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Australia beat Cook Islands 66–6 as New Zealand seal World Cup semi-final place
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Australia completed an unbeaten group stage at the Rugby League World Cup with a 66–6 victory over the Cook Islands in Townsville on Saturday, as New Zealand also advanced after overwhelming Fiji 78–0 on the Gold Coast.
Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic each scored a hat-trick for the Kangaroos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui added two tries as the defending champions finished with 12, turning an early deficit into a comfortable win in front of 19,172 spectators.
The Cook Islands briefly led 6–4 after Rua Ngatikaura crossed from dummy half in response to Bostock’s opening try. Australia then scored four tries in 13 minutes to reach half-time 28–6 ahead, before pulling further away after the interval.
Jacob Preston also crossed, while Ethan Strange made his Kangaroos debut from the bench. Reece Walsh supplied five try assists as Australia ended their Pool A programme with three wins from three matches.
The Kangaroos now turn towards their semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, 8 November. Their opponents are still to be decided, with Tonga and Samoa meeting on Sunday, 1 November, in the remaining group fixtures.
Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand secured the other Pool A semi-final place with a 13-try win over Fiji at Cbus Super Stadium. Casey McLean scored four times, Keano Kini added two tries and Jamayne Isaako converted all 13 attempts as the Kiwis built on a 48–0 half-time lead.
That result ended Fiji’s hopes of repeating their 2017 World Cup knockout win against New Zealand. The Bati had pushed Australia much harder in their previous match, but were unable to contain the Kiwis’ attack in a contest that decided which side would progress.
The victory came with a disciplinary concern for New Zealand. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was sent off in the 52nd minute for high contact on Ronald Philitoga, while Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham was also dismissed after throwing a punch in the confrontation that followed.
Sources
- NRL: Australia complete group stage with 66–6 win over Cook Islands
- The Guardian: Walsh leads Australia to victory in Townsville
- NRL: New Zealand beat Fiji 78–0 as two players are sent off
- Total Rugby League: New Zealand reach semi-finals with record-margin Fiji win
- NRL: Australia’s Allianz Stadium semi-final confirmed for 8 November
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