Kiwis and Kangaroos Play Arguably The League Game Of The Century

New Zealand ups the ante and France nearly shocked.

Building on the momentum from an excellent Rugby League World Cup, the results in the first round of the Four Nations showed that test matches are anything but a one horse race.

Heading into the tournament, many believed that it was just a simple case of the Kangaroos turning up to win the title, looking to restore the balance of world league power by proving that the New Zealand 2008 World Cup win was just a fluke.

While Australia named three debutants in their first team of the Four Nations, and only eight survivors from their shock 20-34 loss to New Zealand, it was still a typically powerful side, littered with more match winners and game breakers than any other nation could hope to muster.

Most of their players would occupy a current World XIII, and after beating New Zealand 38-10 in the May Anzac test match to avenge their World Cup loss, they were almost un-backable favourites

New Zealand on the other hand were suffering numerous injuries, and were rank outsiders for the championship, with some in the English press predicting that they could struggle to make the final.

Some of the kiwi players were asked about their chances arriving in England, and their reactions were almost ominous, bristling with so many assuming not only that they would not be competitive, but that their World Cup win was a once in a lifetime sporting upset.

After eighty minutes were completed at the Twickenham stoop, many believed that New Zealand were in fact unlucky not to come away with the win. 

Kangaroo’s captain Darren Lockyer and premiership winning captain Cameron Smith would later remark that they were indeed fortunate to come out of the clash with a draw.

New Zealand played to their strengths, bringing trademark physicality to the match and looking to overpower the Australians.  This has often been the precursor to their clashes, but more often than not, the kiwis never quite bring the game to match their talk.

This time, they did and more.

But most importantly their defence, while physically imposing, was accurate and co-ordinated.

For all of the glamour and execution of the Australian’s vaunted backline attack, the reality is that few offenses can engineer their way past a committed and hungry defensive wall.

But in saying this, the kangaroos by and large kept playing to their patterns and for long periods dominated possession and territory due to their world class control and poise.  Even despite the hammering that they received via the power game of New Zealand, they still were able to counter most of what the kiwis threw at them.

Two very different teams, in what was one of the greatest rugby league clashes in modern history.

Cut and thrust, from the kiwis opening mistake from the kick receive, through to their 14 point burst in the second half, to the Australians last minute try, it had everything that would have those still optimistic that league can be a legitimate global sport grinning from ear to ear (even if the global sport only has a handful of competitors).

It was a match that would have had England and France wide eyed in shock, although both sides may have been smiling to see their opposition teams smash each other up.

But on the form of the opening round, it will take a huge upset for either of the European hosts to stop either the World Champions or the number one ranked team in the world.

The opening clash between them looked to provide a surprise of its own, after the French came back from England’s opening try to lead 12-4 at halftime.

Les Chanteclairs were playing an up tempo and wide based game that England initially struggled with, before they came back and scored five second half tries to run out comfortable winners.

England coach Tony Smith and his side were dealt a timely reality check by the fifth ranked French (Fiji is ranked fourth in the world).  England now knows that a victory over either New Zealand or Australia guarantees them a place in the final.

Coming into this tournament England had a point to prove, especially on their turf, and after watching the two current world leaders shake the foundations in their opening clash, it will not be any easier to foot it with either team.

England has already stated they intend to take a leaf out of New Zealand’s book and rattle the Australians, but it is likely the kangaroos will be far more prepared after being so thoroughly tested by the World Champions.

As for New Zealand, they will look to maintain the intensity against France. 

Often international rugby league tournaments can be lost by the teams that do not have the luxury of tough matches, but by evidence of the opening round, it could be the team that emerges unscathed that hoists the trophy at Elland Road on the 14^th November.