Four Nations Final: Kangaroos vs Kiwis

[DIEHARD]

Kangaroos vs Kiwis

[DIEHARD]

Single tickets left in the Roo Crew!

Should be a big crowd all round to cap off the season.

Go Roos!

[DIEHARD]

Back to Haka basics for Kiwis

It was fearsome, intimidating and possibly a bit too hard on short notice.

After just one outing, New Zealand's new haka could be put on ice for the Four Nations final against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday night.

In front of an expectant crowd at the revamped Eden Park, the Kiwis unveiled the Ko Wai Ra

Advertisement: Story continues below haka, which was performed instead of the more familiar Ka Mate version of the feared and famous war dance.

Unfortunately for the home side, the haka's intensity failed to translate to the scoreboard, which came down 34-20 in favour of the Australians, while a number of the Kiwi players showed some rust when trying to remember the moves of the extended display.

Team manager Tony Kemp said the new pre-match challenge was re-tooled to include aspects of all Pacific Island culture - not just Maori - as part of a more inclusive approach to the multi-cultural squad. As such, the entire playing group took part, even those not competing on the night.

But the Ko Wai Ra haka may not get a second airing at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Despite three weeks of preparation and practice, the Kiwis are yet to decide which haka they will perform, while fullback Lance Hohaia is one player keen to trim down potential distractions.

He said some players seemed more jittery about perfecting the new haka than the clash with the Kangaroos.

"We only had three weeks to get it down pat. I think most of the boys were more nervous about the haka than the game. We don't want to be feeling that way this week before the final. We'll have a chat about it this week," Hohaia said.

"We haven't spoken about it at this stage. It didn't seem to work too well for us last week. I think we can still do the normal haka as a squad as well. It's just up to us as a playing group to discuss whether it's a good thing for the side and whether it's fitting for the occasion."

It's not unprecedented to alternate between various hakas. The All Blacks have an alternate haka, the fearsome Kapo o Pango, which they use before certain Test matches.

However, the Ka Mate haka at Suncorp Stadium has been the catalyst for miraculous results in the past. In 2008, the Australians famously marched up and met the Kiwis in a move that backfired spectacularly, with New Zealand staging a miraculous upset to win the World Cup final.

Hohaia was one of his side's best that night and said that result gave them hope and confidence for Saturday's decider, for which 28,000 tickets have been sold.

"It's hard not to have those memories. [Suncorp Stadium] has been pretty kind to us over the past couple of years," Hohaia said.

"That year (2008), we were rank outsiders and we came away with the win. This year is no different. Australia will be ranked favourites, as they should be. We'll be doing our best again on the weekend to try and knock them off."

Saturday's final will end a tournament that has struggled for traction at times and been criticised for one-sided results. But Australian fullback Billy Slater, rested last week in Wellington, believes not only should the tournament continue but be expanded to include Pacific nations Tonga and Samoa.

"I think it's a great concept. The more experience we can get for these guys in the lesser nations is better for rugby league. We can see how many Polynesians and islanders are within our game. It's important we keep doing that. I think the competition's in a good spot at the moment. If anything, it can add to it," Slater said.

Australian halfback Cooper Cronk wasn't concerned by the initially sluggish ticket sales, backing Brisbane punters to come out and support the contest.

"There's a lot of sport going on coming into summer. I'm sure Caxton Street and rugby league still has a part to play at this time of year," Cronk said.

"Knowing Brisbane as I do as a rugby league heartland, I'm sure they're going to turn up."

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/

[TITAN PETE]

Maroons dominate Kangaroos side

AAP Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:29:07
Queenslanders dominate the Australian side for Saturday's Four Nations rugby league final against New Zealand with 10 Maroons named in the Tim Sheens' starting side.

Winger Brett Morris and backrowers Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis are the only NSW players in the Kangaroos run-on side, with even the seven-man interchange bench sporting a Maroon tinge with another three representatives.

Matt Scott's retention in the front row alongside David Shillington signals a changing of the guard, with veteran prop Petero Civoniceva to start the game from the bench.

Skipper Darren Lockyer, Willie Tonga, Billy Slater and Lewis return after missing last weekend's win over the Kiwis, with two of the men they come in for - Darius Boyd and Greg Bird - named on the bench.

The pair were joined by Kurt Gidley, Nate Myles and Anthony Watmough - who were also absent last week - amongst the list of reserves to be trimmed by Sheens on Thursday.

The four squad members not named were Robbie Farah, Dean Young, Todd Carney and Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence.

Team: Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Lote Tuqiri, Darren Lockyer (capt), Cooper Cronk, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith, David Shillington, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Petero Civoniceva, Greg Bird, Kurt Gidley, Nate Myles, Anthony Watmough, Darius Boyd (three to be omitted).

