Australia Vs New Zealand preview
November 21st 2008 08:08
The Kangaroos are marching towards their seventh successive world cup crown after dominating the 2008 edition of the tournament. At least New Zealand will be the team that will try and stop Australia from defending their rugby league supremacy, as they have been the only ones capable of beating the green and gold for the past fifty years or so.
Despite history suggesting another Australian lap of honour (not to mention a $30,000 pay check for every Kangaroo involved), The Kiwis have shown enough in the latter stages of the tournament to suggest they will be no easy beats.
Although their wins against Papua New Guinea and England (twice) were to be expected, New Zealand have made subtle changes to their starting seventeen that will cause Australia more concern, particularly around the middle of the ruck.
Nathan Fien shifting from hooker to halfback for the Kiwis has proved to be a masterstroke from Kearney and his coaching staff.
Fien has displayed much more class and control than Thomas Leulaui in this position, and it has allowed New Zealand to play through the middle of the park with relative ease.
Indeed Leulaui’s sacking as one of the chief playmakers of this Kiwis side has done wonders for his game.
Leulaui’s switch to hooker has been productive. It seems the Wigan half has been able to master his own game in this position, which inturn has produced some much needed confidence in the often shaky mind of the 25 year old.
Although Leulaui has shown promise at hooker, he still hasn’t developed the skills necessary to dent this Australian line-up.
If the Kiwis are a chance in this world cup final, Issac Luke must start at hooker for New Zealand. This will be critical in determining how long they stay in the contest against the Kangaroos.
If Luke does not start the game, coach Kearney runs the risk of having his side blown out of the water in the opening twenty minutes.
As for Australia, If Luke fails to gain a position in New Zealand’s starting thirteen, the Kangaroos will tear them apart.
Their forwards, led by Brent Kite and Petero Civoncieva are far more agile and durable than their Kiwi counterparts.
Although Price's injury will dent Australia's go forward muscle, there is still enough there for them to dominate against New Zealand.
If they are given an opportunity to roll out easy yardage on a consistent basis, Australian hooker Cameron Smith will take advantage as per usual, courtesy of his deft ability to kick 40/20’s and pass before the line with terrific accuracy.
Its easy to know now that if Australia gain control of the ruck, the likes of Lockyer, Thurston, Slater and Inglis will feast on the open space that Suncorp usually offers, despite the weather in the region suggesting otherwise.
This world cup is for Australia’s taking. There is no denying they are by far the world’s best international team based on consistency, let alone flair.
But it only takes eighty minutes of belief from New Zealand to give their rivals the deepest of concerns.
It happened for them in 2005 and the Kiwis’ best could indeed be waiting for them in the dressing rooms at Suncorp in a world cup final.
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