PLAYER RATINGS: Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco dazzled against Italy

Australia made it a perfect three from three as the Kangaroos thumped Italy to progress from their Rugby League World Cup with an unblemished record.

Jeremiah Nanai was awarded Player of the Match after getting himself on the scoresheet in St Helens, while Campbell Graham and Murray Taulagi bagged two tries apiece. 

Here, Daily Mail Australia rates and slates the Kangaroos team with Meninga left with plenty of decisions to make ahead of their quarter final next weekend. 

Australia rounded off their group with a comfortable victory over Italy in St Helens

James Tedesco 8 

Showed no eagerness to go easy on his former nation. The skipper posed danger every time he touched the ball and deservedly scored a second half try. 

Campbell Graham 7

Followed up his hat-trick last week with a brace in St Helens. An absolute brute force and showed his athleticism with an excellent jump and catch for his first score. 

Murray Taulagi 8

There’s plenty of competition among the backs but Taulagi did his chances no harm with a couple of tidy scores.  

James Tedesco ran riot against the nation he once played for at the 2013 World Cup

Daly Cherry-Evans 7

Lots of spotlight on the Manly veteran, with Cleary breathing down his neck for the No 7 spot. Did well to set up Holmes’s opening try and did the basics right. 

Nathan Cleary 6

After that wonderful debut last week, Cleary will be slightly disappointed with his effort today. His goal kicking was wayward in the first half and at one point he looked to his father, Ivan, for inspiration from the stands. Needs to sharpen up on that front. 

Ben Hunt 7

Maintained his concentration through the full 80 and won a turnover in front of Italy’s tryline to help set up Lindsay Collins’ late try, good tenacity. 

Cameron Murray 8

Really started linking up well with his teammates in the forward pack as the game progressed, and the reverberations from that crunching tackle on Kyle Pickering are still being felt in St Helens and the surrounding areas. 

Liam Martin 7

Came off the bench to great effect and finished off a Panthers-heavy move to score. Good incisive running through the line.  

Valentine Holmes 7

Scored the opening try but made a couple of uncharacteristic errors to give Italy confidence in the second half. 

Lindsay Collins 7

The big man doesn’t score many tries – just three in his NRL career – but got his first one for Australia today. Well deserved. 

Latrell Mitchell 8 

The weapons in this man’s arsenal are terrifying. He bullied the Italians to grab his only try of the game, but had the panache to set up Taulagi for his second. Such an immense threat. 

Reuben Cotter 6

Performed ably, but was unable to shine as he does for his NRL club when surrounded by other superstars. 

Jeremiah Nanai 7

The Cowboys gun was awarded Player of the Match and was strong defensively and posed an attacking threat. Wasn’t quite at the level of Mitchell and Tedesco, for me.  

Interchange

Isaah Yeo 8

Made a great impact off the bench and begun to pull the strings. He’s going to be pivotal for Meninga going into the knockout stages. 

Campbell-Gillard 6

Solid off the bench, but didn’t really get the time to make an impact. 

Burton 6

Went close to adding to his try last week but burnt a Captain’s Challenge after a clear knock on.  

Faasuamaleaui 7

Played a part in the best try of the night when linking up with Yeo and Murray. Those three are forming a good relationship.