[TITAN PETE]

Kiwis make two changes for Final

Richard Becht NZRL Media Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:01:00
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney today confirmed two changes to the Kiwis’ starting line-up for Saturday night's Four Nations final against the Kangaroos at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Greg Eastwood, used off the bench in last weekend's 20-34 loss at Eden Park, will make his 17th Test appearance, joining the experienced Adam Blair as a starting front rower.

And Bronson Harrison, 18th man in Auckland, is reunited with the seasoned Simon Mannering in the second row.

Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Sika Manu, who both started at Eden Park, have been named on a seven-man bench. Listed in jersey No 17 today is Penrith prop Sam McKendry, the players’ player of the day when making his Test debut in the 76-12 win against Papua New Guinea in Rotorua on October 30.

Not considered was interchange back rower Frank Pritchard, who hasn’t recovered from a knee injury which sidelined him during the second half of the Eden Park encounter.

“As a group we were very disappointed with our performance against Australia last week,” said Kearney.

“We prepared as well as we could for that Test but didn’t reach the standards we expect of ourselves. We need to make significant improvements in all areas this week if we are to compete against a very good Australian team.”

Of the changes made, Kearney said: “This is the side we think is going to work for us this week.”

While making two changes in the forwards, Kearney has retained the same starting backline used in the Kiwis’ last two Tests against Papua New Guinea and Australia since winger Manu Vatuvei broke his arm against England in Wellington.

All the starting forwards were involved in the Kiwis’ World Cup victory over Australia at the same ground two years ago as was interchange hooker Issac Luke. On that occasion, Simon Mannering was in the centres and Eastwood was on the bench but Blair, hooker Thomas Leuluai, Harrison and loose forward Jeremy Smith are in the same roles they had in the 2008 final.

The backline survivors from that match are Nathan Fien, Benji Marshall, Sam Perrett and Lance Hohaia while winger Jason Nightingale was in the World Cup squad but didn’t play in the final.

Hohaia and Leuluai will take their Test career totals to 27 appearances on Saturday night while Mannering will play his 24th international.

The 2010 Four Nations final is set for a 7pm kick-off (local time), 10pm New Zealand time.

The team is:
1 Lance Hohaia (Vodafone Warriors)
2 Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra)
3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters)
4 Junior Sa’u (Newcastle)
5 Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters)
6 Benji Marshall - C (Wests Tigers)
7 Nathan Fien (St George Illawarra)
8 Greg Eastwood (Leeds)
9 Thomas Leuluai (Wigan)
10 Adam Blair (Melbourne)
11 Bronson Harrison (Canberra)
12 Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors)
13 Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra)
Interchange (from):
14 Issac Luke (South Sydney)
15 Ben Matulino (Vodafone Warriors)
16 Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters)
17 Sam Mckendry (Penrith)
18 Sika Manu (Melbourne)
19 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
20 Lewis Brown (Vodafone Warriors)

[DIEHARD]

Roo Crew sold out! : )!

Sunny weather forecast!

I hope Bird makes it onto the field.

[DIEHARD]

I'm also very wary of the Kiwis. We thumped them before the World Cup Final as well. And i think they have a stronger team. And the Roos are weaker.

[DIEHARD]

Kiwis looking forward to rematch
Jason Sintome

The World Champion Kiwis are looking forward to the weekends Four Nations final against Australia, confident they can improve on their Eden Park performance last weekend and topple the tournament favourites.

Preparations have this week gone smoothly for Coach Stephen Kearney and his squad with memories of their historic Suncorp Stadium victory still fresh in the mind of many of the squads star players.

Despite their dominant performances during the tournament, Tim Sheens has made a number of changes to the squad ahead of the final with crowd favourite and loyal servant Petro Civoniceva dumped to the bench for the decider.

Source: http://www.titans.com.au

[TITAN PETE]

Pet's time is coming: Sheens

By Laine Clark AAP Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:15:00
Related Links

In a worrying sign for Petero Civoniceva, Australian coach Tim Sheens said he dreaded making a final call on the veteran prop's international rugby league career ahead of Saturday night's Four Nations final.

And in the strongest indication yet that the curtain had fallen on Civoniceva's days in the Test jersey, Sheens said Nate Myles was a "short-priced favourite" to bump the war horse from Australia's bench for the Suncorp Stadium clash with New Zealand.

"At some stage you've got to hand the reins over - it's coming (and) it won't be pleasant," Sheens said at a Men of League charity fundraiser in Brisbane on Wednesday.

