Opinion: Kangaroos clinical, Kiwis wasteful

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

David Kidwell reckoned the Kiwis had a terrific preparation for last night's Test against the Kangaroos. It's hard for outsiders to judge that but they can judge what comes out of that preparation, and we saw a sloppy and silly showing from the Kiwis in Perth.

Handling errors dogged them, and led to tries being conceded and attacking opportunities being stunted. 

They didn't play badly but they certainly executed badly. Aside from a delightful pass from Shaun Johnson to set up Kevin Proctor's try, the Kiwis barely threatened the Kangaroos line. 

It all started in the first twenty minutes, when silly penalties gifted Australia field position, and they were lucky to only be behind 8-0. 

They fought their way back with Proctor's try, and actually dominated the second half of the first spell, but so often passes went astray in the Kangaroos half, or attacking kicks were claimed uncontested by the Kangaroos back three.

I come back to that point, they didn't play badly, they executed badly. They had a lot of ball, a lot of territory and made good yardage on their hit-ups but the Kiwis simply never made the most of it.

26-6 is probably a fair margin on the night, but overall, the Kiwis are a better side than that suggests. 

Kidwell suggested the team learnt some harsh lessons in the loss.

That's not quite accurate, the Kangaroos ran the clinic, and the Kiwis were the students. It was certainly a lesson, but as for whether they learnt anything, we'll find out come the Four Nations.

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