CHRIS Hill sent the Fijians scattering as Warrington Wolves’ England pair helped secure victory in their final Group A match at the KC Stadium in Hull.
While super Bennie Westwood crossed for his first senior international try to spark a much-needed rally against stubborn opposition, Hill showed once again why Wolves’ owner Simon Moran rates him as the best prop in the UK.
It was 0-0 when Hill entered the fray off the bench and he played a considerable part in England exploding to a 34-6 lead 23 minutes later.
A part-time Leigh Centurions prop in the Championship two years ago, there he was ripping up some NRL opponents as he figured in all six tries that steered his country into the last eight on a high.
With the opening arm wrestle over and Rick Stone’s side taking a shock 6-0 lead, Hill’s dummy run gave skipper Kevin Sinfield the space to put Westwood over for a score that saw the sides turn around all square at 6-6.
In the first set of the second half Hill’s powerful surge laid the platform for Sam Burgess to repeat the dose in scoring fashion.
Then a lovely little tip-off pass to Rangi Chase paved the way for Brett Ferres to move England 18-6 ahead.
Another powerful drive instigated Ryan Hall’s first of a classy brace, while it was Hill’s swat-away break from a Sinfield inside pass that allowed supporting George Burgess to send Rob Burrow weaving home.
And he provided a foil for Hall’s concluding try on a day when the prop took himself to the top of England’s charts as the forward to have made the most carries and most metres during the campaign.
His workrate has not dipped in any area as he is still England’s fourth highest tackler too.
Perhaps there are some better defences coming his way, but he stood tall on his first match-up with Australia in Cardiff last month. England are in good hands.
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