"Although I know the big fella understands - he is one of the strong characters in the game.

"His time is coming, and I think he knows it."

The writing was on the wall for Civoniceva after Matt Scott and David Shillington were maintained in the front row for the Four Nations decider.

The Queensland big boppers impressed when they started ahead of Civoniceva as the veteran watched from the bench when Australia downed the Kiwis 34-20 last weekend.

As a result Civoniceva was named on a seven-man bench for Saturday night's decider and in direct competition with Myles for a final interchange nod.

But Sheens appears to have already made a decision judging by his comments at the charity fundraiser.

"Nate Myles is a short-priced favourite for the spot," he said.

"It is going to be decided but we will make it in the next couple of days.

"Whether he (Civoniceva) plays this weekend or not I will make that decision with him.

"So if he has to hand the reins over to a young prop coming through, chances are it will be a Queenslander by the looks of it."

Civoniceva's former partner in crime, retired prop Steve Price, said the veteran would know in his heart if his time had come.

"I think it is Petero who will make the decision," he told AAP.

"He has shown what he can do.

"Sometimes you have to make tough calls.

"It is not about the individual.

"The team comes first and Pet knows that for sure.

"Just because he doesn't make the team doesn't mean he is a lesser player, it's just that the coach wants to play a certain style and maybe Pet doesn't fit that at the moment."

Asked if Civoniceva deserved a fitting sendoff in the Four Nations final, Price said: "What is a fitting sendoff?

"Pet wants to keep playing for Australia forever, like we all do.

"You don't always get it the way you want to.

"I just know that if Pet plays he won't let anyone down.

"And if he doesn't get to play he will be still supporting the boys like he always does - that's why we love him so much."

The match also looms as Test skipper Darren Lockyer's last international on Australian soil.

But Sheens couldn't bear the prospect of Lockyer retiring just yet.

"Darren, I liken to (Immortal) Wally (Lewis)," he said.

"When Darren gives it away, the Australian side let alone the Queensland side will be left with a big hole in it."

[DIEHARD]

Bird impresses Kangaroos coach

KANGAROOS coach Tim Sheens has paid Greg Bird the ultimate compliment by saying he didn't realise what a talent the Titans backrower was until they joined forces for this Four-Nations tournament.

So impressed was Sheens with the way Bird "terrorised" New Zealand's right edge that he's poised to unleash him on the Kiwis in tomorrow night's series final in Brisbane.

Bird was initially named on an extended bench as part of a 20-man squad but with veteran Petero Civoniceva putting his hand up not to play because of a drop in form he's certain to play.

Sheens admitted Bird's efforts against the Kiwis in Australia's win at Eden Park in Auckland last Saturday had made him stand up and take notice.

"Greg last week played really well down that left edge and he terrorised their right edge (defence) with some strong running," said Sheens.

"He's a good football player and he knows when to run and when to pass."

Bird was given his one shot to shine along with the rest of the so-called Emus but only he and prop Matt Scott did enough to win spots in the final.

For 26-year-old Bird this will be his fourth Test for Australia after making his debut against the Kiwis in 2007.

Before this series he'd played his last in 2008 under then coach Ricky Stuart before being forced to switch to Les Catalans in the English Super League after he was sacked by the Sharks.

Sheens had only watched him from the opposition coaching box before this series and says Bird's talents have made a huge impression.

"You know I've been surprised working with him," Sheens admitted.

"I rate him a lot higher (now) than possibly I did before I worked with him but that's the case with many players.

"Until you work with them you don't fully understand their, not only physical abilities on the field but also what they're like off the field.

"And you know Greg's certainly answered that last week for me so that's why he's in the squad."

While Bird has been a revelation for Sheens the veteran coach admits he was stunned by Civoniceva's candid admission that his form didn't warrant selection.

He said the Queensland veteran's decision typifies what a great team man he is because he put the side ahead of personal milestones.

"The team were taken aback by it. They all expected him to be in the team and once they realised what happened they were taken aback by it particularly Nate Myles who replaces him," said Sheens.

"It was a big call from Petero and his attitude around the team was brilliant."

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Four Nations final preview: Australia vs NZ
Saturday 7.15pm Qld (8.15pm NSW, 10.15pm NZ) Suncorp Stadium

Last week may have been a ?dress rehearsal? for the 2010 Four Nations final ? but don?t get a shock if Saturday night comes and goes and we all discover someone re-wrote the story in the week since.

The Kangaroos were clinical and gutsy in disposing of the Kiwis in front of a hostile crowd of 44,000 in Auckland last Saturday and as such deserve favouritism to retain their Four Nations crown. But more than a few things went wrong for the World Champions, who looked one-dimensional and tentative for much of the evening before Benji Marshall hit the afterburners to put some respectability back into the score line. (And with time elapsing, who?s to say they wouldn?t have gotten even closer had the contest continued?)

