Tom Dearden Kept the Kangaroos No. 7 Jersey as Australia Beat the Cook Islands 66-6, and Sam Walker Did Not Get On
Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6 in Townsville on Saturday night to finish top of Pool A with three wins from three. Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic both scored hat-tricks, nrl.com reported.
The bigger question was the halfback. Tom Dearden played well enough to keep the No. 7 jersey, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote, and Sam Walker did not play.
Behind 6-4, then 28-6
Bostock scored in the third minute. The Cook Islands then took the lead when hooker Ruatapu Ngatikaura burrowed over from dummy half, and they nearly scored again before Australia’s defence held.
Four tries in 13 minutes turned 6-4 down into a 28-6 half-time lead. Dearden’s passes set up first-half tries for Trbojevic and Kotoni Staggs, according to the Herald.
| Team | Tries | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 12 | 9 | 66 |
| Cook Islands: Ruatapu Ngatikaura | 1 | 1 | 6 |
The second half
Bostock scored his second soon after the break and Trbojevic his second soon after that. Jacob Preston finished a Cameron Munster break, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran in a solo try, his second, to bring up 50. Harry Grant scored late on, Stuff reported. There were 19,172 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Munster took over the goal-kicking early, when Reece Walsh appeared to hurt his ankle. Walsh still played well, the Herald said, though the ankle seemed to bother him more than once.
Ethan Strange made his Test debut off the bench. He replaced captain Isaah Yeo at lock in the 45th minute and gave Australia more options around the ruck.
Walker’s week
Walker spent the week in the news after the Roosters withdrew their contract offer, and the club then told him he could leave early if he finds a new club for 2027, the Herald reported. From today, 1 November, rival clubs can sign him for 2028. Our Trent Robinson and Nick Politis post has the background.
On the other side, Valentine Holmes played fullback for the Cook Islands in his hometown, against the team he won two World Cups with.
The semi-final
Australia play their semi-final at Allianz Stadium in Sydney next Sunday, most likely against the loser of tonight’s Samoa v Tonga game, nrl.com said. The World Cup table is updated after every game.
