Hull: A controversial penalty goal in the final 10 minutes has helped New Zealand escape a humiliating quarter-final defeat at the hands of Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand twice came back from a 12-point deficit to avoid a shock loss to Fiji in Sunday morning’s clash in Hull, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against Australia with a 24-18 win over the Pacific nation.
Jordan Rapana of New Zealand scores during the Rugby League World Cup quarter-final.Credit:Getty Images
The game wasn’t without controversy, with the video referee ruling a contentious strip against backrower Villiame Kikau on Joseph Manu that allowed the Kiwis to break an 18-all deadlock with a penalty goal.
Referee Gerard Sutton ruled a knock-on against Manu. However, the Kiwis called for a captain’s challenge, accusing the Fijian wrecking ball of a strip.
The video referees agreed with the Kiwis and overturned the decision, which gifted Jordan Rapana a penalty goal right in front of the posts from 30 metres out to give New Zealand a 20-18 buffer with 10 minutes remaining.
The decision was a crucial turning point in the game. New Zealand later sealed the win in the final minute of the game through winger Jordan Rapana in the corner.
The Fijians almost pulled off the upset of the tournament in what would have been the second time in as many World Cups that they would have knocked the Kiwis out of the competition in the final eight.
Ronaldo Mulitalo of New Zealand challenges for the high ball with Vuate Karawalevu of Fiji.Credit:Getty Images
Instead, a second half resurgence led by Roosters superstar Joseph Manu ensured the Kiwis would meet the Kangaroos at Elland Road next Saturday morning (AEDT).
Only 24 hours earlier, Australian skipper James Tedesco was asked about New Zealand’s status as the No.1 Test team in the world.
Tedesco didn’t care for the Kiwis’ position at the top of the rankings, declaring the Kangaroos the best team in the world.
His comments appeared to have been justified a day later as the Kiwis struggled to get past an inspired Fiji side.
“We don’t really give it much thought,” Tedesco said of the Kiwis’ No.1 world ranking.
“I don’t think it really means much at this time. We see ourselves as the best, so we’re going to play like that. We have that expectation when you put an Australian jersey on that we are going to win. We have that confidence. I don’t think the rankings really mean much to us. We want to win the World Cup.”
The Kiwis have now won just 14 of the 28 Tests they have played since 2015. During that same period, the Australians have won 19 of 22 games, including the last World Cup in Australia back in 2017.
Sunday morning’s game began with Parramatta’s Maika Sivo opening the scoring for Fiji, running over the top of the Kiwi defence to give his side an early 6-0 lead.
The Kiwis had opportunities to equalise but failed to convert pressure into points. The Fijians had no such trouble, with Penrith young gun Sunia Turuva throwing a magical short-ball to Kevin Naiqama to send the centre over almost untouched.
Trailing 12-0 after 27 minutes, the Kiwis finally got themselves on the board from a scrum play which saw Dylan Brown combine with Ronaldo Mulitalo to peg the deficit back to a converted try.
The Kiwis were their own worst enemy at times. They made a number of fundamental errors with the ball. Even when controlling possession, they struggled to fire a shot at a Fijian defensive line that scrambled with far more enthusiasm than their opposition.
With Wests Tigers-bound Api Koroisau controlling the show for Fiji in the unfamiliar halves role, the Fijians were by far the better of the two teams in the opening half.
They managed to go into the break with a converted try advantage, a lead which was extended to 12 when Naiqama darted out of dummy half down the short side to catch the Kiwi defenders napping.
The Kiwis got themselves back into the game through backrower Briton Nikora, before Joseph Manu crashed over to level the scores with 17 minutes remaining. The penalty goal in the 71st minute swung the momentum in favour of New Zealand, who hung on to progress through to the final four.
England will play the winner of the Samoa-Tonga quarter-final in the other semi-final at London’s Emirates Stadium next weekend.
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