I thought that SA were quite sloppy executing their PTB during the Canada game and this may have hurt them.

It's a real shame that Canada are not participating in this - a 4 team tournament would have given SA a chance to redeem themselves. I am sure Canada would have conceded significantly less points than Serbia and Russia (the former who are, by the way, full members of the RLEF)..I just don't get it..

It's just a timing thing. Things started to come together in Canada just a little too late for them to be considered for the WCQ. They'll be in there for the next ones.

Apparently the USA fielded an ineligible player in this match.

Joseph Paulo, the Tomahawks' MOM against South Africa, played for the USA at the weekend but had previously played for Samoa less than a year ago.

Interesting. Is there a specific punishment for this or is it all vague and bullty like the Challenge Cup used to be before Hull did the same thing and didn't get kicked out?

Yeah, I know it is timing - but they should still have the flexibility to admit teams at relatively short notice - how hard can that be and really whats the harm?

The International Board don't seem afraid of 90 point one-side contests as we have had 2 in the last week!

Yes it will be interesting to see what the response is. Its very unlikely to have swayed the end result which might go in their favour, except if the competition is decided on points difference of course.

I am sure it was just an innocent mistake from one of the inexperienced nations.

Given that the RLIF allow players to change nationality on a whim I would be very surprised if they do anything.

rob's right. The Aussies set the precedent by wrongly allowing Uate to switch from Fiji after he'd already played for Fiji in a WC cycle i.e. 2009-2013. Paulo is the same. It will be swept under the RLIF carpet which must be almost touching the ceiling by now.

They do seem to be afriad when it comes to a world cup though with sticking the top four ranked teams in the same group so you would not get the big one sided scores.

That's not the format in 2013 MOT but England and Australia are in the same group surprise surprise.

Group A
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA
FIJI
IRELAND

Group B
NEW ZEALAND
FRANCE
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
SAMOA

Group C
SCOTLAND
TONGA
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER (Lebanon, Serbia, Russia or Italy)

Group D
WALES
COOK ISLANDS
ATLANTIC QUALIFIER (USA, South Africa or Jamaica)

so will it go from 14 to 8 (if so how) or straight to the semi's?I assme it has to be the former.

Jamaica beat South Africa 20-6 in Philadelphia tonight. By all accounts it was a very scrappy in the rain. The Jamaican victory sets up an all or nothing final game against the USA Tomahawks on Sunday.
The winner of that one earns the Atlantic Zone seed for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup to be co-hosted by England and Wales. The Atlantic Zone representative will go into Pool D with Wales and Cook Islands.

At least it wasn't a whoopin for the Rhino's. I really hope they become more competitive, i think RL really needs a strong SA in international RL.

Highlights of this game are on Premier Sports this weekend on free to air.