So that’s it from me. There’ll be a report to follow down the line but to be honest that will just be a list of all the tries scored. It was a rampant, it was ruthless it was ridiculous at times. I struggled to keep up as the Aussies scored try after try after try.
They’re through the quarterfinals and who would bet against them? They’ll face tougher challenges ahead and will not have the benefit of facing this disjointed Scottish defence again. But to be fair to the Bravehearts, they were up against one mighty foe.
I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly did.
Til next time, folks.
Cheers
Updated
Check this out:
🤯 STOP THAT!
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 21, 2022
Matt Burton with an unreal pass to Addo-Carr, who finishes a stunner#RLWC2021 | #AUSSCO | @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/sSdDBIOxNE
The Kangaroos coach, Mal Meninga, is asked if this was the ‘complete performance’:
I’m very happy. Everyone contributed really well. Defensively once again outstanding.
We stuck to a plan, played the ball in their end of the field. It was a complete performance from everyone.
A bit on Cleary, who was magnificent:
He’s a special player. He controlled the play really well. His kicking was excellent and controlled the tempo for us.
And a few words on the frankly ridiculous depth in his squad:
We’ve got some big challenges in front of us so we’ll keep our feet on the ground and make those tough decisions when they come.
Debutant Campbell Graham has this to say of his team’s thumping win:
It was very enjoyable. We had a simple game plan in this weather [did I mention that it was raining?] just to go through the middle and we knew that opportunities would open up wide. I couldn’t have picked a better debut in my mum’s home town.
I have a lot of respect for my heritage [his dad is from Scotland] and the Scottish boys too.
Here’s the player of the match, Josh Addo-Carr:
We wanted to start the game well and I thought we did, which allowed us to score those tries.
On the fourth try:
It happened so quick. I don’t know. It was good!
On the side’s insatiable appetite for points:
That’s what we wanted to do. There have been some great Kangaroos sides in the past. We’re a young team, it’s the first time we’re all together and we want to create our own destiny. We’ve set the platform for the Australian team.
When everyone does their job, it makes your job a lot easier. All I have to do is catch the ball and run fast.
Full credit to the boys. I love putting on this jersey and representing the country that we all love.
Nice to see the players swapping jerseys. The Scots will remember this one. No matter the result, they’ll be able tell their grandkids they played against the mighty Kangaroos.
FULL TIME: AUSTRALIA 84-0 SCOTLAND
That is as one-sided as one-sided gets. More Aussie points than minutes played. Scotland had just one visit to the red zone and that came in the 79th minute. 15 tries for Australia, dominance across every metric. A world champion outfit at the top of their game and they breeze into the quarterfinals.
Reaction to come.
Updated
TRY! Australia 84-0 Scotland (Addo-Carr, 79)
Unreal. Honestly, that is sublime. We’ve had a bunch of tries this evening but that is genuinely the pick of the bunch. Incredible.
There’s a cross field kick that bounces towards the left touch line but Burton gets to it before it does. He stoops down, sticks an arm out and scoops it back in field through his legs.
It turns out to be an inch perfect pass for Addo-Carr who still has so much to do from a standing start 30 metres out. He looks up, darts towards the try line, pokes a grubber forward, is pushed out of touch, runs round the Scot chasing him and dives over to score.
Brilliant. Just brilliant.
TRY! Australia 80-0 Scotland (Yeo, 77)
Just when you think the chance is gone, Australia turn on the style. Munster kicks a beautiful flighter back against the grain towards the posts and Hunt gathers with aplomb. He takes the collision and offloads to Yeo who has to catch and fall over the line to score on debut. Cleary slots an easy two and, for for fifth time (it could be more) the Aussies have more points than minutes played.
TRY! Australia 74-0 Scotland (Graham, 74)
Strong run form Carrigan, Munster with the show and go, Australia aren’t done. Cleary hoists it up but Scotland regather the ball.
Not for long. Holmes has it for Australia have it back after Burton steals it in the tackle.. Holme with it to the line. Grant stabs a kick and Graham gets over it to register his hat-trick.
