Rugby League World Cup: Kangaroos and Fiji embrace after Australia win, Latrell Mitchell scores first test try
The Kangaroos made a statement agains Fiji, but it’s what happened after the full-time siren that ignited something in Australian centre Latrell Mitchell.
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Latrell Mitchell finally broke his international try drought on Sunday morning but what made him most proud took place after full-time, as players from the Kangaroos and Fiji joined together to take a knee around the centre circle.
“What they do in their culture is all about spreading that good energy, making sure that we’re safe on our journey and they’re safe on their journey,” Mitchell said.
“It was awesome that they did that for us. It’s a credit to them. That passion, it honestly made me tear up because I closed my eyes and started thinking about my family back home, and that’s what they do.
“They’re a very passionate people, and I love when that stuff is shared. It made me connect to my people and my home.”
Mitchell wasn’t a dominating presence against Fiji, but he still made an impression as he renewed his combination with winger Josh Addo-Carr.
It was Mitchell’s pass that sent Addo-Carr racing away in the first half, the Kangaroos centre drawing in three defenders and creating room for his good mate.
Addo-Carr returned the favour in the second half as he and Cameron Munster combined to send Mitchell over for his first try in a green and gold jersey.
“I said to him before halftime: ‘we need to get you your first try’,” Addo-Carr said.
“When you are on, you are on. We enjoy playing with each other and being with this group and the coaching staff. They make everything fun but when it’s time to be on we train hard.”
🤠After the heat of battle, the power of together shines through.#RLWC2021 | @BBCSport | @Kangaroos | @fijirugbyleague | #AUSFIJpic.twitter.com/ovowCjKHfR
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022
Mitchell certainly appears to be having fun. There was a time when he thought about staying at home but having made the decision to tour with the Kangaroos, he has embraced his standing as an ambassador for his people and his country.
“I’m representing my people and all of Australia,” Mitchell said.
“That’s what it’s about, I love putting the jersey on. Mal’s given me an opportunity to be here again and I want to make the most of it.
“It’s been a while. I got my first try tonight for the first time in five games. I’m happy.”
That’s a positive sign for the Kangaroos. When Mitchell is happy, look out.
“I’ve grown a lot as a person and matured,” Mitchell said.
“I definitely see myself heading in the right direction and it’s been awesome to be able to display that I’ve grown over the years.
“The English crowds are passionate and they bring the atmosphere which is what we want. All I can see is the crowds getting bigger, a lot more atmosphere and more passion and we’ll come alive.
“It’s been awesome, the first week’s been a bit tough with time zones and the weather but at the end of the day we’re here to do a job and I love it.”
ROOKIES RUN RIOT: YOUNG GUNS STAR IN WORLD CUP ROUT
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga gave his side a pass mark after they opened their World Cup campaign with a comprehensive win over Fiji on Sunday morning (AEDT). Now the heavy artillery is set to be rolled out.
Meninga confirmed Penrith’s grand final heroes would make their returns on Saturday morning (AEDT) as the Kangaroos face Scotland in Coventry. A win would confirm Australia’s place in the quarterfinals with one pool game remaining.
After England opened the World Cup with a thrashing of Samoa, raising hopes of a historic tournament win for the home nation, Australia fired a salvo of their own as they overcame a slow start to maul Fiji.
“We were obviously a bit clunky with the footy but as I mentioned to the team, I was really, really happy with our defence, which means our attitude is good,” Meninga said.
“We can get a bit better with the football. The guys who didn’t play tonight will play next week definitely. I am not quite sure where but we will pick a side with those guys in it.” Asked how impressed he was with England’s performance earlier in the day, Meninga said: “It was a great start (by England). They did very well today against a Samoan side that to me wasn’t quite where it should be.”
FOX REPAYS THE LOVE
He couldn’t crack it for a start with NSW but Josh Addo-Carr showed why he remains a firm favourite of Meninga with two tries, including a stunning length of the field effort.
The Kangaroos started slow and finished fast at Headingley Stadium. No-one was faster than Addo-Carr.
The Canterbury flyer’s position in the Australian team for the World Cup looked in jeopardy when he was snubbed by Blues coach Brad Fittler for Origin.
However, he was always part of Meninga’s plans and he showed why with a blistering display. The pick of his double came midway though the opening half when Latrell Mitchell created an overlap and Addo-Carr sprinted and slalomed his way through the Fijian defence as he raced 95 metres.
“(It helped with) Mal and everyone just showing support and having faith in me that I could still be a part of the team … ” Addo-Carr said.
“I got on with my business and cracked on with the Bulldogs, tried my guts out to perform for the Dogs. If it wasn’t for the Bulldogs I wouldn’t be here.”
THE HALFBACK BATTLE
Daly Cherry-Evans was given first shot at securing the halfback position for the pointy end of the tournament and his performance was symptomatic of his team.
