England Wheelchair have booked their place in their fourth consecutive Rugby League World Cup final with an emphatic 86-18 victory over Australia in today’s semi-final, setting up a showdown with France.
Mason Billington opened the scoring after five minutes, finishing off a well-judged overhead pass from Joe Coyd, with Rob Hawkins adding the conversion.
Australia almost hit back immediately, but Billington denied Dan Anstey with a crucial push into touch as he looked certain to score in the right corner.
England’s physical approach soon paid dividends at the other end, with Hawkins crossing in the 11th and 14th minutes and converting both of his tries.
Coyd then added a double of his own as England raced into a commanding 30-0 lead by the 25th minute.
Diab Karim got Australia on the scoreboard soon after, but England responded with two further tries to take a 40-6 advantage into half-time.
Former Queensland captain-coach Jack Brown struck twice early in the second half to extend England’s lead to 52-6 and put them firmly on course for the final.
Billington claimed Player of the Match honours after finishing with a hat-trick, seven tackle-breaks and 20 hit-ups as England sealed their place in the final.
“We were just so connected and Tom [Coyd] told us before the game to play without shackles,” said Brown post-match.
“We have had a lot of structure going through this tournament so we’ve got that nailed down.
“Now it’s time to show some individual flair but still back up each other as well.”
Brown faced five of his former Maroons teammates tonight.
“I still consider them family but I’ve got a job to do today so I have to put that to one side,” said Brown.
“We’ve been working all the way through with the aim of peaking in the final," he added. "We’ve got a few things still up our sleeve – we’ve got more to give.”
HT – 40-6
FT – 86-18
England:
Tries: Billington x3, Hawkins x5, Coyd x2, Brown x2, Collins, Haynes, King
Goals: Hawkins 5, Collins 8
Australia:
Tries: Karim x2, Anstey
Goal: Bayley, McKenna 3
