Parramatta Eels forward Nathan Brown led Italy to an impressive 28-4 win over Scotland at Newcastle’s Kingston Park to keep alive the Azzurri’s hopes of an historic World Cup quarter-final berth.
Brown, who is the only NRL player in the Italian squad following withdrawal of Storm playmaker Cooper Johns, was outstanding as the well organised Azzurri dominated the Bravehearts in their opening World Cup match.
The Italian captain ran 123 metres from 23 carries of the ball and made 34 tackles before being given an early mark after winger Jake Maizen crossed for his third try seven minutes from fulltime.
Maizen’s hat-trick capped a dream international debut for the 25-year-old Sunshine Coast Falcons speedster.Â
Halves Jack Campignolo and Radean Robinson, who was called up as a late replacement for Johns, were also influential on the win, which gives Italy the chance to advance to the…
