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Australia’s leaders.
AUSTRALIA have broken a three-match losing streak, beating the Kiwis 16-0 in the annual ANZAC Test at Hunter Stadium.
New Zealand struggled to execute any opportunities in attack, with the absence of players excluded from the starting team all too apparent.
Despite the victory, Australia’s performance was considered uninspiring by commentators, with Johnathan Thurston labelling it “sloppy and scrappy.â€
“It was very scrappy. We had a short preparation, only the two sessions and that probably showed out there,†Thurston said.
“We had a lot of opportunities in the second half, but we were just really sloppy and scrappy so it wasn’t a great affair for the fans, but its a step in the right direction for us.
“Obviously we have a new coaching style, new players to the team, four debutants, so there is plenty to work on, but yeah very scrappy.â€
Thurston also slammed the Kiwis for a number of late hits in the match. The Cowboys skipper was hit late in the second half by Sam Moa, in what was described by Andrew Johns as a “cheap shot.â€
“Yeah it rattled me a bit,†Thurston said.
“It’s bad because your body rests. So once you throw that ball you are relaxed and when they get you it hurts — you get that whiplash in your neck.
“So hopefully we can get it out of the game because it is very late. Cooper (Cronk) copped another one there on that last play, so its not good for the game.â€
Australia opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Darius Boyd, with Greg Inglis and Blake Ferguson also picking up tries.
Read on to see how the match unfolded.
FIRST HALF
Darius Boyd opened the scoring for the 2016 ANZAC Test.Source:Getty Images
1st min — The Kiwis started the match with the ball, bashing up the middle for a powerful set of six. After such a stirring haka, they wasted no time in setting the physical standard for the match.
3rd min — Both sides gave away early penalties, with the Kiwis sacrificing the opportunity to attack deep in the Roos’ half with a clear obstruction.
6th min — Shaun Johnson put a quick grubber into Australia’s in-goal for Kevin Proctor to chase. Semi Radradra chased in defence and appeared to push Proctor clear of the ball as it bounced over the dead-ball line. After review by the video referee, the push was ruled a professional foul, seeing Radradra sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. No penalty try was awarded.
9th min — Australia got their first scoring opportunity via Blake Ferguson. After a crisp backline play saw Ferguson in space in the right corner, he was tackled into touch, dropping the ball over the line.
14th min — After the Kangaroos managed to force back-to-back sets, Australia again had an opportunity to get first points on the board. Carrying two defenders with him, Darius Boyd was dragged down on the fifth tackle just before the try line. There was speculation around a possible double movement however it appeared that momentum carried the player over the line. Video replay confirmed the referee’s on-field call that a try had been scored. AUS 4 — NZ 0
15th min — Johnathan Thurston took his first shot at goal for the night, pushing the ball wide and hitting the left upright. AUS 4 — NZ 0
19th min — Australia were awarded another penalty in their own half, with Cameron Smith calling on Thurston to take a shot. The Queenslander nailed the kick to take his side out to a six-point lead. AUS 6 — NZ 0
24th min — Semi Radradra forced a penalty with his first touch back on the field, adding to a total of seven penalties from the referee with just over a quarter of the match gone. “It’s a lot of penalties for a test match. We’ve had seven and we’re only in the 24th minute,†commentator Phil Gould said.
25th min — After James Tamou busted through on the fifth tackle and was held up over the line, Cooper Cronk put up a high bomb which saw Ferguson soar high and fall just short of the try line.
Greg Inglis scored the second try for the Roos.Source:AAP
30th min — Another high bomb from Cronk on the last tackle saw the Aussie attack ask questions of the Kiwis, with Semi Radradra claiming the kick high above the Kiwi defence. The Kangaroos quickly shifted the ball midfield before an attempted intercept saw them gain another set of six. A simple shift from Thurston on the next tackle got the ball out to Greg Inglis who just too powerful for the Kiwi defence. The Rabbitoh took Shaun Johnson with him as he crashed over in the left corner for Australia’s second try of the night. AUS 10 — NZ 0
33rd min — Thurston missed his second conversion of the match, pushing the ball well wide of the right upright. AUS 10 — NZ 0
36th min — A high tackle by Johnathan Thurston forced yet another penalty after he caused Dallin Watene Zelezniak to drop the ball just metres out from the line. Inglis then touched the ball down over the line but no try was ruled immediately by the referee.
40th min — With the last tackle of the half, Blake Ferguson broke down the sideline, kicking midfield to open attackers Cooper Cronk and Michael Morgan. Jordan Kahu pulled off a huge tackle to pull Cronk over the dead ball line and save a try.
