Kangaroos crush Kumuls
Skipper Darren Lockyer scored his 34th Test try as Australia beat Papua New Guinea 42-0 in Sydney in their Four Nations opener
Last Updated: 24/10/10 12:31pm
Skipper Darren Lockyer scored his 34th Test try as Australia beat Papua New Guinea 42-0 in Sydney in their Four Nations opener.
With his second-half score, Lockyer overtook Ken Irvine's 42-year Kangaroos' record in his side's eight-try demolition of the Kumuls in persistent rain at Parramatta Stadium.
Winger Irvine had held the Australian try-scoring record with 33 since 1968 until stand-off Lockyer, the most-capped Kangaroos player of all time, crashed over in the 59th minute of a one-sided match.
The Kangaroos ran in eight tries in all. North Queensland Cowboys centre Willie Tonga scored a double, with Billy Slater, Brent Tate, Cooper Cronk, Brett Morris and Cameron Smith also crossing for the hosts.
Melbourne Storm hooker Smith chipped in with five conversions for a personal tally of 14 points.
"We started well but fell away a little bit and there are some things we need to work on next week against the English," said Smith.
Of his personal milestone, Lockyer added: "To break that record is pretty special. I've been privileged I've been able to play for Australia for a long time and along the way I've had some great memories. To chalk up a record is something I'll always be proud of."
Next up for the Kumuls is a trip to Rotorua to face New Zealand on Saturday, while Australia host England in Melbourne on Sunday.
