Rugby League World Cup 2017: FT: Australia 18-4 England

Summary

FT: Australia 18-4 England - 12th straight win over England
England: McGillvary scores in corner
Australia: Gillett, Slater & Dugan, Smith conversion (2) and penalty
England's Sam Burgess limps out injured
England face Lebanon in next match
Match live on BBC Two and website

Live Reporting

Matt Newsum

Do you come from a land down under?published at 09:27 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Mark Chapman welcomes you to the Rugby League World Cup coverage on the BBC...
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Vote: Who will win the World Cup?published at 09:23 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Australia v England (10:00 BST)
We're all here for one reason, cheering our team onto World Cup glory whoever it may be.
There can only be one winner.
Let us know who you think will triumph by voting using the options on the right side of the page.
Be quick though, you've got until 09:50 BST to do so.
Five reasons to get excitedpublished at 09:21 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
How can anyone NOT be excited about the Rugby League World Cup?! It's like your birthday, Christmas and New Year's Eve rolled into one...
That said, if you are for some reason still sceptical, please watch this video. Thank me later.
Media caption,
5 Reasons to get excited about the upcoming World Cup which kicks off on 27 October
The biggest stars you've never heard ofpublished at 09:19 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
Apologies to big rugby league fans, but there will be a people reading this who might never have heard of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith or Billy Slater.
Well, you're in for a treat.
Cronk is the boyish pin-up, creative and skillful. He will lead Australia around the park with his kicking game.
Smith has the look of a geography teacher. But he's anything but dull. For club, state and country he makes it look easy.
Slater is small in frame but mighty in heart. He's had multiple shoulder surgery, but keeps bouncing back to deliver trademark defence-splitting runs.
Keep your eyes on them, they're superb.
Postpublished at 09:17 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Australia v England (10:00 BST)
Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Two
Image source, Swpix
England have to settle the half-back partnership but Super League's Man of Steel Luke Gale has a point to prove. Gareth Widdop is the Dally M winner in his position (awarded to players in the Australian NRL last season) but how will England cope with the Australia's backs?
This is the best against the best and character will seprate the two teams. Engfland will need to dig deep and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the P word...pressure.
Get involved #bbcrlpublished at 09:15 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Australia v England (10:00 BST)
Image source, swpix.com
What do you make of the two line-ups then?
England look strong, that defensive line should be tough to breach. I also like the halves pairing - Gareth Widdop and Luke Gale are two canny operators with good kicking games.
The loss of Alex Walmsley to that virus is a disappointment, but it's a big opportunity for Ben Currie who will at least be fresh after missing much of the season through injury.
As for Australia, there are few weak spots there either. The battle in the pack is going to be sensational - James Graham v Aaron Woods and Chris Hill v David Klemmer... bruising.
Let us know what you think about this, not to mention your World Cup predictions and why, using #bbcrl
Watch the build-up right nowpublished at 09:14 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
BBC Two
Don't forget you can complement your live text experience by watching the game in full on BBC Two.
Dave Woods has former Great Britain coach Brian Noble and ex-Saints boss Ian Millward alongside him for commentary.
Meanwhile, former England skipper Kevin Sinfield, ex-New Zealand international Robbie Hunter-Paul and St Helens coach Justin Holbrook join Mark Chapman in the studio for pre-match, half-time and post-match analysis.
Click the link in the banner above to tune in - that is on right now!
Team newspublished at 09:13 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Breaking
Australia v England (10:00 BST)
England will be without prop Alex Walmsley after he was ruled out by a virus, and back-rower Ben Currie comes in as his replacement.
Australia are as they were earlier in the week.
England: Lomax; McGillvary, Watkins, Bateman, Hall; Widdop, Gale; Hill, Hodgson, Graham, Whitehead, S. Burgess, O'Loughlin (c)
Interchanges: Currie, Heighington, T. Burgess, Roby
Australia: Slater; Gagai, Chambers, Dugan, Holmes; Morgan, Cronk; Woods, Smith (c), Klemmer, Cordner, Gillett, Trbojevic
Interchanges: Graham, McLean, McGuire, Frizell
The big kick-offpublished at 09:10 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
Image source, SWPIX.COM
Hands up who didn't need their alarm clock this morning? Me neither. Pure adrenaline and excitement was enough to ease me out of bed.
There is belief around the England squad that this can be a successful tournament, a first final appearance since 1995.
Australia though are the reigning champions, a team to be respected. But no room for fears, here.
Postpublished at 09:06 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
Image source, swpix.com
Some things don't change.
England's World Cup adventure begins as it did in 2013, with favourites Australia looming large on the horizon.
As curtain raisers go it has everything. Age-old rivalries, from nation to nation, from coach to coach, player to player.
Ambitions, expectations and hopes all high, dreams waiting to be realised, or shattered.
Welcome to BBC Sport's live text coverage of England v Australia; the opening game of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Postpublished at 09:03 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
England v Australia (10:00 BST)
Image source, SWPIX.COM
But that was four years ago. It's in the past, it's time to look forward.
Time for a fresh start.
England have a revamped squad, new stars have emerged, there's new optimism under head coach Wayne Bennett.
Postpublished at 08:55 British Summer Time 27 October 2017
Australia v England (10:00 BST)
Image source, SWPIX.COM
Four years. Four long years.
Wembley, lit with emotion. Seconds away from final glory. Then, silence. England's World Cup candle cruelly snuffed out. New Zealand triumphant.
Shaun Johnson's late converted try still stings, still pangs the heart...