Rugby League World Cup 2013: Bold Predictions for Semi-Final Fixtures

Fourteen nations have been whittled down to just four, as the remaining teams get set to clash in the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup at Wembley Stadium this Saturday. 

With 25 matches played, just Australia, New Zealand, England and Fiji remain, and the latter two will have their work cut out for them in North London this weekend. 

Defending champions New Zealand, who have notched 166 points in their opening four games, will take on the hosts England in the day’s earlier kick-off. 

Australia, who were beaten finalists the last time around, will take on Fiji, whom the Kangaroos bounced past with relative ease in the pool stages. 

Here’s a look at this weekend's fixtures as well as some predictions ahead of both crucial encounters. 

Date	Kickoff Time	Venue	Team	vs.	Team
Nov. 23	1 p.m. GMT	Wembley Stadium	England		New Zealand
Nov. 23	3:30 p.m. GMT	Wembley Stadium	Australia		Fiji

New Zealand vs. England

New Zealand to Win by More Than 15 Points

The Kiwis have looked free-flowing and dominant since opening up their World Cup campaign with victory over Samoa. 

They have ran in 40 points or more in their four games, including a comfortable 40-4 demolition of Scotland in the quarter-final. 

England have played as though they still have more to give. Head coach Steve McNamara insists his team play a lot better with an “element of fear” in the back of their minds—per James Riach in the Guardian. 

But it’s difficult to envision an England win against a side that possesses an embarrassment of riches all over the pitch. 

Look for the hosts to play their opponents close before New Zealand’s individual quality eventually shines through. 

Sonny Bill Williams Will be Man of the Match

The Kiwi knows all about performing under pressure, and he will thrive in the atmosphere around Wembley on Saturday. 

Williams will become just the first player ever to win both the World Cup in union and league if his side are to emerge victorious, but he will be fully focused on the task at hand this weekend. 

He has been integral to New Zealand’s play so far, scoring three tries and assisting a further three—per RLWC2013.com. 

He in one of those players who makes those around him better, and he excels at getting his teammates involved in attacks. His 13 offloads are the highest in the tournament so far. 

If Williams, who is also the heavyweight champion of New Zealand in boxing, can play well against England then there will be little the hosts can do to stop him. 

Australia vs. Fiji

Australia to Win by More Than 40 Points

Australia came out on the right side of a 34-2 scoreline when they faced Fiji earlier in the competition, but expect the Kangaroos to really turn the screw this weekend. 

The odds being offered on this game are scarcely believable for a two-horse race. According to Oddschecker, some bookies have odds of 1/1,000 for Australia to win with Fiji as long as 100-1 in some instances. 

The Aussies have put 174 points on the board so far, including a 62-0 drubbing of USA in the previous round. 

Brett Morris to Score a Hat-Trick 

Morris already has one hat-trick to his name this tournament. He put four past USA in the quarter-final, and we wouldn’t bet against him repeating this feat against Fiji. 

The Islanders have conceded 82 points in the competition to date, and despite limiting Samoa to just four in the previous round, Australia will pose an entirely different threat. 

Morris’ six tries in the tournament so far put him joint second in the scoring charts, two behind Ryan Hall, but a hat-trick this weekend could see him displace the Englishman. 

His average gain of 13.32 with the ball—per RLWC2013.com—is a tournament high. Expect him to find a way through the opponent’s defence once more.