Australia have advanced to the World Cup Final with a 16-14 win over Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in an epic semi-final in Leeds on Saturday morning (AEDT).
After trailing 14-10 at the break the Kangaroos took the lead through Cameron Murray in the 53rd minute and then kept the Kiwis at bay in a pulsating second half that featured brutal defence, flare-ups and close calls.
An early mistake by Peta Hiku handed Australia field position but the Kiwis defence held firm before Ben Hunt kicked out on the full in the eighth minute and the Kangaroos were forced to defend their line.
Come the 11th minute and the Kiwis struck first when a pinpoint kick by Dylan Brown was caught by Joey Manu who produced a brilliant offload to Jahrome Hughes for the try.
The Kangaroos returned serve five minutes later with a memorabe four-pointer through Josh Addo-Carr, who showed dazzling speed to chase Hunt’s crossfield kick and take the ball on the full for his 12th try of the tournament.
An offside penalty against Cameron Munster handed Rapana the chance to slot a penalty goal in the 26th minute and the Kiwis had the lead 8-6.
A right side raid by the Kangaroos led to their second try when Jack Wighton left Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in his wake with a brilliant step, rode a Manu tackle and offloaded for Valentine Holmes to dot down in the corner.
Three minutes before the break the Kiwis were back in front after Ronaldo Mulitalo exploded down the left wing and sent a perfectly timed pass back inside for Brown to cap a brilliant opening half with a try. Rapana converted for 14-10.
New Zealand looked to have extended their lead early in the second half when Peta Hiku crossed after Addo-Carr had put down a bomb but the video referee ruled that Rapana had been marginally in front of the kicker.
A penalty against Brandon Smith for ruck interference in the 53rd minute gave the Kangaroos a tap kick 10 metres out and Cameron Murray powered through some soft defence to grab his fourth try of the tournament. Nathan Cleary’s conversion gave the Kangaroos a 16-14 lead.
With 15 minutes to play and the game in the balance, a mistake by Rapana gave Australia a chance to take the upper hand by Mulitalo was on hand to clean up an Angus Crichton grubber and the Kiwis hung on.
Hiku went within inches of scoring in the corner in the 73rd minute as a gripping contest went up another gear.
The Kiwis then launched one final raid but Latrell Mitchell produced a spectacular take to difuse a Hughes bomb and the defending champions were through to the decider.
Source: NRL.com