Kangaroos begin their Rugby League World Cup build-up with 18-0 win over PNG and Fiji
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS, ANZ STADIUM SUVA, The Daily Telegraph
October 14, 2017 8:25pm
Subscriber only
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MANLY rookie Tom Trbojevic starred for an Australian side in their pre-World Cup hitout but he still has “lots of work to do” to force his way into Kangaroos strongest side according to coach Mal Meninga.
Australia overcame a willing PNG and Fiji teams in front of 3000 people at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Meninga said his side were rusty with the ball but he praised their commitment in defence after they conceded just one try in their 40 minute a side games. They beat PNG 20-4 in the opening half before defeating Fiji 18-0.
Trbojevic fullback scored a try and laid on two others in his first match in Australian colours. He played right centre to start the game before switching to fullback for the second match against Fiji.
Rugby League World Cup. Warm up match Australia vs. Papua New Guinea in Fiji. Pic Supplied
Meninga declared Trbojevic would get his chance at some stage during the World Cup — which starts later this month — but stopped short of declaring him a certain starter.
“He has a bit of work to do,” Meninga said. “We have some pretty good players in our footy team. “We’ll make some decision in the next week or so. He’ll get this opportunity through the world cup for sure.
“He is pretty hard to stop. Big fella, pretty quick.”
The performance backed-up his hat-trick of tires he scored for the Prime Ministers XIII against PNG last month. Trbojevic, who scored with his first touch of the game, has his eye on forcing his way into the Kangaroos’ top squad.
David Klemmer did some damage to Fiji.
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“It was pretty special,” Trbojevic said. “Just to play alongside these guys speak for themselves.
“It was good to get out there and enjoy myself. Playing centres was tough. It’s been awesome seeing how some of these good players prepare and you can understand why they have been great for so long.
“Being in the squad you want to play as many games as you can, that’s the goal.”
Valentine Holmes was another standout as he created plenty of headaches for the opposition defence, filling in for the rested Billy Slater at fullback for the opening 40 before taking his place on the wing. Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers and Michael Morgan also watched from the sidelines.
James Maloney won the battle of the halves following a lacklustre showing by Cameron Munster while Wade Graham put his hand up for the utility bench spot after a strong performance switching to the back-row and the halves.
James Maloney looked to have sealed his spot.
Ben Hunt was solid at hooker, sharing the duties with Josh McGuire.
“I’m really happy with the game and the effort,” Meninga said. “Defensively I thought we were really good. I thought they were all really good.
“It makes it hard (to pick a side). We will have a pretty good side when we play England.”
Australia changed its entire starting forward pack — except for Hunt — midway through the PNG game.
The only try Australia conceded came after Dane Gagai spilt a restart and skipper Boyd Cordner fumbled a last tackle kick to give PNG repeat sets.
Australia scored two late tries Maloney and Hunt to close out the match against Fiji. Meanwhile, PNG defeated Fiji 10-0 in the first match.
Source:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...i/news-story/3dca803afed3037eaa1f06672dbb342f
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS, ANZ STADIUM SUVA, The Daily Telegraph
October 14, 2017 8:25pm
Subscriber only
Ads by Kiosked
MANLY rookie Tom Trbojevic starred for an Australian side in their pre-World Cup hitout but he still has “lots of work to do” to force his way into Kangaroos strongest side according to coach Mal Meninga.
Australia overcame a willing PNG and Fiji teams in front of 3000 people at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Meninga said his side were rusty with the ball but he praised their commitment in defence after they conceded just one try in their 40 minute a side games. They beat PNG 20-4 in the opening half before defeating Fiji 18-0.
Trbojevic fullback scored a try and laid on two others in his first match in Australian colours. He played right centre to start the game before switching to fullback for the second match against Fiji.
Rugby League World Cup. Warm up match Australia vs. Papua New Guinea in Fiji. Pic Supplied
Meninga declared Trbojevic would get his chance at some stage during the World Cup — which starts later this month — but stopped short of declaring him a certain starter.
“He has a bit of work to do,” Meninga said. “We have some pretty good players in our footy team. “We’ll make some decision in the next week or so. He’ll get this opportunity through the world cup for sure.
“He is pretty hard to stop. Big fella, pretty quick.”
The performance backed-up his hat-trick of tires he scored for the Prime Ministers XIII against PNG last month. Trbojevic, who scored with his first touch of the game, has his eye on forcing his way into the Kangaroos’ top squad.
David Klemmer did some damage to Fiji.
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“It was pretty special,” Trbojevic said. “Just to play alongside these guys speak for themselves.
“It was good to get out there and enjoy myself. Playing centres was tough. It’s been awesome seeing how some of these good players prepare and you can understand why they have been great for so long.
“Being in the squad you want to play as many games as you can, that’s the goal.”
Valentine Holmes was another standout as he created plenty of headaches for the opposition defence, filling in for the rested Billy Slater at fullback for the opening 40 before taking his place on the wing. Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers and Michael Morgan also watched from the sidelines.
James Maloney won the battle of the halves following a lacklustre showing by Cameron Munster while Wade Graham put his hand up for the utility bench spot after a strong performance switching to the back-row and the halves.
James Maloney looked to have sealed his spot.
Ben Hunt was solid at hooker, sharing the duties with Josh McGuire.
“I’m really happy with the game and the effort,” Meninga said. “Defensively I thought we were really good. I thought they were all really good.
“It makes it hard (to pick a side). We will have a pretty good side when we play England.”
Australia changed its entire starting forward pack — except for Hunt — midway through the PNG game.
The only try Australia conceded came after Dane Gagai spilt a restart and skipper Boyd Cordner fumbled a last tackle kick to give PNG repeat sets.
Australia scored two late tries Maloney and Hunt to close out the match against Fiji. Meanwhile, PNG defeated Fiji 10-0 in the first match.
Source:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...i/news-story/3dca803afed3037eaa1f06672dbb342f
