TEAMS: NSWRL U17 UNE Harold Matthews Cup - 2024 Round 8
4 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Australia has defeated New Zealand for the first time in four tests in front of a packed Hunter Stadium in Newcastle by 16 points to nil.
In what was a dour Trans-Tasman Test match for the 27,724 supporters who turned out, the Australians were never challenged by an understrength Kiwi side, who headed into the match missing potentially up to 10 first choice players from their best possible starting 17.
The Kangaroos poked their nose in front in the first half and simply defended strongly and made the right percentage plays to take New Zealand out of the match. The performance will again raise questions about the match's relevance at this time of year, despite the healthy Newcastle crowd.
All the talk during the week was about the selection of ‘Aussie Semi' Radradra, who endured a difficult start to his green and gold international career when he was sent to the Sin Bin just 6 minutes into the match. The Eels winger was ruled to have pushed Kiwi second rower Kevin Proctor off the ball when he was chasing a Shaun Johnson grubber in his own in goal. The Video Referee ruled that there was not clear evidence that Proctor would have definitely scored so no Penalty try was awarded, however referee Gerard Sutton ruled that the former Fijian winger had committed a professional foul and he was sent to the Sin Bin.
Despite Radradra's absence leaving Australia with 12 men, it didn't worry them, when in the 14th minute a planned backline movement saw Broncos fullback Darius Boyd crash over. Referee Sutton ruled try, and asked the Video Ref to check for possible double movement but it could not be proven. Australia lead 4-0 after Jonathan Thurston missed the conversion from out wide.
Two quick penalties against Kiwi skipper Jesse Bromwich and then hooker Lewis Brown respectively, both for being too slow to get off the tackled player saw Jonathan Thurston take the 2 points on offer to make it 6-0 after 19 minutes.
Down 6-0, Kiwi half Shaun Johnson started to get himself more involved and put in some nice last tackle options to give the Kiwis some good field possession, however an error from Lewis Brown who put down a unsuspecting offload from Roosters enforcer Sam Moa let Australia off the hook.
Australia then made them pay when bench utility Michael Morgan gave Greg Inglis some space and he took advantage throwing a dummy and crashing over in the corner. Jonathan Thurston missed the conversion from out wide and the score remained at 10-0.
Australia thought they had another try minutes later when Kiwi winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak spilled the ball off a kick return. Replays however showed that Thurston had collected the Panthers back high and also showed that Greg Inglis had stripped the ball.
With seconds remaining in the Second Half Blake Ferguson made a break down the sideline and put in a superb kick in field which bounced up for halfback Cooper Cronk, who had the ball stripped by the desperate Kiwi defence. The first half finished 10-0 with New Zealand making over 40 more tackles then the Kangaroos in the first half.
Early in the second half, five eighth Jonathan Thurston was flattened in a blatant late hit from prop Sam Moa. Captain Cameron Smith pointed to the posts and extended their lead to 12-0.
The Australian backline were at times disjointed, with a few backline plays not coming off with passes going astray, however Semi Radradra and Greg Inglis combined for a great play down the left hand side and Radradra was only denied by a superb tackle from Kiwi fullback Jordan Kahu who pulls off a brave try saving tackle.
Broncos prop Adam Blair could be in some trouble from both the match review committee but also coach Wayne Bennett, after being put on report for a chicken wing tackle on club teammate Sam Thaiday. Although Thaiday was not injured the tackle was certainly not a good look, with Blair not having a great record at the judiciary in the past.
The game continued to grind away with Australia simply forcing New Zealand into silly errors with a strong defensive display, however the Kiwi's didn't really put any tough questions to the men in Green and Gold.
In the final minutes, a slick backline move from Australia finally came off when fullback Darius Boyd managed to put Roosters winger Blake Ferguson over for his first test try to end the game with a 16-0 victory for Australia.
While coach Mal Meninga will be pleased with the defensive effort from his side, questions will now be asked as to what squad will be assembled in their next match at the end of the season with the 2017 World Cup in mind. It's fair to say that Meninga successfully picked the side to get the job done tonight against an understrength Kiwi's, however the question now will bewhether some tough calls will be made at the selection table with many members of this Australian squad now in the twilight of their careers.
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