Kiwi's prove why they are World Champions?

Well! Have to say credit to the Kiwi's for holding the Roo's to a 20 all draw!!! I think both teams had to feel out their structures! To be honest, I think the Kangaroo's players (& maybe coaching staff) may of underestimated the 'young' Kiwi team. But you've got to give it to them, the 4wrds just 'bashed' the Roo's 4wrds all over the park! Don't think the Kangaroo's will make the same mistake again when they next meet, but in saying that, the Kiwi's have a bit more confidence that they can match it with the Kangaroo's 'any given Sunday'!

I agree the Kiwis outplayed the Aussies but we still got away with a draw. A good team would not let that happen.

I don't know if the Kiwis can play any better but there is a vast improvement in the Aussie camp. There will also be some selection changes.

I think both Aus and NZ will blow away the poms and French leaving a Kiwi v Aus final. Aus will get better.

Edit: Lensta, what we are saying about the draw is that NZ should have won the game. That we came away with the draw shows our players' never say die attitude and the fact that the Kiwis choked and let the Aussies in. Good sides don't have a 6 point lead with two minutes to go and then draw the game.

Edit: Peter C there should be changes and Gallen and Hodges should be the first to go.

Edit: Jazz, There was no Joey Johns on the field for the Aussies like in the GF.

Great defence, gotta admit that, but if you think its gonna be this close again you're sadly mistaken. Australia once again underestimated the Kiwis and they learn from that, remember they never come close losing twice in a row. I never saw NZ break the line or look dangerous in attack, they relied on their defence and big men near their line, as you saw they tired fast & Australia took them by the toes and had a field day until the last few minutes. You should be lucky it was a draw, remember yous were the ones that nearly lost until the last 10 minutes. Yous were down by 4 and getting dominated at the other end of the field with not long left, yous couldnt get past the 30m line, and if it wasnt for yet another disgusting penalty that got yous out of danger and than another straight after, thats what got you in the lead, OUR PENALTIES, it was nothing NZ were doing. Their defence shocked Australia, its as simple as that, Tim Sheens will readjust and the greatest team will prevail, look out for the next time around, we will be aware of NZ's cheap shots and make a joke of the Kiwi's gameplan to have a team full of giants. AUSTRALIA!!!!

Bill P, you say that good sides do not let teams lose a lead with only minutes left on the clock, ehh?

I say, so you're calling the Manly side of 1997 not good? The lost with seconds left..

The fact is, look at Australia, then look at NZ.

Everyone expected another thumping by Australia, which didn't happen. They should be really disappointed with that draw, whereas the Kiwis have something to be pleased about.

Edit-Bill, I know that but they still had the likes of Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges & what not. Australia have most superstars of rugby league so that should make up for having no Andrew Johns. :)

Australia was very very average in this game BUT they still could pull of a draw. NZ were the better team in the 1st half and probably the 2nd half too BUT they still couldn't pull off a win.

Your definitely right at the fact that the Kiwis will only become stronger (and they have France next week, so that's a given win) when they play with each other for a long period of time, that doesn't mean Australia will become weaker, they will definitely learn from this game and will hopefully get better.

The Kiwi's haven't proved anything today except that are up there and can mix it with the other International teams.

It's a shame these 2 teams had to meet first up. I think we would have seen a much better game if they had met later in the tournament, when both teams will hopefully have more cohesion.

If both teams make the Final I think we will see a different type of game.

I'm part-Aussie, part-Kiwi so I'm thrilled with the result.

When you look at the stats, NZ probably looked more dangerous, but Australia's team was inexperienced and didn't look together as a team. I honestly think they will come out of this week a lot better off. It won't be long before they are the tops team we have come to expect. Then the Kiwis will need to watch out!

Yep, they indeed did prove that they are the current World Champions.. With that perfomance, they could have easily beaten the Aussies, if it weren't for some silly handling errors and poor ref decisions... Coz the defence they displayed was purely of WORLD CHAMPION standards. They did not even allow Australia to score on several straight sets on their own try line... So they did prove they are the World Champions...

* Unfortunately the Pritchard try wasn't converted to win the game..

they might't incredibly be called worldwide beaters on condition that they simply beat Srilanka as quickly as out of two circumstances, Srilanka are basically ranked seventh interior the worldwide and India are nonetheless basically ranked 2d interior the worldwide now, if India bead South Africa interior the Champions Cup and beat Australia interior the 7 journey sequence after that, then they may well be called worldwide beaters. Australia are basically 2 score factors in the back of india and nonetheless have 3 video games to play before the champions trophy. the way Australia and England are enjoying Australia ought to finally finally end up with a large lead on the main appropriate of the ODI rankings.

Australia played poorly but still managed to get a draw. If NZ were good enough, they would have won the match.