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WIZ: Early pressure on Billy could mean see-you-Slater!

28th November, 2013
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Will the 2011 Dally M award winner Billy Slater be fit in time for the World Cup final? (Image: AAP)
Expert
28th November, 2013
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1381 Reads

It is looking increasingly likely Billy Slater will be cleared to play fullback for Australia in Saturday’s World Cup decider against New Zealand at Old Trafford.

And if that’s the case, the Kiwis must put him under enormous pressure throughout in a bid to force a fumble or missed tackle close to the line.

Slater has been battling a knee problem since the Aussies blitzed USA in the quarters. He means a heck of a lot to the Kangaroo team and if he can be corralled or at least put off his game, more power to the Kiwis.

In the back of Billy’s mind will be the blunder he made back in the Cup final of 2008.

A wayward pass near his own goal-line was pounced on by Benji Marshall for a decisive Kiwi try.

This is the final most league fans craved and I have no doubt it is going to be a classic.

Australia have been extremely methodical – brilliant when needed in attack and miserly in defence – and it is clear they will be prepared to do anything to wrestle the trophy back from NZ.

They outmuscled and ultimately outplayed Fiji in their semi and look to be primed for a huge game.

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The Kiwis can play the physical game as well. They absorbed plenty from a fired-up England in their semi-final and probed patiently for the winning break, which came 20 seconds from full time.

I loved it to bits and I’m sure Tim Sheens and his men would have noted the Kiwis’ ability to post points when they were needed most in that game.

There are many great players on show in the tournament decider and all of the ingredients are there to put on a real showpiece.

Sonny Bill Williams, crowned International Player of the Year this week, will spearhead the New Zealand charge.

He’ll be prominent in the heavy defence work early on and, as the game unfolds, I expect him to create havoc on the edge.

And then there’s Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. What a player this young man is going to be! I’m delighted he has been cleared of injury and we will all see what he can do on the biggest international stage.

For the Kangaroos, I am anticipating another rousing game from Jarryd Hayne.

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He was magnificent against the Fijians and looks perfectly at home in the centres. His combination with Greg Inglis is potentially frightening but I have a hunch their Kiwi opposites, Dean Whare and Bryson Goodwin, will hand in the defensive games of their lives.

New Zealand’s tougher game leading into the final will count for a lot and I’m tipping the Kiwis to win the trophy again, six points should do the trick.

Footnote: Last week, the wily old Wizard wanted to see how alert Roar readers were and wrote Samoa – instead of Tonga – would make the final four.

You passed with flying colours. I can’t fool you guys for a second.

(Seriously, I stuffed up, I was wrong and I humbly apologise.)

But there will be no need for apologies this week. Go you mighty Kiwis!

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