RLWC live updates: Punch thrown, two players sent off as tempers explode

In case you missed it, Kangaroos back-rower Cameron Murray has been ruled out of tonight’s clash between Australia and the Cook Islands in Townsville.

The South Sydney ironman has been replaced on the six-man Australian bench by Rabbitohs teammate David Fifita.

Murray was ruled out due to illness, according to News Corp.

The game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium kicks off at 8.05pm AEDT.

The clash between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on the Gold Coast has kicked off.

Earlier today in the women’s World Cup, Fiji hammered France 54-6 on the Gold Coast.

Plenty is being said on social media about Ronaldo Mulitalo’s high shot on Ronald Philitoga and the retaliatory punch Brandon Wakeham landed on Mulitalo’s chops.

Here’s some of it:

The Kiwis have flogged Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast in a game that saw two players sent off, one sin-binned, and a series of spot fires and all-in melees.

New Zealand has booked its spot in the semi-finals with the thumping win at Cbus Super Stadium.

Penrith outside back Casey McLean scored four tries.

Fijan forward Jordan Miller has been dumped in the sin bin for a headbutt in the 78th minute.

This has been one fiery game.

The Kiwis have not let up all afternoon.

Middle forward Erin Clark has just bashed over from close range with six minutes left to bring up 70 points for New Zealand.

The Kiwis are now leading Fiji 72-0.

Panthers and Blues star Casey McLean was bagged four tries.

This has been one ominous display on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand’s Ronaldo Mulitalo and Fiji’s Brandon Wakeham have both been sent off.

Mulitalo was sent off for hitting Ronald Philitoga high, and Wakeham was booted off the park for punching Mulitalo. They are both off for the remainder of the game.

Wakeham did not miss. Fiji’s halfback connected flush with Mulitalo’s jaw.

“They want a piece of him!” roared Corey Parker on Seven as Fiji’s players hounded Mulitalo.

Mulitalo, one of the game’s serial antagonists, will undoubtedly be charged tomorrow.

The Sharks winger may have played his last game of the tournament.

Barring a comeback of ludicrous proportions, New Zealand is en route to the semi-finals.

The equation is simple on the Gold Coast – the winner of this game between the Kiwis and Fiji will secure final-four qualification.

And, frankly, the Fijians aren’t in the same postcode.

New Zealand is thumping Fiji 48-0.

We’ve got 27 minutes to go.

With the exception of one or two changes – most notably Sam Walker – the Kangaroos side that will take on the Cook Islands is a full-strength team, according to Nine caller Peter Psaltis.

“This is the last game before the semi-finals, Reece Walsh is back, and I think that he will be the first choice No.1 for Kevin Walters moving into the semi-finals next week,” he said on Nine’s Weekend Today on Saturday.

"He's got options (at fullback), but I think that he's showing his hand this week.

“Even though Australia should be beating the Cook Islands tonight … this is, I think, pretty much close to our full-strength team.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has launched a passionate defence of Sam Walker following confirmation he would leave the club by the end of 2027.

On commentary duties for Seven’s coverage of the Rugby League World Cup, Robinson said he was disappointed the club hadn’t held on to its star half, but insisted neither party had done anything wrong and there was no bad blood between the two of them.

“On Monday you have the negotiations, you think it’s going to go one way, and it doesn’t,” he said.

“We wanted to sign Sam, we couldn’t get it done and that’s the business side of it.”

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