Cleary slots his toughest kick of the night from way out on the right touchline.
70 mins: That would have been the best try of the night. Why didn’t Munster kick it? He chose to pass and it drifted forward. It started with Addo-Carr running from deep in his own half after regathering the ball. A swift counter almost led to a try but Munster’s floated pass right went forward. Had he kicked it on it would have certainly ended in another six points.
70 mins: Australia have shown no sign of letting up. They are ruthless. This is why they’re a cut above. They give the ball back courtesy of a deep kick and then hammer every man in yellow that has the misfortune of carrying the ball to the line. As good as the Australians have been on attack they’ve been even better on defence. Just ruthless.
TRY! Australia 68-0 Scotland (Burton, 66)
And another. Can I copy and paste that? Maybe I should. This is slick down the left. Burton is on the end of a well worked move. Hunt instrumental with a well timed run and an even better timed pass. Burton has space and slides over the for the score. Cleary makes a tough kick look easy.
And again, for the fourth time tonight, we have more Aussie points than minutes on the board.
65 mins: OOOOO! Argy, bargy! Bain lashes out at an Australian and the two teams push and shove each other. It’s getting fiesty!
Australia get the ball and attack down the right. Graham is over the line but is held up.
YELLOW CARD: Scotland (Linnet, 59)
Hand on heart, I missed the incident that led to a yellow card for Scotland. But they’re down a man, which won’t help.
63 mins: Almost another for Australia. The TMO is called into action with Addo-Carr seemingly taken out off the ball. But the Scottish defender was deemed to have maintained his line. So the stabbed kick through, which doesn’t reach an Aussie, ends with the Scots getting the ball back.
TRY! Australia 62-0 Scotland (Graham, 60)
It was a relatively barren spell, but we’ve got another one. The structure breaks down on the right. Wighton makes a charging run and gets a pass off in the tackle to Graham. He steps off his right and scores past a cluster of bodies on the ground. Cleary proves he’s human and misses the conversion.
57 mins: A lovely one-two exchanges between Cleary and Munster creates space where there is none through the middle. Cleary kicks wide and Graham goes up for it but commits a penalty on Gahan who holds on well.
55 mins: Scotland kick the ball out on the full. Of course they have. Australia back on the ball inside the oppo’s territory.
53 mins: A rare Australian error in the red zone – a misplaced looped pass left that was intercepted – means Scotland get to touch the ball for a bit.
Only for a bit. The ball is turned over again with Addo-Carr dinking down the left. He’s so good, isn’t he? Trbojevic charges down the middle. Yeo and Hunt get involved.
Oh what a tackle! Australia are so close but Scotland are now defending heroically. Where was this earlier? They hold their line a metre out and get the ball back after a completed set.
Updated
TRY! Australia 58-0 Scotland (Addo-Carr, 49)
Hat-trick for the fleet footed flyer. Off the scrum, the ball goes left. It’s nothing special, just simple rugby played to perfection. Quick hands, good lines and the space for Addo-Carr is always going to be exploited. Brilliant. That’s 10 tries for the Kangaroos and Cleary slots the goal.
47 mins: Almost another one. Cleary’s stabbed kick through is just too long for the chasing Aussies. Hunt has been great since he’s entered the scene. It’s like a training exercise of attack versus defence.
Scotland get the ball and every carrier is nailed in the tackle. One crunching hit from Collins is followed by another from Trbojevic and the ball is turned over.
TRY! Australia 52-0 Scotland (Hunt, 44)
This is getting ridiculous. Australia are sensational, there’s no doubt about that. But Scotland have been so poor. No heart, no character, no clue. They might as well sit down, that’s how ineffective they’ve been in the tackle. Any one of Australia’s rampant runners could have scored this. It’s Hunt on this occasions, through the middle off the shoulder of Munster who cut through the heart of the Scottish line. Too easy. Cleary with the extras once again, right in front of the poles.
