Simon Mannering and the Kiwis celebrate their 2014 Four Nations win. Photo: Photosport
Top five Kiwi scalps over Kangaroos
This weekend the Kiwis and Kangaroos do battle for the Pacific Championship title.
For decades, the Kangaroos dominated their little brothers across the Tasman, however, since the turn of the century, the Kiwis have pulled off some incredible wins over the previously invincible powerhouses.
Here are the five greatest recent Kiwi wins over the Kangaroos.
1. World Cup Final 2008
Brisbane.
New Zealand 34 Australia 20
The Kiwis celebrate their 2008 World Cup win. Photo: Photosport
This one had it all. From the initial fireworks of Isaac Luke's fearsome haka, to Billy Slater's uncharacteristic brain explosion, the 2008 World Cup final is the Kiwis finest hour. Facing coaching legend Wayne Bennett and a star studded line-up, Stephen Kearney and his men pulled off the greatest upset in international league history. The first 20 minutes appeared business as usual for the Aussies as Slater sliced through the line to give Darren Lockyer the opening try. David 'the Wolfman' Williams extended the lead to 10 as he surged down the sideline untouched for Australia's second. A rampaging Jeremy Smith got the Kiwis on the board, before some Benji Marshall magic gave them the lead. The mercurial maestro engaged the defence with his trademark jink and had the ball ripped from his grasp. Swarmed on by David Fa'alogo, he in turn linked with Jerome Ropati as the bunker confirmed the try. The hosts regained the advantage shortly after through some dazzling offloading, finished off by Lockyer to put his side up 16-12 at the break. The Huntly Hurricane Lance Hohaia's dart from dummy half gave the Kiwis a third, and then came the moment. Fielding a deep Marshall kick, Slater tried to run around Manu Vatuvei who shoved the fullback toward the touchline. One of the coolest heads in the game, Slater inexplicably threw the ball back infield and over his supporting team-mates heads. Marshall scooped up the ball, unmarked, with the line wide open for one of the easiest but most important four pointers of his career. Australia was far from done, and Greg Inglis brought the world champions right back. Up 22-20 with 10 to go, more controversy. Hohaia chased a Nathan Fien kick but was taken high by Joel Monaghan. The bunker awarded a penalty try and New Zealand went two scores ahead. The result was then sealed in rather ugly fashion when Adam Blair finally picked up a pinballing Steeden to close out the famous 34-20 win, ending Australia's 33-year domination of the tournament.
2. Tri-Nations Final 2005
Leeds.
New Zealand 24 Australia 0
Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki proudly holds the trophy after winning the Gillette Tri-Nations Final between New Zealand and Australia at Ellad Road. 140510 Photo: Photosport
Three years prior to their greatest victory, the Kiwis made their first real statement against the Kangaroos. New Zealand had won just one of the previous 13 meetings between the two nations when they clashed in the 2005 Tri Nations decider. However, a masterclass by Stacey Jones, who had only arrived in England 24 hours earlier due to the birth of his son, saw the Kiwis shutout the Australians, just the second time the Kangaroos had been held scoreless in a test. On a chilly evening in Leeds, the Kiwis were on fire. With the English crowd right behind them, Brian McClennan's men dominated from the outset. In their first real attacking set of the final, Jones put up a pinpoint cross which Paul Whatuira finished off to put the Kiwis up 6-0 after just three minutes. The determination of New Zealand was on full display as Shontayne Hape denied Jason Ryles a try with a desperate effort on defence. Again looking set to score, David Kidwell snaffled an intercept and stormed 50 metres upfield, the ensuing breakdown sparked an all in brawl with tensions flaring. Back to back tries to Manu Vatuvei put the Kiwis ahead by 12, with Jones again playing a hand in both. The Little General slotted a penalty to extend the lead to 14. Making up for his three missed conversions, Jones' second penalty made it 16-0 at the break. Any hope of an Australian comeback was quickly quashed in the second 40 when Brent Webb wriggled his way over the chalk. Jones added a third penalty to further flatter the scoreline, marking the first time Australia had lost an international tournament since 1978.
