vs Australia. Final.

[Cold Roses]

Nz Herald article today saying Fusitua has been training on the left wing and could make a surprise start in the final. Apparently they are aware of the physical presence he brings.

There's hope for Kidwell yet.

Although in somewhat less optimistic news, Harris has spent the bulk of training running at number 6


http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11749747

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Is Nightengale the unlucky omission

 

[vvvrulz]

As soon as Harris gets put into six, that's this match done and dusted.

 

[Cold Roses]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11751203

Kiwis 19-man squad for Four Nations final:

Adam Blair
Jesse Bromwich
Lewis Brown
Greg Eastwood
James Fisher-Harris
David Fusitu'a
Tohu Harris
Shaun Johnson
Jordan Kahu
Solomone Kata
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Issac Luke
Te Maire Martin
Manu Ma'u
Kevin Proctor
Jordan Rapana
Joseph Tapine
Jason Taumalolo
Martin Taupau

 

[Cold Roses]

So looks like

Kahu
Fusitua
Kata
Kenny-Dowell
Rapana
Harris / Martin
Johnson
Bromwich
Luke
Blair
Mau / Harris
Proctor
Taumalolo

Brown
Eastwood
Tapau
Tapine / Mau

Fisher- Harris / Martin

 

[Skinner]

I reckon Australia are stand-outs for this game.....hope they prove me wrong.

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

Forwards have been poor all tournament, as has SKD, and SJ has been quite too.

IF our forwards match theres, and we cut our error and penalty rate, we're in with a chance.

If we get some 2nd phase going, Australia don't turn up, or SJ has a blinder, we're odds on to win.

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

Just watching the 2014 4 nations final. Jeeze were missing some personnel at the moment...
RTS
Whare
Hiku
Foran
Mannering
Matulino

I dare say it would be a wee bit more interesting with those back
*RTS not playing this game but obviously still missing

 

[LeagueNut]

Dammit, I've tried to maintain my pessimism all week, not get my hopes up, etc etc... but the closer it gets, the more I think the MIGHTY KIWIS will pull this one out of the fire.

We'll start well and squeeze out a couple of early tries before Australia try to drag us down into a wrestle, and that will work for a decent chunk of the game, before a late flurry lead by our forwards seals the result.

New Zealand 28 Australia 18. C'mon boys, you got this!!

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Just watching the 2014 4 nations final. Jeeze were missing some personnel at the moment...
RTS
Whare
Hiku
Foran
Mannering
Matulino

I dare say it would be a wee bit more interesting with those back
*RTS not playing this game but obviously still missing

Vatuvei and as much as some may lol this he had a good kiwis campaign in 2014 and can sniff a try thay nobody else can score a nightmare on attack close to the white line too.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Just been told my father in law watched the 2014 Four Nations replay this morning on SKY, thinking it was this year's final. Apparently he was running around the house hooping and hollaring

Hope for his sake it's worth getting up tomorrow as well!

 

[Cold Roses]

4 errors in 20 mins sums it up. No communication in defence between Harris and Kata. Not looking good.

 

[Burns]

If some serious hard questions aren't asked of Kidwell, I struggle to see how NZ will threaten next year at the World Cup. It's more than just RTS/Foran not being there, entire form and resolve is absent.

 

[Cold Roses]

Warriors wing/centre combination getting embarrassed on the left edge in defence.

 

[Cold Roses]

f**king heartbreaking watching this. All that progress we made since 2013 has just evaporated under Kidwell in the space of 6 weeks.

 

[Cold Roses]

Halftime. 9 errors. 47% completion.

 

[Cold Roses]

Every man in the Australian pack is going forward and making metres. NZ relying on Bromwich and Taumalolo and its showing.

Rapana Fusitua and Kenny-Dowell equaling and in most cases beating Nz forwards in hit up count.

 

[Cold Roses]

Harris / Kata getting crucified out there.

 

[Cold Roses]

Biggest disappointments of the tournament.

Kiwis pack dominated by Australian forwards for third game in a row.

Isaac Luke.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Australia were just simply better and they've deserved it. Undefeated year that includes beating us four times.

For our team - some of our posters felt this was our best side, I begged to differ then and still do now. We had other players available but went with "genuine" centres etc. Then again, I have doubts about my preferred team winning the 4 nations as well as Kidwell is a rookie coach and Australia are just another level. Apart from SKD, you cant fault the players too much, Aussies just too good.