KEVIN WALTERS paid tribute to New Zealand after they pushed Australia all the way in an all-time classic to open the World Cup.
The Kangaroos had to do things the hard way, but were thankful to debutant Jack Bostock, whose hat-trick try clinched a narrow 24-22 victory at the death.
That ensured Australia maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament stretching back to the 2008 final, and Walters admitted: “It was such a good game of footy.
“For us to – I don’t want to say steal it because it was such a tight contest – but to get in front when we did was magnificent from our boys.
“But the Kiwis need to be complimented as well. We knew they were going to be tough and hard, and that it would come down to something like it did at the back end of the game.
“If that’s round one, this is going to be a fantastic tournament.”
