Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When Sheffield's full-back Waisale Sovatabua knocked on in goal two minutes into their match in Perth, the Eagles should have taken that as a sign it was not going to be their night, then fast-tracked it back to their hotel - locking the door. The World Club Championship is hard enough Down Under for any visiting team, and last night, with possession hard to win and even harder to keep, Sheffield were never in the hunt against the side they had given a 20-point headstart to and come back to beat 26-22 at the Don Valley Stadium on 15 June.
The drop-out from Sovatabua's fumble resulted in the Perth second-rower Wayne Evans scoring the first try, with Shaun Devine, in his first game of the season, converting. Devine repeated the effort six minutes later after Darren Higgins crossed.
The Eagles hit back in the 12th minute when the Kiwi import Whetu Taewa went over from close range and Mark Aston converted. Perth hit back, with Chris Ryan on the end of some desperate passing on the final tackle. Devine then threw out a well-timed pass for Matthew Rodwell to score.
Perth began the second half in the same fashion when Matt Geyer raced 30 metres from a scrum move in the fourth minute, with Devine again adding the points. Sheffield's sorry tale was illustrated by Sovatabua's failure to collect an easy pass on his own try-line. The ball went through his hands and into the waiting arms of Devine, who had no trouble scoring.
Although the Eagles scored again through the substitute Linton Scott, the Reds kept the tries coming, none better than that of Fred Sapatu, who sidestepped the defence after the ball had travelled through seven pairs of hands. It was Perth's biggest winning margin in any match.
Perth: Geyer, Brady-Smith, Fleming, Ryan, Wilshere, Devine, Rodwell, Kearns, Fuller, Green, Evans, Higgins, Millar. Substitutes: Horan, Sapatu, Shiels, Ridding.
Sheffield: Sovatabua, Pinkney, Taewa, Senior, Garcia, Wood, Aston, Doyle, McAllister, Carr, Laughton, Lawless, Broadbent. Substitutes: Stott, Turner, Wright, Vassilakopoulos.
Referee: S Clarke.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments