ENGLAND 86 AUSTRALIA 18
IAN GOLDEN, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Tuesday

IN arguably the fastest and hardest-hitting match of the World Cup so far, England shocked the Wheelaroos with a masterclass performance, putting in their best display yet to set up another final with France on Friday.

Despite the scoreline, which was England’s second biggest win over Australia and the most points they’ve scored against them in a game, the victory was hard-fought and the tries were scored well.

The match was played with furious intensity from the start, even the first tackle, when Zac Schumacher smashed into Lewis King.

But the holders took control of the game and led after four minutes when Joe Coyd set up Mason Billington to score in the corner. Rob Hawkins converted.

A dropped ball gave Australia the chance for a try back, but England defended superbly with both Wheelaroo wingers, Adam Tannock and Daniel Anstey, being denied in two successive tackles at the end of a set.

After Billington was denied a second, England didn’t waste their next chance. Hawkins grounded in the corner, but there were boos from the crowd when it was seen on replays that his wheel went out of the play before he touched down. But with no bunker operating, the try had to remain and Hawkins converted his own effort.

Hawkins added another try, with no doubts about this one, as he dived over in the corner and again converted.

Joe Coyd scored the next try, going in under the sticks whilst under pressure, with Hawkins keeping up his 100 percent kicking record.

Then on 24 minutes, Coyd struck again, this time scoring in the corner. Hawkins kicked well for his 100th goal of the season for club and country, and England went into a 30-0 lead.

The home crowd finally had something to cheer about on 29 minutes when Diab Karim scored in the corner and Bayley McKenna converted well.

But England scored next, when Billington got another try out wide, with Hawkins this time unable to convert.

From kick-off, Billington secured his hat-trick, scoring in the same place. This time Nathan Collins added the goal.

England went into the break 40-6 up and they took just 90 seconds to add to their score, after an excellent set of passes culminated with Jack Brown scoring in the corner, where Collins converted well.

The defence was opened up well for Brown to score his second and England’s ninth try of the match. Collins added the tenth, then Hawkins the eleventh and twelfth, outpacing his markers each time to touch down. Collins converted all four.

Karim was credited with a try back for Australia, given by the officials despite it looking like he was short of the line, and McKenna converted.

But England weren’t going to lose control. Hawkins sped through for his fifth try of the match and Collins kicked another goal.

Australia managed another consolation with Anstey went in and McKenna goaled, but England weren’t finished yet.

Chris Haynes sneaked over for England’s next try, with Collins hitting the post.

Captain King then got himself on the scoresheet after another fine set of passes and Collins converted his eighth and final goal of the match whilst under pressure from the crowd.

GAMESTAR: Rob Hawkins, with five tries and five goals, was outstanding as usual.

GAMEBREAKER: England had the game won by half-time but when they opened the second-half scoring, there was no turning back.

MATCHFACTS

ENGLAND
1 Joe Coyd
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Tristan Norfolk
4 Lewis King
5 Mason Billington
Subs (all used)
6 Nathan Collins
7 Chris Haynes
8 Jack Brown

Tries: Billington (4, 34, 36), Hawkins (11, 14, 55, 58, 64), Coyd (19, 24), Brown (42, 47), Collins (50), Haynes (71), King (76)
Goals: Hawkins 5/6, Collins 8/9

AUSTRALIA
9 Adam Tannock
7 Bayley McKenna
5 Cory Cannane
2 Daniel Anstey
8 Zac Schumacher
Subs (all used)
1 Peter Arbuckle
6 Diab Karim
10 Toby Popple

Tries: Karim (29, 61), Anstey (67)
Goals: McKenna 3/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 30-0, 30-6, 34-6, 40-6; 46-6, 52-6, 58-6, 64-6, 70-6, 70-12, 76-12, 76-18, 80-18, 86-18

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Players of the Match
England: Rob Hawkins; Australia: Diab Karim

Penalty count: 6-8
Half-time: 40-6
Referees: Tim Robinson and Ollie Cruickshank
Attendance: 817