Awesome Aussies destroy sluggish England

Australia have emphatically destroyed England by 52-4 tonight courtesy of a hat-trick of tries to Billy Slater and Greg Inglis while the rest of the world wonders how on earth anyone can stop this juggernaught.

Scott Prince came in as a late replacement for an injured Johnathan Thurston and ran the show superbly aided by Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Slater.

Australia opened the scoring after just four minutes before racing away to a 22-4 lead at half time.

The Kangaroos just had too many options for a disoragnised looking English side. Once the ball passed though the hands, the swift outside backs had their way with their sluggish English opposites.

Billy Slater was everywhere, joining the attack at will and invariably breaking the line. Summed up perfectly by his second try where he fed off an off-load from Inglis then raced 97 metres to score in a weaving run bedazzling the pommie cover defense.

For England it was a crushing night. They looked good for about 10 minutes when James Roby scored his try but the Aussies soaked up the pressure and then fired back with interest. Jamie Peacock worked hard in defence all night and James Graham never stopped charging into the Aussie defense. Rob Burrow and James Roby provided brief glimpses of some attack but it was only fleeting.

Australia march on to what looks like an inevitable world title while England must now pick themselves up for the prospect of probably playing New Zealand two weeks in a row, in the final Pool Game and then the Semi Final. It should be a great tussle between the Poms and the Kiwis.

Match Details

Australia 52 def England 4 World Cup Week 2 - Sunday :: November 2nd, 2008 7:55pm AEDST Venue: Telstra Dome, Melbourne Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Ashley Klein Crowd: Half time: Australia 22-4

Australia 52 Tries: Billy Slater (3), Greg Inglis (3), Anthony Laffranchi (2), Joel Monaghan Goals: Scott Prince (8/10) England 4 Tries: James Roby Goals: Kevin Sinfield (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Billy Slater (Australia) 2 Points: Scott Prince (Australia) 1 Point: Greg Inglis (Australia)

AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS: 1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), 2. Joel Monaghan (Canberra Raiders), 3. Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), 4. Israel Folau (Melbourne Storm/Brisbane Broncos), 5. Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), 6. Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos), 7. Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), 8. Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), 9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), 10. Steve Price (NZ Warriors), 11. Glenn Stewart (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), 12. Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast Titans), 13. Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), 14. Brent Kite (Manly Warringah Seas Eagles), 15. Josh Perry (Manly Warringah Seas Eagles), 16. Anthony Tupou (Sydney City Roosters), 17. Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane Broncos) Coach: Ricky Stuart (Cronulla Sharks)

ENGLAND LIONS: 1. Paul Wellens (St Helens), 2. Ade Gardner (St Helens), 3. Martin Glesson (Warrington Wolves), 4. Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), 5. Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), 6. Leon Pryce (St Helens), 7. Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), 8. Jamie Peacock (c) (Leeds Rhinos), 9. James Roby (St Helens), 10. James Graham (St Helens), 11. Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), 12. Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos/Wests Tigers), 13. Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), 14. Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), 15. Maurie Fa