Aussies run riot over French
By AFP, 8 Nov 2009 AFP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Australia, Four Nations, France, Kangaroos, Michael Jennings, Rugby League
Penrith Panthers centre Michael Jennings insists he can handle the pressure of the Four Nations final after grabbing a debut hat-trick in the demolition of France.
The 21-year-old bagged the first two tries of the game to set the Kangaroos on course for a comfortable win in Paris.
Jennings, Panthers Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in 2007, completed his hat-trick as Australia hammered home their advantage in the second-half.
And after missing out on a place at the 2008 World Cup, Jennings admits he’s desperate to play a part in next week’s showpiece.
“I’ve did my bit with my tries and I was really happy with the way I played but now it’s up to the coach,” said Jennings.
“I was pleased, obviously the team performance wasn’t as good as we would have wanted it to be but a debut hat-trick is pretty special.
“A few guys were given a chance and I think it wasn’t just me who made the most of it.
“As a team we weren’t great in the first-half but I don’t think anybody let themselves down in the second-half.
“We weren’t flying by any measures but we were clinical and that is ultimately what you’re after.”
The French held out for 22 minutes before Jennings crossed twice in the space of five minutes to set the Kangaroos on course for a comfortable win.
Luke Lewis went over to score shortly after the break with Brett Morris grabbing two tries in five minutes to hammer home the Australian advantage.
And although Olivier Elima grabbed a consolation score for France, Jennings registered his third try of the game before Josh Morris crossed twice to match his twin brother’s haul.
But after the disappointment of the World Cup final, coach Tim Sheens called on his side to step up another gear in next weekend’s final.
“We were ok, we got the win and we scored some tries but I don’t think we really got going,” said Sheens.
“In the first-half we were too sloppy and there were too many times where we knocked-on or we dropped the ball or we missed the pass.
“I made it clear at the break that I wasn’t happy with the way we were playing and I asked them to go out and play like an Australian team should.
“To be fair to the players they improved but I still don’t think we really found our true level and that is something we’ll have to rectify next week.
“I don’t think whoever we play we’ll be able to play like that and win.
“No disrespect to France but just because we did enough to beat them it doesn’t mean we did enough to satisfy me.
“I think Michael Jennings played well and when it comes to picking my team that will be in my thoughts.”
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Mark said | November 8th 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Once again crap crowd turn out for league in Europe, who cares bla bla bla, waste of time writing this story bla bla bla bla bla….
MyGeneration said | November 8th 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Once again random troll whines on league blog on Roar, if he doesn’t care why does he bother, bla bla bla bla bla bla…
Norm said | November 8th 2009 @ 9:26am | Report comment
and yet not so working class rugger would have us believe that mindless rugby trolls don’t exist.
M1tch said | November 8th 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Its the high profile people in the stands thats the bigger story.
Watched this space for a Paris big for Super League entry.
prowling panther said | November 8th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
This tournament really hasn’t been too bad in terms of competitiveness. Certainly an improvement on when Aus thrashed NZ 50-0 a couple of years back. Aus/Nz played out a great draw, England rallied back against Australia and managed to upset NZ. THe french showed plenty of heart and we were all expecting something like 100-0 so a win of sorts for them last night. And if England manage to win the final -twould be a resounding success for international league.
Mark H, what were you expecting -a sellout? RL is trying to grow the game in Paris from next to nothing. The stadium was 1/3 full which indicates some progress.
Mick from Giralang said | November 8th 2009 @ 11:55am | Report comment
You’re wasting your breath PP, union cheerleaders like this bloke are just trying to get a rise out of the rugby league community. They’re absolutely petrified that the four nations will be a success — and as that possibility hardens into reality, their postings are becoming more shrill.
oikee said | November 9th 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Hey Mick, next year the 4 nations will be good in oz. What half of these union bloggers dont realise is that from small crowds this year, over the next 10 years we will be playing to very larger crowds. And the Kiwis and Poms, along with the frogs can only get better, not to mention PNG now they are getting better exposure next year. I would like to see maybe PNG do a tour of the UK, and play Wales, Ireland and Scotland. That would be a big bonus for PNG. Make it happen RIL. cheers.
Paul J said | November 8th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
I expected an under strength Kiwi team to be beaten easily by Australia, that Aus and NZ would both beat England easily and that Aus would thrash France by 80 points.
The four nations has been more competitive than i expected, great to see.
Nick S said | November 8th 2009 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
Why didn’t they hold the game in Perpignan, that is were Les Catalans play… surely that is the best opportunity to get a real crowd to the game? The last French game was in Toulouse… at least it’s in the South were they play both sport (unlike Parisiens) and rugby of both descriptions.
The French just need a player or two of real class and they might be onto something. That is the different, Australia and New Zealand have stand-out players (in Australia’s case the entire backline). I don’t know enough about England but they must have something to have beaten the Kiwi’s.
M1tch said | November 9th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
They want to grow the game in Paris, the game earilier in the year was held in paris and drew a similar crowd and the french were smashed by England.
Tom Alexander. said | November 8th 2009 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
Thank God there are some people in France who are willing to put away the old prejudices of the past. It was reported recently that Bernard Laporte, Max Guazini (owner of Stade Francais RU) and the Patouche family(Multi Millionaires) are interested in owning and operating a 2nd French Super-League side from Paris. Laporte has been given the task of making an assesment on it’s viability. Having a 2nd team in the SL would go a long way to improving depth for the National side. Plus, i think the scoreline probably would have been a lot lower if the French had not had such rotten luck with Injuries and of all things, a bloody Swine Flu scare. Having Australian players and coaches involved in the recent revival of French Rugby League should not be underestimated. Look at what the Catalans Dragons have achieved in just over 4 years under Mick Potter and Kevin Walters. In 2007, they made it to the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and this year, they made it to within 1 game of the Super-League Grand Final. Apparently French Rugby League registration numbers have gone through the roof (20 000 in 2002 to 34 000 registered in 2009). Hopefully, negative scorelines like this will have a galvanising effect by motivating the French into further improving the game at all levels both domestically and abroad.
Pete said | November 8th 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
“Hopefully, negative scorelines like this will have a galvanising effect by motivating the French into further improving the game at all levels both domestically and abroad.”
Unfortunately it usually has the opposite effect, but then again the Kiwis were pretty ordinary a few years back and look at them now, World Champs!
Redback said | November 9th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
This game was a novelty no one in France cares about league. The crowd figures have been disgraceful for international games. Give up league you are embaressing yourselves.
Johnnydragons said | November 9th 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
Hi guys,
I must say i was disappointed by wknd games and the 4nations games in general bar the Kiwi draw, they have been pretty darn boring. As a league supporter i like to see the game grow, but i think trying to expand in Europe i.e. france and England is a dead end, we should of done it 20 years ago b4 union got a foothold, we are just to far behind now and no money is attracted to the sport there.
We must focus on the pacific islands cause its probably where we can grow, not too sure about NZ i was in Auckland a couple of months ago and from talking to locals they didnt have too much interest in League apart from knowing whether the Warriors were still in for a chance in the NRL, the convo always turned to the bloody all blacks.
Johnny