The defending World Champions Australia had a relatively straight-forward opening fixture against 100/1 outsiders Fiji and despite some surprise selections in their squad they were still massive favourites to win the game, and to go on and retain the trophy at Old Trafford in a month´s time.

There were seven international debutants in Mal Meninga´s seventeen-man side but with squad numbers allocated to players based on appearances for their country rather than traditional positions it was sure to lead to some confusion for supporters and commentators.

Fiji had been given a forty point start on the coupon but their track record in the one game played this afternoon was in tatters after they had made Samoa slight favourites to beat England. The World was ready to see what sort of side Meninga had assembled for the assault on this year's World Cup.

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The defending World Champions Australia had a relatively straight-forward opening fixture against 100/1 outsiders Fiji and despite some surprise selections in their squad they were still massive favourites to win the game, and to go on and retain the trophy at Old Trafford in a month´s time.

There were seven international debutants in Mal Meninga´s seventeen-man side but with squad numbers allocated to players based on appearances for their country rather than traditional positions it was sure to lead to some confusion for supporters and commentators.

Fiji had been given a forty point start on the coupon but their track record in the one game played this afternoon was in tatters after they had made Samoa slight favourites to beat England. The World was ready to see what sort of side Meninga had assembled for the assault on this year's World Cup.

READ MORE ON THIS STORY...