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Australia survive almighty Fiji scare to stay unbeaten at Rugby League World Cup

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Tom Trbojevic scores hat-trick as Kangaroos win 36-22Semi Valemei also scores three as Fiji run in four tries in BrisbaneThe naysayers have questioned this increasingly provincial sport and its sometimes laughable and often one-sided, so-called World Cup. But against the favourites and hosts Australia, the Fiji Bati showed – from the tears on the players cheeks during their anthem, their wondrous pre-match hymn, right through 80 minutes of fearless effort in attack and defence – why this...

  • Tom Trbojevic scores hat-trick as Kangaroos win 36-22

  • Semi Valemei also scores three as Fiji run in four tries in Brisbane

The naysayers have questioned this increasingly provincial sport and its sometimes laughable and often one-sided, so-called World Cup. But against the favourites and hosts Australia, the Fiji Bati showed – from the tears on the players cheeks during their anthem, their wondrous pre-match hymn, right through 80 minutes of fearless effort in attack and defence – why this tournament is worth persisting with.

The inspiring Fijians appeared to have answers to every criticism, a response to every question, except three. The quality on the Australian bench, the class of James Tedesco and the finishing of triple try-scorer Tom Trbojevic finally took down the likeable underdogs, in front of a healthy Sunday night crowd in Brisbane and no doubt millions watching on prime time television.

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Australia (LOCATION) Fiji (LOCATION) Rugby League World Cup (ORG) Tom Trbojevic (PERSON) BrisbaneThe (ORG) World Cup (EVENT) the Fiji Bati (LOCATION) Fijians (ORG) Australian (ORG) James Tedesco (PERSON) Brisbane (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →