Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga admits his rotation policy could continue into the quarter-final stage of the Rugby League World Cup in the Darwin heat.
Australia all but sealed top spot in their pool after routing France 52-6 in Canberra on Friday to open their title defence with back-to-back victories.
On a record-breaking night, second-rower Wade Graham scored four tries to equal the record for most tries by a Kangaroo in a Test match.
Billy Slater scored his 13th try to join Jarryd Hayne and Bob Fulton as top tryscorers in a World Cup, while skipper Cameron Smith surpassed Clive Churchill’s mark of 35 consecutive Tests.
The ten-try rout was also Australia’s ninth straight – and biggest – win under Meninga.
“I think our execution I thought was a lot better than it was last week but in saying that it’s obviously against an opposition that we should beat,” Meninga said after the game.
The Kangaroos are also expected to make light work of Lebanon next week in what may not be the final chance for players to press their claims for a spot in Meninga’s top 17.
With scorching conditions expected for their final-eight knock-out – likely against Samoa – Meninga admitted some players could also be saved for the semi-final stage.
“We’re very mindful of the fact that everyone’s played a lot of footy this year. Going to Darwin’s going to be a difficult task, a bit of a challenge around the heat and humidity up there,” he said.
“Obviously then we’ve got to look at how the players recover out of that game.
“We’ve got to make sure that everyone’s fit and healthy going into, if we do get through the quarter-final, get into the semis as well.
“All those sort of things, we’ve got to take into consideration, but at this stage I haven’t really made up my mind. You’d think it’d be close to our best side playing in the quarter-finals.”
Graham was easily the most impressive against the French, however he was the only forward that failed to crack the 100-metre mark in metres carried.
Tyson Frizell led the team with 152 metres, edging rookie prop Jordan McLean’s 151 metres.
“That’s what it’s all about. It’s about internal competition, everyone putting their hand up to play at the back end of the tournament if we get that far,” Meninga said.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better performance by everyone really. Wade, I thought Frizz was exceptionally good tonight as well. The front-rowers were great.”
Big Daddy
Guest
Also confusing to me why we have australian referees for Aussie matches. Every international sport has neutral referees. Rugby union , soccer even our cricket matches have neutral umpires. Surely they have a panel of international refs for a world cup. Bit amateurish.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Unfortunately I won't be able to make it to the game. Hopefully Fittler gives Saab and Sabat their World Cup debuts next week.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Agreed. But the opposition might not test nz enough today for us to find out. You watching the aussies next week? Im catching up with an old mate i played footy with in the eighties. Will be messy. $20 seats behind the posts!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
England and New Zealand are good enough. I'm curious to see what kind of discipline New Zealand can show today against Scotland. It's not enough to win. They need to show they've improved on their performance against Samoa. As for England I'd like to see Bennett give Watkins a greater role in attack. I don't call him the Nightcrawler for nothing. The guy does the shimmy-shake in front of the line and suddenly he's on the other side with an offload to his winger. Love it!
Justin Kearney
Guest
Agreed mate. Seen the aussies twice and i am not convinced yet. Will be in sydney for the next game. Absolutely love international footy. Today will be terrific.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Watching the match, I wondered how England or New Zealand would have fared. Australia did look vulnerable but France's lower tirered fitness and their propensity for mistakes at the wrong time didn't help their cause.
Justin Kearney
Guest
I thought the aussies looked a bit vulnerable when the french had the ball. That wasn't very often mind you. It was a solid win but thats all. Game rated well over a million viewers again which doesnt surprise. The crowd was slightly better than ordinary. Three great games today. You beauty.
Justin Kearney
Guest
The broken record that is andrew plays on and on.
Justin Kearney
Guest
If you don't like it maestro dont watch it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Australia playing in Darwin has nothing to do with 'evening up the competition'. It is one of the draw cards that allowed Darwin to make a decent bid to host the match. Also, league being widespread is not the same as having top line leagues and competitions. Until now, the depth in the other nations has, understandably, been lacking. The next World Cup will feature 16 teams like a 'normal tournament.' Better luck next time.
Maestro
Guest
Its because they have fixed the draw so the also rans cant play against the big boys and have 100 point results. 2 pools of relative heavyweights and 2 pools of also rans. They keep on about widespread RL is now but still have a com promised draw of only 14 teams and not 16 to allow proper seeding and 4 pools of equal disparity like normal tournaments. Why do Australia have to play in Darwin - is this evening the tournament up again!!! - surely an early Nov Darwin game in the minor rounds would make more sense.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's the combination of heat and humidity that really hurts. Meninga would be wise to use as many guys in the rotation as he can. It take a long time to recover after a game in the tropics this time of year, especially if you're not used to it
Andrew
Guest
Its Rugby League! They are keeping the big boys away from the other countries to reduce floggings so they can say all the teams are closer more than ever and the game is growing. Its sad the International fans believe this even though the small teams being protected are full of Aussies and kiwis and northern englishmen as well. Its a farce but let them enjoy it
Taurangaboy
Guest
Confused as to why England and Australia are in the same pool. There are 3 pools aren't there? Surely Australia, NZ and England are seeded 1,2,and 3 and should be in separate pools.