Cherry-Evans started slow but worked his way into the contest, coming up with a try assist for Angus Crichton, making 20 tackles as he helped nullify the threat of Viliame Kikau, and using his kicking game to help the Kangaroos dominate field position.
The Queensland captain is determined to fend off the challenge of Cleary and while he made a promising start, he will now take a back seat as the Panthers star gets his chance to stake a claim on the halfback position.
“I thought he was excellent, very good,” Meninga said.
“He executed really well, he defended extremely well – he had big Kikau coming at him.”
THE GRANT DILEMMA
Cameron Munster was named man of the match but the award could easily have gone to Harry Grant. After Ben Hunt started the game at hooker, Grant was injected into the contest and tore Fiji to shreds.
He scored a well-deserved try and his running game tormented his opposition. Meninga opted to mirror the Queensland game plan of starting with Hunt but Grant has given him food for thought.
“It is a terrible headache to have,” Meninga quipped.
“It obviously does work but we all see how it pans out the next couple of weeks. He is a special player, Harry.”
Grant insists he is happy with the status quo. He craves a starting spot but is content to bide his time behind Hunt, a player he respects immensely.
“I guess everyone wants to start,” Grant said.
“I have said this before but I have looked up to Benny since I was a young kid. He was at the same school that I went to – he was a bit older.
“My dad coached him. I was always looking up to him. We got the opportunity to play together in a Queensland jersey and now an Australian jersey.
“If that’s the way Mal wants to do it, I am all for it.”
THE ROOKIES
Meninga walked away ecstatic with the performance of his new faces. Grant aside, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Angus Crichton were outstanding. So too North Queensland teenager Jeremiah Nanai.
As the Kangaroos laboured early in the contest, it was Nanai who came up with a moment of inspiration to change the momentum of the game.
Nothing was on when he took a pass from Cherry-Evans but Nanai stepped off his right foot, beat a couple of defenders and crashed over.
It was the beginning of the end for Fiji. He almost had a second try as well but lost the ball as he carried three defenders over the line.
Nanai was in the sights of Samoa before the tournament. He opted for Australia and based on the results on day one of the tournament, it was a smart decision.
“Chez gave me some early ball, I just used a bit of footwork and got through,” Nanai said,
“It is good scoring tries, especially the first one. It was a special moment for myself putting that jersey on.
“It felt good too. First time running out with the Aussies, I just wanted to do my family proud.”
The only disappointment was a head knock to Reuben Cotter, who will be scratched from the Scotland game as a result.
CLEARY VS DCE: MAL REVEALS WORLD CUP HALFBACK PLANS
- By Brent Read
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has given Nathan Cleary his greatest endorsement yet, declaring he has no doubt the Penrith and NSW star will be a fixture in the green and gold for years to come.
Cleary was rested for the Kangaroos’ opening World Cup game against Fiji but the shackles will be loosened against minnows Scotland next weekend as Meninga prepares to unleash his grand final stars for the first time.
It will be Cleary’s chance to fire the first shot in his dogfight with Manly and Queensland half Daly Cherry-Evans for the Australian halfback spot, the most contentious position in the Australian side heading into the tournament.
Remarkably, the pair have gravitated to each other during their short time in England. They are among the last to leave the training paddock and have taken to discussing the intricacies of halfback play despite their rivalry simmering in the background.
Meninga is working with Cleary for the first time and he has already been impressed with what he has seen, declaring he has the potential to join a Congo line of great players to have played at the scrum base for Australia.
“I have no doubt he is going to be a long-time halfback for Australia,” Meninga said.
“He has already proved that at interstate and certainly club level, but he has a fight on his hands at the moment with Daly - Daly was the successful Origin halfback this year and had a tremendous series, Manly is going through some tough times and he is not to blame for that.
“So it is a genuine shootout. Everyone gets an opportunity to put their best foot forward. That’s the only way you are going to do it - play your way into the footy team.
“So it is genuine competition. Ironically they are getting on really well together. They are all feeding off each other.
“When we come off the training paddock, they are the last two to walk off.”
Nathan’s father, Penrith coach Ivan, has been spotted at the team hotel in Leeds this week and the Panthers star will start the game against Scotland as favourite to claim the halfback spot heading into the finals.
News Corp understands that all the contenders will play at least two pool games, meaning there is a chance Cherry-Evans and Cleary could play in the halves together at some point in the early rounds.
Cleary has already played more than 130 games for Penrith and 13 State of Origin games for the Blues, but he has had to bide his time for a national call-up after Test matches were put on hold during the Covid crisis.
His chance has now arrived and at 24, he has the opportunity to make the Australian halfback spot his own for the next decade.
“We have had a few conversations already,” Meninga said,
“I am looking forward to him playing next week. So far he has bought into everything, I know he is excited about being here.
“It is a dream for him as well - his family is coming over. Nathan deserves to be here as well. It is a tough choice (between Cleary and Cherry-Evans) but that is the choice we have to make.
“I rely on my staff enormously from an observation point of view. It will be a tough decision but we will make the right decision.”
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