Brett Morris on his way to a record-equalling four tries against the United States. Source: Alex Livesey / Getty Images
BILLY Slater's World Cup week from hell continued overnight when the superstar fullback suffered a potentially tournament ending knee injury in Australia's 62-0 win over the United States.
The Kangaroos smashed the Tomahawks 12 tries to nil with Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne starring with a World Cup record equalling four tries each while Greg Inglis also finished with a double.
But the big concern last night surrounded Slater after he was assisted from the field by trainers in agony.
Slater was going up to field a bomb just two minutes into the second half when he was collected by Tomahawks interchange forward Roman Hifo.
There appeared to be nothing untoward in the tackle but Slater stayed down clutching his left knee and was immediately replaced with Inglis moving to fullback.
It's the same knee Slater injured during the 2012 State of Origin series when he suffered posterior cruciate damage that sidelined him for two months.
Paul Gallen on the offensive against the United States. Source: Getty Images
The early indications were that this is a recurrence of that same injury and the 30-year-old will have scans Sunday to determine the extent of the damage.
"It's an injury to his old injury (posterior cruciate ligament)," coach Tim Sheens said.
"He has got no PCL so he can't hurt it. We are just hoping it was a bad knock. We will send him for an MRI.
"We haven't given up thought he might still be available. If not this week possibly after (for the World Cup final on November 30).
"I'm not going to panic just yet. As I say the ligament is not there. The issue is the knock."
If Slater is ruled out for the tournament Inglis will obviously remain at fullback which opens up opportunity for Michael Jennings and Josh Morris to come into the top side at left centre for next week's semi-final at Wembley.
It caps off a terrible week for Slater after he was involved in a fight outside a Manchester nightclub while out celebrating in the early hours of Monday.
Slater was taken into custody by police but later released without charge with the police.
The injury overshadowed another impressive performance by the Kangaroos who now haven't conceded a try in their last three games.
Australia raced in eight first half tries all up including four to Morris, equalling the most tries ever scored by an Australian player in a Test.
The Kangaroos were up 38-0 at the break and Inglis and Hayne were in everything.
Inglis scored one try and threw the final pass for two more while Hayne was a handful on the right edge, justifying Sheens' decision to play him at centre.
Jarryd Hayne also scored four tries against the USA. Source: AP
Hayne opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute running off Inglis _ and Inglis then scored to make it 10-0 after 11 minutes.
Morris raced 60 metres for his first try in the 21st minute and with the Kangaroos dominating possession and a 4-2 penalty count the Tomahawks didn't have a hope.
Cam Smith crossed for his first try of the tournament after some brilliant lead up work from Hayne _ and Hayne and Slater combined to send Morris over for his second in the 25th minute.
Cronk's try in the 28th minute blew the margin out to 30-0 before Morris stepped up with two more tries in the final five minutes before the break to book his spot in World Cup history as only one of five players to score four tries in a match. Hayne joined him as the sixth in the second half.
Inglis scored again in the 51st minute followed by another try to Hayne on the 57th minute as Australia clocked up their half century.
Hayne then crossed for his hattrick in the 70th minute and closed it out with his fourth in the 79th minute to wrap up Australia's 62-0 thumping.
Australia: 62 Tries: Hayne (4), Inglis (2), B.Morris (4), Smith, Cronk - Goals: Thurston 7
USA: 0
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