Kangaroos squash Kiwis in Canberra

 

The Australian Kanagroos opened the flood gates in the second half with a run away victory 32-12 over the New Zealand Kiwis at Canberra Stadium with a healthy, yet cold crowd of 25,628. 
 
The Kangaroos fired quickly with their own try of the first half as Cooper Cronk ran off a short pass from Matt Scott to burst away under the posts. Cameron Smith made it 6-0 after six minutes. 
 
The Kiwis tried everything in the first half to post their first try however right up until half time they were denied four times by the video referee. However, they got a break on the bell as Josh Hoffman cleaned up a short grubber kick from Frank Pritchard. At the break the game locked at 6-all with the conversion from Shaun Johnson. 
 
The second half was all the Australians as they scored 5 tries to 1 in the second forty minutes. The Kiwis unable to match the attack of the Kangaroos.

The Australian Kanagroos opened the flood gates in the second half with a run away victory 32-12 over the New Zealand Kiwis at Canberra Stadium with a healthy, yet cold crowd of 25,628.  

The Kangaroos fired quickly with their own try of the first half as Cooper Cronk ran off a short pass from Matt Scott to burst away under the posts. Cameron Smith made it 6-0 after six minutes. 

The Kiwis tried everything in the first half to post their first try however right up until half time they were denied four times by the video referee. However, they got a break on the bell as Josh Hoffman cleaned up a short grubber kick from Frank Pritchard. At the break the game locked at 6-all with the conversion from Shaun Johnson. 

The second half was all the Australians as they scored 5 tries to 1 in the second forty minutes. The Kiwis unable to match the attack of the Kangaroos.

There remains injury concern for Greg Inglis who didn't finish the match as he left the field inside the final 10 minutes. However, before doing so in the 50th minutes posted the Kangaroos' second four-pointer as he cleaned up a fumbled pass from Billy Slater. 

The Australians proceeded to roll through the Kiwi pack with tries flowing to Brett Morris, Luke Lewis and Darius Boyd all inside six minutes. Australia extended their lead to 26-6 after 62 minutes. 

Against the run of play, Justin Hodges secured the victory with the final Green and Gold try as he kicked ahead for himself three times to stroll in untouched. Cameron Smith brought up the final posts, 32-6 with six minutes to play. However, the Kiwis had the final say with a late try to Frank Pritchard as he crashed over next to the posts. 

The Australians' asserting their domination over their Trans-Tasman rivals with a 32-12 victory in the National's Capital. It's only a taste of the action still to come this year in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.


Match Details
Australia Kangaroos 32 New Zealand Kiwis 12
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Crowd: 25,628
Halftime Score: 6-all

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Paul Gallen
2 points - Cameron Smith
1 point - James Tamou

AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS (32)
Tries: Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis, Brett Morris, Luke Lewis, Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (4/6)
Penalty Goals:

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS (12)
Tries: Josh Hoffman, Frank Pritchard
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (2/2)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Australia: 1. Billy Slater 2. Darius Boyd 3. Greg Inglis 4. Justin Hodges 5. Brett Morris 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matt Scott 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. James Tamou 11. Greg Bird 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Kurt Gidley 15. Nate Myles 16. Luke Lewis 17. Anthony Watmough 18. Josh Morris

