As far as bad omens go, Jamayne Isaako putting the opening kick-off of the Rugby League World Cup final dead was as eerily ominous as they come for the Kiwis.
The situation scarcely improved for the visitors, as the combination of an error-plagued performance and a clinical evening from Australia resulted in a one-sided 32-12 defeat, extending New Zealand’s World Cup drought to 22 years.
Given the enormous expectations bestowed upon what was being widely tagged as the strongest line-up of players to ever don the white vee, the sting from this loss will linger.
As one dropped pass led to another, the New Zealanders, struggling to simply complete a set, seemed bereft of ideas against a team they – despite the result – largely outplayed in the tournament opener a month ago.
The stage was set for a monumental final but there was only ever one side in the contest at Suncorp Stadium.
Head coach Stacey Jones looked as shellshocked many of the bleary-eyed Kiwis supporters awaking Monday morning to a an all too familiar outcome, admitting his side had saved their weakest for last.
“It was disappointing. It was our worst performance,” Jones said at the post-match press conference.
“Got off to a bad start and couldn’t fight our way out of it… possession was too much for us.
“The start didn’t help and then we came up with errors, our discipline was poor and we gave away penalties.
“They had all the energy. They were running harder, they had more energy with their line speed.
“When you make errors and tour discipline is poor, no matter what team you are, it’s too hard.”
Australia ran in six tries to just two from the visitors, one of which was merely a consolation try Isaiah Papali’i.
Casey McLean’s quick response to Liam Martin’s first-minute try – cashing in on Isaak’s opening gaffe – had spirits raised, only for the Aussies to reel off a morale-sapping trio of tries to take an imposing 24-6 lead into halftime.
The New Zealanders simply had to be the first to score in the second half, but instead it was Tom Trbojevic who essentially killed off the match with a try just two minutes after the break.
Compounding their predicament was the departure of key strike weapon McLean, who succumbed to an HIA during the interval.
Starved of territory and possession, it never seemed the night for any late comeback drama for the New Zealanders.
“He wasn’t good at half time, and we didn’t know until late (during the half time break) just how bad he was,” Jones said.
“It’s hard when you lose an outside back, and especially a player who can turn things for you.".
Captain James Fisher-Harris admitted his team had been their own worst enemies, as poor execution and indiscipline conspired to
“Our execution and discipline were poor,” captain James Fisher-Harris added.
“We were on the back foot the whole time and they were generating a lot of ruck speed.
“Credit to them but we made it really hard on ourselves.
"I don't think we would change too much, we just got beaten on the big stage.
"Tonight was just a missed opportunity, I thought we had the team to get it done, but unfortunately on the day, we just didn't."
Earlier, matters were equally dire against the Australians for the Kiwi Ferns, who were completely outclassed in a 34-10 defeat.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including how to prepare for a super El Niño, and how a couple got stuck at the top of a ferris wheel. (Source: 1News)
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