StephenP
ArnoldAustralia dominates Kiwis in Centenary Test
May 9th 2008 12:13
A first half blitzkrieg from a rampant Australian backline has paved the way for an emphatic 28-12 victory over the New Zealanders at the Sydney Cricket Ground tonight.
In front of a boisterous Sydney crowd of 34,571, the Kangaroos scored four tries in the opening 22 minutes to thwart any thoughts of an upset New Zealand victory, with the home side’s contingent of six Melbourne Storm players laying the platform for a dominant victory.
Both Greg Inglis and an injured Johnathan Thurston were absolutely spectacular in attack, while fullback Billy Slater and winger Israel Folau defused many numerous raids from an exuberant, but misfiring Kiwi backline.
It was a freakish piece of individual brilliance from Kangaroos winger Greg Inglis that allowed the Australians to post fist points, the Storm sensation spectaculalry flying through the air and passing over his head in one motion, allowing Dragons centre Mark Gasnier to score the simplest of tries.
Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston chimed in with his own piece of skill, hooking his conversion over from the sideline to hand the home side a 6-0 advantage after just 8 minutes.
Gasnier was over for his second try just six minutes later when he received a nifty blindside pass from Paul Gallen to cross in the corner, with Thurston this time failing with his sideline conversion attempt to leave the Kangaroos with a 10-0 lead.
It was a determined run from Gallen that saw the Kangaroos post their third try inside the opening twenty minutes, with the tireless backrower charging through some tiring Kiwi defenders up the middle to crash over under the posts.
And any chance of the Kiwis mounting a challenge diminished when Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith bounced over from dummy-half, with the game good as over when Thurston converted for a 22-0 lead after just 23 minutes.
To their credit though, the Kiwis finished the remainder of the half strongly, but despite possessing three consecutive attacking sets, they could not crack the impenetrable Australian defensive line.
Whatever Kiwi coaches Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett said at half-time had the desire effect, with centre Iosia Soliola bursting through some soft Australian defence to barge over for the visitors first try in the 43rd minute.
With first choice goal kicker Isaac Luke off the field, utility Jeremy Smith converted to open the door slightly for the Kiwis at 22-6.
But a 63rd minute try to Israel Folau sealed the Centenary Test for the Australians, with New Zealand winger Sam Perrett crossing for a consolation try late in the piece.
Australia 28
Tries: Mark Gasnier 2, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Israel Folau
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 4
Defeated
New Zealand 12
Tries: Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrettt
Goals: Jeremy Smith, Isaac Luke
At the SCG
Referee – Ashley Klein
Crowd – 34,571
In front of a boisterous Sydney crowd of 34,571, the Kangaroos scored four tries in the opening 22 minutes to thwart any thoughts of an upset New Zealand victory, with the home side’s contingent of six Melbourne Storm players laying the platform for a dominant victory.
Both Greg Inglis and an injured Johnathan Thurston were absolutely spectacular in attack, while fullback Billy Slater and winger Israel Folau defused many numerous raids from an exuberant, but misfiring Kiwi backline.
It was a freakish piece of individual brilliance from Kangaroos winger Greg Inglis that allowed the Australians to post fist points, the Storm sensation spectaculalry flying through the air and passing over his head in one motion, allowing Dragons centre Mark Gasnier to score the simplest of tries.
Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston chimed in with his own piece of skill, hooking his conversion over from the sideline to hand the home side a 6-0 advantage after just 8 minutes.
Gasnier was over for his second try just six minutes later when he received a nifty blindside pass from Paul Gallen to cross in the corner, with Thurston this time failing with his sideline conversion attempt to leave the Kangaroos with a 10-0 lead.
It was a determined run from Gallen that saw the Kangaroos post their third try inside the opening twenty minutes, with the tireless backrower charging through some tiring Kiwi defenders up the middle to crash over under the posts.
And any chance of the Kiwis mounting a challenge diminished when Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith bounced over from dummy-half, with the game good as over when Thurston converted for a 22-0 lead after just 23 minutes.
To their credit though, the Kiwis finished the remainder of the half strongly, but despite possessing three consecutive attacking sets, they could not crack the impenetrable Australian defensive line.
Whatever Kiwi coaches Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett said at half-time had the desire effect, with centre Iosia Soliola bursting through some soft Australian defence to barge over for the visitors first try in the 43rd minute.
With first choice goal kicker Isaac Luke off the field, utility Jeremy Smith converted to open the door slightly for the Kiwis at 22-6.
But a 63rd minute try to Israel Folau sealed the Centenary Test for the Australians, with New Zealand winger Sam Perrett crossing for a consolation try late in the piece.
Australia 28
Tries: Mark Gasnier 2, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, Israel Folau
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 4
Defeated
New Zealand 12
Tries: Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrettt
Goals: Jeremy Smith, Isaac Luke
At the SCG
Referee – Ashley Klein
Crowd – 34,571
| 35 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
