RLWC2017

Mixed reactions to pop star Dinah Jane singing Tongan national anthem at RLWC semi-final

Jane, 20, is of Tongan, Samoan, Fijian and Danish descent and is a member of the famous X-Factor girl group Fifth Harmony,

TVNZ reports the singing star made the announcement yesterday through her Twitter and Instagram.

"I'm so excited to announce that I'll be in attendance at the Rugby Semi-Finals in New Zealand this weekend. I'm deeply honoured that I️ was asked to sing the Tongan National Anthem for this historic event," Jane posted on social media.

Jane has copped some negative criticism online from fans, saying she is taking the limelight away from the game.

Fiji upset listless Kiwis

Just a week after falling 28-22 to Tonga, the Kiwis have been beaten by a second tier-two side in a low-scoring match they had never looked like winning.

Two Apisai Koroisau penalties to a sole Shaun Johnson effort on Saturday were enough to give the Bati a well-deserved win over a Kiwi team which never managed to get out of first gear.

An error-ridden performance from the Kiwis was comprehensively punished by a Fijian outfit, who showed more pace, poise and precision than the lacklustre New Zealanders.

Calls for calm as tensions rise among Tongan and Samoan rugby league fans

Police have confirmed they have received calls regarding "celebrations'' in parts of Auckland, particularly in Otahuhu, where vehicles decked out in national flags have been lining the streets and beeping horns continuously.

Groups of supporters have also turned out in force on a daily basis.

After Mate Ma'a Tonga's thrilling win against Scotland on Sunday, legions of fans and supporters turned out to the streets of Otahuhu to celebrate.

Pritchard yearns for Origin-like treatment for Pacific tests

This Saturday's clash between Samoa and Tonga is arguably the most anticipated clash of the World Cup pool stages with Tonga's strengthened line-up seeking to supplant Samoa as the leading challenger to the dominance of rugby league's Tier 1 nations.

While a Tonga team inspired by Jason Taumalolo and Michael Jennings brushed past Scotland 50-4 in their opening pool game Samoa wilted in the latter stages against New Zealand to go down 38-8 in Auckland, making their task to avoid a likely quarter-final showdown with the Kangaroos that much more difficult.

Moses justifies the hype

Heavily touted as a youngster at the Wests Tigers, Moses justified the hype following a mid-season switch to the Parramatta Eels that saw him guide the blue and golds to the finals for the first time since 2009. 

Lebanon fans were hoping to see something similar from the talented playmaker and the 5,492 at Canberra Stadium weren't disappointed as Moses took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final 10 minutes to seal the Cedars' first World Cup win. 

Burgess could return for last eight

South Sydney Rabbitohs star Burgess was forced off in the first half of England's 18-4 loss to holders and co-hosts Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

It was feared the 28-year-old would be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

But Burgess has now been examined by a knee specialist, prompting England's medical staff to forecast his return to the playing squad "earlier than anticipated".