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2017 (2017) Rugby League World Cup  ()
Number of teams	14
Host countries	Australia  New Zealand  Papua New Guinea
Winner	Australia (11th title)
Matches played	28
Attendance	382,080 (13,646 per match)
Points scored	1264 (45.14 per match)
Tries scored	230 (8.21 per match)
Top scorer	Cameron Smith (50)
Top try scorer	Valentine Holmes (12)
Tournaments  < 2013 2021 >

The 2017 Rugby League World Cup was the fifteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup tournament and took place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea between 27 October and 2 December 2017. The tournament featured the national teams of 14 Rugby League International Federation member countries who qualified through either standing in the previous tournament or a series of qualification play-off matches. In the final, defending champions Australia, playing in their 14th consecutive final, defeated England at Brisbane's Lang Park.

Host selection

At the 2010 Rugby League International Federation executive meeting, the New Zealand Rugby League made an early submission to co-host the 2017 tournament with Australia. The Rugby League World Cup was last held in Australia in 2008.

Two formal bids were subsequently received by the RLIF before a November 2012 deadline; the co-host bid from Australia and New Zealand and a bid from South Africa. On 19 February 2014, it was announced that the joint bid from Australia and New Zealand had won hosting rights.

Michael Brown, the CEO of several big name Australian sporting franchises and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, was originally appointed CEO of the World Cup in 2015, but resigned less than a year later due to 'workload' and 'homesickness'. He was replaced by Andrew Hill.

Teams

Qualification

It was announced on 3 August 2014 that 7 of the 8 quarter-finalists from the last World Cup would qualify automatically for the 2017 tournament; hosts Australia and New Zealand, plus England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland. The USA, who were also 2013 quarter-finalists, were denied automatic qualification after a long-running internal governance dispute saw their RLIF membership temporarily suspended in 2014; later, once the matter was resolved, they were accepted into the qualification process. Papua New Guinea were initially set to be involved in the qualifying competition but were later granted automatic qualification, due to becoming co-hosts of the tournament. In addition to the eight automatic qualifiers, the remaining six spots will come from four different qualification zones; three from Europe, one from Asia/Pacific, one from Americas and one from Middle East/Africa.

Tonga were the first team to qualify from the qualification stage after winning the Asian-Pacific play-off. Lebanon were the second team to qualify from the qualification stage, after winning the Middle East-African play-off. The USA were the third team to qualify, winning the Americas qualification group.

Team	Captain	Coach	Previous Apps	Previous best result	Qualification method	World Ranking
Australia	Cameron Smith	Mal Meninga	14	Champions (10 times)	Co-hosts	1
England	Sean O'Loughlin	Wayne Bennett	5	Runners-up (1975, 1995)	Automatic	3
Fiji	Kevin Naiqama	Mick Potter	4	Semi-finals (2008, 2013)	Automatic	7
France	Théo Fages	Aurélien Cologni	14	Runners-up (1954, 1968)	Automatic	6
Ireland	Liam Finn	Mark Aston	3	Quarter-finals (2000, 2008)	Europe 2	8
Italy	Mark Minichiello	Cameron Ciraldo	1	Group stage (2013)	Europe play-off	12
Lebanon	Robbie Farah	Brad Fittler	1	Group stage (2000)	Middle East-Africa play-off	18
New Zealand	Adam Blair	David Kidwell	14	Champions (2008)	Co-hosts	2
Papua New Guinea	David Mead	Michael Marum	6	Quarter-finals (2000)	Co-hosts	16
Samoa	Frank Pritchard	Matt Parish	4	Quarter-finals (2000, 2013)	Automatic	5
Scotland	Danny Brough	Steve McCormack	3	Quarter-finals (2013)	Automatic	4
Tonga	Sika Manu	Kristian Woolf	4	Group stage (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013)	Asia-Pacific play-off	11
United States	Mark Offerdahl	Brian McDermott	1	Quarter-finals (2013)	Americas play-off	10
Wales	Craig Kopczak	John Kear	4	Semi-finals (1995, 2000)	Europe 1	9

Draw

The draw was undertaken at the launch of the event in Auckland on 19 July 2016 and involved the same four group format as the 2013 tournament. The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the first two groups and the winners of the two smaller groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.

