Rugby League: Australia 28 - England 20: A woeful week for boss Steve ...

McNamara was in dreamland but Australia finally woke up. Greg Inglis caught a kick from Cooper Cronk to put in Johnathan Thurston, who soon turned creator with a pass for Greg Bird to barrel over the line.

The irrepressible Billy Slater then produced a brilliant individual effort on the stroke of half-time, when he dummied past Sam Burgess and hared clear. A 10-0 lead had become an 18-10 interval deficit.

Sinfield said: “There was a period in that first half when we lost control of the game. We coughed up possession and lost our discipline. But the group we’ve got are going to get a whole lot better. I know you are probably thinking, ‘Australia are only going to improve’ – but so are we.”

A fourth Australia try from Brett Morris five minutes into the second half, after touch judge Robert Hicks deemed Josh Charnley was in touch as he fielded a kick, made it 22-10.

But England were far from finished as debutant George Burgess, who enjoyed a fine match alongside twin brother Tom and elder sibling Sam, scored from close range in the 52nd minute. Sinfield converted to cut the gap to just six points.

Australia never looked likely to relinquish their advantage, however, and after Sam Burgess was placed on report for a high tackle on Sam Thaiday, they grabbed a fifth try when winger Darius Boyd finished off another fine move on 70 minutes.

With four minutes remaining, Slater’s errant pass was seized upon by Charnley, who raced clear for a fourth England try. Australia coach Tim Sheens, whose side had no warm-up game, said: “We weren’t at our best but take nothing away from England, especially after the issues they supposedly faced this week.”

AUSTRALIA: Tries Thurston, Bird, Slater, Morris, Boyd. Cons Thurston (3). Pen Thurston.

ENGLAND: Tries Hall, Cudjoe, G Burgess, Charnley. Cons Sinfield (2).

Article source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rugby-player-in-deportation-battle-is-freed-from-detention.22461234

Rugby League: Australia 28 - England 20: A woeful week for boss Steve ...