By Paul Eddison

In recent times, the Rugby League World Cup has been very much dominated by three teams, with England and New Zealand often battling it out to take on all-conquering Australia. 

However, the last edition saw two of the bigger upsets in the competition’s history as Tonga and then Fiji both stunned the Kiwis. 

New Zealand have also been on the other side of an upset when they took the title in 2008 and if you delve back further, France have a couple of notable scalps to their name as well. 

So as we prepare for 2022, sit back and reminisce over some of the biggest shocks the competition has provided. 

Kiwis stunned not once but twice by Pacific Islands 

There was much expected of Tonga coming into the 2017 World Cup, with the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita choosing to represent them rather than New Zealand or Australia respectively. 

Even with those two and 2008 champion Manu Vatuvei, few expected them to actually beat New Zealand, but that is exactly what they did. It was all the more remarkable considering they trailed 16-2 at half-time. 

A second-half hat-trick from David Fusitu’a turned the match on its head, and the tournament as well, as the Kiwis suddenly found themselves on the same side of the draw as Australia. 

Everyone expected a semi-final battle between the two great rivals. Instead, New Zealand were shocked again, this time by Fiji, in the quarters. 

In Wellington, it was a defensive affair, with Taane Milne’s second-half penalty splitting the teams in a shocking 4-2. 

READ MORE: The story of the 2017 World Cup

The greatest upset of all 

A look at the team sheet for the 2008 World Cup final is a who’s who of the greats of Australian rugby league of recent times. 

Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Izzy Folau, the list goes on. 

It had been 36 years since someone other than the Kangaroos had won a World Cup, but in Brisbane, New Zealand stunned them. 

With Benji Marshall pulling the strings and future St Helens stand-off Lance Hohaia scoring two tries, the Kiwis came from four points down at the break to record a sensational 34-20 success. 

France upset the form book 

When the tournament first started, it was a four-team competition made of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and France. 

Even with the rise of Catalans and more recently Toulouse, French rugby league was more of a force in those days, and they even reached the first final in 1954. 

By the late 60s though, they were not such a force and when they faced Great Britain in a winner-takes-all clash in 1968, few gave them a hope. 

READ MORE: Frayssinous plans to drive France back to international success

They proceeded to claim a shock 7-2 success, leading to the final being labelled a ‘debacle’ by one Australian newspaper as the Kangaroos duly beat France in the showpiece.

Two years later however, it was a different story. Bobby Fulton scored from kick-off as Australia and France met in the final group game, but with ten minutes to go, the scores were tied at 15-15 before Jean Capdouze’s long-range goal won it for France. 

Australia had the last laugh though, sneaking through on points difference before beating previously unbeaten Great Britain in the final.

The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets