Saturday night’s game was a close to a train wreck as Kangaroo performances get, yet there could not have been a better result for the Four Nations tournament, or the international game.
Before we get too carried away with the big victory to our cousins across the Tasman, the Kangaroos were severely depleted.
If a full-strength side had been available only Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Sam Thaiday and Greg Bird would have been playing in their positions in the run-on squad.
But you can only beat what’s in front of you.
For far too long the results of internationals, bar the odd occasion where the Kangaroos were caught off-guard by a far more desperate and committed Kiwi side, were a foregone conclusion.
Last year’s World Cup, for all the spectacle and hype, was going to be nothing but a dominant Kangaroo victory from the second the Kiwis ‘stole’ the trophy in Brisbane in 2008.
The upset result this past Saturday Night, again in Brisbane, breathes new life into this tournament, and for the first time in years casts a slight aura of doubt over the Kangaroos.
A full-strength Roos side will destroy any opposition in the world on any given day, however players like Paul Gallen, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and co. can’t play forever. Saturday gave a glimpse into the future of the national side.
Despite copping a tirade on social media, Dylan Walker will surely remain an important part of the rep set-up for the next few seasons. Same too Josh Mansour, who I expect to be there or thereabouts come Origin next season.
Despite the below-par performance of the Kangaroos, they’ll still be heavy favourites to feature in the tournament final, which will surely be against New Zealand.
Quite simply put, if New Zealand are not able to win this tournament, the international game will suffer.
A severely under-strength Aussie side beating the Kiwis in Wellington would surely kill all interest in future tournaments, other than those tuning in to see England and New Zealand battle for second spot.
Of course there’s a long way to go before a Kiwi versus Kangaroo final even eventuates – it’s entirely possible that England will beat either or both sides, and knock one out of the tourney.
The Kangaroos have plenty of improvement left in them. The loss of Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans hurt them big time, as did the uneven bench, which should have featured more variety.
I really hope the Kiwis didn’t play their grand final in the tournament opener, and as much as I want to see Cameron Smith lift that Four Nations trophy, surely for the future of the international game, a New Zealand or English win is best.
In other news, former Kangaroo Anthony Watmough has finally secured a release from the Sea Eagles. Manly also announced they have signed Feleti Mateo, Willie Mason and Sosai Vave.
A 31-year-old, albeit brilliant player in Watmough, swapped for two props and a player who could, if he finds consistency, very well play rep football in the future?
No wonder the Sea Eagles have been a consistent feature in the finals in recent seasons.
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