New Zealand first into RL World Cup final
November 16, 2008
New Zealand has grabbed a spot in the RLWC final after an exciting 32-22 win over England. The result was in doubt right up until the final minute of the match when Benji Marshall crossed out wide.
New Zealand looked to be in control for most of the match, thanks in part to the errors the English team were making, but the English were in with a chance to at least level the scores right up until the Marshall try.
New Zealand jumped to a 16-0 lead but England came back to go in to the sheds at halftime down just 16-10.
The early tries scored by New Zealand came as a result of good ball movement with the use of some decoy runners to completely fool the English defence. Sam Perret was first to score in the ninth minute. A short time later Lance Hohaia went over. In the 22nd minute Jerome Ropati went over for New Zealand and it was looking like a thrashing was on the cards.
Somehow England came back with two tries before halftime. Captain Jamie Peacock forced his way over to open the English scoring. Englands luck seemed to have changed when just before halftime Danny McGuire scored after chasing down a grubber kickfrom lock Rob Purdham.
In the second half New Zealand kept edging away only to see England hit back. Bronson Harrison scored for New Zealand and then England followed up through Martin Gleeson. The conversion made it 22-16 to New Zealand.
Ropati scored and McGuire matched it for England. It was 28-22 with six minutes left. The Ropati try had come after two fumbles from the English after a New Zealand kick. It really should have been cleaned up before Ropati got his hands on the ball.
Also with Marshall’s try England had their chance. They almost got an intercept but let it slip through their hands and New Zealand were into the final.
If Australia defeats Fiji as expected in Sunday’s semi New Zealand are going to improve on this match to have any chance at defeating the Aussie’s in the final.
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