SYDNEY, July 12: Australia humiliated Britain 64-10 in Friday’s one-off test to hand the Lions their heaviest defeat in almost a century of international rugby league.

The Australians ran in 11 tries to two in a completely one-sided contest, eclipsing their 50-12 win in England in 1963, which had been the previous record victory margin since the two great rivals first locked horns in 1908.

“We got taught a football lesson,” Britain coach David Waite said. “We were chasing our tails most of the night.”

The rampant Australians scored six tries in the first half to lead 34-0 at the break, then added another five tries after the interval in an avalanche of points that made a mockery of what was supposed to be a clash between the world’s two best teams.

They set new records for the highest total, biggest winning margin, most tries and most goals in matches between the teams.

It was also Britain’s heaviest defeat against any country since international rugby league began 94 years ago.

Nine different players joined in the Australian try-scoring feast, with Scott Hill and Darren Lockyer scoring twice each and Chris McKenna, Willie Mason, Gorden Tallis, Shaun Timmins, Danny Buderus, Lote Tuqiri and Timana Tahu crossing once.

Australia’s captain Andrew Johns kicked 10 goals for a personal haul of 20 points, just two short of the individual record held by Michael O’Connor.—Reuters