TRY! Australia 46-0 Scotland (Tedesco, 41)
That didn’t take long. Right from the kick-off, Australia charge up field. Tedesco makes a break, gets tackled but the ball is recycled so fast. Tedesco gets involved again, collecting an off-load and shrugs off two tacklers to score the try. Cleary hoofs over an easy two points. Not for the first time, we have more Aussie points than minutes on the board.
Righto, back for the second half.
The stats, as you’d expect, are wild.
Metres gained: Australia 1172 – 323 Scotland;
Passes: Australia 114 – 63 Scotland;
Possessions: Australia 64% – 36% Scotland;
Completed sets: Australia 19 – 9 Scotland.
Yup, it’s been pretty one-sided.
HALF TIME: AUSTRALIA 40-0 SCOTLAND
40 minutes in the half. 40 points on the board. You don’t need to know much more than that. If anything, the scoreline flatters the Scots. They’ve been absolutely thumped in every facet of the game.
Australia dominant in defence. Dominant on attack. Clinical with ball in hand. Ruthless in the collision. Accurate from the boot. Remorseless in the red zone.
Cleary is the real deal. He’s dazzled whenever he’s touched the ball. Wighton has punched holes in the midfield as if he owns the place and Addo-Carr will surely be paying a speeding fine after this game after breaking the sound barrier with those jet heels.
The game is done. Now it’s just a matter of how much.
Catch you after the break.
39 mins: Tedesco gathers a strange hack off a Scottish boot and counters. Australia put in a kick behind the line but the Scots clean up. It’s becoming a little untidy as we close the half out. Scotland back on the ball down the right.
TRY! Australia 40-0 Scotland (Wighton, 35)
I’m struggling to keep up, it’s a try-fest! Scotland’s defenders are knackered. They’re just out of gas. Martin exploits that, carving a gap in midfield, darting up field. He has enough presence of mind to look back inside and plays the perfect pass for Wighton running a great support line. Two more from Cleary’s boot. We’ve got more points than minutes now.
TRY! Australia 34-0 Scotland (Addo-Carr, 32)
Shut the front door. That is serious wheels. Hayward is nailed in the tackle and coughs the ball up in midfield. Australia pounce on it and shifts it left. It makes its way to Addo-Carr who, from a standing start, has one thought in mind despite being a mile away from the line. He stumbles after shaking off a half tackle, gets back on his feet and then explodes with blurring legs, whizzing down the flank and scoring in the corner. Sensational. Just bewildering pace.
Two more for Cleary who nails his tough kick out wide.
TRY! Australia 28-0 Scotland (Cleary, 29)
It’s as if Scotland’s defence is marshalled by mannequins. Cleary darts this way and that and canters unimpeded down the middle, dummying a pass, jinking off his right foot, stepping off his left and diving under the posts. Just too easy. That’s why he’s had so much hype around his name.
27 mins: Australia stray off side in the red zone from a kick to the corner, so Scotland have the ball back. Ferguson, who has impressed since coming on, makes some metres in midfield. But there’s barely any progress so Scotland kick.
Tedesco mops up and brings it up field. Trbojevic carries well. So does Collins. Every Australian carry gets past the gainline.
25 mins: Scotland get into the Australia half for the first time and Bain is absolutely crunched by Cleary for his troubles. Phew, that was a meaty hit. The ball is turned over and the short sojourn in ‘Roos space is over.
TRY! Australia 22-0 Scotland (Graham, 22)
It’s men against boys. Or more accurately, fast men against slower men. Tedesco’s swift pass out left got things going. As Australia advance down that avenue they create space down the right. The ball is recycled faster than an aluminium can and is sent down the line with rapid pace and surgical accuracy. Cleary floats a pass to Graham who steps off his right foot and welcomes the challenge of two tacklers. He carries them both and charges over the line. Cleary’s extras add the gloss.
20 mins: A Scottish scrum deep in the own half to get things going again. Russell is tackled by about 12 Aussies and is driven back. Scotland can’t get on the front foot. The Aussies are relentless. The new man Ferguson can’t change things either. So Scotland kick and Graham charges in from deep.
