MATTY Russell will be watched like a hawk when Scotland and New Zealand go to war in the quarter finals of the Rugby League World Cup at Headingley Stadium in Leeds tomorrow, Friday.

Scotland’s leading try scorer – and second only to Samoa full back Anthony Milford in the tournament’s tackle-busting stakes – has been highlighted by his own coach as the team’s top man.

That is pretty good considering the current Man of Steel Danny Brough is in the same ranks, along with Brisbane Broncos’ NRL scrum half Peter Wallace.

Russell, who has joined Wolves after a year with Gold Coast Titans in Australia, scored his fourth try of the series in helping the Bravehearts to defeat USA 22-8 at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford on Thursday.

That success, together with Tonga beating Italy 16-0 in Halifax on Sunday, handed Scotland their shot against New Zealand and a potential semi final against England or France at Wembley on November 23.

Wolves’ other World Cup operators, Ben Currie, Tyrone McCarthy and James Mendeika suffered a 50-0 loss to Australia with Ireland, while Rhys Evans figured at centre in Wales’ 28-24 defeat to Cook Islands.