After a bunch of experimentation and speculation, the nitty gritty of the business end of the tournament sees both sides settle on their strongest outfits ? and for the Kangaroos that means a reluctant goodbye (possibly forever?) to 44-Test stalwart Petero Civoniceva, who personally relinquished his bench spot due to some sluggish, weary form.

Fullback Billy Slater, centre Willie Tonga, second-rower Luke Lewis (man of the match against England) and bench player Kurt Gidley return after a week?s rest. Lewis pushes Greg Bird, who was forceful last week (142 metres, five tackle-breaks, two offloads and a line-break) onto the bench, while Nate Myles is coach Tim Sheens? replacement for Civoniceva.

Meanwhile Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has elevated Greg Eastwood to his starting side, pushing Frank-Paul Nuuausala to the pine, while Sika Manu has lost his place in the top 17, with the Raiders? Bronson Harrison to start in the second row (makes some sense given the Kangaroos? Canberra connection of Dave Shillington and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs). Also, after a week?s rest, young Penrith prop Sam McKendry returns to the fold on the bench. Frank Pritchard was unavailable due to injury.

Only four Kangaroos (Slater, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen) remain from the team that fell to the Kiwis in the 2008 World Cup Final, while New Zealand have 10 of their victorious 17 still within their ranks (Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Benji Marshall, Nathan Fien, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Harrison, Jeremy Smith, Issac Luke and Eastwood).

Suncorp Stadium hasn?t been kind to the Kiwis ? they?ve won just four of 21 Tests played there.

Also, you can bet it will be an emotional night for the Brisbane crowd, with Darren Lockyer playing his last Test at Suncorp Stadium (another isn?t scheduled for Queensland until at least 2012). It?s the respected captain?s 54th in the green and gold.

Incredibly, local Lote Tuqiri plays his first Test in his home state.

Watch out Kangaroos: Two words: Benji Marshall. Last week the Kiwi skipper made a game-high seven tackle-breaks and equal game-high three line-breaks, plus two try assists. Earlier this week he told NRL.com his dazzling, deceptive play was not an off-the-cuff occurrence but rather something he practises. They say practice makes perfect? well, Benji?s been practising a lot for this ultimate showdown.

Expect Shaun Kenny-Dowall to massively improve on his modest 91 metres and just two tackle-breaks last week. For the Roosters in the NRL he averaged 129 metres and ranked second in the comp for tackle busts with 156.

Issac Luke was top in the NRL for dummy-half line-breaks (eight) and his 192 dummy-half runs were second to Kiwi team-mate Sam Perrett?s 210. They need plenty from the duo.

Watch out Kiwis: New Zealand need to be wary across the park. The Kangaroos have scored 20 tries in the tournament to date, off the back of 19 line-breaks ? with 11 different try-scorers. Willie Tonga, Brent Tate and Brett Morris lead the way with three each, with Morris?s tally from his eight Tests now an impressive 11 tries.

With Civoniceva dropping himself, expect Matt Scott (125 metres and 28 tackles in 49 minutes last week) to deliver and show he belongs in the green and gold for a while to come.

Enforcers Paul Gallen and Greg Bird will bend the Kiwi line at every opportunity.

The forgotten man could be Kurt Gidley off the bench ? the Newcastle utility missed last week, played just 17 minutes against England and barely raised a sweat against PNG. He could be the game breaker.

Where it will be won: The tempo of the game. The Kangaroos shot out to an 18-2 lead after 24 minutes last week, largely on the back of a fast pace. There was intent and urgency about everything they did, whether it was getting a fast play-the-ball or kicking for touch quickly after receiving a penalty. They also directed their kicks well and made sure long-range probes stayed away from the sidelines, limiting the amount of time the big Kiwi forwards had to suck in the deep breaths and recover from their early involvement. That ensured the home side was always on the back foot early.

The Kangaroos will look to replicate that on home soil on Saturday.

Meanwhile the Kiwis will look to their smart and elusive dummy-half runners, especially outside men including Perrett, to get their opponents retreating and on the back foot early. Last week the Kiwis ran from dummy-half more than twice as many times as the Kangaroos (33-16) and they gained good territory (258 metres to 104 metres). But not too much of that came in the first quarter of the game? when they needed it.

