New Zealand England

14 NOV 2014 #50 14 : 12 NEW ZEALAND EENGLANDNGLAND the Kiwis line up as the National Anthem is sung. "I would go so far as to say it was one of the best test games I have witnessed in some time, even including our upset win over the Aussies, because although we were sensational in that one, the Aussies were off their game, whereas England were fi ercely competitive... [it was] a real old-fashioned game of attrition." Led by Isaac Luke, the Kiwis gave a full-on HAKA haka. headed to Wellington on Tuesday, the best test games I have witnessed in to cheer them on, which added heaps of Old foes again in Four Nations which is always special for me being a some time, even including our upset win colour and noise to the grounds, especially Most pundits would have predicted a Iborn and bred working class boy from over the Aussies, because although we Whangarei. Kiwis v Kangaroos fi nal before the Four Newtown. were sensational in that one, the Aussies But Samoa’s loss means it is once again Nations kicked off at Suncorp. But none I’m staying in the hotel with the Kiwis and were off their game, whereas England were the old rivals – the Kiwis v Australia at guessed what drama would unfold with it is a huge privilege to be included in the fi ercely competitive. Westpac Stadium. thoroughly competitive England and Toa preparations for Saturday’s Four Nations All the experts I spoke to after the game Samoa teams. fi nal against Australia. agreed it had been a fabulous test, a real All Blacks win too The English scrambled to beat the Our biggest challenge is going to be old-fashioned game of attrition. And of course it was two from two against Samoans, but could then count themselves fi lling Westpac Stadium. I am of course Thomas Leuluai and Jason England at the weekend, with the All doubly unlucky to lose to Australia and desperate for a good crowd tofront and Nightingale would attest to that, both Blacks winning the rugby at Twickenham. New Zealand. get behind our boys as we look to pull off having received gashes to the head that Just like their league team, England battled Samoa shared the 10 tries in the opening a famous win. If you want to get tickets to needed stitches. throughout and never gave up, but the All match against England, falling behind only the game all you need do is go to www. It was incredibly close throughout, but our Blacks looked composed and got the on the goalkicking. It was a similar story at ticketek.co.nz two-point winning margin was enough to result. Whangarei when David Fa’alogo’s men Maybe Air NZ should be putting on some make it three from three and guarantee Like many people, I was a bit confused were good enough to equal the Kiwis’ special fans’ fl ights to get supporters from our place in Wellington for the fi nal this by some of the ref’s decisions in this one three tries but lost by two points. Only out of the capital to the game. weekend. though, which surprised me a bit, because against Australia did their defensive effort I confess to being a bit worried because It has been a terrifi c Four Nations, and even I rate Nigel Owens. falter. Wellington has not enjoyed a good though England lost, their hopes were still Of course Richie McCaw and the boys No-one foresaw the Kiwis’ second half reputation in terms of getting crowds out to alive ahead of the Samoa v Australia game go on to Murrayfi eld this weekend to take dominance in beating the Kangaroos 30- sport at the stadium, and the Kiwis, despite on Sunday. on Scotland, but there is only one place I 12 at Suncorp. But it must be remembered being the form team, will need every ounce am going to be, and that is at Westpac to both Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry- of support and home backing against an Samoa exit with heads held high see my mighty Kiwis. Evans were off the fi eld as their team- Aussie team that will be desperate to take Sadly, Samoa had their poorest game Coach Stephen Kearney has done a fi ne mates conceded 18 unanswered second- revenge for the fi rst round loss to our boys. of the tournament, and ended up being job in getting the team into the big dance, half points. comprehensively outplayed by the and with three wins from three we have Much was made of Australia missing Dunedin a great experience Kangaroos, which is a great shame, every right to be confi dent. their established combinations such as It was not the biggest crowd at Dunedin because really they were the story of But Australia are not world champions for Jonathan Thurston