Australia 66-6 Italy: Kangaroos finish group stage with another rout

Australia rounded off their Rugby League World Cup group campaign with another rout, this time crushing Italy 66-6 on Saturday.

The defending world champions have made light work of each of their assignments in Group B and ran in 12 tries against Italy at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield.

Six of them came in the first half as Valentine Holmes, James Tedesco, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell and Murray Taulagi all went over, the latter claiming a double in the opening period.

There was no let-up from the Kangaroos after the break as Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Cameron Murray, Jeremiah Nanai and Lindsay Collins crossed, with Graham joining Taulagi in registering a brace.

Ronny Palumbo's try ensured Italy did get on the scoreboard, but they bow out after finishing third in Group B above only Scotland.

Australia progress having scored 192 points and conceded 14. As Group B winners, they will face either Lebanon or Ireland in the last eight, a prospective semi-final with England likely their biggest barrier to a return to the final.

The 11-time winners are on a 15-game victorious streak in the tournament and have reached every final save for the inaugural tournament held in 1954.

A new Rugby League World Cup record The Kangaroos' win tonight is their 15th World Cup victory on the bounce between 2013 and 2022 – the longest winning run in the tournament's history. Can anyone stop Australia?#RLWC2021 | @Kangaroos pic.twitter.com/jPcYFCxb3q

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 29, 2022