No disguising talent

Australia 28 Western Samoa 16

Australia could have played in bin-liners in the Halifax Student Rugby League World Cup final at Salford on Saturday and it would still have been obvious where they came from, writes Dave Hadfield.

After a first half during which the sheer power and enthusiasm of the Samoans kept them abreast, the traditional Australian virtues of fitness, organisation and supporting the man with the ball saw the holders safely to victory in the second.

Urged on by the excellence of their centres, Totolo Mareko and Fa'aliga Saumolia, and their second-rowers, Jason Hepi and Tom Malu, the physically imposing islanders fought back to stand at 16-16 at half-time.

Their fierce commitment had harried the Australians into uncharacteristic errors, but, after 10 minutes of the second half, the young men in the familiar green and gold took control.

Second tries for the stand-off, Matt Evans, and the centre, Matt Miller, took Australia clear and a glorious handling move, rounded off by Andrew Lee, made it three in nine minutes.

Malu was within inches of replying for Samoa, whose bulk is the best advert that hall of residence food has ever had, before Ken Jabboury underlined Australia's command in injury time.

Australia: Mills; Suey, Miller, Brennan, Wardle; Evans, Lee; Lockwood, Brady, Tookey, Phillips, Minz, Thurston. Substitutes used: Kaarsberg, Smith, Hardy, Jabboury.

Western Samoa: Mamoe; Fa'apito, Mareko, Saumolia, S.Murray; L Hepi, Ioane; Ailao, Alaimoana, Fatuleai, J Hepi, Malu, Loau. Substitutes used: Pitman, Siolo, M Murray, Fiso.

Referee: S Ganson (England).

The World Cup has seen the standard of student rugby league high and rising - another compelling match on Saturday saw New Zealand edge out France 22-20 to claim third place.