Ireland 36 Italy 12: Liam Kay’s double helps Irish start Rugby League World Cup off with thumping win
Now Mark Aston’s men must do the business against Fiji and Wales if they are to make the quarter-final in Australia
LIAM KAY’s double helped Ireland burn Italy in scorching Cairns.
Now Mark Aston’s men must do the business against Fiji and Wales if they are to make the quarter-final.
The Wolfhounds ran in six tries as they upset an Italy side packed with NRL talent, with Wakefield’s Liam Finn in masterful form.
With the thermometer hitting 32 degrees in Cairns, with added humidity, there was every chance of Aston’s men wilting in the heat.
But instead the Wolfhounds scorched the Azzurri, racing into a 20-0lead in the opening half hour.
Toronto ace Kay cashed in twice while Warrington starlet George King touched down from the unlikely supply route of a Michael McIlorum kick.
Finn added four goals in the dream start but Justin Castellaro intercepted Scott Grix’s pass and raced 70 metres to get Italy on the board.
And former Hull KR man Josh Mantellato outjumped Shannon McDonnell and fed Nathan Milone on 47 minutes.
AUSTRALIA 18 ENGLAND 4 Rugby League World Cup starts with defeat for England as Sam Burgess limps off injured
However, Ireland steadied themselves and Kyle Amor crashed over seconds after Michael Morgan was denied by a miraculous tackle.
That try seemed to break Italy’s resistence, especially after seeing St Helens forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook hare 70 metres down the field.
most read in rugby league
And when full-back James Tedesco slipped going for Grix’s grubber kick, Morgan snapped up and put the ball down.
Ireland, full of Super League talent, piled forward at the end, even though the game was already won.
And McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who has had his long hair chopped off, sealed a convincing win on 78 minutes, Trinity ace Finn booted six goals from seven attempts in a real statement of intent.