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Another day and another win for the Kangaroos as they down the Kiwis 14-8, they had to work for it late as a late New Zealand charge made things interesting.
Here are the five talking points out of the Four Nations clash:
» Match report: Australia hold off NZ
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Blake Ferguson has a blinder
I, like many, questioned Ferguson’s place in the side after a mediocre season with the Roosters, where it appeared he was picked on his reputation and not form.
He proved the doubters wrong tonight as he scored the opening try, and set up Johnathan Thurston’s try. To go with that he made 243 metres, five tackles, had three linebreaks and eight tackle breaks.
Kiwis stay in the fight
It looked all but over with 10 minutes to go, before some enterprising football from Shaun Johnson leading to a try to Jordan Rapana kept New Zealand in it.
They nearly got close to scoring in the 80th minute as well. Both sides scored two tries apiece, with a few conversions splitting the two sides which will surely give the Kiwis confidence going forward.
Not the most inspiring contest
Besides the close finish late, this game was hardly inspiring. Australia certainly missed Cooper Cronk’s class with some scrappy options late in the tackle count.
Aussies are still not confirmed in the final
They have one foot in the final of the Four Nations, but they aren’t there yet despite what the pundits say. If New Zealand best Scotland by 30 and England win by 12 against Australia next week, then the Kangaroos are out of the competition.
Johnson nearly conjures a miracle
The cheeky chip and chase and pass to Shaun Kenny-Dowall who set up Jordan Rapana was brilliant, and he nearly came up with what could possibly have seen a converted try right on 80 minutes, but was held up.
It is that constant spark that New Zealand will need if they are to win the Four Nations.
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