Kiwi Peta Hiku is unable to stay out of touch as he touches the ball down in the goal area against Australia in their semi-final clash at the Rugby League World Cup 2021. Photo: Allan McKenzie / www.photosport.nz
The Kiwis are out of the Rugby League World Cup after suffering a nailbiting 16-14 defeat to the Kangaroos in their semi-final clash in Leeds this morning.
New Zealand dominated possession in the first-half, scoring twice with tries to Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown in the two-point defeat.
But Mel Meninga's Australian side fought back to wrestle control of the game and score the only points in the second-half through a try to Cameron Murray.
The second half was much tenser than the first, with tempers boiling over on several occasions, but it was Australia who kept their heads with Murray's try under the posts, and Nathan Cleary's conversion, in the 56th minute proving to be the difference.
New Zealand threw everything at the holders as they looked to sneak back in front with Peta Hiku thinking he had scored a dramatic late try, only for it to be disallowed, as Australia hung on.
Australia will face the winner of Saturday's second semi-final between hosts England and Samoa at the Emirates Stadium in London as the Kangaroos look to win their third successive World Cup crown.
New Zealand's Jahrome Hughes scores a try against Australia- New Zealand Kiwis v Australia, Semi Final match of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) at Elland Road, Leeds, England on Friday 11 November 2022. © Mandatory credit: Allan McKenzie / www.photosport.nz Photo: Allan McKenzie / www.photosport.nz
In a carnival atmosphere in Leeds, New Zealand tried their best to rile their Trans-Tasman rivals ahead of kickoff with a fierce Haka in their opponents' faces.
It was the first time the pair had met since 2019 and first clash at the World Cup since 2013, when Australia romped home in the final in Manchester, but the Kiwis seemed to determined to make amends.
They deservedly took the lead after 11 minutes following a fine offload from Joseph Manu for Hughes to go over for a converted try.
But there is no stopping the lightning Addo-Carr at this tournament as he equalled Valentine Holmes' record of 12 tries in a single World Cup with a sensational score, showing incredible pace before plucking the ball out of the sky.
The Kiwis took the lead again through a Jordan Rapana penalty, but Holmes went over down the other end to swing the scoreline back in Australia's favour.
New Zealand's Joseph Manu is tackled by Australia's Reagan Campbell-Gillard - New Zealand Kiwis v Australia, Semi Final match of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) at Elland Road, Leeds, England on Friday 11 November 2022. © Mandatory credit: Allan McKenzie / www.photosport.nz Photo: Allan McKenzie / www.photosport.nz
Coming into the match having left it late to overcome Fiji in the quarter-finals, few fancied New Zealand to land a blow on the holders, but they kept coming, scoring another fine try, finished off by Brown.
The Kiwis had another try disallowed early in the second half for offside and seemed to tire from there and the Aussies capitalised.
Murray was the match winner, as he pierced the New Zealand defence to go over, before Hiku's luck ran out, as he was adjudged to have come from off the field before grounding his late attempt.
- RNZ / Reuters
