Jamaica score first ever Rugby League World Cup try during loss to New Zealand

New Zealand flaunted their weaponry in a smashing 68-6 performance against Jamaica – but it was the Reggae Warriors who had the last laugh, scoring their maiden World Cup try.

The Reggae Warriors rugby league outfit evoked memories of the famous Cool Runnings movie, which told the story of a Jamaican bobsled team.

The side 155 minutes to cross the white line for their first four-pointer, with Ben Jones-Bishop swooping on a fumbled kick to score – to jubilant scenes.

Despite a competition for and against of -108, the Jamaican side went wild, flocking to the loyal fullback, who was a pillar of the World Cup qualifying campaign. 

Jamaica’s Ben Jones-Bishop is swarmed by teammates after scoring their side’s maiden try at the Rugby League World Cup

‘It is there for Jamaica, have a look at the reaction, Ben Jones-Bishop, hold the front page of the Jamaican Post, there’s your front page story,’ FoxSports commentator Andrew Voss said. 

‘Jamaica’s first ever try at a World Cup, and it goes to one of their greats, the man who has been there since day one… even the trainers are celebrating.’ 

Jones-Bishop was playing his 300th career game, with many of those at the Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship. 

The Kiwis were clinical throughout the 80 minutes, feeding right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak with plenty of open space to score four tries. 

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak leaps into the right corner to score his first try against Jamaica – he finished the night with four 

Watene-Zelezniak sent a brutal message to across the ditch to Aussie winger Josh Addo-Carr, logging his hattrick in just 18 minutes: which featured some insane finishes.

Jeremy Marshall-King and Brandon Smith both bagged doubles in the Hull round two pool game. 

New Zealand are now through to the quarter finals and will face Ireland in their final round before eliminations.  

Jamaican fullback Ben Jones-Bishop waves to fans after losing to New Zealand 68-6 in their sides second pool game 

Ben Jones-Bishop is presented his World Rugby 7’s jersey, where he represented Jamaica last year

The Jamaicans had to beat Canada and the United States to make the World Cup cut, 14 years after after Melbourne Storm official Dane Campbell set the club up.

Back at their Caribbean home, 1000 registered males and females play on stone and rock-lined fields due to the lack of facilities. 

Tears wept when the side won their way to a World Cup birth, with coach Romeo Monteith saying they will be the next Tonga.

‘They said Jamaicans aren’t meant to play contact sport … but we are now going to the World Cup so it something special,’ he said.

‘Our kids play on fields of stones, that is not a joke. There are many fields that we are banned from using so one of the main things I would like to see come out of this is for our government to allocate a ground for us so our kids can play in peace.’