The Kiwis may also want to rethink their policy of putting the ball into touch, thus limiting the impact of the Kangaroos? broken play runners including Billy Slater. Last week the Kangaroos were required to cart the ball back from kicks on just six occasions, for a 62-metre gain. Granted, gifting a star like Slater too much of an opportunity isn?t a smart tactic but the Kiwis need to get a confidence boost from somewhere - and providing they follow their kicks with a good chase and apply pressure, it could lead to a valuable possession turnover deep in Aussie territory.

The History: Played 118; Australia 87, New Zealand 28, drawn 3. The 'Roos hold a 48 to 13 advantage in games played in Australia. The Kiwis have managed just five wins in the past 31 meetings between these sides ? but two of those were the Tri Nations Final in 2005 and World Cup Final (at Suncorp Stadium) in 2008.

Conclusion: It would seem the only concern for the Kangaroos would be the burden of recent history: in the 2008 World Cup they smashed the Kiwis 30-6 in their sole pool game, then five weeks later were bushwhacked 34-20 in the final. Last week?s victory was decisive, but a drop in intensity towards the end allowed the Kiwis to show what they are capable of.

The Kangaroos are a well-drilled, well-balanced side. They work as a team rather than as a clump of brilliant individuals, and that?s their biggest advantage: should one or more players deliver less than their usual contribution, the others can cover the ?slack?. That?s not quite the case with the Kiwis. They need Marshall to fire, early and often. They need Kenny-Dowall to puncture the line, early, to sow the seeds of doubt out wide. They need Adam Blair and Jeremy Smith to raise their intensity and maintain it for the duration of their stints in the middle. And they need to inject Luke at precisely the right time to take advantage of fatigue in the Aussie defensive line. If they do this, then the final will be a nail-biter, with the outcome hanging on a simple error, 50/50 ref?s call or missed tackle (last week Australia missed 44 tackles to the Kiwis? 32).

But in what?s sure to be an emotional night for Lockyer in front of his home crowd for the last time in the green and gold, we?ll pump for a Kangaroos victory by eight points, with Brett Morris first try-scorer and Luke Lewis man of the match.

Match officials: Referee ? Tony Archer (Australia); Sideline Officials ? James Child (England) & Paul Holland (Australia); Video Referee ? Russell Smith (Australia) ? D Pakieto (NZ Observer).

Televised: Channel Nine ? Live from 6.30pm (Qld), live 7.30pm (NSW).

* Statistics: NRL Stats.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[shamus]

Well done Kiwis even with the two forward passes. (That last pass was about 5 metres forward)...We should never have let them get close. Lote had a shocker and had some Aussies been a little more desperate in defence it would have been us pouncing on the loose ball that Marshall threw. Gidley was just jogging back.....there wasn't an Aussie within 20 metres.....totally unacceptable. I don't care that we were down 2 interchange..with only a minute to go you should be digging deep and finding something...You are playing for your country FFS.

[titansrawesome]

Well done Kiwis even with the two forward passes. (That last pass was about 5 metres forward)...We should never have let them get close. Lote had a shocker and had some Aussies been a little more desperate in defence it would have been us pouncing on the loose ball that Marshall threw. Gidley was just jogging back.....there wasn't an Aussie within 20 metres.....totally unacceptable. I don't care that we were down 2 interchange..with only a minute to go you should be digging deep and finding something...You are playing for your country FFS.

yep it was disgraceful, lote pretty much cost us that game since he dropped that bomb which led to the 1st try, he was in a horrible defensive position for nightingales 2nd try and he was slow and was in a bad position for the line break which ended up a try. i dont understand how noone read that on the 5th they were gonna run it not kick it, i saw it from a mile away and they didnt.

[Steelers]

...with only a minute to go you should be digging deep and finding something...You are playing for your country FFS.

Phil Gould said about 10 seconds before the try scoring play that the Kiwi's were exhausted. The Australians were too, but NZ were the team to dig deep and put everything into a desperate last play. Poor selections and poor performances cost us last night, but after winning the 2005 Tri Nations, losing in golden point in the 2006 Tri Nations, winning the 2008 World Cup, and now winning the 2010 Four Nations, I think it is safe to say that the Kiwi side are deserving world champs.

[DIEHARD]

but after winning the 2005 Tri Nations, losing in golden point in the 2006 Tri Nations, winning the 2008 World Cup, and now winning the 2010 Four Nations, I think it is safe to say that the Kiwi side are deserving world champs.

True, credit where it is due.

But a great match to wrap up the season. And Kiwis were deserved winners.

Had a blast with the Roo Crew! And the Aussie crowd was nice and vocal.

And next year the Anzac Test in Christchurch will go off, as will the UK based Four Nations including Wales.

2011 will be an amazing season!

I wish Brent Tate the very best and my heart goes out to the bloke.