The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Opinion

The Kiwis will make it World Cup trophy number two this year

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Roar Rookie
17th May, 2021
14

The New Zealand Kiwis’ 2017 World Cup campaign was nothing short of a disappointment for the nation.

Being upset by both Tonga and Fiji in consecutive weeks to tumble out in the quarter-finals was underwhelming for a nation that should regularly challenge Australia.

They say a week is a long time in rugby league, so I guess four years is a lot longer and because of that I think they will win the World Cup this year. Here is what I think their best line-up is barring suspension or injuries (minus Roger Tuivasa-Sheck assuming he skips the World Cup for his union switch):

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Reimis Smith
4. Joseph Manu
5. Dalin Watene-Zelezniak
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Jesse Bromwich (C)
9. Brandon Smith
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Kenny Bromwich
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Tohu Harris
14. Benji Marshall
15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
16. Joseph Tapine
17. Isaac Liu

That line-up is nothing short of excellent with a wonderful mix of youth and exuberance as well as experience and leadership.

There’s a forward pack to make any team shudder that will lead the way through the middle opening the halves to create points for the exciting and powerful outside backs. But the greatest thing about this side are the absent names: Shaun Johnson, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jordan Rapana, Ken Maumolo and many more who have been stalwarts of the Kiwis for years showing that New Zealand has the depth to go all the way this year.

Now I know that the Kangaroos are deserved favourites and arguably have a better side and more depth than the Kiwis, but another famous sporting cliché is that the game is not played on paper.

So yes, Australia should be favourites and realistically could very well win.

Advertisement

But three years ago, when the Kangaroos had come off a World Cup victory and contained a star-studded team including James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Damian Cook and skipper Boyd Cordner faced a Kiwi side down in the depths naming an inexperienced line-up missing stars like Tuivasa-Sheck on the back of three consecutive losses to Tonga, Fiji and England, the Kiwis were given no hope.

This was echoed by the dismal crowd that turned out in Auckland for this annual Trans-Tasman Test with an attendance of just 12,763 reflected how little faith the locals had of sparking an upset over the world champions.

But 80 minutes of footy later and Australia was completely outclassed across the park, with a 26-24 victory to the Kiwis. Two last gasp Aussie tries and imperfect goal kicking closed the gap to just two points.

So again, just because on paper Australia are the better side does not mean they will win this World Cup. But I also will not lie, I am a Test footy optimistic who could very well be jumping at shadows.

I accept that it could be highly likely Australia roll to another World Cup victory again raising the legitimacy of the international game of rugby league.

But let us stay the optimist and there is a lot of evidence to suggest that with Aussie defeats to Tonga and New Zealand over the last couple years and even nations like Papua New Guinea beating the England, sorry ‘Great Britain’, side shows that this World Cup could be the closest the game has seen for decades.

Advertisement

Because of this I will stay the optimist and say that the New Zealand Kiwis under coach Michael Maguire will be lifting the World Cup trophy come November 27 after a stirring World Cup from the men in black.

close