When Mal Meninga took over from Tim Sheens as Kangaroos coach earlier in the year, he made it crystal clear he wanted to raise the culture and standing of the Australian jumper over Origin.
Rugby league is the only sport in Australia where the national team status is lower than interstate competition.
Re-live the Kangaroos defeating the Kiwis here with The Roar’s live blog.
Having coached Queensland to a record nine Origin series successes in a decade, the Kangaroos had not only lost their last three internationals to the Kiwis, but the Four-Nations tournament, and the world number one ranking.
There was a lot of catching up to do, and so far it’s working a treat.
Last May, the Kangaroos beat the Kiwis 16-0 in Newcastle in the Anzac Test, and last night in Perth, in front of a ground record 20,283, the Kangaroos again beat their old rivals 26-6 in the lead-up to the Four Nations.
What made last night even more impressive? Greg Inglis only had one training run having stayed in Sydney for the birth of his second child, and both Aaron Woods and Josh Mansour missed the Test altogether to be married (in separate ceremonies) in Sydney.
The lack of preparation didn’t bother Inglis who scored two tries in a man of the match performance, while Valentine Holmes and behemoth Shannon Boyd both made very impressive debuts replacing Mansour, and Woods.
So what makes Mal Meninga tick?
I’m undecided if mighty Mal is a freakish coach, or a top of the shelf motivator. (Click to Tweet)Maybe it’s a bit of both.
Whatever the answer, it’s a winning formula.
One thing for sure, he has four of the best rugby league footballers in the world to work with – skipper Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Inglis, and Cooper Cronk, for a stand-up start.
Smith last night was his normal cool, calm, and collected self as the perfect general in his 45th Test, especially when the Kangaroos were under the pump for most of the first half, being hammered on their own line.
Thurston was contained, but must have thought there were 26 Kiwis on the field. Every time he touched the ball, he was hit with the kitchen sink, yet survived, while Cronk had a surprisingly quiet game by his lofty standards.
Of the other Kangaroos, Boyd Cordner and Darius Boyd deserve special mention.
Cordner overcame a severe head gash to play a blinder. He was tireless in both attack and defence, while Boyd is the Kangaroos good luck charm
Last night was his 19th Test, and he’s never been in a losing Kangaroo side, capping his 80-minute performance with a try.
The Kiwis had plenty of chances to win, but lacked creativity – they kicked when they should have passed, passed when a kick was the right option, and often lost possession when tackled.
But Martin Taupau was the Kiwi exception.
He threw his 190 cm, 112 kg frame into the Kangaroos, made a handful of busts, and one tackle on Matt Gillett shook my bones watching on television – it was awesome.
But the best team won, and must be installed as favoured to regain the Four Nations crown.
Mal Meninga will do the rest.
Harry
Guest
Actually Mal, Wayne Bennett and the Souths Magpies struggled to win their first premiership in the BRL in the early 80's, having been the best team in the competition for awhile. But they eventually did with a last minute try against Redcliffe, after being upset against Norths and Smokin Joe Kilroy before. Great times and a great comp. Can always remember a commentator (the great Mick Veivers from memory) saying after Mal brushed aside a few defenders to score a great individual try ... "You can almost hear the Sydney cheque books come out".
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Inglis was taking a lot of very tough carries early and defended well. I think that people might sometimes disregard some of his "work" just looking for the flashy stuff. However, I agree that Cordner, Boyd or Gillett should have been front-runners for MoM.
Simoc
Guest
This Kangaroo side was better organised from the start. They had a clear game plan and looked dangerous. I think if Meninga had been coaching the Kiwis the result would have been the opposite. The Kiwis looked to have the ability apart from Kenny-Dowall but lots of mistakes and lack of direction stuffed them. It was a solid professional performance from Australia.
clipper
Guest
think eagleJack sums it up - most live here. It's quite a bizarre situation where the the the opponent has many of the team living in their country and all of the team playing in the hosts tournament - does that happen in any other sport?
Albo
Guest
I'm with you Willy ! I would be Australia's greatest coach and motivator too, if I had a team inclusive of Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Inglis , Slater, and the rest could be reserve graders ! They need neither coaching nor motivation ! They run the show & the team performance. Just give them the footy and get out of their way , just like Mal does !
Squidward
Roar Rookie
He did lose his final 3 origin series' ;) Seriously what is someone like Aaron woods doing having his wedding when a test in on or did they spring this one on them. I can understand Mansour but Woods is a current test player
Correct sometimes
Guest
Also NSW haven't had a half or 5/8 for 10 years
Rod
Guest
Mal coaching record of which he coached the raiders on 125 occasions sits at 53%. Whilst not suggesting he was a great coach. Given he was coaching players he played with and having limited experience. It's actually not that bad.
Sylvester
Guest
This was as close to a full strength team as the Kiwis have put out since 2014. I'd pretty much disregard the England tour results and the Anzac test based on the number of unavailabilities. They'd be a much better side with Foran, Mannering and RTS, but the forwards just didn't dominate as much as expected.
Sylvester
Guest
These two teams rarely play each other at full strength so it's always a lottery.
Jacko
Guest
No Maninga not always a winner. He was last night tho
Jacko
Guest
No Republic that is wrong and you should know that. Cant play both.
Jacko
Guest
The excuse for them losing was that they were crap. Johnson is a B grader with AA+ 1%ers and cant run a game and the coach picks players (SKD, JWH, Nightinggale ) that arnt up to test level anymore and gets his team to not bother attacking. To be honest I was massively dissapointed and wondered if I was watching the Warriors it was that bad.
Jimmmy
Guest
Ah Republican. I wondered what your excuse would be for the KIWis not dominating. They threw the game! Why didn't I think of that.
Jimmmy
Guest
Well I would argue that quite a few times NSW has had the cattle but have lost the Origin series. QLD refuse to lose and I think Mal will instil the Roos with this ethic. Note I said he is a motivational , man manager sort of coach. This works in short bursts like Origin series and Tests. It definitely is not as effective in the weekly grind of the NRL where developing the correct systems and processes is vital. What you say only backs up my thoughts.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
You also told us that the Kiwis would win this game easily. That big is always better in rugby league. So of course you'd be hoping they were foxing And why would the pitch suit the Kiwis better than us? It's not like many of them actually live in NZ. They ply their trade in Australia, playing in the NRL, under our conditions. The Warriors players included. And it's not like Auckland is in the south, where it's cold and wet. These guys aren't the ABs. I saw a Kiwi team with plenty of improvement in them. But I don't think the Aussies will be complacent. They were poor and rusty themselves. As Cam Smith said they have now found a base. They need to get better.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I agree with others on Mal being a great motivator, at this elite level it's about Man Management. I suspect Michael Hagam and other assistants do a lot of the tactical stuff. I don't like the Dugan / Ferguson combo either, neither deserve to be there based on Club form. I'd love to see BJ Lealuia in the Centres and Oates on the wing.
Don
Roar Rookie
Became a very different player after the 3 arm breaks. He got incredibly tough, when before those injuries he could just get by on his prodigious talent. It made him better team player who looked at his support alot more. Many people also don't remember how fast the big fella was. He had real top end speed as a young guy.
Don
Roar Rookie
MOM for mine was Matt Scott. Played tough and stopped Tapau and a few other in their tracks. Just a great prop's game.
Big Willy TBU
Guest
Sorry Jimmmy but I think you'll find his win rate when coaching the Raiders was well below 50% - he coaches convincingly when he's got the cattle.