Australia brushed Cook Islands aside 66-6 in Townsville to finish top of Pool A and move into the semi-finals of the men’s Rugby League World Cup, with Reece Walsh again at the centre of the win. The result also sharpened Coach Kevin Walters’ next major call, with Walsh and James Tedesco now competing for the No 1 jersey next weekend.
Walsh was named player of the match after a starring role, but his night was not without complication. He started as the designated kicker, then had to stop after a foot injury hampered him, leaving Munster and Strange to take over conversion duties. Tom Dearden put in a decent outing in the No 7 jersey, while Sam Walker can still press his case because of his goal-kicking ability.
The margin was emphatic, yet Australia were still short of their sharpest form. The forward pack made uncharacteristic errors in possession, and the game never quite settled into the level of control expected from a side that has now made it safely through. Ethan Strange brought extra impetus after the break and opened his international account from under the crossbar, even as Cook Islands kept coming and Takairangi spilled a pass at first receiver on the last play.
That leaves Walters with a real selection decision and little time to waste. Australia will play either Samoa or Tonga in the semi-final next weekend, while the other Pacific Island clash will decide who meets New Zealand. The tournament is effectively into knockout mode now, with the decider in Brisbane scheduled for Sunday 15th November, and Australia still carrying the sense that its biggest test is still to come.
