Jake Maizen scored the first hat‑trick of the Rugby League World Cup as Italy, playing a first international game for three years, produced a magnificent team display to keepalive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages with a 28-4 win over Scotland.
Italy’s last fixture was a qualifier for this very tournament in November 2019, with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the ability of Leo Epifania’s side to play regularly. On this display, though, the Azzurri will be hopeful of becoming a regular presence in European rugby league.
Their World Cup squad comprises predominantly players of Italian heritage from the lower leagues of the English and Australian game, with a sprinkling of call-ups from the local Italian scene. But while Maizen crossed for three superb tries, their one real star was Nathan Brown, their captain.
Brown, who featured for Parramatta in the National Rugby League Grand Final this month, qualifies for Italy courtesy of his mother. He has spoken effusively about his pride at representing the Azzurri and produced an imperious captain’s display here as Italy proved to be far too strong for Scotland.
The result means that, with both sides now facing games against Australia and Fiji, Scotland’s hopes of qualifying from Group B are all but over. Italy, meanwhile, will eye their meeting with Fiji on Saturday as the game which could decide who finishes second behind the Kangaroos.
Italy deservedly led 12-0 at half-time. They broke the deadlock with Luke Polselli’s try, before a burst from dummy-half by Dean Parata doubled their lead. It then took them just four minutes after the restart to extend that advantage further, as Maizen claimed his first of the afternoon.
Maizen added his second five minutes later after a fine piece of vision from Parata to send the winger over in the corner, before the Sunshine Coast Falcons man completed his hat-trick in the final moments with a length-of-the-field break as Scotland pushed for points.
Nathan Graham’s side did avoid the ignominy of being nilled when Halifax’s Lachlan Walmsley crossed, but it was mere consolation for the Bravehearts, who now have to win their last two group games to qualify.
The game was the second of the opening weekend to be played in Newcastle, with this contest at Kingston Park 24 hours after the opener between England and Samoa at St James’ Park, where the opening ceremony was marred by disruption after a power outage cut short the pre‑match entertainment.
The Guardian understands the issue was caused by the equipment brought in by an events company commissioned by the tournament organisers, rather than the public address system inside St James’ Park, which remained in full working order.
In Pool C, New Zealand got their campaign off to a winning start with a 34-12 victory over 12-man Lebanon in Warrington. Michael Cheika’s underdogs shocked the world’s top-ranked team by taking the lead through Josh Mansour’s try, but New Zealand hit back with scores from Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Peta Hiku.
Lebanon reduced the deficit to six points when Abbas Miski dotted down early in the second half, before Joseph Manu produced two moments of magic, a try assist to Dylan Brown and a score himself. Cedars half-back Adam Doueihi was sent off for dissent just after the hour mark before Jordan Rapana wrapped up the win.
Cheika hinted he would appeal Doueihi’s sending off after what the Lebanon coach described as “an accumulation of frustration” with the referee, Grant Atkins. “The World Cup hasn’t given us any footage, we have asked for it,” Cheika claimed. “We’re all a bit in the dark.”
In Sunday’s other game, Luke Keary proved a class apart as Ireland cruised to a comfortable 48-2 win over debutants Jamaica at Headingley. The Sydney Roosters half-back was integral to an impressive display from his side, who ran in 10 tries with six more points from the boot of Joe Keyes adding to an early Ed Chamberlain conversion. Ireland’s next match will be against Lebanon, next Sunday in Leigh.
