WELLINGTON, Oct 23, 2010 (AFP) - New Zealand captain Benji Marshall inspired his side to a comprehensive 24-10 win over England in the opening clash of rugby league's Four Nations tournament at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
The home side outscored England by four tries to two to set alight the series which also features Australia and Papua New Guinea.
England scored back-to-back tries midway through the second spell to claw their way into contention at 10-18 before the wizardry of Marshall restored order as he scored in the corner to seal the result.
It capped a memorable night for the New Zealand number six, who set up one other try, kicked four goals, and constantly kept the England defence on edge with his astute kicking.
The result was sweet revenge for New Zealand, who lost to England 12-20 in last year's tournament, allowing England through to the final against Australia.
Twelve of the New Zealand squad played in that match and they had visions of another potential disaster in the opening minutes when game breaker Manu Vatuvei left the field with a broken arm.
But rather than drop their heads the Kiwis regrouped immediately and responded with a try to Junior Sa'u in the left corner.
Marshall missed the conversion but added a penalty goal midway through the half before setting up New Zealand's second try with a break down the right flank which ended with Lance Hohaia scoring by the posts.
New Zealand extended the lead to 18-0 soon after halftime when England fullback Gareth Widdop dropped a Marshall bomb and from the scrum restart Shaun Kenny-Dowall beat five tacklers in a 25-metre run to the line.
England, ruing a completion rate which hovered around 63 percent, fought their way back into the game when a fast-following James Roby scored after a chip over the line caught the New Zealand defence napping.
Widdop kicked the goal and from the restart scored himself when he finished an 80-metre move in which Michael Shenton and Kevin Brown carved up the New Zealand defence.
But the England roll was soon snuffed out when a piece of Marshall magic ignited a New Zealand attack near the halfway line and he was on hand to end the move with a try in the corner.
In the second match in the tournament, Australia play Papua New Guinea on Sunday in Sydney
|
E-mail
