Rugby league legend Greg Alexander blasted the Kangaroos’ efficiency towards New Zealand, branding the 30-0 defeat as an “embarrassing result for Australian rugby league.”
Mal Meninga’s aspect not often posed a menace towards New Zealand, if in any respect, as they have been comprehensively shut-out by the hosts on the FMG Stadium in Waikato, New Zealand.
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The sobering consequence was Australia’s heaviest defeat in historical past and the primary time that they had been shut-out since 2005.
Alexander felt the return of Payne Haas, Liam Martin and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui would have supplied a optimistic influence for the Kangaroos, however the Kiwis’ quick begin meant the guests might by no means get into the competition.
“The Kiwis needed to make a good start, they needed to be strong and aggressive and they needed to keep it going because this is Australian side is a fantastic side,” Alexander stated.
“But the Kiwis embarrassed them (Kangaroos) this afternoon. It’s an embarrassing result for Australian rugby league.”
Cooper Cronk, who made 38 appearances for the Kangaroos, pointed to the collective effort from the Kiwis that proved pivotal within the victory.
“You’ve got a contribution from everyone for New Zealand and they just absolutely handcuffed Australia at different stages,” Cronk stated.
“Tremendous performance.”
Aussies ‘embarrassed’ in worst-ever defeat as ruthless Kiwis win Pacific Champs
One look on the statistics from the sport is sufficient to inform the story of what precisely went improper for the Australians.
Per the Fox Sports Lab, Meninga’s troops missed an alarming 47 tackles in comparison with the Kiwis’ 23, whereas not one Aussie ahead ran for greater than 100 metres.
Add within the Kiwis’ 9 linebreaks to Australia’s one and the actual fact they outran the Aussies by over 700 metres, it’s clear as day the guests have been by no means on the races.
While Alexander knew the Aussies struggled to get going, he additionally pointed to the component of revenge as one other issue behind the Kiwis’ staggering efficiency after the Kangaroos gained 36-18 in Melbourne final Saturday.
“Mentally they weren’t prepared for what the Kiwis were going to throw at them,” Alexander stated.
“They would have known, they knew it was coming after beating New Zealand last week. I’m sure Mal spoke that the ambush was coming.
“They barely had the ball in the second half.”
Cronk identified that the Kangaroos have been maybe a little bit responsible of taking their foot off the gasoline.
“Maybe after the performance last week, there’s a little bit of complacency,” Cronk stated.
“Under Mal, they’ve played 26 games and that’s only his third loss as Australian coach. He’s had a lot of success that the playing group has probably been used to.
“It was a dominant NZ performance, but maybe there was a little bit of complacency after last week.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
