• Tom Trbojevic scores hat-trick in Kangaroos’ unconvincing 36-22 win

• Semi Valemei also scores three as Fiji run in four tries in Brisbane

The naysayers have questioned this increasingly provincial sport and its sometimes laughable and often one-sided, so-called World Cup. But against the favourites and hosts Australia, the Fiji Bati showed – from the tears on the players cheeks during their anthem, their wondrous pre-match hymn, right through 80 minutes of fearless effort in attack and defence – why this tournament is worth persisting with.

The inspiring Fijians appeared to have answers to every criticism, a response to every question, except three. The quality on the Australian bench, the class of James Tedesco and the finishing of triple try-scorer Tom Trbojevic finally took down the likeable underdogs, in front of a healthy Sunday night crowd in Brisbane and no doubt millions watching on prime time television.

• Pool B + C: England 82-0 France

• Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young grab hat-tricks

England will only really know next weekend whether this record-breaking result means anything, but when not only a win but a convincing one would keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals alive, this was a case of job done for Brian McDermott and his side.

With the shortened and controversial group stage format meaning just one defeat is near-ruinous, even the head coach broke ranks this week and admitted England’s chances of qualification are slim at best after the 30-12 loss to Tonga on the opening weekend. Samoa’s 64-6 win against Papua New Guinea earlier on Saturday meant the permutations became simple, but daunting. Samoa beat France 78-4 last week, giving them a +132 points differential; England now have a +64 points differential.

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