Squads

Each team submitted a squad of twenty-four players for the tournament, the same as the 2013 tournament.

Venues

It was announced in October 2014 that negotiations were being held for Papua New Guinea to host matches. The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented to the RLIF in September 2015, requesting to host three matches. In October 2015 it was confirmed that Papua New Guinea would host three matches in the group stage.

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne hosted the opening game between Australia and England included an Aboriginal selection and a New Zealand Mãori side. and while Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane hosted the World Cup final.

Australia

Brisbane	Sydney	Melbourne	Townsville
Brisbane Stadium	Sydney Football Stadium	Melbourne Rectangular Stadium	Townsville Stadium
Capacity: 52,500	Capacity: 45,500	Capacity: 30,050	Capacity: 26,500
TownsvilleBrisbaneCairnsDarwinSydneyCanberraMelbournePerth
Canberra	Perth	Cairns	Darwin
Canberra Stadium	Perth Rectangular Stadium	Barlow Park	Darwin Stadium
Capacity: 25,011	Capacity: 20,500	Capacity: 18,000	Capacity: 12,000

New Zealand

Wellington	Auckland
Wellington Regional Stadium	Mount Smart Stadium
Capacity: 34,500	Capacity: 30,000
WellingtonAucklandChristchurchHamilton
Hamilton	Christchurch
Waikato Stadium	Christchurch Stadium
Capacity: 25,800	Capacity: 18,000

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby
National Football Stadium
Capacity: 14,800
Port Moresby

Officiating

The match officials will be headed by Tony Archer and three coaches: Steve Ganson, Russell Smith and Luke Watts.

•  Australia: Grant Atkins, Chris Butler, Matt Cecchin, Steve Chiddy, Ben Cummins, Adam Gee, Ashley Klein, Jared Maxwell, David Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Belinda Sleeman, Jon Stone, Bernard Sutton, Chris Sutton, Gerard Sutton, Michael Wise
•  England: Phil Bentham, James Child, Mark Craven, Robert Hicks, Chris Kendall, Scott Mikalauskas, Liam Moore, Tim Roby, Ben Thaler
•  New Zealand: Chris McMillan, Henry Perenara

Warm-up matches

Malta	24–24	Italy

Country U23s	26–40	Samoa

France	34–2	Jamaica

Fiji	0–10	Papua New Guinea

Australia	20–4	Papua New Guinea

Fiji	0–18	Australia

Lebanon	32–16	Niue

Country U23s	50–14	Scotland

Italy	6–16	Tonga

Combined Affiliated States	12–74	England

Group stage

The first two groups are made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The top three teams in the Group A and B, and the winners of Group C and D will qualify for the quarter-finals. Group play will involve a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams will play three group games.

Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Australia (H)	3	3	0	0	104	10	+94	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	England	3	2	0	1	69	34	+35	4
3	Lebanon	3	1	0	2	39	81	−42	2
4	France	3	0	0	3	30	117	−87	0

Australia	18–4	England
Tries: Gillett (23') 1 Slater (29') 1 Dugan (79') 1 Goals: Smith 3/4 (25', 76' pen, 80')	Report	Tries: 1 (5') McGillvary Goals: 0/1 Widdop

France	18–29	Lebanon
Tries: Ader (16', 52') 2 Cardace (68') 1 Goals: Barthau 3/4 (20' pen, 53', 69')	Report	Tries: 2 (40', 80') Robinson 1 (8') Layoun 1 (63') Doueihi 1 (76') Moses Goals: 4/5 Moses (9', 40', 64', 77') Field Goals: 1 (74') Moses

Australia	52–6	France
Tries: Graham (12', 15', 31', 66') 4 Munster (43', 74') 2 Dugan (33') 1 Frizell (49') 1 Slater (52') 1 Holmes (78') 1 Goals: Smith 6/8 (16', 32', 44', 51', 53', 67') Munster 0/2	Report	Tries: 1 (24') Kheirallah Goals: 1/1 Marginet (25')

