Michael Burgess: Rare chance of victory missed

Peta Hiku and the Kiwis couldn't hold on to beat Australia. Photo / Getty Images

The Kiwis proved on Friday night they can play well when there are no expectations on them - the next step will be to learn how to perform when the winning post is in sight.

The first half of the Anzac test was almost impeccable from a New Zealand point of view. Bruising defence, powerful, mistake-free attack and an enthusiasm and energy unseen for most of last year's World Cup.

In some ways, the young Kiwis team had nothing to lose - they were meant to be cannon fodder for the 'Unbeatables' - and their play reflected that. You can't underestimate the courage they showed but sometimes there is an advantage to being the underdog.

How many times have we seen unknown bolters start well against Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic before tightening up when things get serious?

Something similar might have happened in Sydney. Suddenly in the second half, the Kiwis had expectations on their shoulders; they were in a position to cause an upset but couldn't maintain the standards of the first 40 minutes.

There was a lot to like about the New Zealand effort and it went a long way towards restoring credibility to the Kiwis jumper after the fiasco in Manchester. But in terms of league, this was also a missed chance at immortality.

At halftime, you could sense Lang Park 1987 all over again. Back then, Tony Gordon's team was filled with unknowns and youngsters, up against Wally Lewis, Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny et al, the Kangaroos team that had strode undefeated through Britain and France the year before. The Kiwis, who only had three players with more than ten tests to their name, led 13-6 at halftime and hung on grimly to record a famous victory.

Friday was a great opportunity. The Kiwis were ahead at halftime and had plenty of possession and territory in the second spell but failed to construct much of note. The Kangaroos were badly off their game, partly to Kiwi pressure - when did you last see an Australian side make so many errors? - and their famed Storm trio have struggled for form recently.

The future looks bright but sometimes you have to take your chances. We know the Australians are an ageing team, set to lose some players in the next few years. But Daly Cherry-Evans might be better than Cooper Cronk, while Greg Inglis is a handy replacement for Billy Slater. The task won't get much easier, though the Kiwis might be on the cusp of a golden generation, especially in the forwards.

Shaun Johnson has yet to make that move from good to great. He's still young, and admittedly had most of the playmaking duties on his shoulders in Sydney, but his kicking game fell away badly during the second half. He had some sublime touches in a match mixed with frustrating moments. As he did after the recent Warriors loss to the Bulldogs at Eden Park, Johnson accepted some responsibility for the second-half downturn - but the 23-year-old has to take more responsibility during a game.

Friday was his chance to add an indelible career highlight - a win against the Kangaroos - and join the likes of Clayton Friend, Gary Freeman, Henry Paul, Stacey Jones and Benji Marshall in the Kiwis annals.