Holmes scores five tries in crushing win for Australia

AFP: Winger Valentine Holmes scored a record-breaking five tries as Australia crushed Samoa 46-0 to reach the semi-finals of rugby league’s World Cup in Darwin on Friday.

The Cronulla Sharks flyer became the first Kangaroos player to score five tries which was sealed by a second half hat-trick in the eight-try romp.

Defending champions Australia now face either New Zealand or Fiji in next week’s semi-final in Brisbane.

Stand-off Michael Morgan scored two tries and fullback Billy Slater the other, while skipper Cameron Smith landed seven goals.

Valentine’s Cronulla Sharks teammate Wade Graham had jointly held the World Cup try-scoring record after scoring four tries in Australia’s second pool victory against France.

While Australia piled on the points, their defensive brick-wall remained unbroken for a second consecutive game.

The Kangaroos’ defence has now conceded just 10 points in four games in the tournament after keeping Samoa and Lebanon scoreless in back-to-back games.

Samoa bow out of the World Cup having failed to win any of their pool games and outclassed by the Kangaroos in the first Test match played in Darwin.