KEY POINTS:
New Zealand 34 Great Britain 4
Faced with Tri Nations extinction, the Kiwis not only kept alive their hopes of defending their title but did it in emphatic style when they posted a record win over Great Britain last night.
Going into the game, all the pressure
was on the Kiwis in the wake of the Nathan Fien Grannygate saga. Coach Brian McClennan had labelled it as the biggest in test in their lives. They needed to win by 14 to erase a 28-point differential and had achieved this as early as the 50th minute. Now all the pressure is on Great Britain, who have to win in Brisbane next Saturday night to join the Kangaroos in the final in Sydney on November 25.
Although the Kangaroos can normally be relied on to beat the Poms but Ricky Stuart's side have yet to hit their straps so far this series and, if nothing else, this year's Tri Nations has thrown up more surprises than a magician.
It was the Kiwis who pulled the rabbit out of the hat last night, although they were helped no end by video referee Graeme West, who twice ruled against what could have been Great Britain tries.
Even the crossbar was on the Kiwis' side, with one pinpoint Stacey Jones kick bouncing off the bar and into the grateful arms of skipper Ruben Wiki to touch down.
The Kiwis attacked with pace and purpose and, aside from one Manu Vatuvei blunder, kept their line intact against a side that was well short of the one that upset the Kangaroos last week. With the exception of skipper Jamie Peacock, they were error-ridden and last week's hero Sean Long performed like the player who has continually disappointed at international level.
The Kiwis, who needed to win by 14 points to overcome a 28-point differential on Great Britain, led 16-4 at halftime and piled on a further three tries in the second spell to breathe life back into their Tri Nations campaign. Certainly, the ghost of Nathan Fien was nowhere to be found in a dominant New Zealand display led by classy duo Stacey Jones and Brent Webb.
The Little General was in imperious form and played a hand in four tries. If this is the last test Jones plays on home soil, it would be a fitting way for him to depart.
After a nervy opening by both sides, the obligatory stoush that has become a feature of the Tri Nations soon erupted. Steve Matai took exception to some attention he got in a tackle and threw the ball at the back of Danny McGuire's head, which prompted Keith Senior to throw his weight around. After lots of pushing and finger pointing, Matai and Senior were told by referee Paul Simpkins to cool off on the sideline when they were both sent to the sinbin - amazingly the first time anyone has spent any time there in this series.
In many respects, it seemed to settle a Kiwis side which must have been feeling some pressure given their predicament and Nigel Vagana settled the nerves further when he darted out of dummy half and touched down for the first points of the night.
The Kiwis had suggested they would play the game at a high tempo and they didn't disappoint. They found easy metres up the middle when they played the ball at speed and also went to their backline with regularity as Jones pulled the strings.
He repeatedly had options available to him with players in motion which put doubt in the minds of the visitors.
This was no better illustrated than when Webb popped up on Jones' shoulder to claim two first-half tries.
But with points of utmost importance, Manu Vatuvei gifted Great Britain four of them when he spilled a McGuire bomb when under no pressure. Vatuvei has always had dodgy hands and Gareth Ellis and Great Britain certainly didn't mind.
In the end, it was the only time the Kiwis' line was crossed. Nathan Cayless, Vatuvei and Wiki piled on the misery for the visitors in the second spell as they posted their biggest winning margin against the Lions.
At the final whistle, the Kiwis embraced in joy and McClennan beamed from the sidelines. It hasn't been a great couple of weeks but, like the endangered bird, the Kiwis are still alive.
New Zealand 34 (B. Webb 2, N. Vagana, N. Cayless, M. Vatuvei, R. Wiki tries, S. Jones 5 gls)
Great Britain 4 (G. Ellis try).
HT: 16-4.
