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Craig HillTri Nations Final - Australia 16 beat New Zealand 12
November 25th 2006 12:00
Tri Nations Final Review - Auatralia VS New Zealand at Aussie Stadium, 25/11/06
Australia have regained the Tri-Nations rugby league trophy tonight 16-12, after a breathtaking, extra time victory over a gallant, but injury riddled New Zealand side.
Australian skipper Darren Lockyer, who was this week named the 2006 Golden Boot recipient for the world's best rugby league player, scored a scintillating, match winning try in the seventh minute of extra-time, to crush the hopes of a courageous Kiwi team.
The Lockyer try was set up by crafty halfback Johnathan Thurston, who in a 40 metre run palmed off Kiwi enforcer David Kidwell, before linking up with Lockyer, who was able to outpace the desperate, last gasp Kiwi defenders, and return the trophy back to Australia
It was a fitting end to what was a high quality match, with the game living up to the pre-match prediction of a close and physical battle fought out between two evenly matched teams.
Australia opened the scoring in just the second minute, when Thurston slotted a penalty goal for a play the ball infringement against New Zealand.
However, Aussie centre Mark Gasnier returned the favour for the visitors six minutes later, when he was penalised for holding down Ruben Wiki in the play the ball. Mercurial Kiwi halfback Stacey Jones levelled the scores at 2 all.
A sloppy dummy half pass proved to be the catalyst for Australia's opening try, as the loose pass was picked up by Nathan Hindmarsh, who found Andrew Ryan, who in turn put Gasnier through a yawning gap. Gasnier drew Kiwi fullback Brent Webb, before passing to unmarked winger Brent Tate who crossed in the corner. Thurston's sideline conversion took the Kangaroos out to an 8-2 lead.
Kiwi stalwart NIgel Vagana caught Lockyer high in the twenty-third minute, sparking a centre field scuffle between the two teams. Australia was duly awarded the penalty, and Thurston's third successful kick made it 10-2.
The New Zealander's countered just six minutes later, when a brilliant chip kick by Jones, was taken on the fly by Webb, who looped a floating, cut out pass to interchange Kiwi forward, Frank Pritchard. An unmarked Pritchard crashed over in the corner, but Jones missed the sideline conversion attempt, leaving the half time score at 10-6 to the Aussies.
New Zealand scored just six minutes after the break, when good lead up work by the Kiwi halves, was rewarded with a try through centre Iosia Soliola. Jones nailed the conversion and levelled the scores again at 10 all.
Australia hit the lead just three minutes later, when a soft penalty was awarded to them. Brent Webb pushed Petero Civoniceva in the play ball, and Great Britain referee Ashley Klein awarded a penalty just 15 metres out from the Kiwi line. Thurston slotted the shot, putting Australia up by 12-10.
A controversial penalty was awarded to New Zealand in the 70th minute, when Hindmarsh was harshly ruled to have impeded Stacey Jones chase off his own grubber kick. The Jones goal made it 12 all with ten minutes left on the clock.
Not even a last minute 40/20 kick by Cameron Smith could prevent the game from entering extra time, with Australia holding a three man advantage due to match ending injuries to Kiwis Steve Matai, Motu Tony and Manu Vatuvei.
The extra time period was played at a frenetic pace, with both sides charging down a number of desperate, long range field goal attempts. The Lockyer try secured a face saving win for the Aussies, whilst the New Zealanders will go home knowing that if they can show composure at the right times, than they have a team that is capable of beating the star studded Australians.
Australia 16 (Tate, Lockyer tries; Thurston 4 goals)
beat
New Zealand 12 (Pritchard, Soliola tries; Jones 2 goals)
at Aussie Stadium
Australia regain the Tri-Nations trophy.
Cheers,
StephenP
Australia have regained the Tri-Nations rugby league trophy tonight 16-12, after a breathtaking, extra time victory over a gallant, but injury riddled New Zealand side.
Australian skipper Darren Lockyer, who was this week named the 2006 Golden Boot recipient for the world's best rugby league player, scored a scintillating, match winning try in the seventh minute of extra-time, to crush the hopes of a courageous Kiwi team.
The Lockyer try was set up by crafty halfback Johnathan Thurston, who in a 40 metre run palmed off Kiwi enforcer David Kidwell, before linking up with Lockyer, who was able to outpace the desperate, last gasp Kiwi defenders, and return the trophy back to Australia
It was a fitting end to what was a high quality match, with the game living up to the pre-match prediction of a close and physical battle fought out between two evenly matched teams.
Australia opened the scoring in just the second minute, when Thurston slotted a penalty goal for a play the ball infringement against New Zealand.
However, Aussie centre Mark Gasnier returned the favour for the visitors six minutes later, when he was penalised for holding down Ruben Wiki in the play the ball. Mercurial Kiwi halfback Stacey Jones levelled the scores at 2 all.
A sloppy dummy half pass proved to be the catalyst for Australia's opening try, as the loose pass was picked up by Nathan Hindmarsh, who found Andrew Ryan, who in turn put Gasnier through a yawning gap. Gasnier drew Kiwi fullback Brent Webb, before passing to unmarked winger Brent Tate who crossed in the corner. Thurston's sideline conversion took the Kangaroos out to an 8-2 lead.
Kiwi stalwart NIgel Vagana caught Lockyer high in the twenty-third minute, sparking a centre field scuffle between the two teams. Australia was duly awarded the penalty, and Thurston's third successful kick made it 10-2.
The New Zealander's countered just six minutes later, when a brilliant chip kick by Jones, was taken on the fly by Webb, who looped a floating, cut out pass to interchange Kiwi forward, Frank Pritchard. An unmarked Pritchard crashed over in the corner, but Jones missed the sideline conversion attempt, leaving the half time score at 10-6 to the Aussies.
New Zealand scored just six minutes after the break, when good lead up work by the Kiwi halves, was rewarded with a try through centre Iosia Soliola. Jones nailed the conversion and levelled the scores again at 10 all.
Australia hit the lead just three minutes later, when a soft penalty was awarded to them. Brent Webb pushed Petero Civoniceva in the play ball, and Great Britain referee Ashley Klein awarded a penalty just 15 metres out from the Kiwi line. Thurston slotted the shot, putting Australia up by 12-10.
A controversial penalty was awarded to New Zealand in the 70th minute, when Hindmarsh was harshly ruled to have impeded Stacey Jones chase off his own grubber kick. The Jones goal made it 12 all with ten minutes left on the clock.
Not even a last minute 40/20 kick by Cameron Smith could prevent the game from entering extra time, with Australia holding a three man advantage due to match ending injuries to Kiwis Steve Matai, Motu Tony and Manu Vatuvei.
The extra time period was played at a frenetic pace, with both sides charging down a number of desperate, long range field goal attempts. The Lockyer try secured a face saving win for the Aussies, whilst the New Zealanders will go home knowing that if they can show composure at the right times, than they have a team that is capable of beating the star studded Australians.
Australia 16 (Tate, Lockyer tries; Thurston 4 goals)
beat
New Zealand 12 (Pritchard, Soliola tries; Jones 2 goals)
at Aussie Stadium
Australia regain the Tri-Nations trophy.
Cheers,
StephenP
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