Week one results
- England 32 def Samoa 26
- New Zealand 30 def Australia 12
Week two results
- New Zealand 14 defeated Samoa 12
- Australia 16 defeated England 12
Week three results
- New Zealand 16 defeated England 14
- Australia 44 defeated Samoa 18
Four Nations Final
New Zealand vs Australia – Saturday night – Westpac Stadium (Wellington)
Three weeks ago the Kiwis made the Kangaroos look second-rate on their own patch. It demonstrated the ongoing development of New Zealand rugby league. They have held their form since that first outing and have had the enormous benefit of staying in New Zealand since the win in Brisbane. Only one significant change for the home side - Leuluai is unavailable with injury and Issac Luke takes ownership of the number 9 jersey. Their spine has a wealth of NRL experience to draw upon and Hiku and Foran know each others games well. They are ably supported by a fantastic pack of forwards and two wingers playing as well as ever. The Kangaroos are improving with each outing but they are coming off a low base. The win over Samoa was convincing enough but this is another level entirely. They have to travel, they have to battle a team virus and they have to battle that niggling little voice the Kangaroos don't get to listen to very often - the voice of self-doubt. I expect the New Zealand forwards to win the important battle (especially with a hugely parochial crowd pushing them on). Issac Luke is clever enough and quick enough to make the most of that advantage, and Johnson and Foran will get every opportunity to turn that advantage into points. One can never doubt the Kangaroos. From time to time they come together and play nearly flawless football, and when that happens the tide of green and gold cannot be stopped by anyone. I've posted a video of flawless football below - the last World Cup final. But they are a long way from flawless football at the moment. I'm sure they'll make a game of this, but I'm with the Kiwis.
Verdict – New Zealand by 7
Result - New Zealand 22 defeated Australia 18
Comments
Submitted by christine on
Thanks mark & steel panther like you i too feel the thinker has created a little family here and that is why i post comments to all of you especially now more than ever it's the only down time i have right now & posting comments to you all gives me a break from the reality of what i'm dealing with right now so guys thanks for being there for me to post comments too ok.
Submitted by christine on
mark ashford unlike your misses i do have a sense of humour so just tell her you enjoy spooning the dog & you'll be back there before you know it , either that or you might find yourself single but you'll still have the dog so you can't loose i don't really see the down side . good luck with that ok.
Submitted by christine on
Thinker thanks for letting me post comments about my mum with her seizure / strokes situation it's the only down time i get right now with what is going on so a big thankyou goes out to you for tolerating it & letting me post my comments & i wish you a safe off season until we all return again for the nines .
Submitted by christine on
BEST OF LUCK & STAY SAFE EVERYONE I MISS YOU ALL ALREADY .
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Just got home from shopping for Mrs Hubbard’s cupboard, put it all away, made myself a short black and thought “why not see if anyone’s posted something since the 4 Nations Final last week”.
Looks like we’re all winding down from the footy and winding up for the “silly season”. Even though I don’t celebrate the 25th of December (no, I’m not some weird religious nut or a scrooge-type person), let me wish you all the best and hope you have a great break over Xmas. Don’t drink too much homemade Baileys and wake up next morning and regret it. Try not to argue with the “rellies” you might get to see for the first time since last year and above all, just try and chillax and enjoy the fact you’re not stuck at work OK?
Thanks everyone for some fun times this year. Can’t wait until we all get together again in March (so our friend Mark Ashford informs me). Thanks to the Great One and his Little Helper. Cheers.
Well done to the Kiwis for last weekend. The better side won and deserved to. They were a joy to watch Johnny! Peow! Peow!
Cheers everyone, catch you soon.
P.S. If a bee is allergic to pollen, would it get the hives?
Submitted by christine on
newbie from perth : you might not celebrate the 25th December but i'm still going to be the first person to say to you I hope you have a great Christmas & an even better new year just because I can .
Submitted by a on
Hope you all have a marry chrictmas
Submitted by christine on
" a " merry Christmas to you & your family , I hope yours is better than mine & I look forward to seeing \ helping you win the comp next season cause I know you can do so ok .
Submitted by christine on
Thinker & Thinker's Little Helper : I forgot to wish you both a very merry Christmas & a safe new year (enjoy the scotch you guys) until we all return next season .
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