World Cup Report: Australia 50-0 Ireland
Australia rounded off their group campaign with a third straight win, after scoring nine tries in a 50-0 victory over Ireland.
Jarryd Hayne and Cooper Cronk both scored twice as the Kangaroos eased through to the quarter-finals.
The result did not dampen the spirits of the Wolfhounds players, or the partisan Limerick crowd who were vocal throughout.
Hayne was the first to score in Thomond Park, as he was released down the right wing after good work from Brent Tate.
Cronk got the Australians’ second try after darting through a gap, and then his half-back partner Daly Cherry-Evans split the Irish defence for Greg Bird to score.
Winger Brett Morris became the Kangaroos’ fourth try-scorer after a kick bounced in his favour, before Billy Slater crossed to make for a half-time total of 26-nil.
Into the second period the Australian dominance continued, but the Wolfhounds managed to stop them from extending their lead until the 56th minute, when Cronk claimed his brace.
Soon after Cherry-Evans went over for his third international try in three appearances, as he chased through and collected his own clever grubber.
The Kangaroos’ eighth try was scored by giant prop Andrew Fifita, who was not going to be stopped from close range after bursting on to Paul Gallen‘s pass.
With the Irish understandably tiring there would still be one more try for Australia, as Hayne’s second brought up the half-century.
Australia: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Brent Tate, 5. Jarryd Hayne, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Paul Gallen, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. James Tamou, 11. Greg Bird, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Nate Myles. Interchanges: 14. Boyd Cordner, 15. Robbie Farah, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Corey Parker.
Ireland: 1. Scott Grix, 2. Damien Blanch, 3. Stuart Littler, 4. Joshua Toole, 5. Pat Richards, 6. James Mendeika, 7. Liam Finn, 8. Brett White, 9. Rory Kostjasyn, 10. Anthony Mullally, 11. Tyrone McCarthy, 12. Dave Allen, 13. Simon Finnigan. Interchanges: 14. Bob Beswick, 15. James Hasson, 16. Ben Currie, 17. Luke Ambler.
Referee: Phil Bentham
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick.