Walsh Stars with Five Assists as Kangaroos Beat Cook Islands 66-6

The Kangaroos finished the Rugby League World Cup group stage undefeated, topping Pool A with a 66-6 victory over the Cook Islands in Townsville, according to The Guardian ^[1]. While the scoreline suggests a routine night, the match exposed a clunky Australian side that managed 15 errors, a statistic that will worry coach Kevin Walters ahead of the semi-finals.

Reece Walsh was the standout performer, securing the player of the match award with one try and five try assists, as reported by ABC News (AU) ^[2]. His performance intensifies the selection dilemma for Walters, who must now choose between Walsh and James Tedesco for the pivotal No. 1 jersey. Walsh assured fans he was fit despite early knocks, stating, "I'm having a lot of fun at the moment".

The game did not start smoothly for the hosts. An early fumble by winger Cameron Brown allowed the Cook Islands to score first through Rua Ngatikaura, who fooled defenders with a dummy move ^[1]. However, Australia’s class eventually emerged, with Tom Trbojevic scoring his second hat-trick in two games, a feat also achieved by Jack Bostock.

The Cook Islands, featuring former NRL stars like Val Holmes and Brad Takairangi, fought valiantly but lacked the depth to sustain pressure against Australia’s improved second-half attack ^[1]. The Kangaroos' backline, particularly the combination of Walsh and Grant, clicked into gear after the break, leading to a six-try blitz in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

Minor injuries to Trbojevic and Munster were noted, but both players continued, highlighting the physical toll of the tournament ^[1]. With the semi-final against Samoa or Tonga looming next Sunday at Allianz Stadium, Walters faces a critical choice in his spine, though Walsh’s dominance makes his selection increasingly difficult to overlook ^[2]. The Kangaroos will look to refine their execution in Sydney, where the stakes are significantly higher.