Rugby League World Cup 2013 Fixtures: Weekend Schedule and Predictions

The final weekend of group stage games in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup feature the climatic deciding matches in Group A, C and D.

Tournament hosts England kick off the weekend's action against Fiji at the The Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull where Kevin Sinfield and Co. must win to confirm their presence in the the knockout rounds.

Time and Date (GMT)	Venue		Prediction
Saturday Nov. 9, 2:30 p.m.	The Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull	England	28-22	Fiji
Saturday Nov. 9, 8 p.m.	Thomond Park, Limerick	Australia	64-0	Ireland
Sunday Nov. 10, 2:00	The Gnoll, Neath	Wales	24-14	Cook Islands
Sunday Nov. 10, 4:00 p.m.	The Shay, Halifax	Tonga	24-26	Italy

Fiji are currently in third place in Group A but level on points with Steve McNamara's side.

Regardless of who wins over in Hull, Australia will head into their game against Ireland safe in the knowledge that they have already qualified.

A victory at Limerick's Thomand Park on Saturday November 9 will see the Kangaroos finish top of Group A, granting them what should be an easier route into the latter stages of the competition.

Not that the Aussies will need much help when it comes to competing at this year's World Cup, with the pre-tournament favourites having already lived up to their billing in their performances so far.

Dominant victories over England and Fiji suggest that their final group match could well be something of a rout, with England having already dismantled the Irish 42-0 in their second game in Group A.

On Sunday November 10, Wales host the Cook Islands at The Gnoll in Neath with both teams already ruled out of the knockout rounds due in part to Group C's surprise package USA.

Had the Tomahawks lost their game against the Scots in the week, the Cook Islands would have been knocked out in a similar fashion to the Welsh, whose hopes died in the first week following a stunning victory for the Americans.

Cruelly, while Scotland ran out as deserved winners against the USA, the Cooks failed to win their game against Tonga 22-16.

Now both nations only have their pride to play for in front of a Welsh crowd that could yet be enough for the hosts considering how unconvincing the Cooks have been of late.

Their match is followed later by Tonga's tussle with Italy in Group D, with the Mate Ma'a able to clinch progress to the second round should they best the Azzurri, who currently reside in second place.