Kiwis heartened by first-half display
Only five minutes before the break and Michael Maguire must be heartened with this New Zealand performance.
I know they’re behind on the scoreboard, but they’ve had the better of the play and it’s taken two moments of magic from the Kangaroos to have the lead. Dylan Brown has been superb for the Kiwis at five-eighth alongside Jahrome Hughes.
Big few minutes coming up for the Kiwi forwards, who are just starting to show signs of fatigue with a few hands on hips.
Wighton magic sends Australia to lead
Forget I ever said anything.
Just as we were extolling New Zealand’s virtues, Australia do what Australia does and they are back in front thanks to a superb piece of work from Jack Wighton. The Canberra Raider stands up his old teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, playing out of position in the centres, and just as he looks like he’s certain to score is dragged down, but manages to pop an offload from the deck to Valentine Holmes for one of the simplest tries he’ll ever score.
Nathan Cleary’s conversion from near the right touchline this time is waved away. Australia lead 10-8 with nine minutes until half-time.
Grant enters the fray
Mal Meninga has seen enough and he’s gone for one of his trump cards with Harry Grant climbing off the bench to come on at hooker. He was always going to be one of Australia’s big weapons, but he’s facing a New Zealand side who’s dominating the arm wrestle at the moment.
The World Cup holders are struggling to create any meaningful attack from good field position at the moment.
Josh Addo-Carr scores Australia’s first try.Credit:Getty
New Zealand back in front after rare Tedesco error
It hasn’t taken long and the Kiwis are back in front.
Jordan Rapana has potted an easy penalty goal from next to the posts after Australia was penalised when James Tedesco fumbled a grubber kick and Cameron Munster grabbed it in an offside position. He clearly didn’t want to take the risk of that ball being scooped up by the Kiwis.
New Zealand lead 8-6 with 15 minutes until half-time. Fascinating contest so far.
All the magic of The Haka
For those wondering what it’s like to stare down The Haka pre-match…
Addo-Carr bags crazy try for Kangaroos
Wow. Where did that come from?
That’s got to be one of the craziest tries we’ve seen all year. Ben Hunt has launched a hopeful kick from 40 metres out from the New Zealand line, this one stays in, and it arrows into the left corner for Josh Addo-Carr, who launches in pursuit and manages to catch it beyond Jordan Rapana to touch down. That has come from absolutely nowhere and was the winger’s 12th of the tournament.
Nathan Cleary, who has had his troubles with goalkicking this tournament, adds the extra two points from out wide and we’re all locked up at 6-all after 17 minutes. I don’t think I’ve seen a try like that for a long time.
Hughes scores first try for New Zealand
Smell that? That’s the scent of an upset coming.
You can’t see it hasn’t been coming, but New Zealand are on the board first through a fantastic Jahrome Hughes try. Dylan Brown puts a pinpoint crossfield kick to the right on the last, landing just short of the try-line, Joseph Manu manages to pluck it out of the air and before he falls to the ground throws an inside ball for Hughes to touch down. Simply superb from Manu. He is some player.
Jordan Rapana adds the extra and New Zealand lead 6-0 after 12 minutes. How will the Kangaroos respond?
Hunt error puts Australia under pressure
Ben Hunt, wearing No.3 but playing No.9, has put in a kick which might reach London by the morning. He’s tried to pinch some territory with an early kick, but it’s skewed way off the side of his boot and is miles out on the full. Not one of his best, you’d have to say.
Pressure coming for the Kangaroos now. And what a save from James Tedesco, who puts his body on the line to clean up a dangerous Brandon Smith grubber on his own try-line. That was brave. New Zealand are right up for this with the game still scoreless after 10 minutes.
Kiwis repel early Australia raid
New Zealand has withstood Australia’s first challenge after Peta Hiku made an error coming out of New Zealand’s end. Surprise, surprise Cameron Munster helped force the turnover with an attempted strip.
Nathan Cleary’s kick at the end of the set is cleaned up by the Kiwis. Michael Maguire breathes easy … for now.
They’re not going to die wondering either. New Zealand make a long searching raid through Ronaldo Mulitalo down the left before he’s desperately dragged down by Jack Wighton. Fascinating start.
Kick-off
That was something else. Brilliant stuff from the Kiwis. How can you not be excited after that?
We’re underway at Elland Road with a spot in the World Cup final at stake. James Tedesco kicks off for Australia. Referee Ashley Klein blows time on. Strap in.
Players from New Zealand perform The Haka.Credit:Getty