3. Four Nations Final 2010
Brisbane.
New Zealand 16 Australia 12
Benji Marshall was instrumental in the Kiwis 2010 Four Nations win. Photo: Photosport
Proving that '08 was no fluke, New Zealand once again shocked the rugby league world in the 2010 Four Nations final. Benji Marshall solidified himself as a Kiwis legend following his unforgettable performance in Brisbane. The Wests Tigers star showed unbelievable confidence in his game, sparking the attack which clinched another historic victory. Australia were once again hot favourites and it took just over two minutes for the hosts to strike after Lance Hohaia made a hash of a Lockyer grubber at the back and Brent Tate cashed in to score the opener. The Kiwis managed to respond before half-time, a superb flat Marshall ball putting Shaun Kenny-Dowall into a hole and squared things up at half-time. Billy Slater latched onto a Greg Bird offload to re-establish the ascendancy for Australia. But Marshall was just getting started. A magnificent grubber for Jason Nightingale brought New Zealand back within two, but Marshall was unable to convert, leaving Australia 12-10 ahead. With just over two minutes left on the clock, a miracle was needed and so Marshall weaved his magic. He ran it on the last, firing it wide to Kenny-Dowall. The Roosters centre found Nightingale on the outside who threw a speculator infield to marshall. Almost butchering the chance, his ball out the back eventually found the open arms of Nathan Fien who went in under the posts. After multiple replays, the try was finally given as the Kiwis bench erupted.
4. Four Nations Final 2014
Wellington
New Zealand 22 Australia 18
The 2014 Four Nations final was the making of Shaun Johnson on the international stage. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After the heroics of Jones and Marshall in the 2014 Four Nations final it was Shaun Johnson who would inspire another breathtaking Kiwis win. It was a cracker at the Cake Tin, with Johnson announcing himself as an international elite. Michael Jennings struck first for Australia but New Zealand responded on the back of a great break by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. The Kiwis quickly shifted right where Jason Nightingale rolled over the line. After Johnson kicked a penalty to put his side up by 2, he would produce one of the most mesmerising moments of his storied career. Receiving the ball on the last, Johnson stepped, weaved, spun and danced his way around four Kangaroos defenders before throwing a wide pass to Manu Vatuvei who picked it up on the bounce and barged over. The class of Cooper Cronk, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Smith came to the fore as Australia closed the gap when the trio combined to put Sione Mata'utia in the corner. However, moments later, Johnson again brought the Wellington crowd to its feet. The fleet footed halfback broke straight through the line before skinning Greg Inglis on the outside to score a stunner. The Kiwis then put the result beyond doubt as Vatuvei bulldozed through his opposite for his second try of the night. Ben Hunt offered a faint sniff for the Aussies but it was too little too late.
5. ANZAC Test 2015
Brisbane
New Zealand 26 Australia 12
Manu Vatuvei celebrates his second try Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The only match between the teams in 2014, the Kiwis were sure to leave the Kangaroos with some deep wounds to heal in the 12 months until they would meet again. It had been a long run of losses in the ANZAC test for the Kiwis, losing the previous 13 dating back to 1998. Johnson put New Zealand on the board early with a shot at goal before a rampaging Sam Thaiday thundered through the Kiwis defence. The first New Zealand try came straight from a scrum as Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck created space out wide for Manu Vatuvei. 'The Beast' barged over again shortly after when Peta Hiku regathered a Johnson bomb to put New Zealand up 12-6. Just minutes later, New Zealand would score their third courtesy of a Shaun Johnson special. A devastating right foot step left Johnathan Thurston for dead and Johnson would convert to put his team ahead 18-6. The onslaught continued before oranges, with New Zealand effectively icing the cake in the 40th minute. Chancing their arm, the Kiwis went wide and Jason Nightingale chipped ahead. Greg Inglis failed to tidy up at the back and Kenny-Dowall pounced for an astonishing 26-6 lead. Will Chambers managed a consolation for the hosts but the Kiwis had well and truly dominated the contest, illustrating the chasm that once existed between the two teams was now very much closed.