It’s Cleary, not Clearly! My apologies to the few folks who have got in touch. Clumsy fingers and a frantic start means I’ve made a few errors on the young ‘Roo’s name.
Appreciate the help, though.
TRY! Australia 16-0 Scotland (Crighton, 15)
It’s messy, but it’s another score for the ‘Roos. Grant shifts it to Cleary who then hoists it up into Scottish territory. It’s knocked back by a Scottish hand and then kicked past the try line by an Aussie. It bounces, it bobbles and then it’s dotted down by Crichton. Clearly slots the conversion. We’re barely 15 minutes in and it’s a rampage.
Updated
15 mins: Is that a try?! It’s gone upstairs. It’s a messy score if it is from a high kick that dribbles over the Scottish line and is dotted down. TMO to make the call…
Updated
14 mins: What a take under pressure from Scotland’s Walker. A high kick was swirling in the air and he had to hold on. He takes the hit, but only after he snaffles the ball. Well played.
TRY! Australia 10-0 Scotland (Wighton, 11)
Too easy. Cleary is playing chess against a Scottish defence that is playing checkers. He is driving his team at a frenetic pace and the Scots can’t keep up. A short pass to Wighton allows him to straighten and then cut back in against the grain while brushing off two tacklers. Clearly then adds the extra. A rout is quickly brewing.
Updated
10 mins: Scotland kick off and moments later they’re right back in their own territory, backs against their try line. The Scots run it from deep but don’t get very far with the Aussies defending like zealots.
Scotland eventually kick and Graham, who could have played for Scotland, brings it back up field.
TRY! Australia 4-0 Scotland (Addo-Carr, 6)
Inevitable. The fastest man in the world will get the plaudits for a classy finish in the left corner, but this was a team try of the highest order. Strong carries, Yeo and Tedesco involved, sees space open up down the left. Fast hands and a floated pass from Cleary to Addo-Carr sees him dive down for the opening score. Really clinical from the ‘Roos.
Clearly takes aim from the edge of the field but misses his first shot at goal in his country’s colours.
Updated
6 mins: Linnett has a strong carry for Scotland, but the Australian defence is so good at limiting the space. Linnett receives a wide pass and chooses to run from their final attack rather than kick so it’s turnover ball.
Grant is pulling the strings. Tedesco is wrapped up in the tackle. Yeo brings it close. They’re within touching distance.
4 mins: Carrigan and Grant getting involved. Cleary scything through the middle within touching distance. But Wighton can’t gather a loose pass so Scotland get a reprieve just as Australia had worked the space towards the right. Scrum for the men in yellow.
Updated
2 mins: I mean, there are soft landings in international sport and there’s this try for Clearly two minutes into his debut.
Australia on the ball within striking distance. A kick through and Clearly dives on it.
But no! No try. A Scot gets some pressure on it before and it’s another drop out for the men in yellow.
Australia are hammering at the door.
1 min: Oh what a start. Tedesco kicks off and it’s deep. The Scots gather but step out as they do so. So they have to drop kick. Australia back on the ball.
Alrighty. Here. We. Go!
The anthems are underway. I’m no Scotsman, and frankly I’m not too bothered if they win or lose tonight. But my goodness. You’d need to have a heart made of stone not to feel all the feelings once those pipes start at the top of Flower of Scotland. Just wonderful. Makes you want to charge head first into a line of English longbowmen. OK, maybe not. But it’s stirring nonetheless.
The teams are making their way out. It’s not exactly a packed house in Coventry. In fact, it’s pretty empty.
Those in attendance will observe a minute’s silence to Liam Hampson.
What a moment this is. Nathan Cleary, perhaps the best player in the world, gets his debut.
His coach, Mal Malinga, said Clearly is ready to play “the game of his life”. He’s lit up the NRL at halfback, guiding the Penrith Panthers to the title. He starts tonight. Is this the beginning of a dynastic career in the green and gold?
