World Cup Daily: Emphatic England, sloppy Samoa & same old Australia

Josh McAllister 16 Oct 2022 11:55 AM

Love Rugby League will be bringing you all the latest with the newly launched World Cup Daily, looking at all the talking points from every day at the tournament.

Day 1 results

England 60-6 Samoa: Dream opener for hosts inside St James’ Park

Australia 42-8 Fiji: Flying Addo-Carr inspires seven-try Kangaroos win

Three talking points

Emphatic England

England got their World Cup campaign off to a dream start with a 60-6 victory over a star-studded Samoa side at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

George Williams and Jack Welsby stole the show, the latter scoring the first try of the tournament before assisting Dom Young’s brace before the break.

Williams, 27, went into England camp under pressure following Warrington’s disappointing season in Super League. However, the former Canberra Raiders and Wigan star displayed just what he can do behind a strong forward pack and had a superb performance.

England’s George Williams was amongst the try-scorers inside St James’ Park.

Sloppy Samoa

Samoa actually went into the opening clash as favourites with the bookmakers. We’re not sure anyone saw them conceding 60 points, with a team full of NRL superstars.

Matt Parish was a man of few words following the display, but star Jarome Luai has urged his side to use the “sh**” feeling as motivation for the rest of their World Cup campaign.

Same old Australia

As expected, Australia opened their campaign with a comfortable 42-8 victory over Fiji at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium. Mal Meninga’s side are heavy favourites to win the tournament, and are expected to win all their group fixtures.

Rugby league’s fastest man Josh Addo-Carr crossed for a brace, including a 90 metre burst. He was joined on the scoresheet by Jeremiah Nanai, Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell, Harry Grant and captain James Tedesco.