Clinical 'Roos thump England

Billy Slater helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as Australia clinched the Gillette Four Nations title with a resounding 46-16 triumph over England.

Tony Smith's side fought bravely against the odds and led on no fewer than three occasions at Elland Road before being blown away in the final quarter.

Hopes of a home win were raised when Sam Burgess crossed for his second try of the contest to put England 16-14 ahead with 30 minutes to play.

However, with the game in the balance, the Kangaroos simply moved through the gears to score six tries without reply to run out resounding winners.

Toe-to-toe

The final scoreline did not do England's efforts justice after they had stood toe-for-toe and slugged it out against their rivals.

They had managed to land the first blow in a pulsating first half when Burgess showed just why he will be heading to the NRL next year with a superb break down the middle of the field.

Not once but twice he dummied his way past a defender, Slater himself fooled by a fine step that left the loose forward with an easy run-in under the posts.

The score, which was converted by Kevin Sinfield, came shortly after the Australians had seen a try chalked off by video official Phil Bentham, who had a busy evening, for a knock-on.

Burgess should have set up a second try soon after by passing to Sam Tomkins but instead went by himself, a decision that soon proved costly as Brett Morris, the man who lost the ball over the line earlier, darted over on the right corner on the next set of six.

Despite Peter Fox reeling in Kyle Eastmond's kick out wide to score England found themselves 14-10 down at the half-time interval.

Jarryd Hayne made amends for losing out to his opposite winger for a high ball by setting up Greg Inglis in the left corner with a superbly-weighted kick that the centre just about grounded, despite suspicions of a knock-on.

Jonathan Thurston added the extras for a second time and also slotted over a penalty to give the tourists a four-point cushion at the midway point.

Yet with confidence high following their fine first 40 minutes England came roaring out of the traps after the re-start to get their noses in front again.

Clinical Kangaroos

Burgess charged on to Gareth Ellis' pass and burst through to reach the line, Sinfield's conversion making it 16-14. At that stage it appeared a shock could be on the cards - instead England were knocked out by their clinical rivals.

Slater grabbed his first of the night with a burst from dummy half and before England had time to react Thurston's inch-perfect kick laid on a second try for Morris.

Michael Shenton was stretchered off following a clash with Ben Hannant and soon Smith's side were out for the count when Cameron Smith touched down.

Slater, who set up the hooker by somehow knocking the ball back from Darren Lockyer's kick before it went dead in-goal, scored another himself by finishing off a flowing move from deep.

The Melbourne Storm star went on to complete his treble with the final try of the night following an effort from Hayne, Australia running in 32 points without reply to re-assert themselves as the powerhouses of the international game.