Inglis the artist in masterful performance
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 3 Nov 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- england rugby league, Four Nations, Kangaroos, Rugby League
It took less than five minutes for Australia to click into gear against England. And when they did, the green and gold backline produced a period of attacking football that resembled a work of art.
Playing in front of over 26,000 fans at DW stadium in Wigan, the Kangaroos were faced with the frightening prospect of missing out on the Four Nations final if they had suffered defeat at the hands of the old enemy.
Following on from a less than clinical display against New Zealand, the Kangaroos once again felt the wrath of referee Steve Ganson, conceding two penalties early in the match to provide England with momentum.
The home side, however, failed to cause the Kangaroos any grief in defence, with lock Kevin Sinfield offloading the ball to opposition forward Anthony Watmough.
That lone error was all the Kangaroos needed to inspire themselves to forge an offensive display that silenced the English faithful.
After just four minutes, Australia captain Darren Lockyer fired out a wonderful cut out pass from his own half to unmarked Storm centre Greg Inglis.
The two time Premiership winner then produced a burst of speed before offloading an inside ball to Lockyer for the game’s opening try.
The remaining cobwebs surrounding Australia’s game were all but blown away, as Clive Churchill winner Billy Slater scored a double in the space of three minutes to hand the Kangaroos a 16-0 lead barely halfway through the first stanza.
Tim Sheen’s men were able to continue the onslaught, as Inglis collected a deserved four pointer after running eighty metres to score under the posts.
Dragons flyer Brett Morris then scored his second try in as many Test matches in the 33rd minute, to push Australia out to an unassailable 26 nil lead.
Whilst the Kangaroos second half performance was nothing to get excited about, one believes they flexed enough of their offensive muscle which will ensure a complete performance come the final.
Inglis, once again, continues to grow in stature as the game’s premier big-time player, tormenting the English backline with his lethal combination of speed and his famed left arm fend.
The Maroons centre was arguably the architect in Australia’s dominant attacking opening, often beginning the play which would invariably lead to points.
Storm team-mate Billy Slater also managed to make his presence felt for the Kangaroos, scoring two tries to eradicate his less than convincing performance last week against the Kiwis.
Kangaroos halfback Johnathon Thurston was at his scheming best once again, benefiting immensely from the platform laid by hard working forwards Anthony Watmough, David Shillington and Paul Gallen.
It appears coach Tim Sheens is convinced the starting seventeen he used against England will re-appear in the Four Nations final in two weeks time.
After observing an opening forty minutes filled with elegance, it would be foolish to alter the side that produced the masterpiece that was the Kangaroos first half, during a time when Australia needed their big guns to shine.
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Paley said | November 3rd 2009 @ 2:00am | Report comment
And the 2nd half?
alan nicolea said | November 3rd 2009 @ 5:26am | Report comment
Paley
Whilst i agree that the second half was not flash from the aussies, i also give credit to England who never laid down at one point during the test. They fought admirably in the end to finish up where they did and deserve recognition. Considering last year’s performance against the Kangaroos at the Telstra Dome was a disaster for England, the only way was up for the home side but to their credit, they have improved their resolve much to Australia’s surprise i might add.
Paley said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:50am | Report comment
The first half was a masterclass of rugby from the Kangaroos. At half time I was thoroughly depressed – I loved the 2nd half though. Overall it was a very good test match.
Mick from Giralang said | November 3rd 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Alan: What’s your opnion of the much hyped pommy forward Sam Burgess?
Brett McKay said | November 3rd 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Alan, the scary thing about Inglis is he’s still what, 22?? How good COULD he be?!?! A couple of mates and I were discussing his performance against NZ last week, and I said that probably the greatest compliment I could pay him would be that he would be the one and only NRL player I’d buy if given the ARU chequebook for a day.
He is simply a phenominal athlete..
alan nicolea said | November 3rd 2009 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Mick
He is a good player but i really don’t see why the Rabbitohs are so excited to get him in their ranks to be honest. I think i would be more excited about David Taylor’s potential impact rather than Burgess’. He scored a try but it was something that any reasonable forward could have pulled off. Burgess will have a difficult task no doubt of matching the impact Gareth Ellis had at the Tigers this season. In Burgess’s favour though, a move to the NRL will only raise his game to a new level and if he manages to fire early in the season for Souths, then the hype surrounding him would have been all worthwhile.
oikee said | November 3rd 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
If he raises his game to another level Alan, we are scewed.
I dont think Rusty Crowe would be spending money on a dud. This kids got something. Him and Dave Taylor are going to wreck havick next year. What price the rabblits. 
jus de couchon said | November 10th 2009 @ 5:57am | Report comment
If I was Billy Slater I would have mixed emotions . He is undoubtably a great talent . Frustratingly for him , and those who appreciate his talents , there is no World Stage to express himself unless he turns to Rugby. If he ever did that he might be seen as a traitor and the big fish in a small pond mentality will consign him to obscurity.
Paley said | November 10th 2009 @ 6:20am | Report comment
Slater already plays rugby.