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Australia 66 Scotland 4 Griffith University Nathan Campus
Australia hammer Scotland in Student World Cup opener
Australia have shown they are keen to win back the Student Rugby League World Cup after a dominating opening display.

At Griffith University's Nathan Campus in Brisbane, the Australian team went on a rampage against the Scotland, running in 12 tries in a 66-4 victory.

The home side totally overpowered the Scots, taking the lead in the second minute after Clint Lovering set up Luke Hilton to score under the sticks.

It was 12-0 just six minutes later after John Crawley intercepted a wayward Scottish pass and ran 50 metres to score.

Scotland then kept the Aussies scoreless for 20 minutes somehow keeping out the rampant green and gold attack. David Ford saved a try, pushing Aussie winger, Nathan Tolley into touch, while a Dougie Flockhard 70-metre run was stopped just ten metres from the line – the closest the Bravehearts got to a point in the first period.

However, four tries in the last 12 minutes of the match all but sealed the game for the hosts.

Lovering continued his first class performance by setting up two tries – Tolley and Jordan Atkins both running over.

Man-of-the-match Atkins ran through for his second just five minutes later while a Chad Buckby try made the half-time score 34-0.

Scotland entered the arena with a more determined attitude after the break with captain Mark Webster rallying his troops letting them know he wanted them to crunch any Aussie that moved.

But Australia scored from their first set of the half, Fleming running 60-metres to make it 40-0.

Scotland finally got on the board in the 48th minute after Mike Murphy forced his way through but that was their only respite as the Kangaroos ran in a further five tries.

Fleming set up George Ghazal in the 54th minute before getting another try for himself just three minutes later.
 

The Scots kept Australia out for the next 15 minutes but never looked close to scoring again themselves and it was no surprise when John Crawley made it 54-4 in the 72nd minute.

A Nathan Tolley 50-metre run in the 74th made it 60-4 before Crawley got his hat-trick with three minutes to go.

"It was a pretty good effort," said Australian coach Steve Calder.

"I was a little disappointed with our ball control, but there were a few areas, like defence off our line, that we worked on and came out well."

The Australians now get set for a titanic clash with defending champions New Zealand, a curtain raiser to the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

"That will be a very tough clash - I think they will be a little more experienced than Scotland," said Calder.

Gamebreaker: Four tries in 12 minutes before half-time finished off Scotland.

Gamestar: Jordan Atkins – a brace of tries capped off a first class performance.

AUSTRALIA: John Crawley, Nathan Tolley, Jordan Atkins, James Rahme, Kevin Stephenson, Sam Williams, Chad Buckby, George Ghazal, Chris Fleming, Quin Smith, Luke Hilton, Matt McKimmon, Clint Lovering. Subs (all used): Tony Hampson, Shane Wooden, Ben Groves, John Ellis, Ali Kourouche, Mitch Gaal.
Tries: Hilton (2), Crawley (8, 72, 77), Tolley (28, 74), Atkins (31,36), Buckby (40), Fleming (41, 57), Ghazal (54)
Goals: Lovering 6/9, Crawley 2/2, Kourouche 1/1

SCOTLAND: David Ford, Calum Morrison, Mark Webster, Dougie Flockhard, Andy McPhail, Mike Murphy, Lee Spence, Mike Wallace, Bobby Bahadori, Andy Grey, Dave Simm, Stuart Dunbar, Chris Fletcher. Subs (all used): Barry Earl, Tony Williams, Dave Jones, Dave Birchall, Keir Bell, Sam Onions.
Try: Murphy (48). Goals: McPhail 0/1

Men of the match:
Australia - Jordan Atkins.
Scotland - Mike Murphy.
Referee: Stephane Vincent (France). Half-time: 34-0

Article by Ian Golden
2 Jul 2005