Updated
If you’re watching along on the Beeb, you’d have just seen a lovely segment on Josh Addo-Carr, arguably the fastest eman in the competition. He was electric against the Fijians on the left wing. His grandfather was a professional boxer and he spoke of the challenges of indigenous athletes fighting for recognition and the responsibility he feels representing his community.
It’s easy to overplay that sort of stuff, but it genuinely warms the heart when pro ballers acknowledge their status as role models.
A late change for Scotland due to illness
Our best guess is that it’s Hull’s Sam Luckley who misses out. In comes Guy Graham with Scotland playing in the changed strip of yellow with just a hint of blue tartan. it’s quite nice, to be fair.
Scotland: Alex Walker, Lachlan Walmsley, Ben Hellewell, Kiaran Buchanan, Matty Russell, Bailey Hayward, Calum Gahan, Logan Bayliss-Brow, Liam Hood, Jack Teanby, Euan Aitken, Kane Linnett, James Bell
Interchange: Kyle Schneider, Luke Bain, Guy Graham, Dale Ferguson.
Tonight’s squad finalised for our second @RLWC2021 match against the @Kangaroos. A late change due to illness sees Guy Graham added to the bench. #Bravehearts pic.twitter.com/CAj9lkHRj1
— Scotland Rugby League 🏴 (@scotlandrl) October 21, 2022
This is the first meeting between Australia and Scotland in the World Cup. Thought you ought to know.
Aussies ring the changes
There are six debutants for the Kangaroos this evening. Matt Burton, Campbell Graham, Natham Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo don the green and gold for the first time and start for Australia. Lindsay Collins will get going from the bench.
Australia: James Tedesco (cap), Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cameron Munster, Nathan Clearly, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Harry Grant, Patrick Carrigan, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo.
Interchange: Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Valentine Holmes, Jack Trbojevic
Coach Mal Meninga has named a new-look side to take on Scotland! 🦘 pic.twitter.com/1XzrC4uYPN
— Gallagher Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 19, 2022
Updated
Are you cross about the lack of gardening tonight? You’re not alone. Monty is less than pleased that the footy is on.
Monty, if you’re reading this, welcome. I hope you find solace in my ramblings.
Gardeners World is on tonight at 9pm - moved by the inscrutable (and often frankly bewildering) BBC schedulers to accommodate a rugby league match between Scotland and Australia. Make of that what you will, but dont miss the main event at 9pm on BBC2 this evening.
— Monty Don (@TheMontyDon) October 20, 2022
This one isn’t about the Aussies or Scots, but it’s a cracking yarn worth your time while you settle in.
Gavin Willacy explores the off-field life of Jake Colovatti and Radean Robinson, two care workers who also play a bit of footy for Italy.
Trust me. You want to read this.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to round two of the Rugby League World Cup. On paper, this should be a gimme for the world champs. But the game ain’t played on paper, and the Scottish forward Euan Aitken has encouraged his mates to “show a bit of fight”. They’ll need some Braveheart spirit to get the job done.
The Kangaroos were red hot in their opening round win over Fiji. There was some rust in that 42-8 win, but they underlined their status as the top team in the world, running home comfortable winners thanks to some excellent play from their creative forces in midfield and speedy wingers out wide.
Scotland were not so fortunate in their inaugural fixture of the comp. They were soundly beaten 28-4 by the Italians and will have to produce their greatest ever performance to get on top tonight.
Along with Aitken, the Scots are bolstered by NRL veterans such as Kane Linnett and Ryan Brierly, but expecting them to put up a fight against the 11-times winners is a big ask.
This game comes in the wake of the sudden death of Liam Hampson and the Kangaroos will no doubt be spurred by something more than national pride. Sport is seldom a cure for the ailments of the real world, but it can act as a salve of sorts. Hampson, who was 24, would no doubt have wanted his countrymen to put on a show.
Not that Scotland will be steered by sentiment. Lose tonight and their tournament could be over. Lose badly, and it almost certainly will be.
My name is Daniel. I’m buzzing for this one. If you are too, drop me a line on Twitter or send an email. Glad to have you on board.
It all kicks off at 7:30pm UK time.
