The rugby league calendar isn't over for 2019 just yet with a number of representative fixtures ahead in the next few weeks.
Following the completion of the inaugural World Cup Nines, all of the big international teams will also be in action throughout October and November with several big Test matches set to determine international bragging rights.
Visit www.weststigers.com.au for all the latest Representative news with a number of Wests Tigers players and coaches to feature throughout the matches!
2019 REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES
Clean sweep for green and gold in Wollongong
- Junior Kangaroos 62 def. France 4 (Highlights)
- Australia Jillaroos 28 def. New Zealand Kiwi Ferns 8 (Highlights)
- Australia Kangaroos 26 def. New Zealand Kiwis 4 (Highlights)
It was a clean sweep for Australia in the triple-header at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Friday night with the Junior Kangaroos, Jillaroos and Kangaroos all triumphing.
Perhaps the best Junior Kangaroos side ever fielded kicked off the night with a 12-try drubbing of France, before the Jillaroos bounced back from their shock defeat to the Kiwi Ferns in the 2019 World Nines final with a clinical 28-8 victory.
Not even the return of Benji Marshall as captain for a record 20th time would be enough for the Kiwis to topple the high-flying Kangaroos either, with Mal Meninga's side making the most of their opportunities to cruise to a 26-4 win.
Kiwis deliver powerful Haka
Tonga stun Great Britain with defensive resilience
- Tonga Invitational 14 def. Great Britain Lions 6 (Highlights)
A Tonga Invitational side put an season of off-field dramas behind it with a stunning 14-6 win victory over the Great Britain Lions to kick-start their tour.
Playing at Waikato Stadium — the same venue as their landmark victory over New Zealand two years prior — Tonga chanced their arm in the first half and scored the opening two tries to lead 14-0, before showing tremendous resilience in defence to hold out the Lions for the majority of the match before a late John Bateman try.
Upsets galore in Eden Park triple-header
- Tonga Invitational 16 def. Australia 12 (Highlights)
- New Zealand 12 def. Great Britain Lions 8 (Highlights)
- Fiji Bati 44 def. Toa Samoa 18 (Highlights)
Tonga became the first team not named New Zealand, England or Great Britain to defeat Australia in over 40 years with a thrilling 16-12 upset over the Kangaroos. Trailing 12-6 at half-time, Tonga rode the support of the Eden Park crowd to announce their status as legitimate tier one competitors with a gutsy win.
That wasn't the only upset on the day with Fiji also turning on their attacking class to easily account for Samoa, while Michael Maguire's Kiwis held their nerve late against Great Britain to emerge with their first victory of the end-of-season Tests.
2019 Match Highlights: Tonga Invitational vs. Australia
New Zealand close down series with classy win
- New Zealand 23 def. Great Britain 8 (Highlights)
- Fiji 22 def. Papua New Guinea 20 (Highlights)
New Zealand closed out their two-Test series against an underwhelming Great Britain side with a classy 23-8 win over the Lions at Christchurch. Shaun Johnson's return proved key for the Kiwis with a try and a hand in several others, before Jamayne Isaako added a late field goal to seal the win for Coach Michael Maguire.
Earlier in the day, Fiji showed their class to see off a resilient Papua New Guinea outfit 22-20. The Kumuls never led but stayed within six points all game to keep the scoreline tight, but Fiji simply had too much in the end to secure another win.
Marshall undecided on international future
Kumuls down Lions in stunning end to dismal Tour
- Papua New Guinea 28 def. Great Britain 10 (Highlights)
- Papua New Guinea Women 20 def. England 16 (Highlights)
Papua New Guinea inflicted more misery on Great Britain as they closed out their tour without a win following a 28-10 loss to the Kumuls in Port Moresby.
It was a day to remember for the home side, with the women's side also breaking through for an incredible last-second win over their more fancied opponents.
2019 Match Highlights: Papua New Guinea vs. Great Britain
Final teams confirmed for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
Scotland's wins over Serbia and Greece ensures the Bravehearts will qualify for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England, while Greece also confirmed their spot following a 76-point thrashing of Serbia in their final game.
Cook Islands became the final team to qualify with their win over the United States.
Sunday, October 27 — Ireland 42 def. Spain 8
Sunday, October 27 — Scotland 86 def. Serbia 0
Sunday, November 2 — Scotland 42 def. Greece 24
Sunday, November 3 — Italy 34 def. Spain 4
Saturday, November 9 — Greece 82 def. Serbia 6
Sunday, November 10 — Ireland 25 def. Italy 4
Sunday, November 17 — Cook Islands 38 def. United States 16
