The Kangaroos have demolished Fiji 42-8 in their Rugby League World Cup opener, with starring performances from the “Foxx” Josh Addo-Carr and Harry Grant.
The match marked the Kangaroos’ first since 2019 and will set them up for a huge tournament, where they will look to claim their ninth title in 10 World Cup appearances.
Fiji bagged some early points with centre Semi Valemei dotting down inches from the dead ball line off a Sitiveni Moceidreke grubber, but it was all one-way traffic from there on out.
Jeremiah Nanai was first to cross over for the Kangaroos, followed by a stunning 95-metre display from Addo-Carr for the first of his two tries.
Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and skipper James Tedesco all profited from some weak Fijian defence, but it was Addo-Carr and replacement hooker Harry Grant who starred most with ball in hand.
Grant made a brilliant cameo off the bench, darting from dummy-half to produce an incredible solo try before booting the ball minutes later to set up Addo-Carr for his second.
Playmaker Valentine Holmes was clinical with the boot, converting all seven tries, while Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster were extraordinary in the halves.
Munster was awarded Man of the Match for his efforts.
While the Kangaroos dominated the field and the scoreboard, not all was positive as debutant Reuben Cotter was sidelined by a sickening head clash, putting him in doubt for their second pool game.
Nanai may also face suspension for his spear tackle on Fijian halfback Brandon Wakeham late in the match.
The Kangaroos will now head to Coventry to face Scotland on October 22, where coach Mal Meninga is expected to rotate the squad and welcome back NRL Finalist Panthers and Eels who sat out the tournament opener.
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