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Hayne flops, Holmes flies as Australia make World Cup final

24th November, 2017
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Valentine Holmes charges forward against PNG. (Brendan Esposito / NRL Photos)
24th November, 2017
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An ill-disciplined Jarryd Hayne has thrown in a bit of everything as his Rugby League World Cup campaign came to a grinding halt in Brisbane.

The Fijian five-eighth looked to inject himself early in the semi-final against Australia but only helped the host’s cause by conceding a series of silly penalties.

Hayne was felled by David Klemmer after kicking in the opening moments and took his frustration out on Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater, his shoulder charge sparking a scuffle between the sides.

The two-time Dally M Medal winner clashed with Slater again soon after to concede another penalty, with goal kicking skipper Cameron Smith accepting both gifts to help build an early 12-2 lead.

And while his kicking game caused Australia some anxious moments, the 29-year-old also let them off the hook with at least two errant passes when his team was on the attack.

It ended 54-6, the Kangaroos the first team through to next Saturday’s final and Valentine Holmes incredibly adding six tries to eclipse his Australian record quarter-final haul of five.

Hayne also lost his share of the World Cup try-scoring record when Slater crossed for his 15th four-pointer in the first half.

The lopsided result ended a charmed World Cup run for Fiji, highlighted by last weekend’s 4-2 quarter-final defeat of New Zealand.

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Contracted to Gold Coast for 2018, Hayne is scheduled to join preseason training on the tourist strip in early January.

But that may be unlikely, with Titans coach Garth Brennan earlier this week conceding reports of his return to Parramatta had “some merit”.

Despite initially denying he had been in talks with Sydney clubs, Hayne is tipped to ask for a release early next year and return to the Eels.

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