Walsh runs riot in Sydney
Reece Walsh scored three tries and Australia are one win from a record 13th men’s Rugby League World Cup. The Kangaroos beat Samoa 44-12 in Sydney on Sunday, running in eight tries in a bad-tempered semi-final that the losers felt was decided by the referee as much as the scoreboard.
Samoa made the better start. A fifth-minute penalty put them 2-0 up. Tom Dearden answered in the eighth minute with a converted try, and Australia never trailed again. Jacob Preston, Tom Trbojevic, Walsh and Bradman Best all crossed before the break, stretching the lead to 26-2.
Walsh’s first try came right after Samoa had a score chalked off for an alleged knock-on. Spencer Leniu was then sin-binned for remonstrating with referee Adam Gee, and the visitors were still arguing when the half-time hooter went.
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Samoa fume at the calls
Early in the second half, a Walsh error handed Stephen Crichton a try for Samoa. Walsh made up for it almost at once, pouncing on a mistake from Ronald Volkman for his second. Izack Tago then touched down in the left corner to keep Samoa in touch on the scoreboard, at least.
It did not last. Walsh completed his hat-trick just short of the 70th minute to make it 38-12, and the contest was over. Samoa had a second try ruled out for contact between Francis Manuleleua and Liam Martin, another decision that left them furious, before Jack Bostock rushed in down the left late on. Cameron Munster kicked six conversions.
The night began with the Siva Tau, when Brian To’o put his forehead towards the face of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the prop who used to play for Samoa. The temperature never dropped.
New Zealand wait in Brisbane
The Kangaroos will meet New Zealand in the final in Brisbane on November 15. The Kiwis beat Tonga 34-10 in Saturday’s first semi-final. It is a rerun of the 2022 final, which Australia won 30-10 at Old Trafford for a third straight title.
A win would give Australia a fourth consecutive crown and a 10th World Cup in their last 11 attempts, going back to 1975. Since losing the 1972 final to Great Britain, only New Zealand have stopped them, winning 34-20 in Brisbane in 2008. Australia came through a modest group stage to get here, and the women’s sides of the same two nations meet in their own final next weekend.
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