Huddersfield Giants’ Jermaine McGillvary was England’s star man on Friday as Wayne Bennett’s men fell just short against Australia in the opening game of the 2017 World Cup.
As he did in the Four Nations meeting between the sides at the London Stadium last November, the winger bagged an early try.
McGillvary was also key in England’s forward movement as he made 21 carries, totalling a mighty 193 metres at AAMI Park.
Leeds Rhinos’ Ryan Hall was also influential going forward, making 163 metres in 18 carries whilst Wigan Warriors’ John Bateman made 124 metres in 19 carries.
St Helens’ James Roby impressed as he made his first Test appearance in almost two years from the bench, whilst Ben Currie stepped up as he came for the ill Alex Walmsley, with a solid showing on his England Test debut.
Elsewhere in Group A, Theo Fages captained France as they fell to a 29-18 defeat to Lebanon in Canberra earlier today.
The game was 18-18 as it headed into the closing stages but two tries from Lebanon saw them clinch the two points.
Ireland kicked off their World Cup campaign in style with a 36-12 victory over an Italy side captained by Hull FC’s Mark Minichiello.
St Helens duo Kyle Amor and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook were both on the scoresheet for Mark Aston’s side, with the latter making an impressive 190 metres in the game.
Wakefield Trinity’s Scott Grix got three try assists, with team-mate Liam Finn creating another.
Ireland’s Group C rivals Papua New Guinea cruised to a 50-6 win over Wales in Port Moresby on Saturday, their first World Cup win in 17 years.
Catalans Dragons hooker Paul Aiton scored for the hosts, with St Helens’ Regan Grace getting a late consolation try to avoid a nilling for John Kear’s men, on his World Cup debut.
In Group B, Tonga eased to a big 50-4 win over Scotland in Cairns earlier today, with Hull FC second-rower Sika Manu getting on the scoresheet in the nine-try win.
Salford Red Devils’ Manu Vatuvei made 121 metres whilst new Warrington signing Ben Murdoch-Masila registered an assist. Hull KR’s Danny Addy scored the only try for the Bravehearts.
In Saturday’s Group B match, Tommy Leuluai featured for New Zealand as they answered their doubters with a strong performance seeing them beat Samoa 38-8 in Auckland. Castleford Tigers’ half-back Ben Roberts featured for Samoa.
In Saturday’s third game, Catalans’ Brayden Williame got an assist whilst Ashton Sims made four offloads as Fiji crushed USA 58-12.