Chris Rattue: Magic Johnson heralds dawn of new era

Johnson delivered a brilliant performance. Photo / Getty Images

The magical day has arrived. The rise of New Zealanders in the NRL has done the trick. Australia's long-held position as the kings of international league is well and truly over.

And Shaun Johnson's brilliant performance in Wellington signalled that while Australia will always produce exceptional matchwinners, the Kiwis have a superstar of their own who can be an unstoppable force in the Johnathan Thurston category.

The Kangaroos still dominate New Zealand on the test scoreboard, but the Kiwis' impressive haul since 2005 in the games that count most - finals - means they have joined world champs Australia on their perch and are close to knocking them off it.

Out of the ruins of the 2013 World Cup has emerged a team with terrific energy, confidence and spirit.

The plaudits must go to coach Steve Kearney, who has risen impressively from the dreadful Old Trafford failure.

The Anzac test remains a bogey for the Kiwis but in tournament situations they continually rise to the occasion, despite the odd debacle as occurred in the World Cup final last year.

Four titles in 10 years is a dream come true for New Zealand league, after years under the cosh.

Having ripped Australia apart in Brisbane earlier in the Four Nations, the Kiwis nailed a second consecutive victory against the green and golds for the first time since 1953.

Despite being outplayed, Australia came desperately close to victory on the final hooter, a measure of their prowess. But the Kiwis played with a rare confidence and freedom against Australia in this series, and were not to be denied. It was the manner of their victories more than anything that announced that Australia's dominance is a thing of the past, even given that a few outstanding players led by the amazing Thurston were missing.

How will Australia respond? That's the intriguing question now. Press coverage of league across the Ditch tells the story. State of Origin dominates selection and other talk whereas interest in test matches fires up only on the eve of games. Even then, it lacks the State of Origin intensity, so to speak.

Hand on heart, it's difficult to see this changing, because the State of Origin is not only an unstoppable force backed by a PR machine in perpetual overdrive, it is the jewel in league's crown in Australia's war of the codes.

The State of Origin popularity was built while Australia were so dominant on the test scene that the international game was apparently beyond saving in the face of the Super League war and its after-effects, along with the disappearance of long tours in an era devoid of much romance.

Test league is finally fighting back. With Samoa also playing a big part, this has been an outstanding Four Nations - a tournament basically on a par with the World Cup in league's small world.

Kiwi victories in Anzac tests are the next vital step in the revival of international league.

In Johnson, Kieran Foran, Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Peta Hiku, Jason Taumalolo and company, New Zealand have the players who will do it.