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I have just sat through one of the great rugby league spectacles of all time, the first semi-final of rugby league’s 2013 World Cup, a match between England and New Zealand.
And what a match it was.
Punishing in its intensity, mesmerising in its skill and audacious in its display of talent and fortune, I cannot think of a better advertisement for international rugby league.
The tension was palatable with New Zealand starting off the stronger.
But has been the case with England recently, they have learnt not to crack.
They kept their nerve, played some fantastic football and dominated the first half.
But there is a reason why New Zealand are World Champions.
Blessed with unnatural talent and skill, the Kiwis have the ability to reach out to lady fortune’s hand and pull her into their dance. This they did with a try on half-time that can only be described as a miracle.
Going into half-time with the scores locked at 8-8, one wouldn’t know that England had had New Zealand on the ropes.
The second half saw New Zealand hit the lead for the first time and once again, England weathered the storm, regaining the lead with some power playing and mesmerising attack. Two tries later and England were on their way to a well deserved victory and a berth in the final.
New Zealand did not play the perfect game. For 79 minutes, England were the better team.
But a rugby league match lasts 80 minutes and when the gods favour you with unpredictable power and talent, the audacious touch of fortune is always on hand to support you.
This the gods did when the Kiwis received a lazy penalty and in the final seconds of the match, Shaun Johnson, slicing through the English defence, shattered the hearts and souls of a brave, brave English team.
If this match had been the final, not a soul would have complained.
Long live international rugby league.
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