England	29–10	Lebanon
Tries: Watkins (9') 1 McGillvary (25') 1 Hall (28') 1 Currie (32') 1 T. Burgess (56') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/5 (11', 26', 33', 57') Field Goals: Widdop (80') 1	Report	Tries: 1 (18') Kassis 1 (76') Wehbe Goals: 1/2 Moses (19')

Australia	34–0	Lebanon
Tries: Munster (9', 50') 2 Maloney (25') 1 Cordner (55') 1 Gagai (76') 1 T. Trbojevic (79') 1 Goals: Maloney 4/4 (52', 56', 78', 80') Smith 1/2 (26')	Report

England	36–6	France
Tries: McGillvary (42', 64') 2 Widdop (3') 1 Ratchford (6') 1 Graham (9') 1 Percival (23') 1 Bateman (29') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/7 (4', 7', 10', 43')	Report	Tries: 1 (34') Garcia Goals: 1/1 Albert (35')

Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Tonga	3	3	0	0	110	44	+66	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	New Zealand (H)	3	2	0	1	134	42	+92	4
3	Samoa	3	0	1	2	40	84	−44	1
4	Scotland	3	0	1	2	24	138	−114	1

New Zealand	38–8	Samoa
Tries: Jordan Rapana (4') 1 Shaun Johnson (20') 1 Brad Takairangi (46') 1 Kodi Nikorima (52') 1 Issac Liu (55') 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (68') 1 Nelson Asofa-Solomona (72') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 5/7 (21', 53', 56', 69', 73')	Report	Tries: 1 (37') Ken Maumalo 1 (80') Joseph Paulo Goals: 0/1 Peter Matautia 0/1 Tim Lafai

Scotland	4–50	Tonga
Tries: Danny Addy (62') 1 Goals: Danny Brough 0/1	Report	Tries: 3 (3', 20', 40') Michael Jennings 2 (26', 73') Daniel Tupou 1 (17') Jason Taumalolo 1 (23') Sika Manu 1 (38') Peni Terepo 1 (76') Ata Hingano Goals: 6/7 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (4', 19', 21', 24', 75', 78') 1/2 Ata Hingano (40')

New Zealand	74–6	Scotland
Tries: Te Maire Martin (32', 52', 76') 3 Pita Hiku (39', 58', 69') 3 Jason Nightingale (13', 23') 2 Kenny Bromwich (9') 1 Joseph Tapine (16') 1 Russell Packer (43') 1 Dean Whare (55') 1 Shaun Johnson (61') 1 Elijah Taylor (79') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 9/14 (11', 33', 44', 53', 56', 60', 63', 70', 80')	Report	Tries: 1 (72') Oscar Thomas Goals: 1/1 Danny Addy (73')

Samoa	18–32	Tonga
Tries: Jazz Tevaga (17') 1 Ben Roberts (65') 1 Tim Lafai (73') 1 Goals: Tim Lafai 3/3 (18', 66', 74')	Report	Tries: 2 (10', 29') Michael Jennings 1 (52') Peni Terepo 1 (60') Ben Murdoch-Masila 1 (77') Manu Ma'u Goals: 4/4 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (11', 28' pen, 30', 79') 2/2 Ata Hingano (53', 61')

New Zealand	22–28	Tonga
Tries: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (39', 72') 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (21') 1 Jordan Rapana (28') 1 Goals: Shaun Johnson 3/4 (30', 40', 73')	Report	Tries: 3 (48', 59', 77') David Fusitu'a 1 (62') Tuimoala Lolohea 1 (65') William Hopoate Goals: 3/4 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (7' pen, 63', 66') 1/2 Tuimoala Lolohea (60')

Samoa	14–14	Scotland
Tries: Junior Paulo (12') 1 Matthew Wright (49') 1 Young Tonumaipea (66') 1 Goals: Matthew Wright 1/3 (13')	Report	Tries: 1 (5') Lewis Tierney 1 (28') Frankie Mariano Goals: 3/4 Danny Addy (6', 18' pen, 30')

Group C

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Papua New Guinea (H)	3	3	0	0	128	12	+116	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	Ireland	3	2	0	1	76	32	+44	4
3	Wales	3	0	0	3	18	156	−138	0