New Zealand: 1. Josh Hoffman 2. Sam Perrett 3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 4. Dean Whare 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Kieran Foran (c) 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Issac Luke 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Kevin Proctor 18. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Elijah Taylor 15. Sam McKendry 16. Ben Matulino 17. Alex Glenn
TEAM NEWS for the New Zealand Kiwis tonight - Simon Mannering has been ruled out with a calf injury. Young Melbourne Storm second rower Tohu Harris comes into the starting side. With Mannering ruled out, Kieran Foran has been named captain.
Both sides are going through their final preparations on the field ahead of the national anthem and the NZ Haka
The bikes roar on the sideline as Kieran Foran leads out the Kiwis onto Canberra Stadium.
Time for the National Anthems, first up it's the New Zealand National Anthem. It will be followed by the Australian National Anthem and then the traditional Haka
Haka has been performed and we are moments away from kick off
1 min: We are UNDERWAY at Canberra Stadium as Cameron Smith kicks off for the Australian Kangaroos.
2 min: Josh Hoffman jumped for the high ball and took the catch just short of his own goal line. Good sets from both sides first up
3 min: Penalty to the Australians against Frank Pritchard for a shoulder charge. Not using any arms in the tackle. Kangaroos attacking inside the Kiwi half.
3 min: Great kick through the defence from Cameron Smith sees Greg Inglis almost getting to the ball, but Josh Hoffman knocks the ball dead. Line drop out for the Australians.
6 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Cooper Cronk. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Cooper Cronk firstly provided the short pass for Matt Scott to charge to the line, Scott offloaded back to Cooper Cronk who strolled away for first points. A simple four-pointer to kick us off. Cameron Smith with the conversion adds the extras
Australia Kangaroos 6-0
8 min: Cameron Smith rockets a kick to the corner on the last tackle for the Australians, gives the Kiwis a scrum feed on their own 10 metre line.
9 min: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Brett Morris makes an unforced error.
Brett Morris jumped for the kick high over the defence but dropped it as he came to ground. Zero for the Kiwis on their 10 metre line.
9 min: Penalty to the Kiwis for the Kangaroos ruled offside on the goal line. Big chance for the Kiwis here
11 min: Jason Nightingale is collected by Justin Hodges off the kick from Foran. Good Aussie defence on their goal line.
14 min: Penalty against Sam Thaiday for a slow play release on the Kiwis. The kick gives the Kiwis a shot at the goal line 40 metres out
15 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Kevin Proctor makes an unforced error.
Kevin Proctor running of a short pass on the 4th tackle for the Kiwis but charging into the tackle loses possession. Australia comes away with the ball inside their own 10 metre line.
16 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Australians, Sam Thaiday the scorer. Looking at the contest and onside
16 min: NO TRY for Australia as Brett Morris was ruled to have knocked on in the kick contest with Jason Nightingale. Sam Thaiday denied his try as a result, Kiwis come up with possession on the change over on their 10 metre line
19 min: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Anthony Watmough makes an unforced error.
Anthony Watmough attempted to charge through the line and offload one handed, but he dropped the ball cold. A simple error gives the Kiwis a chance 40 metres out
21 min: Billy Slater forces the short grubber kick dead off the boot from Josh Hoffman. Line drop out for the Kiwis
22 min: Paul Gallen is penalised for a slow release of the attacker at the ruck. Kiwis attacking 10 metres out from the Australian goal line
22 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Kiwis, we have NO TRY. Alex Glenn the scorer, but looked to have lost it cold
22 min: NO TRY is spun up for Alex Glenn has the video referee couldn't overturn the original no try decision. Replays showed Glenn lost it in the grounding.
23 min: A mistake from the Kiwis gives the Australians ZERO tackle attacking 30 metres from the goal line
23 min: Penalty to the Australians against Foran for hand on the ball. Australia attacking 10 metres out
25 min: Host of mistakes in the play. First off Greg Bird as he looked for a hole to run through, he dropped it and the Kiwis dived on the ball but knocked on. Australia failed to mount the attack on the zero tackle as the pass to the left side was ruled forward. Scrum packs for the Kiwis on their 10 metre line.
28 min: Johnathan Thurston failed to get to a kick on the last tackle and was caught on the 5th tackle. The Kangaroos compounding the error as they concede a penalty. Kiwis with a long kick downfield sees them attacking 30 metres out
29 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Kiwis, Dean Whare the scorer. Looking at a player being taken out in the contest of the kick, Justin Hodges taken out of play by Whare
29 min: NO TRY for Dean Whare as Justin Hodges was pulled off the ball by Jason Nightingale who denied him a chance to get to the ball. Penalty goes to Australia
31 min: 40/20 NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Shaun Johnson kicks a 40/20.
Shaun Johnson fires a long kick which just rolls inside the corner posts and earns the Kiwis a 40/20. Scrum feed packs for the Kiwis 10 metres from the Australian goal line
32 min: Penalty to the Kiwis for Anthony Watmough jumping too quick off the line. Kiwis attacking 10m out
