Winger Josh Addo-Carr scored a double in an eye-catching display for Australia in their 42-8 win over Fiji on Sunday morning at the Rugby League World Cup.
After Fiji opened the scoring after just five minutes, the Kangaroos eventually found their feet with Addo-Carr going 90 metres to cross for a sensational try in the 24th minute that firmly turned the match in his side's favour.
The Bulldogs flyer showed just how quick he can be by leaving several Fijian players in his wake.
Not done yet, Addo-Carr bagged another try late in the game as he raced onto pin-point grubber from Harry Grant, who also impressed off the bench.
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While Addo-Carr appears to be a firm favourite of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, the 27-year-old was controversially left out of the NSW Blues squad this year.
Brad Fittler's side would go on to lose the series 2-1 with fans now scratching their heads as to why Addo-Carr wasn't good enough to play for the Blues but is now starring for Australia at the World Cup.
It's absolutely crazy that Brad Fittler didn't pick Josh Addo-Carr for NSW this year. He is a great player & not many players have the skill & extreme pace to score tries like the one vs Fiji today. He could've been a match winner for the Blues this year but not to be. #RLWC2021
— Christian Hansen (@Hansen33) October 15, 2022
Can someone explain how Addo-Carr wasn’t selected for NSW? Fittler is clueless #RLWC
— Charles Haig (@charles_haig01) October 15, 2022
The big questions I had after watching #AUSvFIJ at the #RLWC2022 is how did Fittler not pick Addo-Carr for NSW? And how did Harry Grant not win man of the match? Oh and how good is it to still have Rugby League to watch?
— Luke Bradnam (@LukeBradnam) October 15, 2022
Imagine not selecting Josh Addo-Carr in your team!!! #NSW #BLUES #RLWC2021 #AUSvFIJ
— Craig M (@diminutiverowdy) October 15, 2022
The fox is on fire 🔥
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022
Josh Addo-Carr shows a clean set of heels!#RLWC2021 | @BBCSport | @Kangaroos | #AUSFIJ pic.twitter.com/IsSvZKU3ZF
After making the call not to pick Addo-Carr for the Blues in 2022, Fittler stressed his omission was more down to other players earning a spot ahead of him.
“It’s more of a case of Daniel Tupou playing his way in, what he’s done at the Roosters, how safe he is, the way he brings the ball out of trouble," Fittler told SEN at the time.
“I feel like at the moment...I don’t think it’d be right on Fox (Addo-Carr) or the team to go into Game I.
“We’ve communicated, and he’s committed to getting back in the team. My line to him was, he belongs here. That was a tough one.”
Prior to his axing, Addo-Carr had scored 10 tries across 12 appearances for the Blues as he helped NSW win three State of Origin titles.
