Rugby League World Cup 2013 Fixtures: Sunday Schedule, Start Times and Preview

With only a handful of group stage fixtures left to play, the first phase of this year's Rugby League World Cup nears its end, with only a couple of quarter-final places left to fight for.

Groups B and D have already been decided, with Sunday's double-header set to dictate who from Group C will make it through to the last eight of the tournament.

Ahead of Sunday's fixtures, read on for a full breakdown of the encounters along with a schedule to ensure you don't miss a minute of the action.

Matchup	Time	Venue	Broadcast
Wales vs. Cook Islands	2 p.m. GMT/9 a.m. ET	The Gnoll, Neath	Setanta Sports 1 (IRE Only)
Tonga vs. Italy	4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET	Shay Stadium, Halifax	Setanta Sports 1 (IRE Only)

Wales vs. Cook Islands

Venue: The Gnoll, Neath

It's already been decided that neither Wales nor the Cook Islands will be progressing to the next round of this year's Rugby League World Cup after failing to claim even a point between them in their four matches played.

Group D leaders, the United States, will instead be the team who top the group and head through to the quarter-finals, but that doesn't make Sunday's matchup in Neath any less promising.

Considering they've boasted home advantage for their two outings thus far, Wales will at least be hoping to finish with a bang in front of the Neath crowd this weekend. These two sides have met only once in the past, the Welsh winning their 2000 World Cup clash 38-6.

That being said, the Cook Islands' enthusiasm has done them proud thus far in the competition, their eagerness to impress making up for the gap in talent they have in certain parts of the squad.

While that may be the case, forward Dylan Napa will be one to keep your eye on, making massive strides with ball in hand every game so far for Sunday's visitors.

Tonga vs. Italy

Venue: Shay Stadium, Halifax

For Italy, there couldn't be any more of a make-or-break fixture than this weekend's group climax against Tonga. If they win, they're in the last eight. Anything else and they're out.

The official Rugby League World Cup Twitter account made sure to take note of the stage being set:

Scotland are two points clear at the top of Group C but with all their games played and equal with the Italians on point difference, it's as tight as the neutral spectator could hope for.

Both of Sunday's Shay Stadium contestants have won games in the tournament so far, and while Tonga were made to settle for a two-point loss against the Scots, Italy came even closer to winning in their 30-30 draw last week.

However, this weekend's meeting will throw all form out of the window, and while the two teams playing may not be considered as headliners of the tournament, this match should nonetheless be one to remember.