Reece Walsh hat-trick sends Australia into another World Cup final
Australia are through to the Men's Rugby League World Cup final after beating Samoa 44-12 in Sydney, with Reece Walsh scoring three tries. BBC Sport reported that it was the 16th successive men's final for Australia.
For Walsh, the three tries were his first hat-trick for his country. He is the fullback, the player who sits deepest in the back line, and he kept the No. 1 shirt ahead of James Tedesco for this match. Tom Dearden, Jacob Preston, Tom Trbojevic, Bradman Best and Bostock also scored for Australia.
Samoa started well. Stephen Crichton kicked a penalty after three minutes, which gave them a 2-0 lead. A penalty is a free kick the referee awards for a rule breach, and a successful kick is worth two points. Crichton went on to score a try himself, kick a goal and kick another penalty. Isack Tago also crossed the line for Samoa.
The game turned on a few key calls. Around the half-hour, Samoa thought they had scored again, but the try was disallowed. Francis Manuleleua was judged to have knocked the ball forward after he beat Walsh to a high ball, which is a knock-on. Crichton then grounded the ball, but the whistle had already gone against the move. Just before half-time, referee Adam Gee sent Spencer Leniu to the sin-bin for dissent. A sin-bin means ten minutes off the field, and Samoa had to play with one fewer player for that spell.
Australia's attacking strength was the difference. Trbojevic, a winger, had already scored seven tries in three games on the right edge of the field earlier in the tournament. On Sunday, Walsh and the rest of the back line kept finding space while Samoa chased the ball.
Australia will now face New Zealand in the final in Brisbane next Sunday, with kick-off at 08:35 GMT. Australia have won the past three Rugby League World Cup titles in a row. If they lift the trophy again, they will have extended a run that has already made them the team to beat in this competition.
For anyone new to league, the final is the moment the tournament stops being about groups and form and becomes one match, decided on the day. Samoa will look back on a fast start that did not last, and Australia will look ahead to a final with a clear plan and a winger in form.
