Australia have got off to a brilliant start with a 42-point victory in their tournament opener against Scotland.
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The Kangaroos started strong, blowing the Scots out of the water early on with Blake Ferguson scoring after only five minutes after Cooper Cronk spread it wide for the Roosters winger.
Cronk grabbed one of his own just four minutes later following a Cameron Smith grubber.
James Maloney was next to score, Cronk again appearing in the play. The Dally M Medallist passed inside for Matt Moylan who drew defenders to send Maloney over.
Cronk brought up a two-try haul after only 15 minutes with James Maloney putting Tyson Frizell in space, the Dragons big man looking for Cronk to go the rest of the way.
Josh Mansour then followed ten minutes later linking up with Matt Moylan after a strong run from Justin O’Neill off the dropout.
Mansour scored a brace with five minutes left in the first half, Moylan again sending him over after James Maloney broke the line.
Scotland stayed in the game with Ryan Brierley scoring off a Danny Brough grubber.
The Bravehearts came close to scoring another after the siren with Matthew Russell offloading for Lachlan Coote, the enigmatic fullback putting in a chip with Ryan Brierley beaten to the ball by Blake Ferguson, running it dead and shutting down the hail mary.
It gave Australia a 30-6 lead at the break after a very good start to the game.
Josh Dugan was the first over for the Aussies in the second half, Cooper Cronk cutting out to the New South Welshman to run 75m and score under the sticks.
Ben Kavanagh stormed over the line following a Danny Brough intercept with twenty minutes remaining, bringing up the Bravehearts’ second try of the evening.
In a similar scoring play to Kavanagh’s try, Tyson Frizell steamrolled Sheldon Powe-Hobbs shifting momentum back in favour of the Kangaroos.
James Maloney and Matt Moylan combined to help Michael Morgan over before Jake Trbojevic scored on the siren after Trent Merrin broke the line giving the Aussies a 42-point win.
Australia face a much sterner test against New Zealand in Coventry while Scotland have a British rivalry on the cards with England.
Matt Moylan, James Maloney and Tyson Frizell were all outstanding for the Kangaroos while Danny Brough and Liam Hood stood out for Scotland despite a bitter loss.
Final score:
Australia Kangaroos 54
Scotland Bravehearts 12
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
They are probably investing about $1.50 which is a bit short of the $10 million that China are getting but meh, what can you do? Go and read the IRLF's annual reports and their Strategic Plan. They have a funding model that rewards good governance and performance so Scotland Rugby League, like Samoa before them, will probably receive some extra funding as a result of qualifying for the Four Nations. There is more than one way to skin a cat but since you seem unable to comprehend that, feel free to go ahead and let World Rugby know they are doing it wrong. But don't tell them I said so because then you would be lying.
tripod
Guest
Well you will be tell us then sleiman how much the IRLF is investing in grass root development and in comparison how much they are paying the Scottish team of which none are Scottish All the while we read this week that World Rugby is investing $10m a year for the next 10 years in Chinese Rugby Now please excuse me i have to get onto the World Rugby site and tell them they have got it all wrong because apparently the best model is to first get a internationally competitive team made up of expats to inspire local kids to play the game in China
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
"...under your thinking is let's do bugger all in development at grass roots..." It's almost amusing to see you draw the conclusion that since I am not against heritage teams or international tournaments, I must therefore be against grass roots development. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, I suppose it does deflate their egos. They must be very sad.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Actually the wheels fell off well and truly about the 25th minute
tripod
Guest
beginning to think you may be a rugby double agent Sleiman such an apologist for international rugby league,under your thinking is "lets do bugger all in development at grass roots" better to travel the suburbs of Sydney Brisbane and Manchester to find the biggest immigrant population that has some rugby league players sprinkled through there community and turn them into a international team We have done Italy USA Scotland Ireland I know lets do Croatia next I believe they are definite top 10 nation certainly would give France PNG and wales a good hiding and that way they would never qualify of a 4 nations and be an embarrassment to the game
Michael from nz
Guest
Wow 40k - fair comment. Ok well it makes their bank manager happy but jeez it must deflate their egos considering their crosscode friends will be packing out 80 k stadiums in the coming weeks
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Probably happy to represent and get paid $40,000 for their professional efforts.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Stat exercising if you are exhausted. It'll be better for you in the long run. As for France, yes, perhaps they should be playing in this tournament. Though it would have helped if they had qualified.
Michael from nz
Guest
Hmm I wonder what the huge star studded Aussies thought about playing in front of 5500 people in Hull?
tripod
Guest
The 15 Englishmen and 7 Australians did well, amazing what you can do with a bunch of left overs with apparent Scottish heritage was there any print ,radio or television coverage in Scotland.Sorry i am so exhausted of these Micky mouse teams in international rugby league Rugby league is one of the smallest team sports in Scotland with 7 teams and around 100 adult players dwarfed by American football with 12 teams but bigger than Australian rules football with 4 teams It is around the same size of Gaelic football in NSW with 9 teams Its very hard to get passionate about the game or the result when you know that the Scottish rugby league greatest skill is selecting a team of non residents and as a result they should not have been rewarded with a 4 nations berth. France should be playing with their 86 clubs and 15,000 adult players they are actually a genuine rugby league nation
Craig
Guest
"dream start" "brilliant" What game were you watching? They looked like would and should have racked up 100 points the way they were going after 20 minutes. They took Smith off and the wheels fell off, looking disjointed, unorganised and poor ball control. Moylan and Maloney were playing touch footy out there. Frizell looked strong but will be lucky to avoid suspension after that cheap shot. This game is of no indication to next week. Boyd, Scott, Thurston and another couple changes will happen meaning the team will be substantially different. Moylan and Maloney were the two best players, yet probably wont be seen in any games of consequence unless one of them can snare Morgans bench spot. Or would Mal consider Boyd on the wing, Fergo into the centres for Dugan and Moylan at fullback?