AUSTRALIA 66 COOK ISLANDS 6
EMMA KENNEDY, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Saturday

JACK Bostock and Tom Trbojevic both scored hat-tricks as Australia ran in 12 tries against the Cook Islands.

Though the Kangaroos had already secured their place in the semi-finals, victories over New Zealand and Fiji had been less than convincing, prompting coach Kevin Walters to ask for a statement win from his side in their final group stage match.

But it took until midway through the first half for Australia to click into their rhythm before they blew the Kukis away in the second half.

It was a new-look pack that took to the pitch against the Cook Islands, with Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleau, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo all recalled and Cameron Munster, in for Sam Walker, playing his part from the halves.

It didn’t take long for Australia to kick off the scoring, with Walsh’s delayed cut-out pass freeing Bostock to cross into the left corner with three minutes on the clock.

But the fullback, looking to stake his claim after being restored to the side in place of James Tedesco, couldn’t convert from the touchline.

That opened the door for the Kukis to nudge ahead when Rua Ngatikaura darted over out of dummy half off the back of a penalty, Valentine Holmes goaling to put his side 6-4 in front.

The Cook Islands looked to extend their lead when Walsh sent the kick-off out on the full, and a clunky Australia then gave up a penalty and a six-again close to their line, but attacks broke down after clumsy kicks.

Instead, those misses set the Kangaroos’ wheels in motion.

Trbojevic kickstarted a blistering ten-minute spell after strolling over from a Tom Dearden break, the winger then showing some silky footwork as he turned provider for Fa’asuamaleaui to crash under the posts.

A Preston break then laid the position for Kotoni Staggs to take a stunning Dearden cut-out pass, with Walsh converting all three before adding his name to the scoresheet on the half-hour.

With Walsh picking up a knock, Munster took over duties from the tee, firing Australia into a 28-6 lead, but though the Cook Islands finished the half the stronger, they couldn’t trouble the scoreboard again before the break.

And they were no match for Australia in a completely one-sided second half.

The Kangaroos looked to have picked up where they left off after Yeo crashed over next to the posts, only for the forward have lost the ball as he took three defenders with him across the line.

But the Kukis weren’t so lucky from their next error, fast hands from Walsh and Bradman Best sending Bostock into the corner for his second, Munster superbly converting from out wide.

Trbojevic soon had his second, with Munster then sending Preston acrobatically diving into the left corner, the halfback converting to open up a 42-6 lead with just less than half an hour left to play.

Fa’asuamaleaui raced 30 metres clear to double his tally three minutes later as Australia brought up the half-century, with Walsh then helping both Trbojevic and Bostock complete their hat-tricks as the scoring spree showed no signs of letting up.

It took until the 68th minute for the Cook Islands to threaten the Kangaroos’ tryline again, but both Ngatikaura and Esan Marsters were held up before Chaev Kolone came fingertips away from grounding a Brad Takairangi grubber.

Instead, Australia added gloss to the scoreline late on.

After pressure from Dearden forced the Kukis into a mistake close to their line, Walsh picked up the loose ball before finding Grant to wrap up the scoring, debutant Ethan Strange adding the final points from the tee.

GAMESTAR: Reece Walsh was electric for the Kangaroos, finishing the match with a try, five assists and three goals, as he firmly staked his claim for the number one shirt.

GAMEBREAKER: Australia didn’t look back after Tom Trbojevic’s first try had put them back in front.

MATCHFACTS

AUSTRALIA

1 Reece Walsh
2 Jack Bostock
3 Kotoni Staggs
4 Bradman Best
5 Tom Trbojevic
6 Cameron Munster
7 Tom Dearden
8 Patrick Carrigan
9 Harry Grant
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleau
11 Jacob Preston
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
Subs
14 Ethan Strange
15 Keanon Koloamatangi
17 Reuben Cotter
18 Lindsay Smith
19 James Tedesco (not used)
22 David Fifita (not used)

Tries: Bostock (3, 45, 60), Trbojevic (18, 48, 58), Fa’asuamaleaui (21, 55), Staggs (27), Walsh (31) Preston (52), Grant (78)
Goals: Walsh 3/4, Munster 5/7, Strange 1/1

COOK ISLANDS

1 Valentine Holmes
2 Cameron Brown
3 KL Iro
4 Reubenn Rennie
5 Esan Marsters
6 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
7 Brad Takairangi
8 Davvy Moale
9 Rua Ngatikaura
10 Rhys Dakin
11 Chaev Kolone
12 Delahia Wigmore
13 Mason Teague
Subs
14 David Tuariki
15 Makahesi Makatoa
16 Pride Petterson-Robati
17 Amare Milford
18 K-CI Newton-Whare (not used)
19 Glassie Glassie (not used)

Tries: Ngatikaura (9)
Goals: Holmes 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 10-6, 16-6, 22-6, 28-6; 34-6, 38-6, 44-6, 50-6, 56-6 60-6, 66-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Australia: Reece Walsh; Cook Islands: Mason Teague

Penalty count: 2-4
Half-time: 28-6
Referee: Ashley Klein
Attendance: 19,172