England have been defeated by New Zealand here but they are not out of the Four Nations yet.
England threw everything they had at the Kiwis but, like Samoa last week, it just wasn’t enough.
As it stands their points differential is zero. Australia is on -14. If Australia wins by more than 14 points than they will play NZ in the final. Anything less and it will be England in the final.
Samoa could make the final if they beat Australia by more than 8 points I think.
NZ deserved winners in the end but another tight tussle in what has been a very competitive Four Nations. Thanks for your company tonight!
Final Score:
New Zealand: 16
England: 14
The 2014 Four Nations has been a cracker and tonight’s contest between New Zealand and England promises to be another tight affair as both teams fight for a place in the final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEDT).
New Zealand managed to get out of jail against Samoa last week, coming from behind to register a 14-12 victory that puts them in prime position to host the final.
Now they play an English side still crying foul over last week’s tight defeat to Australia. England were superb against the Kangaroos and only a controversial video referee decision after fulltime denied the English from securing a superb victory.
England have shown enough in this tournament to suggest they have what it takes to beat the Kiwis and make the final.
As it stands, New Zealand only need a victory to make the final. They can also lose and still make the final provided their points differential doesn’t take a battering.
England meanwhile need to win tonight to stand any chance of making the decider. England currently have a differential of plus 2 compared to Australia’s differential of minus 14.
With this in mind, if England do manage to beat the Kiwis in a tight contest, they must hope that Australia doesn’t thrash Samoa by perhaps 20 points or more. A Samoa victory of course would also come in handy if England falls tonight.
The competitiveness of this year’s Four Nations has served international rugby league well and New Zealand and England will most likely serve up yet another close encounter.
The battle upfront should be tremendous, with English forwards James Graham and George Burgess lining up against Kiwi big men Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo.
Kieran Foran’s battle against Gareth Widdop in the halves should also be fascinating. The winner of that contest will play a leading hand in guiding their team to victory.
New Zealand by 8.
Crazy Horse
Guest
We need a grown up Captain with tactical nouce. We also need a 7 who plays 7 not 12.5
TahDan
Roar Guru
I only just noticed this, but there was no article on the Roar covering the New Zealand v England 4N match... that's pretty poor given it was one probably the best game of the weekend in either code.
Jack
Guest
Best finals series? Not even nearly. 2013 was way better and the GF was a much better spectacle - it just involved teams without a fairytale factor. But whatever, shortening the season doesn't mean a diminished finals series - it means a lower attrition rate and therefore likely a better standard. As for the last World Cup - it outrated big NRL games in Aus by tonnes and was on in the middle of the night. So yeah, pretty sure it will be remembered.
Renegade
Guest
I'm pretty sure everyone still remembers the last World Cup hence the references...... quit the tr011ing
Basil B'borgnay
Guest
hahahaha!! good one! We've just seen one of the greatest nrl final series in history!! people will soon forget the mickey mouse "4-nations". heck, does anyone even remember the last world cup? keep up the mutual tickle-fest!
Alan
Roar Guru
Yes you are right Jeande. Australia only needs a win tomorrow to seal their place in the final. My mistake.
The eye
Guest
Judging Walker far too prematurely,he will be in this side for years to come..better than both Whare and SKD who are solid at best,Mansours fine as is Mata Utai..the game won't be lost there...and what's all the kerfuffle about props..England have the best in the league,Aussies sat them both down last week,and they were(will be) the first side eliminated..
Jack
Guest
I can't... That side was star studded, and whilst there's still a strong spine in place for the Roos, their talent in the outside backs is sorely lacking apart from Jennings... Walker is no where near test standard, Tupou is a space cadet, Mansaur does nothing and the new kid is way out of his depth with only 7 NRL games under his belt. Meanwhile our forward pack has no props for some reason.
Muzz
Guest
Which club does Robert Tuvesulia Sheik play for, Johnno?
Johnno
Guest
More to the point alot of kiwis out as well for one reason or another -SBW,Sam Moa,Kasiano,Frank Pritchard,Jarred Hargraves, Robert Tuvesulia Sheik, Sam Mckendry. Some big boppers and a truckload of talent out, so some good kiwi depth. Guys like Konrad Hurell are ready soon too, what a talent he is.
The eye
Guest
So,what happens around this time next week when the 'weakest' ( not my words) Aussie team of all time gives your best side ever it's butt on a plate..I can feel a 2013 WC final déjà vu 'all over again '...
JeandeTroyes
Guest
Greatest Kiwi side ever by a very long way. Not only talented across the board (despite Manu Vatuvei's diamonds or dirt tendencies) but composed under pressure and with self confidence and self belief that I've never seen before (in a NZ side) - performing like the glorious All Blacks have been performing for decades! Deserve to win the tournament - great series. By the way, huge faux pas by Alan Nicolea. Australia only have to win tomorrow (giving them 2 wins to to England's 1). For and against is an irrelevance under that scenario (or what have I missed?). Surprised the editors didn't pick up on that.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The fact that people see a domestic series within Australia as a major stumbling block in getting the International game moving forward gives you an idea that International Rugby League has some serious issues. I can't think of another Global game where that would be the case. Do the IRB have an issue with Super Rugby? Or the ITM Cup? Does FIFA lambast the success of the EPL? International Rugby League is a niche sport. And I can't see that changing. In 60 years there are still only 3 competitive sides. And that's being generous to England who haven't beaten the Aussies in 20 years. Origin is here to stay. If that means that International Rugby League doesn't gain traction then that is the fault of the RLIF
Victoria Liu-Pearson
Roar Guru
Awesome to get the win, England credit to them in this tournament they've played great, just sometimes not quite able to finish it off. Frankly they should have beaten Australia last week if not for the poor reffing. They should be in the final to face NZ and Australia should have been knocked out. But that's just my view :-)
Tom G
Guest
Couldn't agree more... if RL wants to push forward abandon SoO and take this contest more seriously.. and the biggest benefit no teams moaning about how it stuffs up their season in the middle.. Craig Bellamy take note
Willie Fistabottom
Guest
Going to Aus v Samoa tomorrow. Every games has been great. International League has taken off on the back of the World Cup. More of this please. Channel 9 will never get the rights after this deal expires.
Sylvester
Guest
To be honest, thought this was the worst reffing performance so far.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The ref had a great game. Memo to NRL, stop tinkering with the game, you are f#%king it up. In Australia Channel 9 are attempting to alter the game to suit their ideals and in the process the NRL is mind numbing boring, this Four Nations tournament is a breath of fresh air.
Jack
Guest
Yep - a pretty good case for shortening the NRL so we can have more of this.
Muzz
Guest
Where's Sleiman? I want to buy some shares.