and Billy Slater. for the Kiwis against England on Saturday the tournament, providing much stiffer nothing, and they will fancy their chances. But Cherry-Evans and Inglis are gifted night but I will say this; those that did come opposition than anyone thought possible. So come on Kiwis, make an old Butcher replacements, and this tournament has were incredibly vocal, and helped make it I had been very much looking forward to proud! actually served to increase the Kangaroos’ a great night. the game, and thought Samoa would be depth. Sure, it was not the number the Butcher more of a test for the Aussies, who have Old friend shares his thoughts In effect, the traditional trans-Tasman expected, but it was still a reasonable not looked fl ash. Experienced sports journalist and league roles have been reversed. Whereas the turnout, and we were treated to a fantastic All the same, I thought Samoa added a nut John Coffey* worked for The Press Kangaroos usually start with a big fi rst-up game. lot to the tournament, and particularly in in Christchurch for many years. Here he win, and the Kiwis steadily improve, it is the I would go so far as to say it was one of terms of their supporters getting along shares his thoughts about the Four Nations. Kangaroos who are learning quickly under WWhat'shat's uup,p, Nightingale’s four tries in the Four Nations is now receiving a higher profi le across the DDoc?oc? MManuanu aandnd has spurted him along to15 in 23 tests, Tasman. SSimon.imon. bringing him level with such illustrious The Jillaroos were actually paid for the fi rst former internationals as Richie Blackmore, time – even if their $500 payment paled in Tom Hadfi eld, Phillip Orchard and Ruben comparison to what the men receive. It Wiki. was recently reported that 138,000 females now play league in Australia. Shaun’s century While on the subject of individual Black mark for offi cials achievements, Shaun Johnson has Those offi cials (reportedly from Australia become the eighth Kiwi to exceed a and New Zealand) who decided neutral century of points at test level. Johnson sits referees were not needed during the on 110 points, trailing only Matthew Ridge Four Nations have gone close to bringing (168), Stacey Jones (160), Daryl Halligan the game into disrepute. Perception is (137), Des White (132) and Henry Paul important, and spectators should not be (121), the great Olsen Filipaina (108), and talking about the referee’s allegiance, as Benji Marshall (106). they were in Melbourne, Dunedin and Tim Sheens. The challenge now is for the 2013 (World Cup): Wollongong. Kiwis to be as dominant at Wellington on Australia 34, New Zealand 2 New Test venues There was the extraordinary, and Saturday as they were in Brisbane. at Old Trafford, Manchester Whangarei’s Toll Stadium and Dunedin’s embarrassing, sight of Australian on-fi eld Forsyth Barr Stadium have become, referee Gerard Sutton sending a decision Winging it in Dunedin “If you build it…” respectively, New Zealand’s 20th and 21st up to his video ref and brother, Bernard, All six tries in New Zealand’s thrilling According to the Kevin Costner movie league test venues since the fi rst British to decide if England wing, Ryan Hall, had 14-12 victory over England in Dunedin Field of Dreams, if you build a playing team toured this country in 1910. The full scored a last-minute try that would have were scored by the wings – two each to fi eld they will come. But the attendance list, under the host cities and with the year sent the Kangaroos out of an international the Kiwis’ Jason Nightingale and the at Dunedin’s impressively roofed Forsyth of their Test “debut”, is: fi nal for the fi rst time in 60 years. Lions’ Ryan Hall, and one to Manu Barr Stadium on Saturday night was Englishman, Phil Bentham awarded a Vatuvei and Josh Charnley. disappointing at less than 16,000. In Auckland (5): Domain Cricket Ground selective penalty that not only halted the That fact emphasised the effectiveness contrast, Whangarei’s Toll Stadium 1910, Carlaw Park 1924, Eden Park 1988, Kiwis in their tracks in Dunedin after Jason of the rivals’ more convincing attacks. attracted 17,000 for New Zealand’s clash Mt Smart Stadium 1989, North Harbour Nightingale’s second-minute try, but led to Nightingale fl ew high to claim the opening with Toa Samoa. Stadium 1997. Hall’s fi rst try for the Lions and 20 minutes try from a perfect kick, and the others were True, busloads of Aucklanders headed of desperate Kiwis defence.

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