‘There were a few errors from a few key players’
Highlights from the ANZAC test in Auckland
Kangaroos prove too strong for Kiwis
Shaun Johnson relieved to go distance
There was no lack of courage in the Kiwis’ performance during last night’s 20-12 Anzac test loss to the Kangaroos.
But according to coach Stephen Kearney, it was a lack of smarts in pressure situations that once again consigned his troops to defeat.
Attempting to win the annual trans-Tasman fixture for the first time since 1998, the Kiwis turned on a strong display and only trailed their highly-fancied rivals by two points midway through the second half.
But silly mistakes at inopportune times gifted the Kangaroos plenty of chances and in the end it was a Cameron Smith try, coming on the back of a series of dropped balls from the Kiwis, that proved the difference.
«I think we were brave tonight but probably not smart enough,» Kearney said.
«There were key moments in the game where we probably didn’t take the right options.
«From that point of view, it was frustrating.
«I thought through the mid part of the second half, we had the momentum.
«But at key moments, we didn’t capitalise on building pressure and we let them off the hook too lightly at times when we were up and attacking their try-line.
«That’s the lesson we will have to take out of it for the next time we come into camp. »
Kiwis captain Benji Marshall lauded his troops for their «bravery», in particular rookies Shaun Johnson and Josh Hoffman, who played on through painful injuries.
Inside the first minute of the test, star halfback Johnson injured his shoulder while attempting to tackle Australian wing Akuila Uate and looked as if he’d need to be helped to the sideline.
But after some treatment as he lay on the turf at Eden Park, the 21-year-old opted to stay on the field and starred for the next 79 minutes in a strong debut performance.
Fullback Hoffman, who was similarly impressive, hurt his ankle after 29 minutes and began to limp to the sideline before deciding instead to play on.
«It was the key moments where we had them under pressure and then we’d let them off quite easily,» Marshall admitted.
«There were a few errors from a few key players including myself at crucial times.
«But at the same time, we got to blood three new guys who I thought were outstanding.
«Josh Hoffman at the back saved a few tries, diffused almost every bomb and did everything right.
«Young Shaun Johnson, after going down early, got up and toughed it out and I thought his performance was brave and really outstanding with the ball.
«He’s got plenty of years to come in the Kiwis and Jesse Bromwich in the front row, we saw a glimpse of what he can do when he breaks the line with that offload.
«The future’s bright, that’s the good part, but we need to find a result in this test match sooner rather than later.»
Kearney, meanwhile, was left ruing several rule interpretations by English referee Richard Silverwood.
Time and again, both captains were seen deep in conversation with the whistle-blower, attempting to try and clarify the rationale behind some of his decisions.
Kearney said the referee’s decisions couldn’t be looked upon as an excuse but queried why it wasn’t possible to use an NRL referee for the Anzac test.
«I’m sure Tim (Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens would say the same thing regardless of being the victor, but I can’t see why we can’t have an NRL referee,» Kearney said.
«We play under those conditions and are used to the interpretations.
«Every time we come into this press conference, there’s always something said about the referee and the interpretations.
«Why don’t we just fix it and get an NRL referee? If we want to do that, why not?»
– © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
<!
Читать полностью или написать коммент.. Про установку спутниковых тарелок в Московской областиhttp://tarelka-tv.ru/
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий