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 Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: Kangaroos romp to record win |
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League
Kangaroos romp to record win
From Steve Jancetic in Wellington, New Zealand October 14, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S generation next turned New Zealand's centenary celebrations into its own private coming out party as the new-look Kangaroos ran up a record 58-0 win over a pitiful Kiwis outfit in Wellington.
The Aussies, with a record eight debutants in their ranks, scored 11 unanswered tries to totally demoralise the Kiwis, the margin the biggest in the history of trans-Tasman Tests.
As bad as the Kiwis were, they weren't helped by the first half sending off of Steve Matai for a high, late shot that concussed Mark Gasnier out of the contest and injuries to a number of their outside backs.
Matai went in the 24th minute with the score 12-0.
Even with their full compliment, the home side looked outclassed and the gap that had appeared to be closing between the Kiwis and Test football's No.1 outfit now looks as wide as ever.
And it was the new generation of players who stole the show, five-eighth Greg Bird winning the players' players award in a performance which stamped him as the long-term heir apparent to injured skipper Darren Lockyer.
Greg Inglis scorched through for a hat-trick of tries while teenage winger Israel Folau left his indelible imprint on the international arena with a double, including a brilliant run when he beat six defenders for the opening try of the match.
"That was just such a professional, clinical display and I can only compliment (skipper) Cameron (Smith) and the boys on that," Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said.
"From where I sat they just did their jobs really well, I thought Cooper Cronk and Bird were really strong in our structure of footy today, they combined very well together."
With the likes of Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges all available again next season, Australia selectors suddenly face a massive dilemma.
"There's not a debutant out there today that you wouldn't be happy picking (again) in the squad," Stuart said.
"They all go back (to their clubs) now as international footballers and that helps their team and their coaches.
Stuart saved special praise for Bird, who answered the critics who claimed he wasn't up to playing five-eighth.
The fiery Sharks No.6 said he was now hopeful of squeezing his way into the squad next year even with the return of Lockyer.
"He's a great player and the Australian captain, I'm just hopeful they can find a spot for me," Bird said.
"It was a game where everything just seemed to go for us, I was pretty stoked.
"I don't think anyone in our team could have played any better, we couldn't have done anything different to make us score any more points."
For the Kiwis, the performance doesn't bode well ahead of their tour of the northern hemisphere.
Rookie coach Gary Kemble was livid at the sending off of Matai, but admitted his side didn't really seem up for the contest.
"It's pretty tough to play Australia with 12 men - you play Australia with 13 it's hard enough," he said.
"We made too any errors in the first half and it looked as though we were a little bit flat.
"But no excuses, even with 12 men I though we could have played a little bit better, a bit more resolve.
"Beaten by a better team, simple as that."
Asked if he was still confident he was the right man for the job after just one Test, Kemble said:
"I am very confident, it was a hard ask today, I wasn't prepared for getting somebody sent off."
Winger Luke Covell's debut lasted just five minutes before he was taken from the field with a dislocated elbow that has him in doubt for the tour.
Fullback Krisnan Inu injured an AC joint in his shoulder but is expected to remain in the touring party.
AAP
Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22583463-23214,00.html
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