Kiwis can cause World Cup upset

By RLP 15/5/2008

The Centenary Test between Australia and New Zealand is now a part of history. It will be remembered for many things but mainly for the first try that Australia put on via some Greg Inglis magic. Inglis whilst in mid air and over the dead ball line batted the ball back for Mark Gasnier to score a try just before the dead ball line. The test will also be remembered for the second half display by the Kiwis which saw them outscore Australia 12 - 6. On the back of Sonny Bill Williams, the Kiwis put pressure on the Aussies all the way through the second half. The Kiwis looked a completely different outfit after the break. The final score 28 -12 could have been much closer if the Kiwis were awake for the first 20 minutes.

The Kiwis can take much out of this game. Based on last years 58 - 0 flogging, the Kiwis have improved considerably. Having Sonny Bill Williams on board has made a big difference. Williams was in everything in the second half and created more opportunities then the Kiwis 6 & 7 combined. The defence has improved but some soft tries in the first 20 minutes put the Kiwis out of the contest early on. The Kiwis will need to address goal line defence before the World Cup kicks off in October. The spirit displayed by the Kiwis in the second half will need to be bottled and released come World Cup time.

The Coaching team consisting of Kearney and Bennett has also restored pride back into the Kiwis jumper. Kearney and Bennett showed that they can work together and all players seemed very happy with the professional build up to the game. This is something they missed last year with Gary Kemble at the helm. Throw in Bell, Wiki and Jones and passion is not a problem, the Kiwis have loads of it. The Kiwis now need to believe the unbelievable, that they can knock over the Kangaroos when it counts in the World Cup in October.

History will show that Australia have a habit of starting slow in tournaments. In the 1995 RLWC Australia lost the opening game to England 20-16. In the 1999 and 2005 Tri-Nations Australia lost both of their opening games to New Zealand. The Kiwis will have history on their side for the World Cup Opening Ceremony match between the two nations. The Kiwis will need to be physically and mentally prepared from the whistle to give themselves every opportunity to beat Australia. A fit and inform Benji Marshall could also add that extra spark the Kiwis require to get over the try line.

If the Kiwis do upset Australia in the opening game they are just about guaranteed a spot in the World Cup Final. If the Kiwis can play like the did in the second half against Australia in the Centenary Test, a World Cup Final win may not be impossible to achieve. They will need to have their best team on the park and the planets will also need to align, but it's not impossible. If the Kiwis believe they can win the World Cup half the battle has already been won. Only time will tell if New Zealand can turn belief into action.

Kiwis recent opening games against the Kangaroos in the World Cup

1985 - 1988 World Cup Jul 7th 1985 New Zealand 18 - Australia 0

1989 - 1992 World Cup Jul 23rd 1989 Australia 22 - New Zealand 14

2008 Rugby League World Cup Oct 26th Australia - New Zealand

Kiwis recent opening games against the Kangaroos in Tri-Nations

1999 Tri-Nations Oct 15th New Zealand 24 - Australia 22

2004 Tri-Nations Oct 16th Australia 16 - New Zealand 16

2005 Tri-Nations Oct 15th New Zealand 38 - Australia 28

2006 Tri-Nations Oct 14th Australia 30 - New Zealand 18