Kangaroos book spot in final
The Australian Kangaroos have secured a place in the Tri-Nations Final following an impressive 26-14 win over
a lacklustre Great Britain team at the KC Stadium in Hull this morning (Australian Time).
Tries to Matt Cooper, Mark O’Meley, Brent Tate and Mark Gasnier ensured victory to the Kangaroos.
For Great Britain, Brian Carney crossed before half-time, while Richard Horne scored a late consolation
try.
Australia needed to win this game, or lose by less than eight points to qualify for the final, and this
proved to be a simple task.
Both teams exchanged early penalties to have the scores level at 2-2 after the first 20 minutes.
The stalemate was eventually broken with Cooper opening the try-scoring, collecting a loose ball and going
over in the 21st minute.
Soon after the Cooper try, Trent Barrett was yellow carded for a tackle infringement, that opened the door
for Great Britain, who quickly slotted the penalty bringing the deficit back to four points.
The Lions capitalised with some fantastic work from Micky Higham in the 31st minute that sent Carney over
in the corner. Iestyn Harris failed to convert leaving the scores locked at 8-8.
It wasn’t until the shadows of half-time that Australia leapt ahead, with O’Meley going over courtesy of an
amazing juggling-act. Fitzgibbon converted and at the break Australia led 14-8.
|
Tri-Series - Match 6 |
| AUSTRALIA |
26 |
|
Tries: Matt Cooper, Mark O'Meley, Brent Tate, Mark Gasnier
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 5 |
| GREAT BRITAIN |
14 |
|
Tries: Brian Carney, Richard Horne
Goals: Iestyn Harris 3 |
@ the KC Stadium, Hull
Referee: Steve Ganson
Crowd: 25,150 |
Australia ended all hopes of a Great Britain revival in the 50th minute, when a dazzling pass from Barrett
sent Tate up the field for a try. Fitzgibbon added the extras and put the game beyond reach at 22-8.
Ten minutes later Gasnier iced the cake for Australia, crossing over in the corner. Barrett received a
second stint in the sin bin in the 70th minute for taking out Harris.
Seven minutes from full-time, the Lions salvaged a consolation try with Higham bursting through the middle
and offloading to Horne to go over the line. Harris converted bringing the margin back to 12 points.
Next week, the Kangaroos are pitted against the ferocious Kiwis in a tantalising Final clash at Leeds next
Sunday morning.
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