RLWC live updates: Kangaroos stunned early as heavy underdogs put fans in raptures

The Kangaroos have taken a 28-6 lead into half-time in Townsville.

Jack Bostock crossed after only two minutes, and although the Cook Islands hit back quickly and even pinched the lead, Australia responded with four consecutive tries.

Tom Trbojevic, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Kotoni Staggs and Reece Walsh all went over.

Dearden is having a top game. The local hero has made a line break and set up two tries.

Let’s keep an eye on Reece Walsh.

Seven’s Jelisa Apps noted that the Kangaroos fullback was grabbing his foot – and he’s now passed the conversion duties to Cameron Munster.

That’s a fifth try for Australia and it belongs to Reece Walsh.

Jacob Preston makes another big line break – this time from Australia’s half of the field – before drawing fullback Valentine Holme and passing to the Broncos phenom.

Cameron Munster takes the conversion attempt this time and makes no mistake, extending the Kangaroos’ lead to 28-6.

Tom Dearden, take a bow.

The Kangaroos halfback just threw a cracker of a ball to set up a try for Kotoni Staggs on the right edge.

Dearden darted onto the ball at first receiver 10 metres out, noted that a couple of Cook Islands defenders were rushing up and in, and made them pay by hitting an unmarked Staggs with a 20-metre bullet.

He cut out none other than Reece Walsh as he delivered the ball.

Back-rower Jacob Preston had taken an outstanding carry on the previous tackle, breaking through the defensive line and carving out 30 metres.

The Kangaroos are up 22-6 in the 28th minute.

The Aussies have run in two tries in quick succession after temporarily having their pants pulled down by the Cook Islands.

In the 18th minute, Tom Dearden broke through the Cook Islands’ defence on the right edge 20 metres out and found an unmarked Tom Trbojevic on his outside.

And just three minutes later, Trbojevic came bounding in off his wing and linked with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who crashed over to the right of the posts.

The Kangaroos are up 16-6.

The Cook Islands have stolen the lead in Townsville after hooker Rua Ngatikaura burrowed over from dummy-half – putting the Aitu supporters in raptures.

Ngatikaura scooped up the ball a couple of metres out, dummied, and brushed through Patrick Carrigan and Liam Martin to score in the ninth minute.

The Cook Islands’ best player, former Queensland State of Origin ace Valentine Holmes, then converted to give the underdogs a 6-4 lead.

Only two minutes have passed but Australia is already on the board.

Jack Bostock has gone over on the left wing to jag the opening points.

Reece Walsh pumped, and then through a soaring cut-out ball, to put the Dolphins flyer over.

But Walsh then hooked his conversion attempt, missing to the right.

Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh has kicked off in Townsville.

The Broncos superstar has returned to the side at the expense of the axed James Tedesco.

We are just about ready for kick-off in the clash between Australia and the Cook Islands.

I am here at Queensland Country Bank Stadium hammering away in the press box.

The national anthems have been sung, the Cook Islands are performing a war dance and kick-off is just moments away.

Enjoy the game and, hopefully, our coverage.

New Zealand’s women have knocked off PNG 40-12 on the Gold Coast.

Mackenzie Wiki and Abigail Roache both scored doubles.