• Podcast
  • ARL
    • Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars
    • Rugby League State Of Origin
  • NRL
    • The 2022 NRL Draw
    • 2021 NRL Draw
    • 2021 NRL Podcast
    • 2020 NRL Draw
    • 2015 NRL Draw
    • 2014 NRL Draw
  • ESL
    • International Origin
    • Challenge Cup
  • World
    • World Club Challenge
    • World Cup
    • Rugby League 9’s
    • NRL Auckland Nines Draw
  • Sports
    • AFL
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
  • Guest Writers
  • League Freak
    • Web Site News
    • Sponsorship
    • Uncategorized

The Glorious League Freak – Covering Rugby League World Wide – LeagueFreak.com

  • Home
  • Podcast
  • NRL Rumours
  • RL World 9’s
  • Features
    • Player Profiles And News
  • History
    • History Books
    • The Super League War
      • The Super League War – The Clubs
      • The Super League War – The Freak
      • The Super League War – The Extras
  • Quotes
  • Look-Alikes
  • Teams
  • Rankings
  • Media
  • About
    • Bio
    • League Freaks Commentary Career
    • Contact
    • League Freak On Twitter
    • I Am Not A Journalist
    • Contribute To LeagueFreak.com
    • League Freak Mentions In The Media
    • Advertise On This Website
    • Rugby League RSS Feed
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • RSS Feed
    • Youtube

Australia Defeats New Zealand In Four Nations Opener

Oct 29, 2011 League Freak International Rugby League News 0


Australia has defeated World Cup and Four Nations holders New Zealand by a scoreline of 24-12 in Warrington in a game that was marred by poor refereeing and a dangerous tackle that will probably not receive any punishment at all.

This was an interesting, if not exciting game to watch. Both teams to me looked like they had been effected by the demands of travel and the completely different set of conditions they faced in Newcastle.

Australia looked to settle first and their game plan was very simple. Straight up the middle of the field, Cameron Smith guiding the team around the park (He had a fantastic game) and not really looking to challenge New Zealand out wide at all.

For the Kiwi’s they looked to spread the ball early, too early, and they paid for it with a number of handling errors and a lack of possession early on.

It must be said that the refereeing in this game was once again dire, thanks to the efforts of another English referee’s who was incapable of controlling a game at this level. The holding down in tackles was the worst I have seen in a long time, and the referee just let both sides get away with so much. There were also a number of forward pass and knock on calls that were bad, and really, it wouldn’t surprise me if both Australia and New Zealand called for an NRL official to control them should they both make the final of the Four Nations.

One big issue that keeps coming up for Australia is their inability to go on with the job when they get a decent lead against New Zealand.

We saw it happen again in this game when Australia got away to what should have been a game winning lead, the Kiwi’s just grind their way back into the game.

Australia has a major issue up front. Matt Scott was fantastic but he was a lone figure in terms of raw go forward for the Kangaroo’s. As Australia starts to get deep into its forward rotation of the bench, the Kiwi pack just powers through them, and that is where they start to come back in these games.

I felt like the combination of Benji Marshall and Keiron Foran didn’t really click in this game. Marshall once again didn’t show what he is capable of, and while Foran tried hard, it just wasn’t working. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see New Zealand look to try Nathan Fien and Marshall in the halves in their next game against Wales at Wembley Stadium next weekend.

Another think they need to look at is the way Marshall is playing the line. Took many times he was looking to create space in the middle of the field with his footwork, then throwing long cut out passes wide. In English conditions what Marshall needs to be doing is getting his forwards running as options for him and hitting the best option with a short ball.

For Australia, Thurston really took over control of this game as it wore on. Lockyer to me looked a bit off his game, possibly from a hit he took early on and the fact his face is being held together with metal plates! Cooper Cronk came on later in the game and its interesting because, I think Cronk is very well suited to playing New Zealand. He really straightens up the attack and asks questions out wide with a short passing game and his ability to run the ball. When he comes into the side as a starter next year it could be a game changer in terms of how these contests between Australia and New Zealand pan out.

Issac Luke again went in with a dangerous attacking tackle at the legs of a held defender when he targeted David Shillington in this game. Shillington left the field and will have an MRI to determine the damage caused, but this is the second time in as many games that Luke has done this and it was as close as we have seen to a players leg or ankle being broken.

The only other injury concern that has been reported is a rib injury to Cooper Cronk although during the game New Zealand fullback Kevin Locke looked to sustain a bit of a neck injury that troubled him through the remainder of the game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was rested next week to give that time to heal.

