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Rugby League tips

New Zealand should rack up the tries against Fiji

Red-hot Tonga looking good

Shaun Johnson of New Zealand
Shaun Johnson of New ZealandCredit: Anthony Au-Yeung

Quarter-finals

Australia v Samoa
Premier Sports, 9.30am Friday
Australia have been in cruise control and the World Cup favourites are unlikely to have to go through the gears to seal a place in the semi-finals.

England, France and Lebanon were all dispatched with the minimum of fuss in the group stage and the Kangaroos are just 1-66 to see off Samoa.

The Aussies conceded just four points against England and six against France, while Lebanon were beaten to nil by the ruthless tournament hosts.

A total of 104 points have been posted by the Kangaroos over those three games but they haven't been as free-flowing as they would like and could find Samoa hard to break down.

Samoa drew 14-14 with Scotland to seal their place in the last eight and they managed to restrict Tonga to 32 points when losing in game two. New Zealand beat them 38-8 but in each match the Samoans have shown themselves to be competitive.

This match will be no different and with temperatures set to be around the mid-30s in Darwin they warrant support with a start of 34 points on the match handicap.

Recommendation
Samoa +34
1pt Evs Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes

Tonga v Lebanon
Premier Sports, 4am Saturday
Tonga have been the team of the tournament and they should ease past Lebanon.

New Zealand were sent packing by Tonga with a shock 28-22 win in game three to seal Tonga's place in the quarter-finals and they have clocked up 110 points in their three group games.

Tonga are 1-41 with BetBright to secure a place in the last four and they give up 28 points on the match handicap.

Lebanon have impressed in their three games with a 29-18 win over France the high point but the Cedars' fun looks set to come to an end.

They'll give it a good go but quality should shine through and Tonga to score seven tries or more looks the way to go.

Recommendation
Over 6.5 total Tonga tries
2pts 5-6 Sky Bet

New Zealand v Fiji
Premier Sports, 6.30am Saturday
New Zealand were reeling after their surprise defeat to Tonga and they will be desperate to get back on track against Fiji.

Before that, it all looked good for the Kiwis who posted 74 points against Scotland and 38 against Samoa.

The Tonga defeat was painful and the Fijians could be made to pay.

Fiji coasted through with easy wins over Italy, Wales and USA but this is a huge step up in class.

New Zealand are 2-9 shots for victory but backing them to score at least six tries in a comfortable success looks much better value.

This is a meeting between the top two try-scoring sides in the competition with Fiji leading the way on 32 while New Zealand have 25 and the Kiwis' total looks set to increase significantly.

Recommendation
Over 5.5 total New Zealand tries
3pts Evs Sky Bet


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