Rugby League World Cup

Highlights and Match Report: Josh Addo-Carr lights up Headingley as Australia see off Fiji

by
Ben Scott
October 15, 2022

World Champions Australia got their Rugby League World Cup campaign off to a winning start as they comfortably beat a plucky Fiji side at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

The Fijians started the game superbly and took a deserved lead when Semi Valemei beat James Tedesco to a kick to notch the first four-pointer.

🏉Fiji hit the front.

Semi Valemei gets the first try of the game for Fiji as they take an early lead over Australia. #RLWC2021 | @fijirugbyleague | @BBCSport | #AUSFIJ pic.twitter.com/KfIvCAthOt

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022

This had the Headingley crowd into the game as they hoped to cheer on Fiji to an unlikely underdog win, but highly rated teenager Jeremiah Nanai quickly responded for the Kangaroos.

Just as Fiji looked to put the squeeze on Mal Meninga’s team, they showed their class as Josh Addo-Carr scored a stunning full-length try after Latrell Mitchell decided to play expansive in his own half.

Angus Crichton then went over to give Australia a comfortable, if not spectacular, 18-4 lead at the interval.

The floodgates opened in the second half with Mitchell putting the result beyond doubt, finishing off a wonderful team score.

🧈Like a hot knife through butter.

Latrell Mitchell goes over for Australia's fourth of the evening. #RLWC2021 | @BBCSport | @Kangaroos | #AUSFIJ pic.twitter.com/vpBTCk6LGo

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022

The impressive Harry Grant and James Tedesco adding two more scores, before Addo-Carr’s second try took the score past 40.

Sunia Turuva ensured the fans at Headingley had a final big cheer of the night as he latched onto a kick to superbly dribble the ball past James Tedesco to finish off the scoring.

🇫🇯 How's your touch, Sunia?

It's brilliant! Turuva uses his feet to round Tedesco and score Fiji's second of the night.#RLWC2021 | @fijirugbyleague | @BBCSport | #AUSFIJ pic.twitter.com/TTbaN2amkT

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022

The 42-8 win for the Kangaroos won’t get the headlines England’s 60-6 win over Samoa got earlier in the day, but as the tournament progresses there is no doubt Meninga’s side will improve, which is an ominous proposition.