Saturday night’s game was a close to a train wreck as Kangaroo performances get, yet there could not have been a better result for the Four Nations tournament, or the international game.
Before we get too carried away with the big victory to our cousins across the Tasman, the Kangaroos were severely depleted.
If a full-strength side had been available only Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Sam Thaiday and Greg Bird would have been playing in their positions in the run-on squad.
But you can only beat what’s in front of you.
For far too long the results of internationals, bar the odd occasion where the Kangaroos were caught off-guard by a far more desperate and committed Kiwi side, were a foregone conclusion.
Last year’s World Cup, for all the spectacle and hype, was going to be nothing but a dominant Kangaroo victory from the second the Kiwis ‘stole’ the trophy in Brisbane in 2008.
The upset result this past Saturday Night, again in Brisbane, breathes new life into this tournament, and for the first time in years casts a slight aura of doubt over the Kangaroos.
A full-strength Roos side will destroy any opposition in the world on any given day, however players like Paul Gallen, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and co. can’t play forever. Saturday gave a glimpse into the future of the national side.
Despite copping a tirade on social media, Dylan Walker will surely remain an important part of the rep set-up for the next few seasons. Same too Josh Mansour, who I expect to be there or thereabouts come Origin next season.
Despite the below-par performance of the Kangaroos, they’ll still be heavy favourites to feature in the tournament final, which will surely be against New Zealand.
Quite simply put, if New Zealand are not able to win this tournament, the international game will suffer.
A severely under-strength Aussie side beating the Kiwis in Wellington would surely kill all interest in future tournaments, other than those tuning in to see England and New Zealand battle for second spot.
Of course there’s a long way to go before a Kiwi versus Kangaroo final even eventuates – it’s entirely possible that England will beat either or both sides, and knock one out of the tourney.
The Kangaroos have plenty of improvement left in them. The loss of Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans hurt them big time, as did the uneven bench, which should have featured more variety.
I really hope the Kiwis didn’t play their grand final in the tournament opener, and as much as I want to see Cameron Smith lift that Four Nations trophy, surely for the future of the international game, a New Zealand or English win is best.
In other news, former Kangaroo Anthony Watmough has finally secured a release from the Sea Eagles. Manly also announced they have signed Feleti Mateo, Willie Mason and Sosai Vave.
A 31-year-old, albeit brilliant player in Watmough, swapped for two props and a player who could, if he finds consistency, very well play rep football in the future?
No wonder the Sea Eagles have been a consistent feature in the finals in recent seasons.
Boomshanka
Guest
The need for neutral refs had just been laid out in front at AAMI Park. That last effort from England was either a try or a drop out. The call to goto a 20m restart is right up there with the underarm incident. Other dubious penalty calls where similarly to the benefit of the home team. Australia should be a prouder nation than to let suspicion linger that it was really was a win at all costs. Still TV media well be happy as "Australia's still in it" and news papers will have something to write about and sell. Neutral Refs and officals would put such calls beyond doubt.
Channa Knuckey
Roar Rookie
Lovin this comp. I'm Kiwi, so a Kiwi win is the BEST possible outcome. However Samoa's solid performance against us yesterday was nail-biting, and I want to see England get up today over Aussie - mainly because it's SO good to see underdogs rise. I'da been sad if we'd lost to Samoa yesterday, but woulda been proud for Samoa to rise like cream to the top. Gotta be good for competitive International Rugby League
Shouts Chen
Guest
The loss to New Zealand Kiwis is pretty painful last week. But if Australia fail to win over England, then Tim Sheens would not be very happy about the result. He could walk off the job by then.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Birdy, it would be appreciated if you told the truth. Rugby league is now played in just about every county of England and there are semi professional/professional clubs in places outside a 'few' isolated small towns of N England (is Leeds, Bradford, Hull etc small?) including Hemel, Coventry, Oxford, and amateur in just about every county of England. So which is it-trolling or ignorance?
Birdy
Guest
You must have been 'embarrassed' quite a lot in the last five years; Rick - at least in sports other than League (which is played in a few isolated small towns in the north of England). The Olympics; Commonweallth Games; 3 out of the last 4 ashes series; 3 out of the last 4 Union games; formula 1 drivers; the ongoing decades-long search for an Aussie boxer that doesn't have a glass jaw, etc.
Albo
Guest
The Australian pack is the worst I have seen ever. Where are the in form players ? It comprises the players of teams that weren't good enough to make it to the finals or past the first round of them. They will be steamrolled again by the Pommies on the weekend, and we will finally be able to get back to watching the A-League !
Eden
Guest
Ever since my obsession with Gary freeman as an 8 year old I have secretly supported the kiwis oer the kangaroos. I still do with the hope it stirs interest on te international game. But more than ever I am now watching internationals as they are by far much more entertaining games than the clone wars of nrl tactics.
Col in paradise
Guest
I tell you we got what we deserved..the team was complacent and the selections where shocking...nopt just GI when he is sick - we have planty of top fullbacks around so dont force him to play if not a 100% in a test...but bloody Cherry-Evans WTF was he doing on the field..lucky he went of injuired or the Kiwis would have got 50 points tunning over the top of him all night...and now I hear them worrying he wont be available for the next test.....if he runs on the paddock put some money on the Poms...
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Losing to the Kiwi's is at least tolerable, since they are half decent at the game. Losing to the POMS is just down right embarrassing in any sport - let alone League - which they stink at. You decide how you want to take it if we lose to them I guess.
Winston
Guest
I do agree with the overall sentiment of the author, that Kangaroos being down is good for the game. But there is something in me that just hates us losing to the Kiwis. To the point I would rather see us lose against the Poms. Is it just me?
Boomshanka
Guest
Wouldn't it have made logical sence to have Sutton or Beetham ref the Kiwi v Samoa and Perenara England v Australia games. Instead, we have the farce that sees refs put in compromised positions and fans just left wondering why/if their game is played to the whims of self interest. Does nothing to engender trust with those that run the game. Pathetic.
Storm Boy
Guest
They have appointed a NRL referee for this game. Unbelievable how the Poms let Aussies roll them over before the game even starts.
Boomshanka
Guest
Australia were woeful last weekend and I doubt there's time to fix this time. Daly Cherry Evans wasn't a loss. Until he left the field, he was a liability with our forwards simply running through him. The English can smell blood and will rise this Saturday. The game at AAMI Park is shaping up to be a classic. I'm tipping an England v New Zealand Final. (Hey, we might even get some non bias commentary in the coverage).