A sodden and windy ‘Cake Tin’ was the venue on Saturday night for a thrilling match completely befitting of the high quality Four Nations tournament where the Kiwi’s were the worthy winners, withstanding a late kangaroos onslaught to win 22-18.
The Kiwi’s led by an impressive display by their forward pack, and in particular Simon Mannering and Mattin Taupau, were well on their way to their first consecutive over Australia in 61 years when Mani Vatuvei crossed to give them a ten point lead with twenty minutes to play.
But as is their want the Australians never went away. An incredible team try finished off by Ben Hunt saw them close the gap to jut six points and when they had a full as of six inside the opposition twenty, heart break seem entirely possible.
As it was, referee Paul Bentham spotted a forward pass in a play that rule out a Sione Mata’utia equalizer, and the Kiwis escaped.
However, it was all the Kiwi’s deserved given they were the better side throughout the Four Nations finale. Showing rare poise the Kiwi’s have potentially ushered in a new area of increased competitiveness against the traditionally superior Kangaroos. The young side will undoubtedly take tremendous heart and belief from the four week series where the roles of Pita Hiku, Dean Whare, and Shaun Johnson have become more defined.
The result was not always inevitable, especially after Australia made the faster start. Benefitting from two early penalties the visitors heaped pressure on the NZ goal line and that told when Whare and Johnson collided and failed to defuse a fairly innocuous bomb to allow Michael Jennings to score. As the penalty count evened up, Shaun Kenny-Dowall was able to find open space and put the wheels in motion for NZ’s first try through Jason Nightingale. When Vatuvei scored his first try by isolating young winger Mata’utia the Kiwis ran out to an impressive half time advantage and finished strongly to nullify the shaky start.
Despite anxious moments at the beginning and end of the second half Shaun Johnson glorious solo effort was enough to crown the Kiwi’s Four Nations champions for the second time. The memory of Johnson’s blistering speed and skinning of Greg Inglis will long live in the memory of Kiwi fans as they cling to a new hope of a golden era of New Zealand Rugby Leaue spearheaded by Johnson and Kieran Foran.
Observations
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.