33 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Kiwis again, this time we have a try. Lots to look at here
33 min: NO TRY once again for New Zealand as Frank Pritchard knocked on in attempting to clean up the kick from Foran in goal. Australia earn a 20 metre tap as a result.
35 min: ZERO tackle for the Kiwis as they attack 20 metres out. Lucky as the Johnson bomb was poor
35 min: Darius Boyd is trapped in goal of an earlier set kick from Johnson. Line drop out for Kiwis
37 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sam Perrett makes an unforced error.
Sam Perrett jumping for the ball in goal knocked the ball forward. Change over for Australia on their 10 metre line.
39 min: Penalty to the Kiwis against Greg Bird who is ruled offside. Kiwis attacking only 15 metres out with a massive kick.
40 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Josh Hoffman. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Josh Hoffman finally gets the first points for the Kiwis which came off the boot, believe it or not of Frank Pritchard. A lucky little kick gives the New Zealanders their first try. Shaun Johnson converts from out wide as the half time siren sounds
6 all
40 min: HALF TIME at Canberra Stadium sees the game locked up at 6-all
41 min: Second half is UNDERWAY in a very cold Canberra with the game locked at 6-all. Kiwis kick off
41 min: Thurston fires a kick on the last tackle for Australia and it's too big. 20 metre tap for the Kiwis
44 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Alex Glenn makes an unforced error.
Alex Glenn drops the ball in the tackle, but backing up is a penalty given to the Australians as Billy Slater is lifted dangerously in a tackle.
45 min: Penalty to the Australians again as Frank Pritchard was ruled to have used a shoulder only in the tackle on Billy Slater. Kangaroos find the line on halfway to start their set
47 min: Cooper Cronk with a quick grubber kick through the line, Billy Slater was chasing but it beat everyone over the dead ball line. 20 metre tap for the Kiwis
50 min: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is penalised for holding down too long in the ruck, Australia kick and attack 40 metres from the Kiwi line.
51 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Kangaroos. Greg Inglis claiming. Looked already after some fumbles from both teams.
51 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Greg Inglis. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
The video referee awards the try to Greg Inglis after a number of replays which looked at a possible obstruction on Paul Gallen who ran through making contact with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Contact was deemed okay, try awarded as Inglis cleaned up the fumbles from Slater's pass. Cameron Smith converts from next to the posts
Australia Kangaroos 12-6
53 min: Luke Lewis with a beautiful line break, a mistake from Kiwis gives the Aussies a chance 10 metres out
55 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Brett Morris. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
The Australians gained quick metres off the try thanks to a line break from Luke Lewis. Australia in a position for points as Billy Slater found space on the right side as he basketball passed over the head of Justin Hodges for Brett Morris to dive over in the corner. Cam Smith from the touchline is unsuccessful has he hits the posts
Australia Kangaroos 16-6
57 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sam Perrett makes an unforced error.
Mistake ruled against the Kiwis as Sam Perrett knocked on the caught of the kick. Scrum 10m out for Aussies
60 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Luke Lewis has made a big impact since coming into the game, he charged onto a short pass from Paul Gallen at the 10 metre line, he charged through the defence and used Josh Hoffman as a speed bump to score. Cameron Smith converts from right in front
Australia Kangaroos 22-6
62 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Darius Boyd. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Darius Boyd raced down the touchline to clean up a kick from Johnathan Thurston on the zero tackle. Australia has opened the flood gates now with another try. Cam Smith with the kick from touch is unsuccessful has it curves away
Australia Kangaroos 26-6
64 min: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is penalised for a shoulder charge on Billy Slater off the ball. Aussies attack 10m out
64 min: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Greg Bird makes an unforced error.
Australians trying to spread it wide across the line, but Greg Bird drops it. Scrum for NZ on their 40m
74 min: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Justin Hodges. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Justin Hodges with three short kick soccer style kicked ahead for himself and races away untouched to score. Cam Smith with the conversion from in front slots the extras
Australia Kangaroos 32-6
75 min: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Cooper Cronk makes an unforced error.
Cooper Cronk a little too calm under the high ball as he tried to pass. Kiwis with a scrum feed 10m out
76 min: Penalty to the Kiwis for the Australians working over the ruck too much, new set for the Kiwis on the Australian 10 metre line.
78 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Frank Pritchard. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Frank Pritchard took on the line and spin over as he finally gets his try after being earlier denied by the video referee. Shaun Johnson converts from out wide
Australia Kangaroos 32-12
80 min: FULL TIME at Canberra Stadium sees the Australian Kangaroos claim victory in the 125th test match between these two sides, 32-12