Overall the biggest thing to come out of this game was that both sides got a much needed hit out, it was a tough game that made both teams work, and they got up to speed with the conditions in front of a nearly sell out crowd in Warrington where I’m told the atmosphere was poor.

I see improvement coming for both sides, much more improvement for the Kiwi’s, and I still think New Zealand look like the team to win this competition. I really do think they will play their way into form once again.

Last but not least, about the Sky UK commentators…

I’d like to apologize to them for Australia’s general existence, which seems to piss them off for 80 minutes. I’d like to thank Phil Clarke for pointing out how the game is changing, and that now, hookers needs to have a kicking game (Now being the last 1980’s!). I’d also like to thank them for the comedy value they brought to the game. Constant references to how England would fare against both sides, as though England is of any relevance in Rugby League any more, it was great!

  • Tweet
  • Share 0
  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn 0
  • Email

Related


  • Australia, Benji Marshall, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Darren Lockyer, David Shillington, Four Nations, Issac Luke, Kevin Locke, Kieran Foran, New Zealand, Referees
Australia Versus England: THE Preview Want To Know Why The Panthers Are Struggling To Attract A Sponsor?

League Freak

A well known Rugby League writer, League Freak has established a reputation among supporters of the game for his fearless commentary and unmatched insight. With a reach that spans both sides of the globe, League Freak has produced an independent network that allows him to distribute content to his many thousands of followers. He is the owner and main author of LeagueFreak.com

Related articles
  • NZRL Cancels International Rugby League Test Match Between New Zealand Kiwis And Tonga
    NZRL Cancels International Rugby League...

    Aug 28, 2020 0

  • No Rugby League Test Matches For Australian Kangaroos In 2020
    No Rugby League Test Matches For...

    Aug 27, 2020 0

  • POLL: Where Should Cameron Smith End Up In 2021? – Click The Link To Have Your Say!
    POLL: Where Should Cameron Smith End Up...

    Aug 24, 2020 0


You must log in to post a comment.

Become a Patron!

Ziad Warwar
Nadine
Coojee
Adam
Andy
jamescunni
Lisa
Rugby League Project
Samuel
Sandy
Katey
Oblivion NPC
Jack
Terry
Gibbo

RSS Fergo and The Freak Podcast

  • Launching The 2020 Rugby League Project Annual
  • Make Or Break Season Ahead For These NRL Players
  • We've Been Training The House Down!
  • The 12 Days Of Rugby League Christmas
  • Pat Walsh - The Natural
  • Rugby League Kicks A Two Point Field Goal By Promoting Leigh Into Super League
  • The York City Knights Super League Bid With Gavin Wilson
  • NRL Having Talks To Buy 51% Of Super League For $134 Million
  • Josh Reynolds To Hull FC, BS St Helens Stats, Brandon Smith's Future And Andrew Goes Viral!
  • Brent Nadens Positive Drugs Test Plus Ask Potato - #AskTheBoss
  • The 2020 King Of Rugby League Awards
  • Reaction To The 2021 NRL Draw - With Statistics!
  • No Golden Boot, The Rugby League Gods, And The Best Coffee On The Gold Coast!
  • Queensland Wins The 2020 State Of Asterisk Series!!!
  • Book Launch: The Katelyn Diaries By Jayme Smith

Polls

What Should Cameron Smith Do In 2021?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive

League Freaks Social Network

Follow League Freak on:

Latest Rugby League Articles

  • Could This Be The End Of The Traditional Scrum?
    Could This Be The End Of The Traditional Scrum?

    Jan 12, 2021 0

  • Get Your NEW NRL Podcast For The 2021 NRL Season!!!
    Get Your NEW NRL Podcast For The 2021 NRL Season!!!

    Jan 06, 2021 0

  • Nigel Owens’ Reveals Three Ways For Referees To Make Rugby More Exciting
    Nigel Owens’ Reveals Three Ways For Referees To Make...

    Dec 22, 2020 0

  • 2021 NRL Draw – All Games, All Times, All Venues, All Action, All Controversy!
    2021 NRL Draw – All Games, All Times, All Venues, All...

