Men’s Game – Saturday
A stirring Haka, all 3 NZ teams took the field to lay down the challenge. Very appreciated by the crowd.
Australia start, 2 sets and they’re on the NZ scoreline. NZ get a chance and have a set moving up field. Another handover and Australia No: 10 Matt Prowse scores in the righthand corner, following a series of quick plays and crisp passes. Aus 1 – NZ 0
NZ respond in kind in the 7th minute with No 3 Ed Burrell benefiting from a quick play of the ball and an even quicker pass. Aus 1 – NZ 1
Australia strike back from the restart moving the ball from the middle to the left handside, using the pace of the ball to beat the man. No: 1 Aus Jamie Stowe scores in the corner. Aus 2 – NZ 1
Another long ball 2/3 rds of the field width opens the gate for No: 10 Matt Prowse to score his second of the night. Aus 3 – NZ 1
12 mins into the game and NZ are holding Australia out with desperate defence. Australia keep threatening the line and are camped in the NZ 5m. Finally an overlap occurs and NZ are caught out wide. Aus take advantage and no: 9 Matt Bird scores in the righthand corner. Aus 4 – NZ 1
NZ work their way up the field and get to the Aus 5m. They draw the Australians out from their scoreline and then play quickly. A great pass from Whitiaua Black puts No: 5 Cain Rangi into the gap to score for NZ. Aus 4 – NZ 2
Australia attacking again in the 16th min, NZ let off the hook at Nathan Jones drops the ball over the line. It doesn’t last long. Poor defence by NZ allows a hole to open up and No: 15 Dan Withers strolls through to extend the lead. Aus 5 – NZ 2
1 min to go in the half and it’s one on one, Ed Burrell beats his man on the outside and dives for the line. Touchdown. Aus 5 – NZ 3. Halftime
Halftime thought. A tight game. Australia have had the edge at the beginning but NZ are coming home strongly. Edge of the seat stuff for the next 20mins!
NZ tap and start fast. Maurice Stone and Nazea Silbery show great skills with some smart passing but the ball goes to ground. Aus Jamie Stowe shows up the NZ defence with a step and dive that beats the attempted touches coming at him. Aus 6 – NZ 3
NZ on attack and throw a long pass intercepted by Australia, who go the length of the field. Then return the favour. They throw a pass that is intercepted. NZ continue up the field and the dive from Cain Rangi is perfectly executed to score in the middle. Aus 6 – NZ 4
From the restart Dylan Hennessey for Aus finishes off a simple move and scores in the righthand corner. Aus 7 – NZ 4
Once again NZ turn the ball over on the Australian 5m line and go the length of the field and score again in the corner. Touchdown to Matt Prowse, his third of the night. Aus 8 – NZ 4
NZ immediately struck back down through the middle and Aaron No’otai beats the Aus defence to score. Aus 8 – NZ 5
Australia keep battering the NZ line but the Kiwi’s put their bodies on the line and hold them out. 5 touches take them to the Australian scoreline. Handover at no: 6. End to end play is the order of the play. Once again quick hands and using the overlap gives Ruamai Erueti the opportunity which he uses to score in the corner Aus 8 – NZ 6
Good hands from Australia and the NZ defence losing their way for the moment allowed Jamie Stowe to bring the score to Aus 9 – NZ 6
NZ’s Whitiaua Black returns the favour and used his speed to score through the middle. Aus 9 – NZ 7
5 mins to go penalties being awarded both ways. Australia take advantage of some tired defence in the middle and slide across the line for a touchdown by Nathan Jones. Aus 10 – NZ 7
A penalty for delaying play against Australia catches them out of position and Ed Burrell for NZ scores in the middle. Aus 10 – NZ 8
The games gets physical and Lani Kaiwai is sin binned as Australia Drumayne Dayber- Muir hits the ground hard for the second night in the row. Tonight the ref saw it his way. That’s the game all done at Australia 10 – NZ 8.
It’s all on tomorrow.
Both teams with passion, flare and enthusiasm across the board and no one player stood for either team.
Last Modified on 23/01/2010 19:36