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Saturday, November 5, 2011

League: Slater loss takes gloss off Australia win

Australia booked their place in the Four Nations final with a 36-20 win over England, but Billy Slater's tour is over after the fullback broke a collarbone at Wembley Stadium.

Slater, who was crowned World Player of The Year this week, was helped off the field in the 11th minute clutching his right arm after trying to stop England winger Ryan Hall who opened the scoring for the hosts.

Tries from Luke Lewis, Tony Williams, Greg Inglis, PaulGallen, Darius Boyd and Chris Lawrence sealed the win in front of a crowd of 42,344.

But England can feel slightly hard done by following a controversial decision to disallow Tom Briscoe's second half try by New Zealand rookie referee Henry Perenara when the score was 18-8.

England were well on top in the early exchanges, pressing the Kangaroos deep in their own half, and they were rewarded for their efforts when Kevin Sinfield's floated pass was hauled in by Hall, who fended off Slater to score.

The hosts almost doubled their lead moments later when Sinfield's well-weighted kick was batted into touch by Inglis with Sam Tomkins lurking in the in-goal area.

However, Tim Sheens' side gradually began to get back into the game with some pressure of their own, and Luke Lewis restored parity in the left corner, with Johnathan Thurston adding the extras.

Williams used his huge size and strength to increase the Kangaroos' lead after Rangi Chase kicked early in the tackle count to hand the ball back to the Kangaroos, and the Manly man ran over the top of Wests Tigers backrower Chris Heighington to score.

The home crowd were out of their seats again on the stroke of halftime when Hall added his second try, following a superb move started by Jon Wilkin.

Wilkin brushed aside Keith Galloway, found Tomkins, who offloaded one-handed to Jack Reed, who found Hall in the right corner.

Sinfield failed with a difficult conversion from the sideline, to hand the Kangaroos a 12-8 lead at the break and four minutes after the restart Inglis crossed for his sixth try in four games against the English.

Once again it was a mistake from the hosts that led to the try. A penalty against Tom Briscoe handed possession back to the tourists, and Thurston's great pass found Inglis who rolled his way to the line.

Tempers flared midway through the second half when Williams was placed on report by Perenara for a high shot on Ben Westwood, with Gareth Widdop then exchanging blows minutes later with Anthony Watmough.

Briscoe looked to have cut the deficit with a try in the left corner, only for the Kiwi official to rule it a double movement. However, replays showed his elbow never touched the ground.

The decision was compounded moments later when Cooper Cronk's short pass found Gallen, who raced under the posts to score and effectively seal the win.

Jack Reed's try 10 minutes from time gave the home crowd a lift, but Boyd and Lawrence added four-pointers either side of Heighington's second try in two games for the home side.

Thurston was magnificent throughout, kicking six goals on his way to picking up the man of the match award.

England and New Zealand will meet in Hull next Saturday to decide who meets the Aussies in the final.

Australia take on Wales, who lost 36-0 to New Zealand earlier in the day, in Wrexham next Sunday to complete their group matches.


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