REACTION: Australia duo on win over England

Australia pair Billy Slater and Tyson Frizell gave their thoughts on their 18-4 victory in the opening game of the World Cup and credited England.

On the opening game of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, Slater told BBC Two:

“We were prepared for a tough battle tonight and we certainly got that. We were a little bit scratchy in attack so we can improve there but overall, it was a good effort and good start to our preparation.

“Their (England) strengths were their back three (Jermaine McGillvary, Jonny Lomax, Ryan Hall). Their wingers are so hard to handle and the full-back is playing extremely well. They shift the ball and make you defend from sideline to sideline so they are going to go a long way in this competition and they are going to get better.”

On Australia’s determined victory, Frizell told BBC Two:

“It was really enjoyable. They (England) control the ball really well and they pushed us right to the end there and we knew they would do that and luckily for us, we stuck it in and came home with the win.

“I know think the whole performance from us was up to scratch. We did play well in patches but we did turnover a bit of ball in the first half. Their forward pack are very dangerous and very solid and they showed that but we stuck in tough and come away with the win.”