Papua New Guinea	50–6	Wales
Tries: David Mead (5', 10', 60') 3 Rhyse Martin (43', 53') 2 Nene Macdonald (23') 1 Kato Ottio (34') 1 Wellington Albert (38') 1 Justin Olam (56') 1 Paul Aiton (71') 1 Goals: Rhyse Martin 5/8 (24', 36', 39', 44', 72') Ase Boas 0/2	Report	Tries: 1 (80') Regan Grace Goals: 1/1 Courtney Davies (80')

Papua New Guinea	14–6	Ireland
Tries: Garry Lo (16') 1 Nene Macdonald (26') 1 Watson Boas (78') 1 Goals: Ase Boas 1/1 (79') Rhyse Martin 0/2	Report	Tries: 1 (5') Michael McIlorum Goals: 1/1 Liam Finn (6')

Wales	6–34	Ireland
Tries: Ben Morris (57') 1 Goals: Courtney Davies 1/1 (59')	Report	Tries: 2 (34', 66') Oliver Roberts 1 (8') Api Pewhairangi 1 (34') Joe Philbin 1 (39') Liam Finn 1 (74') Liam Kay Goals: 5/6 Liam Finn (9', 32', 35', 67', 76')

Group D

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Fiji	3	3	0	0	168	28	+140	6	Advance to knockout stage
2	Italy	3	1	0	2	68	74	−6	2
3	United States	3	0	0	3	12	168	−156	0

Fiji	58–12	United States
Tries: Taane Milne (3', 11') 2 Kevin Naiqama (7', 30') 2 Suliasi Vunivalu (35', 64') 2 Akuila Uate (14') 1 Kane Evans (17') 1 Jarryd Hayne (46') 1 Viliame Kikau (60') 1 Henry Raiwalui (66') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 5/8 (8', 13', 18', 31', 47') Taane Milne 2/3 (61', 68')	Report	Tries: 1 (21') Matt Shipway 1 (72') Junior Vaivai Goals: 2/2 Bureta Fariamo (22', 74')

Italy	46–0	United States
Tries: Joey Tramontana (8', 37') 2 James Tedesco (14', 43') 2 Josh Mantellato (18') 1 Ryan Ghietti (25') 1 Paul Vaughan (59') 1 Mason Cerruto (73') 1 Goals: Josh Mantellato 7/8 (9', 16', 26', 38', 45', 60', 74')	Report

Fiji	38–10	Italy
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (60', 63', 68') 3 Kevin Naiqama (28') 1 Henry Raiwalui (40') 1 Brayden Wiliame (54') 1 Marcelo Montoya (75') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 3/4 (29', 40', 61') Taane Milne 2/3 (64', 69') Sin Bins: Jarryd Hayne (34')	Report	Tries: 1 (20') Josh Mantellato 1 (43') Nathan Milone Goals: 1/2 Josh Mantellato (44') Sin Bins: (12') Jayden Walker (34') Joey Tramontana

Inter-group matches

Ireland	36–12	Italy
Tries: Liam Kay (3', 30') 2 George King (10') 1 Kyle Amor (55') 1 Michael Morgan (60') 1 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (79') 1 Goals: Liam Finn 6/7 (4', 11', 18' pen, 31', 56', 61')	Report	Tries: 1 (38') Justin Castellaro 1 (47') Nathan Milone Goals: 2/2 Josh Mantellato (39', 48')

Fiji	72–6	Wales
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (14', 51', 61') 3 Viliame Kikau (22', 40') 2 Taane Milne (31', 56') 2 Eloni Vunakece (6') 1 Henry Raiwalui (16') 1 Salesi Fainga'a (27') 1 Marcelo Montoya (33') 1 Jarryd Hayne (42') 1 Joe Lovodua (65') 1 Ben Nakubuwai (70') 1 Goals: Apisai Koroisau 4/7 (7', 17', 23', 28') Taane Milne 3/5 (40', 43', 52') Suliasi Vunivalu 1/2 (66')	Report	Tries: 1 (11') Morgan Knowles Goals: 1/1 Courtney Davies (12')