SECOND HALF
41st min — Australia heaped the pressure on from the very first set of the second half, tackling Jason Nightingale in-goal to force a repeat set.
42nd min — Johnathan Thurston was hit late by Sam Moa after passing the ball just 20m from the Kiwi line. A penalty was called, with Cameron Smith taking a shot at goal. The ball sailed over to extended Australia’s lead. AUS 12 — NZ 0
48th min — After brushing off Johnathan Thurston, NRL strongman Martin Taupau took a huge hit from James Tamou, laying him flat on his back. In the same set, Shaun Johnson attempted to mimic Cooper Cronk’s attacking opportunity on the wing, however his high bomb sailed well over the far touchline.
55th min — The Kiwis were awarded repeat sets after a high kick was stripped from Radradra after the catch, however the Kiwis once again failed to execute, knocking the ball on two tackles later.
59th min — Australia continued to heap the pressure in New Zealand’s half, with a grubber kick on the last tackle from Cameron Smith hitting the upright, causing Jordan Kahu to force the ball and effect a line drop-out.
63rd min — With the Australian attack continuing relentlessly, the Aussies again held a repeat set after pressure on Thurston saw a Kiwi hand knock the ball forward on the final tackle.
The Roos didn’t make much progress however, with Sam Thaiday knocking the ball on in a sloppy play-the-ball two tackles later.
Johnathan Thurston wasn’t happy with the number of late hits from New Zealand.Source:News Corp Australia
67th min — Thurston busted through New Zealand’s defensive line from within his own half for a 30 metre run, putting the Aussies hard on the attack once again. Cooper Cronk surged forward the following tackle to be dragged down just a few metres short of the line. “There’s something brewing here,†Ray Warren said.
69th min — Commentators noted the lack of excitement of the second half, claiming Australia would struggle to make the final of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup if the ANZAC Test proved to be the peak of their performance.
71st min — Shaun Johnson produced the biggest blooper of the match, spilling a line drop-out kick cold.
“Oh dear, oh dear. How does this happen? there’s not much you can say is there,†Phil Gould said.
77th min — Blake Ferguson thought he had scored his first try of the match, only to have his hopes crushed after the referee ruled a clear knock on from teammate Josh Dugan who knocked the ball out of a Kiwi defender’s hands.
79th min — Just two minutes later, Ferguson was finally awarded his first international try, sliding into the far right corner off the back of a direct backline play. AUS 16 — NZ 0
80th min — Cameron Smith missed his first conversion of the night, leaving his side with a 16-point victory. AUS 16 — NZ 0
KIWIS’ BIGGEST DANGER MAN
Rampaging Taumalolo is a massive threat.Source:AAP
SKIPPER Cameron Smith has nominated Jason Taumalolo as the player the Kangaroos need to stop if they are to break a three-match losing streak against the Kiwis.
North Queensland back-rower Taumalolo has been a key figure in the NRL side’s success. That has been mirrored in his role with New Zealand.
With New Zealand missing Kieran Foran for Friday night’s Test against Australia in Newcastle, coach Stephen Kearney has made no secret of the fact his side will take on Australia up the middle throughout the game.
Smith knows Taumalolo is key there.
“Jason is in great form at the moment with the Cowboys and he has been playing really well for the last three seasons,†Smith said.
“They still have a good side even if they have a few guys missing.â€
“Jason is a big powerful kid, there is no doubt about that.
“He can certainly create a lot of momentum for his team. We have a big challenge ahead of us in the middle with Jesse (Bromwich) and Adam Blair and a couple of guys coming off their bench.â€
Smith comes up against his Melbourne teammate Bromwich in the leadership stakes.
“His appointment is very well deserved, I’m really happy for him to be leading out the team and hopefully he has a good game,†he said.
Smith said a number of the Kangaroos players were still hurt by their last start loss to the Kiwis in the trans-Tasman Test last year.
“It is always difficult to lose, but especially when you walk off the field disappointed about how you played,â€Smith said.
“There would not be too many players who were happy with the way they played last time around.â€
— with James MacSmith, AAP
TEAMS
Cameron Smith with captain the Kangaroos, while Jesse Bromwich will lead the Kiwis.Source:News Corp Australia
Australia Kangaroos
Darius Boyd, Semi Radradra, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Paul Gallen, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Bench: Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Sam Thaiday.
New Zealand Kiwis
Jordan Kahu, Jason Nightingale, Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kodi Nikorima, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Manu Ma’u, Jason Taumalolo, Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Sam Moa, Kenny Bromwich