New Zealand have taken a big step towards playing a home final after defeating Australia by 18 points.
After a poor opening couple of minutes, the Kiwis eventually hit their stride upfront and simply outmuscled the Kangaroos.
Australia were poor with their handling. Not up to their high standards. The Kiwis pack very strong. Johnson and Foran composed.
Signs looking good for NZ. Australia with plenty of work to do against an England side fancying their chances of causing another upset.
FINAL SCORE:
Australia 12
New Zealand 30
New Zealand will fancy their chances of causing the upset when they clash against Australia in the opening match of the 2014 Four Nations. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
The Kangaroos Four Nations squad has been rocked by the withdrawal of key superstars Billy Slater, Jarryd Hayne and Jonathon Thurston.
Hayne withdrew from the squad and rugby league all together to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. Slater and Thurston meanwhile will miss the Four Nations because of injury.
Despite their absence, the Kangaroos still possess a very strong squad headlined by NRL greats Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis.
Very talented young stars such as Dylan Walker, Josh Mansour, Daniel Tupou and Daly Cherry-Evans have all been chosen to stake their claim for a permanent starting spot for Australia when they face a strong New Zealand side tonight.
With Thurston injured, Cherry-Evans will get first crack at halfback against New Zealand due to his previous Origin experience. He will be keen to hit the ground running to keep Broncos halfback Ben Hunt at bay come the big matches.
As for New Zealand, the Kiwis have picked a squad that on paper should pose a real threat against Australia. Peta Hiku, Jason Taumalolo, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson are all supremely talented footballers that should ask the Kangaroos defence plenty of questions.
The late withdrawal of Penrith star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is a blow given the great potential he showed for the Panthers this season. Manu Vatuvei will most likely replace him on the wing.
There is plenty to look forward if you are a Kiwi fan. Taumalolo in particular began establishing himself as one of the most destructive forwards in the NRL late in the season for the Cowboys and will add some much needed X-factor to the Kiwi pack.
In an open game of football, the absence of Thurston, Slater and Hayne may just allow the Kiwis to cause the upset, particularly if Johnson can manage to play the percentages well.
New Zealand by 6.
Peter
Guest
Props! RL isn't complex. It starts with the big men. And heaps of Roarers pointed out when the squad was picked - there was only one prop, and an ordinary one at that - selected. It was so wrong, so arrogant, so stupid, so obvious. And the pack last night, as predicted, were rolled.
Silver Sovereign
Guest
With the injuries to Inglis and Cherry Evans, there are many question marks. The only certainties are as far as I see are: 1. ? 2. ? 3. Jennings 4. ? 5? 6. ? 7. Cronk 8. ? 9. Smith 10. ? 11. Hoffman 12. Thaiday 13. Parker 14. Hunt 15. ? 16. Bird 17. ?
Silver Sovereign
Guest
Selectors would be ruing not picking Josh McGuire for the bench. And Ben Hunt also for the utility spot. Seeing the big packs of NZ, England and Samoa, the glut of soft back rowers has to go. Parker has to start at lock. Bird is good value on the bench. Thaiday has to go back to the second row. Hoffman, Thaiday and Parker is a good back row. Need a real prop to partner Aaron Woods. I don't even rate Woods that much either. Papali and Guerra are droppable as well. I have never seen the purpose of Beau Scott in rep teams.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Scott was basically AWOL in the second half, and yeah things fell apart at the back with GI and Cherry-Evans off but the wheels were already coming off in the forwards with NZ exposing the lack of genuine props pretty quickly.
Charles
Guest
Hoffman ran out of line and left a too wide of a gaping hole for Cherry to cover. Watch the replay
Jordan
Guest
Scott? really I'm a QLDer and find that comment tough, he scored a try and was reading their attacking raids on the wing pretty well from second rower might I add, I can think of at least 3 times he was left alone on the wing at the wrong time. I think we just had had too much young blood in the team. Channel 9 were banging on about the ball being lighter possibly that could factor into how 'uncrisp' our passing game and positioning was. Mansor did ok, but I don't think the back 3 played at all well after GI went off. Farrah was ok but still showed why he is a hooker and not a 7/6. Too many injuries too, many rookies, too many players out of position and NZL arrived.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Not holding my breath Digger but you couldn't fault that performance after a sketchy start.
The eye
Guest
they couldnt outmuscle a 3rd string panther forward pack..how short is your memory
Luke M
Guest
I don't know how Papalii got picked. He was very average for a very average team this year.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Good as the Kiwis were, there were at least 3 Kangaroo forwards who didn't deserve their jerseys tonight (Thaiday, Scott, and Papali).
Pat Malone
Guest
Should there be more Tasmanians ?
Pat Malone
Guest
You sir, are a genius?
Pat Malone
Guest
You have got to be kidding
Luke M
Guest
How refreshing to watch a game of footy with one ref not blowing a penalty for every little thing.
Pat Malone
Guest
Getting ahead of yourself Johnno?
Elma Dudd
Guest
Its only game one ...a lot can happen .
Muzz
Guest
Put the worlds best backline behind a comps weakest forward pack and they become useless. Momentum is everything in the modern game.
Johnno
Guest
Cowboys forwards of -Matt Scott,James Tamou,Sims brothers,Jason Taumolo, too much muscle for Roos tonight.
Johnno
Guest
Muzz Rabbitohs GF squad 1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Kirisome Auva'a 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Apisai Koroisau (replacing Issac Luke) 10. Dave Tyrell 11. Ben Te'o 12. John Sutton(c) 13. Sam Burgess Interchange 14. Jason Clark 15. Kyle Turner 16. Chris Mcqueen 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Ben Lowe 19. Luke Burgess 20. Bryson Goodwin I'm convinced that side especially in the forwards could steamroll the "Aussie side that played tonight"
Renegade
Guest
Night Johnno, hope you enjoyed the internationals mate... what a start to the tournament!!