    Nov 26, 2020 0

  • New Streaming Service For Rugby Games In Australia
    New Streaming Service For Rugby Games In Australia

    Nov 16, 2020 0

Follow League Freak on Twitter

My Tweets

Tags

Andrew Ferguson (259) ARL (61) Australia (155) Benji Marshall (86) Billy Slater (76) Broadcasting Deal (65) Cameron Smith (59) Channel 9 (71) Daniel Nichols (122) Disgrace (73) Eligibility Rules (64) England (141) Expansion (76) Fergo And The Freak (280) Greg Inglis (99) Guest Writer (332) Israel Folau (67) Jarryd Hayne (78) Johnathan Thurston (81) League Freak (359) Leeds Rhinos (57) Marketing (65) Matthew Elliott (70) Mitchell Pearce (62) New South Wales (93) New Zealand (137) NRL Finals (59) NRL Salary Cap (95) Paul Gallen (64) Player Movement (112) Podcast (303) Queensland (69) Referees (78) RFL (144) Robbie Farah (57) Rugby League History (66) Rugby Union (190) Sam Burgess (62) Sonny Bill Williams (91) State Of Origin (153) St Helens (63) Todd Carney (62) Wayne Bennett (81) Wigan (58) World Cup (166)
As featured on NewsNow: NRL newsNRL News 24/7

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Blogroll

  • The Glorious League Freak.
  • League Freak on Twitter
  • League Freak on Facebook
  • Rugby League Podcasting Network
  • NRL Breaking News
  • NRL Rumours
  • RLWorld9s.com

Facebook Pages

  • NRL Gossip
  • NRL Infinite

Features

  • King Of Rugby League
  • Rugby League Look-Alikes
  • Biggest Winning Margins In Rugby League History
  • Biggest Crowds In Rugby League History
  • Rugby League Quotes
  • Rugby League Dictionary
  • The Super League War
  • The New Zealand Haka
  • Funny Rugby League Teams
  • Rugby League Rankins Lists
  • NRL Rumours
  • IHateRugbyUnion.com
  • NRL History
  • NRL History Books
  • Record Books
  • Player Profiles

Other Links

  • Submit Your Australian Blog
  • Best Junk Hauling Virginia
  • Gutter Cleaning Service Virginia
  • Best Lawn Mowing Service Virginia
  • 2020 NRL Draw

Other Sports

  • Clutch Fans
  • Sportette

Players

  • Cameron Smith
  • Kayln Ponga
  • Sonny Bill Williams
  • Jarryd Hayne
  • Andrew Johns
  • Semi Radradra
  • Sam Burgess
  • Benji Marshall
  • James Tedesco
  • Cooper Cronk
  • Johnathan Thurston
  • Anthony Mundine
  • Sam Tomkins
  • Greg Inglis
  • Jamie Peacock

Rugby League

  • Rugby League Project
  • Era Of The Biff
  • Darryl's Rugby League
  • Jamie Lyon Web
  • Rugby League Review
  • Rugby League Ratings
  • NRL CEO Fantasy League
  • QLD Panthers
  • Andrew Ferguson's Website!
  • Black Swans RLFC
  • InternationalRL
  • 2021 Rugby League World Cup
  • Rugby League Mums
  • Player Profiles

Rugby League Podcast

  • Best Rugby League Podcast
  • Best NRL Podcast
  • Best Super League Podcast
  • Best Australian Podcast
  • Best Sports Podcast
  • Funniest Podcast
  • Best Comedy Podcast
  • NRL Radio
  • 2021 NRL Podcast
Google+
  • National Rugby League
  • Rugby League State Of Origin
  • Brisbane Broncos
  • Canberra Raiders
  • Canterbury Bulldogs
  • Cronulla Sharks
  • Gold Coast Titans
  • Manly Sea Eagles
  • Melbourne Storm
  • New Zealand Warriors
  • Newcastle Knights
  • North Queensland Cowboys
  • Parramatta Eels
  • Penrith Panthers
  • South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • St George/Illawarra Dragons
  • Sydney Roosters
  • Wests Tigers
  • The King Of Rugby League Awards
  • Rugby League Player Profiles And News
  • Fantasy Rugby League Teams
  • Rugby League World Rankings
  • Rugby League Look-Alikes
  • International Rugby League News
  • National Rugby League
  • European Super League News
  • Featured Guest Writers
  • Other Sports
  • The 2021 NRL Draw
  • The 2022 NRL Draw – Every NRL Game Listed For You!!!
  • Advertise On LeagueFreak.com
  • About LeagueFreak.com
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feed
  • NothingButLeague.com
  • Rugby League Podcasting Network
  • NRL Breaking News
  • NRL Rumours – Latest NRL Rumours
  • NRL Podcast
  • Super League Podcast
  • Rugby League Podcast
  • Here Is The Cure For COVID 19
Copyright LeagueFreak.com 2020 / All rights reserved
  • Advertise On LeagueFreak.com
  • About LeagueFreak.com
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feed
  • NothingButLeague.com
  • Rugby League Podcasting Network
  • NRL Breaking News
  • NRL Rumours – Latest NRL Rumours
  • NRL Podcast
  • Super League Podcast
  • Rugby League Podcast
  • Here Is The Cure For COVID 19