IRELAND 24 AUSTRALIA 70
IAN GOLDEN, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Friday
IN another fast and furious play-off match, Australia were too much for Ireland as they secured third place in the World Cup in front of a passionate home crowd.
Cory Cannane gave the Wheelaroos the lead after just two minutes. A brace from Toby Popple quickly followed, with Diab Karim converting both to put the score on to 16-0 on eight minutes.
From kick-off of the third try, an error was pounced on by Cian Horgan who scored in the corner, but as soon as Australia regained possession, they scored their fourth, through Karim, who converting it himself. Daniel Anstey was next over with Karim again kicking well.
Ireland were having no luck. Jack Mangan had a try ruled out for a forward pass, and from the penalty, Karim scored again. Substitute Bayley McKenna converted before a lethal run of his own to score in the corner.
He goaled again and Australia were 40-4 up at the break in a tough half for Ireland, who were forced into using ninth player Phil Roberts, following head injuries to Horgan and Oran Spain.
Two early second-half tries from Anstey, both improved by McKenna, put Australia out of sight, but Ireland did manage a mini comeback. Spain, who passed his HIA, celebrated his return to action with a try and goal. Joe Calcott, Mangan and Peter Johnston, who added a goal, scored further tries, but it was too late to catch up.
One try from Liam Luff, plus two tries and three goals from McKenna, all in the last seven minutes, cemented the win.
IRELAND: 9 Joe Calcott, 5 Mel Griffith, 8 Peter Johnston, 2 Cian Horgan, 4 Toby Burton-Carter. Subs (all used): 1 Oran Spain, 6 Tom Martin, 11 Jack Mangan. Ninth Player (used): 7 Phil Roberts
Tries: Horgan (9), Spain (51), Calcott (55), Mangan (64), Johnston (70); Goals: Johnston 1/3, Spain 1/2
AUSTRALIA: 2 Daniel Anstey, 5 Cory Cannane, 6 Diab Karim, 9 Adam Tannock, 10 Toby Popple. Subs (all used): 7 Bayley McKenna, 8 Zac Schumacher, 4 Liam Luff
Tries: Cannane (2), Popple (5, 7), Karim (12, 27), Anstey (14, 42, 45), McKenna (31, 76, 79), Luff (73); Goals: Karim 4/5, McKenna 7/7
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 4-16, 4-22, 4-28, 4-34, 4-40; 4-46, 4-52, 10-52, 14-52, 18-52, 24-52, 24-58, 24-64, 24-70
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Players of the Match
Ireland: Oran Spain, Australia: Daniel Anstey
Penalty count: 13-8; Half-time: 4-40; Referees: Jake Brook and Laurent Bonnet
