and thrashed Ireland 42-0.

Fiji came away from the same fixtures with similar, if less convincing, results with a 32-14 win over Ireland followed by a 34-2 loss to Australia.

It won't be an easy contest for England, but they should see it through.

Prediction: England 28-22 Fiji

Australia vs. Ireland: Saturday, November 9, 8 p.m. GMT (Group A)

Ireland will approach this fixture with damage limitation in mind after having suffered big losses to England and Fiji, who tasted defeat at the hands of Australia.

The Kangaroos are unlikely to be merciful and should run out as big winners against the co-hosts.

Prediction: Australia 64-0 Ireland

Wales vs. Cook Islands: Sunday, November 10, 2 p.m. GMT (Group C/D)

According to the predictions so far, Wales and the Cook Islands would already be out of the running, with the USA pipping the Cooks to the qualifying spot in Group D, and the Dragons having been knocked out early on by the Americans.

Therefore, this would be a contest of pride rather than honours, and one which Wales would likely win.

Prediction: Wales 24-14 Cook Islands

Tonga vs. Italy: Sunday, November 10, 4 p.m. GMT (Group C/D)

Having lost to the USA in these predictions, Scotland would be tied on points with Tonga, who would be building themselves up for a storming finale win over Italy to take Group C.

The Italians have done well so far, using their shocking pre-tournament win over England as the inspiration for a 32-16 win over Wales and a 30-30 draw with the Scots.

Based on their comparative form, the Azzuri should deny Mate Ma'a of a dramatic last-gasp jump up the league standings.

Prediction: Tonga 24-26 Italy