Papua New Guinea	64–0	United States
Tries: Justin Olam (12', 66', 75') 3 Lachlan Lam (8', 16') 2 James Segeyaro (14') 1 Rod Griffin (25') 1 Stargroth Amean (39') 1 David Mead (42') 1 Watson Boas (60') 1 Nene Macdonald (63') 1 Goals: Rhyse Martin 10/11 (10', 15', 18', 26', 40', 44', 62', 65', 68', 77')	Report

Knockout stage

Three teams from each of Groups A and B and one team from each of Groups C and D advanced to the quarter-finals. All quarter-finalists automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The quarter-final fixture were finalised at the conclusion of the pool stages, to ensure that Australia played in Darwin on 17 November and New Zealand in Wellington on 18 November.

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	17 November – Darwin
	Australia	46
					24 November – Brisbane
	Samoa	0
					Australia	54
	18 November – Wellington
					Fiji	6
	New Zealand	2
									2 December – Brisbane
	Fiji	4
									Australia	6
	18 November – Christchurch
									England	0
	Tonga	24
					25 November – Auckland
	Lebanon	22
					Tonga	18
	19 November – Melbourne
					England	20
	England	36
	Papua New Guinea	6

Quarter-finals

Australia vs Samoa

Australia	46–0	Samoa
Tries: Holmes (9', 17', 51', 57', 74') 5 Morgan (31', 36') 2 Slater (24') 1 Goal: Smith 7/8 (10', 19', 26', 33', 38', 53', 58')

Tonga vs Lebanon

Tonga	24–22	Lebanon
Tries: Fusitu'a (19', 33') 2 Lolohea (4') 1 Hopoate (23') 1 Goal: Hingano 4/5 (5', 24', 34', 53' pen)		Tries: 2 (40', 69') Miski 1 (9') Doueihi 1 (30') Elias Goals: 3/4 Moses (10', 31', 70')

New Zealand vs Fiji

New Zealand	2–4	Fiji
Goals: Johnson 1/1 (45' pen)		Goals: 1/1 Koroisau (15' pen) 1/1 Milne (62' pen)

England vs Papua New Guinea

England	36–6	Papua New Guinea
Tries: McGillvary (13', 20') 2 Watkins (68', 72') 2 Walmsley (33') 1 Currie (56') 1 Hall (79') 1 Goals: Widdop 4/7 (34', 57', 69', 80')		Tries: 1 (60') Lo Goals: 1/1 Martin (61')

Semi-finals

Australia vs Fiji

Australia	54–6	Fiji
Tries: Holmes (18', 24', 42', 51', 65', 75') 6 Gagai (31', 69') 2 Slater (14', 48') 2 Goals: Smith 7/10 (15', 19', 33', 43', 49', 53', 67')		Tries: 1 (59') Vunivalu Goals: 1/2 Koroisau (7' pen)

Tonga vs England

Tonga	18–20	England
Tries: Pangai Junior (73') 1 Havili (76') 1 Lolohea (77') 1 Goals: Taukeiaho 3/3 (73', 76, 77')		Tries: 1 (11') McGillvary 1 (16') Widdop 1 (68') Bateman Goals: 4/4 Widdop (12, 17, 50 pen, 69)

Final: Australia vs England

Australia	6–0	England
Tries: Cordner (15') Goals: Smith 1/1 (16')

Statistics

Top try scorers

12 tries

• Valentine Holmes

9 tries

• Suliasi Vunivalu

7 tries

• Jermaine McGillvary

5 tries

• Billy Slater
• David Fusitu'a
• Michael Jennings

4 tries

• Dane Gagai
• Wade Graham
• Cameron Munster
• Taane Milne
• David Mead
• Justin Olam

3 tries

• Kallum Watkins
• Viliame Kikau
• Kevin Naiqama
• Henry Raiwalui
• Liam Kay
• Nene Macdonald
• Peta Hiku
• Te Maire Martin
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
• Tuimoala Lolohea

2 tries

• Boyd Cordner
• Josh Dugan
• Michael Morgan
• John Bateman
• Gareth Widdop
• Jarryd Hayne
• Marcelo Montoya
• Bastien Ader
• Oliver Roberts
• James Tedesco
• Joseph Tramontana
• Adam Doueihi
• Abbas Miski
• Travis Robinson
• Shaun Johnson
• Jason Nightingale
• Jordan Rapana
• Watson Boas
• Lachlan Lam
• Garry Lo
• Rhyse Martin
• Will Hopoate
• Peni Terepo
• Daniel Tupou

