Kiwis Can
Great to see the Kiwis continue to grow.
While rugby league will always be judged on the success of its club competition – and frankly, it’s streets ahead of any rugby comp at present – the international game provides significant pluses for the games.
First, it allows the game to put on the international stage which in turn provides a boost to the other parts of the game.
Second, in doing so, it provides an opportunity for players to travel, experience different countries and I suppose get pissed and do all the things rugby players get up to on too. Or put another way, it stops top leaguies from drifting off to the dark side just to go on tour.
Third, and this is the bit we like, it provides us with another chance to stick one up the West Islanders. Choice bro!
The good thing to come out of the weekend is that the “one off” results are starting to become more regular.
Sure, we can expect that the cheating Aussies will win more than their fair share (although putting “fair” and “cheating Aussies” into the same sentence takes some real effort!
But the Kiwis are now starting to believe they can just like the little tug in the kids’ story (or was it a train??).
At least that’s what Graham Lowe thinks:
“They’re not overawed by anything or anyone playing for Australia,” Lowe said. “They’re comfortable with their own space and with what they are doing in the NRL and that’s why the fear factor that certainly was there for a long time is not there now.”
Put it another way. We know how good they are but we know who we’re up against.
There’s also a bigger pool of players with leadership experience:
Lowe said the fact the Kiwis – headed by skipper Benji Marshall – were now key men at their clubs was a major aspect of the new confidence.
What’s even better is that the Kiwis are competing but with a stack of established players resting up.
Even Aussie coach Tim Sheens can see the winds of change:
When Cameron Smith says to you: ‘That is the hardest game he can remember playing’ – and he only played the grand final a few weeks ago – you know that’s a hard game,” Sheens said.
Good on ya Tim … now go back to bleating about the Pommy ref!
