Sat 4th Nov: Pacific Championship - Final: New Zealand v Australia KO 4am UK Time (Sky)

[Exiled Wiganer]

What a game, what a performance. The Kiwis were so on it from the first second. Desire lead to momentum. Momentum lead to confidence. Confidence lead to dominance. It wasn’t just that they smashed the Aussies up the middle, but they executed so brilliantly once the gaps opened up. 
 

Over to England now! 

[Futtocks]

I just watched the whole match before knowing the result. What a lovely way to start the weekend!  

Looks like Maguire took the bunch of mutual strangers from last week and got them playing as a team. There was a confidence in their interplay and passing that was absent last time.

Australia were solid, which is normally enough to grind the opposition down in most matches. But when the scoreline and the time remaining got to a certain point, they tried to push harder and the usual extra attack just wasn't there (or the Kiwis didn't let it happen - a bit of both).

[graveyard johnny]

just thinking- are we really bothered about playing Australia? I mean, can we really take them as serious opposition?

[Dunbar]

6 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

just thinking- are we really bothered about playing Australia? I mean, can we really take them as serious opposition?

How are they going to improve if we don't give them a chance to play the top nations?

[Jill Halfpenny fan]

To those of you who got up at 3:30am, respect.  I recorded it and have just finished watching it.  I have never seen an Australian side dominated like they were today.  Fantastic performance by the Kiwi's.

[Phil]

I’d love to think that this indicates a sea change in world Rugby League but….

[Damien]

 

[Harry Stottle]

Just caught up with the game, Kiwi totally dominant in every aspect of Rugby League Football, and what a joy to watch.

As Vossy said, this is always in them but it doesn't surface to often.

Edited November 4, 2023 by Harry Stottle

[DavidM]

Wow , great by New Zealand. The Aussies were  never in it and were very lucky to get nil . They need a turnover of players and a Thankyou and goodbye to some aging players they’ve been very loyal to 

[David Shepherd]

LOL

That is all

[dkw]

It was surprising to see an Australian team with no idea how to change their play, they looked like they went into the game with a plan to keep banging through the sets waiting for the expected tiring and mistakes by NZ to feed on. When it didn't happen, and NZ got well ahead they looked clueless on what to do.

[Padge]

9 hours ago, Futtocks said:

I just watched the whole match before knowing the result. What a lovely way to start the weekend!  

Looks like Maguire took the bunch of mutual strangers from last week and got them playing as a team. There was a confidence in their interplay and passing that was absent last time.

Australia were solid, which is normally enough to grind the opposition down in most matches. But when the scoreline and the time remaining got to a certain point, they tried to push harder and the usual extra attack just wasn't there (or the Kiwis didn't let it happen - a bit of both).

Maybe he took the Graham Lowe approach from the early eighties, he coached them, gave them moves gave them systems, gave them plans, gave them everything he could in training, the y got nowhere. He decided a change of tact was needed and took the whole team out on the p!$$ with no rugby talk. They tonked the Aussies.

[GeordieSaint]

Quite enjoying this tweet thread:

[Gomersall]

Being a technophobe I can’t post any file bigger than a postage stamp but you have to love the English translation of this tweet.

New Zealand f anny Australia in the final
 

Edited November 5, 2023 by Gomersall

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

21 hours ago, Dunbar said:

How are they going to improve if we don't give them a chance to play the top nations?

Too old the lot of them....a fading nation 

I agree they need to develop. Can we send over a Knights team?

Edited November 5, 2023 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Like all sane people I loved this result 

Very disappointing crowd though 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

9 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

Being a technophobe I can’t post any file bigger than a postage stamp but you have to love the English translation of this tweet.

New Zealand f anny Australia in the final
 

Accurate description I think !

[Damien]

When you have no highlights to post :