1 try

• Tyson Frizell
• Tom Trbojevic
• Matt Gillett
• Tom Burgess
• Ben Currie
• James Graham
• Ryan Hall
• Mark Percival
• Stefan Ratchford
• Alex Walmsley
• Kane Evans
• Salesi Junior Fainga'a
• Joe Lovodua
• Ben Nakubuwai
• Brayden Wiliame
• Akuila Uate
• Eloni Vunakece
• Damien Cardace
• Benjamin Garcia
• Mark Kheirallah
• Kyle Amor
• Liam Finn
• George King
• Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
• Michael McIlorum
• Michael Morgan
• Api Pewhairangi
• Joe Philbin
• Justin Castellaro
• Mason Cerruto
• Ryan Ghietti
• Josh Mantellato
• Nathan Milone
• Paul Vaughan
• Anthony Layoun
• James Elias
• Nick Kassis
• Mitchell Moses
• Jason Wehbe
• Nelson Asofa-Solomona
• Kenny Bromwich
• Issac Liu
• Kodi Nikorima
• Russell Packer
• Brad Takairangi
• Joseph Tapine
• Elijah Taylor
• Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
• Dean Whare
• Paul Aiton
• Wellington Albert
• James Segeyaro
• Rod Griffin
• Stargroth Amean
• Kato Ottio
• Tim Lafai
• Ken Maumalo
• Joseph Paulo
• Junior Paulo
• Ben Roberts
• Jazz Tevaga
• Young Tonumaipea
• Matthew Wright
• Danny Addy
• Frankie Mariano
• Oscar Thomas
• Lewis Tierney
• Ata Hingano
• Manu Ma'u
• Sika Manu
• Ben Murdoch-Masila
• Jason Taumalolo
• Tevita Pangai Junior
• Siliva Havili
• Matt Shipway
• Junior Vaivai
• Regan Grace
• Morgan Knowles
• Ben Morris

Top point scorers

Player	Team	App.	Total	Details
				T	G	FG
Cameron Smith	Australia	6	50	0	25	0
Valentine Holmes	Australia	6	48	12	0	0
Shaun Johnson	New Zealand	4	44	2	18	0
Gareth Widdop	England	6	41	2	16	1
Rhyse Martin	Papua New Guinea	4	40	2	16	0
Suliasi Vunivalu	Fiji	5	38	9	1	0
Taane Milne	Fiji	5	32	4	8	0
Sio Siua Taukeiaho	Tonga	4	32	0	16	0
Liam Finn	Ireland	3	28	1	12	0
Apisai Koroisau	Fiji	5	28	0	14	0
Jermaine McGillvary	England	6	28	7	0	0
Josh Mantellato	Italy	3	28	2	10	0

Final standings

Pos	Grp	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Final result
1	A	Australia (H)	6	6	0	0	210	16	+194	12	Champions
2	A	England	6	4	0	2	125	64	+61	8	Runners-up
3	D	Fiji	5	4	0	1	178	84	+94	8	Eliminated in semi-finals
4	B	Tonga	5	4	0	1	152	86	+66	8
5	C	Papua New Guinea (H)	4	3	0	1	134	48	+86	6	Eliminated in quarter-finals
6	B	New Zealand (H)	4	2	0	2	136	46	+90	4
7	A	Lebanon	4	1	0	3	61	105	−44	2
8	B	Samoa	4	0	1	3	40	130	−90	1
9	C	Ireland	3	2	0	1	76	32	+44	4	Eliminated in group stage
10	D	Italy	3	1	0	2	68	74	−6	2
11	B	Scotland	3	0	1	2	24	138	−114	1
12	A	France	3	0	0	3	30	117	−87	0
13	C	Wales	3	0	0	3	18	156	−138	0
14	D	United States	3	0	0	3	12	168	−156	0

Criticism and controversy

The lack of games in New South Wales, the heartland of rugby league in Australia, drew some criticism. Only one of the 13 confirmed tournament venues was in New South Wales (Sydney Football Stadium) and it is only hosting two group-stage fixtures, both featuring Lebanon. This was due to the refusal of the New South Wales Government to bid for hosting rights. Despite the so-called 'Sydney Cup snub', the RLWC organisers backed their decision and the venues they were using.

