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What a match. In an absolute heart stopper of a game, England and New Zealand have once again delivered international rugby league a beauty.
Not a single soul could have complained if this match had been the final. A worthy representation of the quality of this tournament it would have been too. Yes, it was that good.
A massive congratulations are in order to the New Zealand side for their efforts in reaching the final of Four Nations 2014.
Their capacity to withstand relentless waves of pressure surely cannot be questioned after this performance. The English never, ever gave up. But then, neither did the Kiwis. Should they go on to win this tournament then they will most definitely be worthy champions.
However, if congratulations are in order for the Kiwis then for the English it must certainly be commiserations.
To the very, very end of this match did the English fight. They showed passion, commitment, skill, patience and almost everything else good that one can think of. They would be popular champions if they win this tournament.
But if the Kiwis are ever the loyal servant of Lady Luck, then England must truly be her whipping boy.
If last week it was a whacky reading of the rules by a video ref trained in B-grade horror flicks that kept England from victory, then this week it would be the sideline paint that would deny them the same.
English centre Kallum Watkins, who like the X-Men’s Nightcrawler, shimmied his way past the New Zealand defence and suddenly appeared on the other side of the line, made the break that England so desperately needed. But as he passed the ball to his unmarked support man who do you think enterd the fray?
You guessed it – Lady Luck.
Of all the tricks up her sleeve, this time it was her old favourite, the sideline. An inch of it to be precise. Lady luck had ordered it to bend and twist or something so that it could sneak under Watkins’ foot as he ran. When he passed, so too did England’s fortunes.
The way this tournament has panned out thus far, today’s match between Australia and Samoa could throw up anything.
Should the Samoans shock the universe and defeat Australia, then watch the English all line up at Lady Luck’s temple with a truck load of offerings for her.
Surely she’s bound to come round. Right?
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