Reece Walsh stars as Australia beat Cook Islands 66-6 to top Rugby League World Cup Pool A

Reece Walsh delivered a standout performance at fullback as Australia secured a 66-6 victory over the Cook Islands in Townsville, topping Pool A at the Rugby League World Cup. Walsh, stepping in for James Tedesco, showcased his playmaking and running game, giving coach Kevin Walters a selection dilemma ahead of the semi-final against either Samoa or Tonga. Tom Trbojevic continued his hot form with a second consecutive hat-trick, while the Kangaroos' attack clicked at times but also showed signs of rust, with some clunky passages of play. The win maintains Australia's perfect record in the tournament, but the performance suggested there is still room for improvement as they prepare for sterner tests. With Walters now facing a tough call at fullback, the Kangaroos will look to build cohesion and sharpen their execution in the knockout stages, where the margin for error shrinks dramatically. The depth and talent in the squad are undeniable, but consistency will be key if they are to lift the trophy once more.