Australia have flexed their title-winning muscles to fend off an early Italian barrage, holding a 30-0 lead in the first half.
Valentine Holmes crossed before Winger Murray Taulagi scored the Kangaroos’ second and James Tedesco the third as Mal Meninga’s side look ominous in their final World Cup group stage clash.
Campbell Graham later scored off a drop-out, before Latrell Mitchell charged his way over the line and assisted Murray Taulagi.
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36TH MINUTE
Latrell Mitchell charged over for Australia’s fifth try of the night, capitalising off a Nathan Cleary inside ball.
“The beast, the beast has scored,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
The Rabbitohs gun then delivered a ridiculous flick pass to find Murray Taulagi for hsi second of the night.
29TH MINUTE
Winger Campbell Graham scored Australia’s fourth try off a goal-line dropout, soaring high to reel in the kick.
The Rabbitohs star then found himself in open space, sprinting forward to ground the ball.
12TH MINUTE
Gun winger Murray Taulagi was able to score a simple four-pointer after Latrell Mitchell and Daly Cherry-Evans connected on the left side of the field.
Mitchell drew his defender in, finding his winger who jogged over the tryline for Australia’s second.
Fullback James Tedesco then charged over the line, throwing a big dummy off the back of a Nathan Cleary pass.
“James Tedesco, he has scored against Italy, James Tedesco, he has scored in the blue of Italy, now he scores here for the Kangaroos against Italy,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
7TH MINUTE
Italy were able to stem the flow of points for seven minutes before the Kangaroos crossed for their first four-pointer.
Valentine Holmes rose high to collect a Daly Cherry-Evans kick, slicing through the Azzurri’s defence to score.
Nathan Cleary was unable to put finishing touches on the move, hitting the upright.
PRE-MATCH WRAP
Australia are looking for a clean sweep when they take on Italy in their final pool game before the business end of the Rugby League World Cup kicks off.
Coming off an 84-nil masterclass against Scotland, coach Mal Meninga is taking the opportunity to rest key players including star five-eighth Cameron Munster.
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It means that after playing one game each at halfback, Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary will link up in the halves. It will be their last chance to prove to Meninga before the quarter-finals why they should play halfback going forward.
The tournament’s equal leading tryscorer, Josh Addo-Carr will also sit this one out, while Harry Grant, Angus Crichton and Jake Trbojevic get a well-deserved rest.
Reuben Cotter is back on deck after missing the Scotland win due to concussion protocols and he is joined by his Cowboys teammate Murray Taulagi.
Italy are coming off a 60-4 smashing at the hands of Fiji but have made no key changes to their line-up.
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Australian captain James Tedesco will go up against a nation very close to his heart, having represented Italy in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.
The Azzurri will have to put a horror week behind them when they take on the tournament heavyweights. News Corprevealed that up to 12 players — including skipper Nathan Brown — had to seek hospital treatment after grazes suffered from playing on a synthetic pitch became infected.
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