New Zealand have taken out the 2014 Four Nations final, and will be champions until the next edition is played in 2016.
FINAL SCORE:
New Zealand 22
Australia 18
The Kangaroos and Kiwis will bring down the curtains on a highly entertaining Four Nations series with a replay of the 2013 World Cup Final. Join The Roar from 6:45pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Just 80 minutes of hard, combative rugby league is all that is left for the 34 men who will line-up for Australia and New Zealand in the Four Nations final in Wellington tonight.
A refreshing break looms on the horizon for these players, before they’re back into training and doing it all again, and tonight’s final has extra significance. Bragging rights for the victors will be extended for an extra 12 months, as the tournament won’t be played again until 2016.
The Kiwis have had an excellent campaign qualifying first for the final with victories over Australia (30-12), Samoa (14-12), and England (16-14).
Despite the close margin of the latter two games, New Zealand have played excellent tournament footy, and would love to take home another piece of silverware at the expense of the Australians.
Tim Sheens and the Australians have had a tournament full of distractions. Pre-tournament a number of established representative players were withdrawn from the competition by their clubs, forcing them to blood a whole new bunch of rookies (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!). Jarryd Hayne withdrew from the squad the day after it was announced, and injuries and illness have also taken its toll.
In between they lost to the Kiwis (30-12), thrashed Samoa (44-18) scraped home over England (16-12), and avoided the ignominy of becoming the first Australian side in six decades to not make the final of a major tournament. All-in-all it’s been a busy month for the Australian boys.
Both teams have named extended squads for the match, and will not finalise their team until just before kick-off.
For the Kiwis, hooker Thomas Leuluai is out after suffering a shoulder injury against the Samoans, with Lewis Brown being named on the bench as his replacement. Brown’s elevation to the bench means that Isaac Luke will now start.
The Australians have named the same 17 that took the field against England, but have reshuffled their bench to include Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra and Ryan Hoffman. Hunt, Jackson and Klemmer have been named as emergency replacements.
The Kiwis have enjoyed a smoother preparation than their Australian counterparts after an illness spread through the Aussie camp forcing the cancellation of training, and resulting in a number of players being quarantined from their teammates.
Prediction:
Having won the World Cup, and the Four Nations on enemy soil, the Kiwis would love to win a trophy in front of their home fans.
With a huge forward pack, and the creativity of Foran and Johnson in the halves, this could well be their best chance to do it.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
The only surprise was that the referee actually called a forward pass, rather than letting it go "in the interests of the game".
Muzz
Guest
We may have been poor under "David i'm easy Gallop" but at least the games soul was still intact. I love how many FTA friday night games your team the Sharks get.More exposure means more money.More money means better training facilities,coaching and medical staff, high altitude camps etc which increase your chances of winning a premiership. This is just another area where it's not a level playing field because of the paymasters influence. 9 won't lose out on the next TV deal.The revenue means too much to them and they have an ongoing relationship with the NRL.The removal of the first and last rights agreement will mean more money but it'll be same old sausage sandwich dished up by Channel 9.It will take something major, like Super League to dislodge 9 from our game.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
7 and Fox could outbid that combo. A desperate 10 and fox could give that combo a good shot.10 is deperate as are their major shareholders for a major sport in this country. If as is being suggested News buys into 10.Where does that leave 9?Hardly impregnable.So I disagree with your view. If David (Im easy)Gallop had still been in charge,the code would still be bending over to the networks.And F&L rights would still be in place. Smith will have by 2018 est $200m in kitty.As someone suggests, he can pretty well do as he chooses. One of the reasons we were screwed schedule wise on the current contract,was to maximise revenue and to get rid of the F&L.Short term pain for long term gain.We neede the cash,the code lost money in 2012,the cupboard bare. We are it appears, getting so far more FTA live thursday nights and sunday afternoon for the season 2015.This with a stiff contract already in place. Smith sees the importance of Internationals,and has secured more live NRL FTA games from next year.I think he cares how the networks treat the game,but to date has had little room to manoeuvre. If he can get rid of Monday nights or at least have more sunday arvo games,he will be doing us all a favour.He äin't "perfect but he is far better than his predecessor.
Muzz
Guest
9 and fox have shared the broadcasting rights deal since the NRL's inception.Do you honestly think that a rival network can outbid that combo?Which brings me back to my original post.9 will just pay more and maybe overs to use and abuse the game again. Dave show me the money Smith won't care how they treat the game.However, they'll need to pay a premium for that privilege.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No F& L rights= open slather Muzz. If Foxtel gets a slice of 10,and they join(with News financial muscle) in the bidding process next time,good luck ch9.9 don't have the final say. 10 alone last occasion wanted a slab of FTA and were prepared to pay I believe $800m cash for 5 years.The fact 9 and Fox joined forces to bid was too much for 10 and no doubt 7.
Muzz
Guest
How will that work, CC?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You should include the First & Last rights effect as a major difference.On that basis 9 may not get the final say.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Bit of a dodgy call on the the last disallowed try for Australia, it was no more forward than the pass to Vatuvai for his first try, Kiwis flopped a lot & there were no penalties, still have to admit Kiwis were pretty good but the proof in the pudding will be next year when both teams are at full strength.
Shortfineleg
Guest
Yep
Jay C
Roar Guru
Probably the form player of 2014, and had a major impact within minutes of coming on in this game and against England. I would have brought him on earlier.
Muzz
Guest
The only major difference in the next TV deal, will be 9 paying more imo.
Nick
Guest
Wibble wibble dear
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Congrats NZ ,worthy winners,helped make a great series.Johnson simply the wow factor.. Another shot in the arm for rugby league there.And channel 9 in typical fashion has it on 9pm start over there. The sooner this current Tv deal has gone the way of the waste bin,the better it will be for the code. Notice FitzSimons had his predictable cheap shot at the final in this morning's SMH.Describing the 4 nations as "beige" meaning barely noticeable.Gobbling up the insecurity pills again.
Muzz
Guest
Far from crap, Sleiman but yeh your right about SOO : ) Congratulations Kiwis and take a bow Steve Kearney.
Digby
Roar Guru
Im sure he did mate.
Charlie
Guest
Come on austraila you got to win these matches come on BOYS....
Johnno
Guest
Big Manu Vatuevei is a faster version of Sam Burgess. He should do a Ruben Wiki and move to the front row next year or so. Still Remember 4 years ago when Tony T-Rex Williams on the wing for Manly smoked Manu for 3 tries.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining The Roar tonight. That's it for rugby league for 2014. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Disregard.. Pritchard is actually born in Aus.. so how the heck do the Kiwis claim him haha.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Haha, I'll take that! :)