Josh Addo-Carr has torn Lebanon to shreds in a 48-4 demolition to ebook Australia’s place within the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.
However whereas the scoreline was spectacular, it wasn’t all easy crusing for Australia after an harm scare for captain James Tedesco and what former Aussie star Corey Parker referred to as “their worst efficiency of the event”.
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Australia was spectacular to kick off the match because the left hand facet put the sport almost past doubt inside the opening 20 minutes.
Addo-Carr had the primary three tries, earlier than Latrell Mitchell scored the fourth within the twenty third minute, blowing the Cedars off the park.
Lebanon did have some NRL expertise because of the likes of captain Mitchell Moses and Adam Doueihi but additionally had loads of inexperienced gamers on the high stage who held their very own towards the would possibly of Australia.
At halftime, the Kangaroos additionally put captain James Tedesco on ice. Heading into the match he had a niggling knee harm and was seen on the sidelines icing his proper knee, though it was believed to be a cork.
Australia had been disjointed within the second half, falling off the tempo after a 30-0 lead at halftime, letting in a attempt by way of a mistake from Cameron Munster on the again and falling simply wanting mentioning the half century on the scoreboard.
Whereas it was a formidable scoreline for Australia, the large take a look at begins from subsequent week because the winner of World No. 1 New Zealand and Fiji will meet the Kangaroos within the semi-final.
The likes of England, Tonga or Samoa will await the winner within the last.
Parker mentioned Australia have lots to construct on after that efficiency.
“Coming into the sport the Australians had constructed fairly properly however I name it like I see it I feel that is their worst efficiency of the event to this point,” he mentioned on Fox League.
“Fourteen errors for the Australians … the cohesion, a few of the ball motion that we noticed, a few of the fundamental errors we noticed, it simply wasn’t as much as commonplace for the Australians, significantly when it appears to be like like they’ll play the Kiwis subsequent week.
“They received the job completed however I’m unsure if Mal Meninga can be impressed by that, significantly the second half, I imply 14 errors is simply not ok.
“I simply thought at totally different levels Australia appeared manner off.”
Panthers legend Greg Alexander agreed.
“Clunky is the phrase we’ve used very often all through the event however I believed the second half was as poorly as they’ve performed,” he mentioned.
“Among the errors had been fundamental, it stored Lebanon within the recreation.
“I believed Cameron Munster offered some items of genius play for Josh Addo-Carr, however at any time when somebody scores 5 tries in a recreation, that’s the spotlight of the sport for me.
“I feel the development is there, this can be a staff of nice gamers, I’m certain once they line up towards the Kiwis subsequent week it is going to be a greater efficiency.”
Addo-Carr was named the person of the match for his efficiency and mentioned it was a tough end to the match.
“I simply suppose it was ill-discipline, a few calls didn’t go our manner,” Addo-Carr mentioned after the match.
“As soon as we began finishing on the again finish of the sport, we began scoring factors however it’s what it’s.
“I’m grateful for the 5 tries. I’m simply grateful to be on the wing and all I’ve received to do is catch the ball and put it down.”
Requested if he felt it was redemption for his State of Origin snub for NSW, Addo-Carr mentioned “it simply wasn’t my time this yr to play Origin”.
