England pushed holders Australia all the way in an enthralling World Cup opener before conceding eight points in the last five minutes to go down 18-4 at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Coach Wayne Bennett had suggested he would settle for an honourable defeat in England’s first group game in the hope that they might improve sufficiently to get their revenge in the final so, from that point of view, it was mission accomplished.
It could have been so much better as England gave the 2,000 travelling fans plenty to cheer about but the big worry is a knee injury sustained by talismanic forward Sam Burgess.
All the stats from tonight’s game!#GoTheRoos ????????#RISE #RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/IfnjafD8xl
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 27, 2017
What they said
What a great honour and a dream to represent @England_RL tonight!! We are confident and can improve on that performance!! ????????????
— Ben Currie (@BenoCurrie) October 27, 2017
Tweet of the match
Tonight’s win marks 12 consecutive wins against @England_RL!
#GoTheRoos ????????#RISE #RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/HMEXjIJv5D
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 27, 2017
Key moment
Wayne Bennett in his press conference says Sam Burgess’ injury is suspected as medial ligament damage and could be out for 3-4 weeks pic.twitter.com/xRLTUJ4d8D
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 27, 2017
Sam Burgess is such a talismanic figure for England and to lose him after 35 minutes with a knee injury was a body blow from which they never quite recovered.
Main man
Talking about people having a great start to a tournament.@J_mcGillvary has been ????????????!#RLWC2017 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/1l7EK26S41
— RLWC2017 (@RLWC2017) October 27, 2017
Winger Jermaine McGillvary is small in stature but big in heart, which he demonstrated throughout the first half in particular. He scored the first try of the match – his fifth in six matches – but also caught the eye with some terrific defence and some determined relieving runs.
Match ratings
These two!#GoTheRoos ????????#RISE #RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/qKcwEZCq0C
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 27, 2017
What’s next?
Friday, November 3: Australia v France (Canberra).
Saturday, November 4: England v Lebanon (Sydney).
