The Australian Kangaroos have been defeated in their opening Four Nations match against New Zealand 30-12 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
In a match full of handling errors, silly penalties and team injuries, the Kangaroos were consistently on the back foot against an impressive Kiwi side. Sean Johnson was at his best, leading from the centre of the park to guide his team to an historic victory of the tournament favourites.
The Kangaroos went to the air early through a Cooper Cronk bomb, seeking to utilise the aerial prowess of Daniel Tupou on the left wing. Jared Beale couldn’t hold the ball and Australia scored in the 3rd minute from the resulting scrum, Beau Scott strolling over to make it 6-0.
Beale made a better effort when tested again under the high ball minutes later. The Kiwis were struggling to gain significant field possession, and a Sean Johnson 40/20 gave them an early opportunity to answer back. Jason Nightingale butchered an easy finish in the corner from the scrum. Seeking to dive with gusto, the Dragons winger fumbled over the line.
The Kiwis did draw level moments later when Melbourne Storm back-rower Kevin Proctor demonstrated some good ball handling via a strong run at the line, he swung his way over the line with three men holding on. 6-6 in the 17th minute and the Kiwis were back in touch.
Australia hit straight back through superstar Greg Inglis. Making it look easy, Inglis took the ball from dummy-half, charged a defender and leapt over the line for his 24th career try to put the Kangaroos up 12-6.
Both teams struggled to hang on to the ball in the first half. Not even Inglis was immune, coughing it up on a kick-return to hand the ball to the Kiwis 20 meters from the line. Lewis Brown showed some illusive skill to break the Kangaroos line from the scrum and lock the scores again at 12-12.
Daly Chery-Evans went down with a hip injury with five minutes left in the half bringing Tigers captain Robbie Farrah into the game.
In a huge blow for the Australian team, Greg Inglis did not return to the field in the second half. Inglis had felt ill earlier in the day and was too sick to return to the game.
The Kiwis had the perfect start to the second half with two quick tries. Greg Eastwood burst through the Kangaroos forward line, running 45 metres to place his side 10 metres from the Australian line. In a classic half-back play, Sean Johnson grubbered the ball, regathering to pop over the line.
The Kangaroos gave a cheap penalty away, gifting the Kiwis field possession from the kick-off and Kieran Foran made them pay. His raking bomb was regathered close to the line via a massive leap from Dean Whare, who scored to push the Kiwis to an impressive 24-12 lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Two tries nearly turned into three, but a try was disallowed after it was adjudged that a New Zealand player used his shoulder to take out an Australian player.
The game was sealed in the 69th minute when stand-in Kangaroo fullback Dylan Walker dropped another excellent bomb from Sean Johnson. The ball was regathered and it went through the hands, Jason Nightingale made no mistake this time finishing in the corner. Johnson converted (5/5) to make it 30-12 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Kangaroos play England next week who were given a scare against Samoa. Both teams have a point to prove in what should be a big match. The Kiwis play Samoa and will no doubt go into the match fully confident after their impressive display against the World Champions.
