Though the Kiwis will move on quickly – and be mostly content with their performance – this result will sting, as a 75th minute Jack Bostock try ripped the victory from their grasp.
Kalyn Ponga was forced from the field during the Kiwis’ defeat to the Kangaroos. Photo / Photosport
It’s hard to remember a better Kiwis display in a losing effort, though Australia again showed their resilience.
The Kangaroos should have been well behind at halftime but stayed in the contest, thanks to two runaway intercept tries when the Kiwis looked favourites to score on both occasions.
They also rode their luck, fortunate not to concede a penalty try late in the first half after Kotoni Staggs took out Kodi Nikorima was he chased down a grubber.
Both teams were understandably rusty but produced a magnificent exhibition of football.
The New Zealand pack dominated for long periods and their play off the back of that – revolving around Ponga – was superb, which makes his exit even more costly.
Aside from the two intercepts, Bostock got a brace from kicks and Reece Walsh scored a long range stunner.
The result means New Zealand will face the tougher semi-final, possibly against Samoa, if other games go as predicted.
The Kiwis’ first try was a miraculous finish from Casey McLean, who has developed a habit of doing special things at international level.
Casey McLean scored one of the tries of the year, but ended up on the losing side against Australia. Photo / Photosport
It looked impossible – as he was forced over the sideline in the tackle over Mitch Moses – but he readjusted his grip in mid air to force the ball just inside the sideline.
The opportunity came off the back of a towering Jahrome Hughes bomb, which was tapped back by Isaako before Isaiah Papali’i found McLean with a clever ball 20 metres out.
New Zealand were on top for the rest of the first quarter – offloading at will – and dominating the ground battle, with the second phase play offering momentum for the Kiwis.
Kiwis forwards Joseph Tapine (L) and James Fisher Harris (R) react in the Rugby League World Cup opening defeat to Australia. Photo / Photosport
They twice went close to a second try – Ronaldo Mulitalo knocked on a bomb and McLean just failed to gather a Nikorima grubber – before the first major turning point of the half.
The Kiwis were hot on attack, with a potential overlap, with Bostock managed the first long range intercept try after anticipating Hughes’ pass. It was a gamble – as Jamayne Isaako would have been in – but the tall Queenslander did it well.
Still the New Zealand side were on top, forcing restarts and hitting hard defensively, as the Kangaroos struggled to find their rhythm. Isaako added a penalty from in front – when a tap and go would have been tempting – after Walsh had made a mess of a goal line drop out.
The Kiwis then forced another dropout, their third of the half – before the second 12 point swing. New Zealand found space on the left but again the Australian wing – this time Tom Trbojevic – read the play to snaffle McLean attempted pass to an open Mulitalo.
It was a gut punch, as Trbojevic ran 85 metres to score, then the Walsh conversion put the Kangaroos into an improbable lead.
Somewhat revitalised, Australia then went close, Kotoni Staggs just failing to ground an audacious curling Cameron Munster kick.
Then came one of the moments of the half, as Ponga cut through out wide. With no immediate support, he elected to take on Walsh, who got across well to tackle him over the sideline.
A major flashpoint came just before the break, as Nikorima was cynically taken out by Staggs as he pursued a Hughes grubber. Though Trbojevic was in the vicinity, Nikorima was clear favourite to reach the ball and the Kangaroos were fortunate not to give up a penalty try, though Staggs was sinbinned and Isaako levelled the scores from close range.
The second half continued the same pattern – with the Kiwis throwing punches – and they finally broke through Ponga in the 47 minute. It was a well constructed try, after electing for the tap, after they pressed Australia on both flanks – before Nikorima and Papali’i combined to send Ponga in.
Australia, who had lost Mitch Moses to a calf injury, got added energy from his replacement Tom Dearden, as Liam Martin was held up over the line by McLean, then Walsh was also denied, while the Kiwis burned their captains challenge, though a marginal knock on call on Isaako.
There was yet another swing, as Bostock soared high over Isaako to score, off a pinpoint kick, a set after the Kiwis had been denied an opportunist try to Mulitalo – from a Trbojevic spill – with Papali’i offside.
Ponga then scored the try of the match – surely one of the best in the Kiwis history against the Kangaroos – as he broke the line 40 metres out then beat Walsh with a stunning left foot step.
Kalyn Ponga scored twice for the Kiwis, before leaving the field injured. Photo / Photosport
That gave the Kiwis an eight point lead – but the Kangaroos are never done and Walsh made amends with his own long range effort, after a Bostock offload split the New Zealand side up the middle, though Latrell Mitchell missed the sideline conversion
Ponga, who had been struggling after twisting awkwardly in the turf, while after carrying a wrist problem, was replaced shortly afterwards by Keano Kini.
There was one final, harsh twist – from a New Zealand point of view – as Bostock outjumped Isaako again to score, off the back of a seven tackle set. It was tough to take, as the Kiwis had been hot on attack – with a repeat set – but couldn’t make the most of it – before Hughes sent his last tackle kick a fraction too long.
Kangaroos 24 (Bostock 3, Trbojevic, Walsh tries, Walsh 2 cons)
Kiwis 22 (McLean, Ponga 2 tries; Isaako 3 con, 2 pen)
Halftime: 10-10
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.