In the buildup to the Samoa vs. Tonga game in Hamilton, controversy occurred after fans from both countries were caught having brawls in South Auckland. At least 6 people were arrested from the brawls resulting in a massive security increase for the game. Both teams, celebrities, and police urged fans to calm down. Following the results of the controversial incident, a Tongan Advisory Council member lashed out at organisers, saying that this tournament is poorly organised compared to the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup, mentioning that Rugby Union World Cup organisers engaged with community groups 18 months beforehand, whereas this tournament was "scrambled around".

After Scotland's 68-point thrashing to New Zealand in Christchurch, captain Danny Brough, Sam Brooks, and Jonathan Walker were sent home for violating code of conduct after being all deemed too 'intoxicated' for their team's flight to Cairns for Scotland's next game against Samoa. Italian players James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman were under investigation by the World Cup integrity unit for a brawl at a Cairns nightclub.

There was criticism on how Samoa and Lebanon qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup, while Ireland missed out. Samoa played in Pool B where three sides qualify for the finals and only one misses out. Samoa lost to both New Zealand and Tonga, and drew with Scotland. Lebanon was in Pool A which had the same format as Pool B. Lebanon lost to both Australia and England and beat France. Ireland played in Pool C where there are only three teams and the winner is the only team that goes to the finals. Ireland beat both Italy and Wales and only just lost to Papua New Guinea and didn't qualify for the finals. Irish captain Liam Finn, said "I don't know if it's unfair, it probably makes sense, but to me: try and explain that to someone who's not rugby league," , "That's how we judge it. I tell someone 'we didn't go through, we won two games; someone got through by drawing one," and "That's where we should be focused: how do we attract new fans when that's how you're explaining the game to them?" in the press conference after his team's victory over Wales.

Broadcasting

Seven Network was the Australian and worldwide host broadcaster, winning the rights for the event in July 2016, beating the likes of Foxtel and Optus.

Country or region	Broadcaster	Broadcasting	Ref.
Australia	Seven Network	All 28 matches live (via Channel 7, 7mate, or streamed from the 7Live app)
Austria  Germany  Switzerland	ProSieben Maxx ran.de	6 matches live (ProSieben Maxx) All 28 matches live streamed (ran.de)
Germany	Sportdeutschland.TV	All 28 matches live streamed
Fiji	Fiji One	All 28 matches live
France	beIN Sports	All 28 matches live
Hong Kong	PCCW	All 28 matches live
Ireland	eir Sports	All 28 matches live
Japan	DAZN	All 28 matches live
Malaysia	Astro	All 28 matches live
Middle East	OSN Sports	All 28 matches live
New Zealand	Sky Sport	All 28 matches live
Papua New Guinea	EM TV	All 28 matches live
United Kingdom	BBC Sport	All England matches live; Ireland, Wales and Scotland matches delayed; highlights from all 28 matches
	Premier Sports	27 matches Live (Delayed coverage of NZ vs Tonga due to football match)
United States	Fox Sports	All USA matches and knockout matches live

References

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2. Kilgallon, Steve (1 August 2010). "NZ prepares bid to co-host 2017 World Cup". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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External links

• Official website

• 2017 Rugby League World Cup
• 2017 in Australian rugby league
• 2017 in New Zealand rugby league
• 2017 in Papua New Guinea rugby league
• 2017 in rugby league
• International rugby league competitions hosted by Papua New Guinea
• Rugby League World Cups hosted by Australia
• Rugby League World Cups hosted by New Zealand
• October 2017 sports events in Oceania
• November 2017 sports events in Oceania
• December 2017 sports events in Oceania
• October 2017 sports events in Australia
• November 2017 sports events in Australia
• December 2017 sports events in Australia
• October 2017 sports events in New Zealand
• November 2017 sports events in New Zealand
• December 2017 sports events in New Zealand