Australia vs Lebanon RLWC2021

Australia have moved one step closer to retaining the World Cup trophy with a 48-4 hammering of Lebanon in Huddersfield.

The Kangaroos will now face either New Zealand or Fiji in the semi-finals after downing the Cedars in the quarter-finals at John Smith’s Stadium.

Josh Addo-Carr grabbed five tries in the win, after the Aussies had raced to a 30-0 first-half lead.

Addo-Carr got the ball rolling after just four minutes after a quick shift to the left.

James Tedesco then beat a few players up the middle, finding the winger with an offload for his second.

Three minutes later, a Cam Munster ball steal set up Addo-Carr for his third.

In the 23 minute, Latrell Mitchell used his speed to barge over and make it 18-0.

A great run from Angus Crichton set up Cam Murray for the next try.

Three minutes later, Murray had a brace after going through some poor defence in the middle.

Nathan Cleary converted the try to take it 30-0 at the break.

In the second half, Addo’-Carr’s fourth came after a series of fumbles by Lebanon at the back.

And then the Cedars sprung to life, Munster fumbling a Mitchell Moses kick and Josh Mansour diving on it to score.

The Lebanese were finally on the board.

Seven minutes later, Addo-Carr was in again, perfectly placed to take a Munster kick.

In the 68th minute, Liam Martin got on the scoresheet after crashing through two defenders to make it 46-4.

Cleary converted capping off a convincing when for the Aussies in Huddersfield.

Australian 48

Tries: J. Addo-Carr (5), J. Addo-Carr (16), J. Addo-Carr (19), L. Mitchell (24), C. Murray (30), C. Murray (33), J. Addo-Carr (44), J. Addo-Carr (59), L. Martin (69)

Goals: N. Cleary (18), N. Cleary (31), N. Cleary (35), N. Cleary (46), N. Cleary (60), N. Cleary (70)

Lebanon 4

Tries: J. Mansour (52)

John is a freelance journalist who has been writing about rugby league for the past decade. He covered the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, has appeared on TV and radio, and been published in The I-Paper, The Guardian, The Sun, The Mirror, League Express, Inside Sport magazine and Big League. He writes regularly for Forty-20 magazine, League Weekly and co-hosts the podcasts By the Balls and Six To Go.