Looking for an intercept in the dying seconds of the Kangaroos' quarter-final win over Lebanon, five tries clearly wasn’t enough for Josh Addo-Carr.
With the record for most tries in a Test match held by team-mate Valentine Holmes, with six in Australia’s semi-final victory over Fiji in 2017, you can see why 'The Foxx' was sweating on any opportunity at the end of the 48-4 triumph in Huddersfield.
Remarkably, Holmes' six-try haul came just a week after he had scored five in the World Cup quarter-final against Samoa, as he finished the tournament with a record 12 tries.
With at least one more game and possibly two to come, Addo-Carr already has 11 tries and gets a huge chance to set a new mark.
“Val’s got the record but I’ll see what happens. I’m playing in a wonderful team with great players and just loving every moment of it,” Addo-Carr said post-match.
“I’m grateful for the five tries. We worked really hard through the middle and I’m just grateful to be on the wing. All I have to do is catch the ball and put it down.
Addo-Carr bags a handful
“I’m just having fun off the field with the boys and the coaching staff. You can see on the field everyone is working hard for each other and doing their job the very best they can and it’s a reflection of what’s happening off the field I suppose.”
So frequently is Addo-Carr crossing the stripe that he's in danger of running out of try celebrations, pulling out the lightning bolt pose made famous by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt after his second try against the Cedars.
The 27-year-old speedster revealed that the lightning bolt was a tribute to team-mate Harry Grant's nephew.
“Harry's nephew is a big fan of mine and he asked Harry if I could do a try celebration for him and that’s what he wanted so that’s a little shout-out for him,” Addo-Carr said.
“I met his nephew a few years ago when I was down in Melbourne so I did it for him.
“I’m just really enjoying my footy at the moment. I get to do what I love doing and that’s playing footy with my mates.”
Plenty of good judges felt Addo-Carr was stiff to miss out on NSW Origin selection this year but he took the disappointment in his stride and finished his first year at the Bulldogs with 16 tries in 23 games.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said the lethal left winger is at his best after a year of “ups and downs”.
Meninga speaks post game
“He’s been terrific for us. Not only on the field but off the field as well,” Meninga said.
“He’s great to be around, he plays for the team and he does what he needs to do which is score tries for us.
“I’m really happy for him, it’s been an up-and-down year but the real Foxx is out at the moment and it’s really good to see.”
The defending World Cup champions have qualified for the semi-finals where they await the winner of the quarter-final between New Zealand and Fiji on Sunday (AEDT).
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