Josh Addo-Carr scored two tries to assist Australia kick off the defence of their Rugby League World Cup title with a convincing 42-8 victory over Fiji on Sunday morning.
The Kangaroos, who’ve gained seven of the final eight Rugby League World Cups, together with the final version in 2017, outscored their rivals by seven tries to 2 at Headingley in Leeds.
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Fiji made a robust begin to the sport, Semi Valemei latching on to a grubber for a shock opening rating.
The Kangaroos, of their first worldwide since a loss to Tonga in November 2019, hit again via Jeremiah Nanai, who stepped via the defence to go in below the posts.
Addo-Carr then confirmed the Fijian defence a clear pair of heels as he streaked away for a swerving 95-metre attempt.
Angus Crichton bundled over and Australia have been instantly 18-4 up.
The defending champions, notably robust on the essential play-the-ball section, proved adept at working via their units, draining the Fijian defence.
One other powerplay up the center by man-of-the-match Cameron Munster noticed him trade passes with Addo-Carr down his left wing earlier than keeping off the ultimate defender and offloading to Latrell Mitchell for Australia’s fourth attempt.
Harry Grant then darted over from dummy half, with the South Sea Islanders firmly on the again foot.
Skipper James Tedesco, who performed for Italy within the final two World Cups, bought his title on the scoresheet, jinking via earlier than Addo-Carr latched on to a dink to the touch down for his second attempt. Valentine Holmes transformed all seven tries.
Fiji didn’t roll over, nevertheless, Sunia Turuva crossing for his workforce’s second attempt with 5 minutes to play.
“Yeah I’m (blissful),” Australian coach Man Meninga stated after the match.
“We bought via it fairly nicely. Actually proud of our defence. There are some things to repair up with the ball however all in all, an excellent first hitout. The cohesion with the soccer wasn’t the place it must be. We talked about it. It was going to be pretty clunky from our perspective taking part in collectively in our first recreation of the match.”
Munster continued: “We knew Fiji have been going to return out actually laborious tonight. The primary 15 or 20 minutes we would have liked to journey the wave. They’re very passionate. They began rather well and we would have liked to fight that. We have been fortunate sufficient to win tonight. We should always have scored much more factors. Proud of the primary efficiency towards Fiji.”
– with AFP
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