Australia showed world champions New Zealand why they will start next week’s Four Nations final as favourites by beating the Kiwis 34-20 as they finished the group stage of the competition with a 100 per cent winning record.
After beating Papua New Guinea and England last month, Australia once again showed their class with an awesome display.
The Kangaroos were even able to rest captain Darren Lockyer and full-back Billy Slater at Eden Park and will be expected to win the final which will be on home soil – at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Can Australia beat New Zealand again in next weekend’s Four Nations final?- Latest Rugby League Betting
Meanwhile, Harlequins centre Tony Clubb scored four tries on his full England debut as Steve McNamara’s team beat Papua New Guinea 36-10.
However, the victory should have been even more comprehensive as England led 30-0 after 54 minutes, but they allowed their opponents back into the match in the closing stages as Makali Aizue and Menzie Yere crossed for tries.
In football, promising Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Gerard Houllier’s side.
The 20-year-old, who has been one of the stars of the opening three months of the season and who came through the club’s academy system, will remain at Villa Park until the end of the 2013-14 season.
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard believes current Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp should be the next national team manager.
The FA have said that they will be looking to appoint an Englishman when Fabio Capello’s reign as manager ends after Euro 2012.
Redknapp guided Spurs to fourth spot in the Premier League last term and his side impressed in the 3-1 Champions League victory against Inter Milan.
Finally in tennis, Rafael Nadal has been forced to pull out of the Paris Masters because of tendinitis in his left shoulder.
The world number one, who would have been the top seed in Paris, has not played since mid-October, when he was surprisingly beaten by Jurgen Melzer in Shanghai.
However, the 24-year-old Spaniard, who has won Wimbledon twice as well as seven other Grand Slams, should be fit enough to take part in the season-ending ATP World Tour finals in London later this month.
