Eighteen years ago, New Zealand celebrated its finest rugby league hour at Suncorp Stadium courtesy of World Cup final glory against Australia. Tonight, in the corresponding match against the same opponent at the same venue, the Kiwis endured what has to rank as the most deflating loss in their history.
Rated by most as at least an even-money chance of carrying off the Paul Barrière Trophy for the second time, an uncomposed, error-plagued Kiwis outfit crashed to a 32-12 defeat to a Kangaroos side that gleefully capitalised on the bevy of opportunities delivered to them on a platter.
The Kiwis recovered from a disastrous opening few minutes but the decider got away from them in the last 10 minutes before halftime, which saw them head to the sheds 24-6 down.
The forward dominance that marked the Kiwis’ tournament-opening performance failed to repeat as the Kangaroos dominated territory and possession, and came out on top in the battle in the middle.
But the basic errors, poor execution and lack of attention to detail were the most jarring elements of a performance that had the hallmarks of a team that had believed its own hype.
In a throwback to far too many Kiwis-Kangaroos Tests, New Zealand’s start was beyond diabolical. Jamayne Isaako drilled the kick-off dead on the full and Liam Martin plunged over for Australia inside two minutes.
But after a few more shaky moments, the Kiwis levelled in the 11th minute through expert international tryscorer Casey McLean on the back of handy adlib from Isaiah Papali’i and Kodi Nikorima.
Isaako’s conversion gave him the outright record as the Kiwis’ all-time top Test pointscorer.
The Kangaroos hit the front again following a couple of repeat sets, with Reece Walsh’s heads-up dummy-half play allowing Jack Bostock an easy stroll to the corner. A penalty goal from the softest escort penalty of all time against Ronaldo Mulitalo put the hosts ahead 12-6.
Referee Grant Atkins inexplicably missed a blatant head-slam when Casey McLean —who would eventually be ruled out of the game at halftime following an HIA — lost the ball 20 metres out from his own line, allowing Australia to set up camp. The Kiwis’ defence eventually buckled when Tom Dearden fired the ball wide on the last, sending Bradman Best through a gaping hole for eight minutes out from the break.
Naufahu Whyte then had the ball stripped, paving the way for Martin to grab his second in a devastating blow just before halftime.
Trying to force the issue in the first set of the second half, Erin Clark spilled the ball attempting to offload. A hot-stepping Walsh put Tom Trbojevic in and the World Cup final was essentially all over at 28-6.
Error upon blunder upon gaffe piled up for the Kiwis, until Mulitalo outleapt Trbojevic to seemingly score with 22 minutes to go — but the Bunker pulled it back after dubiously detecting a knock-on.
A glimmer of hope arrived in the 66th minute when Nikorima threaded a grubber through for Papali’i to steam onto and dive over.
A poor pass from Ponga (one of several in the second half) let the Kangaroos off the hook on the Kiwis’ next possession, however, and any semblance of a comeback was fried. Phoenix Crossland attempting an (unsuccessful) Hail Mary 40/20 on the third tackle with eight minutes left summed up how bereft of ideas New Zealand was.
A piece of Best brilliance produced an icing-on-the-cake double for Bostock in the latter stages.
While a sizeable chunk of this Kiwis group will be near enough to their prime by the time the 2030 tournament rolls around, there’s a core group — Fisher-Harris, Tapine, Leota, Hughes, Isaako, Nikorima and perhaps even Ponga — that have probably witnessed their last opportunity to win a World Cup slip away.
After a harrowing conclusion to what had been a marvellous campaign, it’s a loss that will occupy a dark corner of the hearts and minds of New Zealand’s players and fans for decades.
MEN’S RLWC FINAL: Australia 32 (Liam Martin 2, Jack Bostock 2, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic tries; Cameron Munster 4 goals) defeated New Zealand 12 (Casey McLean, Isaiah Papali’i tries; Jamayne Isaako 2 goals) at Suncorp Stadium.