By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: The Rugby League World Cup.
Australia opened their Rugby League World Cup campaign with a dramatic 24 – 22 victory over New Zealand in Sydney, as debutant Jack Bostock scored three tries, including the decisive effort in the closing minutes, to settle a fiercely contested encounter.
The Dolphins winger delivered a remarkable performance on his international debut at Allianz Stadium, helping the defending champions escape a match in which New Zealand had often looked the stronger side.
Bostock’s winning try came with four minutes remaining. He rose to contest a Cameron Munster kick, wrestled the ball away from Jamayne Isaako and completed his hat trick to put Australia ahead at the crucial moment.
The physical cost was considerable. Australia head coach Kevin Walters revealed that the 21 year old was struggling to finish the match after his extraordinary effort. “He’s cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn’t have the energy to kick the goal,” Walters said.
Bostock had already demonstrated his ability to turn a match with a single moment of brilliance. His first try came midway through the opening half when he intercepted a New Zealand pass and raced the length of the field, punishing the Kiwis after they had threatened to extend their advantage.
New Zealand had made the brighter start. Centre Casey McLean opened the scoring with an impressive finish near the touchline after a sequence involving Jahrome Hughes, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Isaiah Papali’i exposed Australia’s defence.
The Kiwis continued to apply pressure, with their forward pack gaining ground and their attack repeatedly testing the Australian line. Bostock’s intercept briefly brought the hosts level, but Australia’s second interception, by Tom Trbojevic, swung the contest again and helped the Kangaroos establish a lead.
New Zealand responded before half time, drawing level at 12 to 12 after a high kick and a foul during the chase led to a penalty. The visitors had dominated much of the first period, running for more than 1,000 metres and outgaining Australia by roughly 300 metres.
Kalyn Ponga was central to their attacking threat. The Newcastle fullback scored twice despite suffering a painful arm injury, producing a standout performance that gave New Zealand a platform to push the champions to the limit.
His second try was particularly striking, as he brushed past Munster and stepped around Reece Walsh to finish a superb individual break. Walsh also had his moments, but Australia struggled to contain the Kiwis’ movement and power for long stretches.
Ponga’s injury became a major concern late in the match. New Zealand coach Stacey Jones said the fullback could have suffered a fracture. “It’s a possible fracture of the arm, but he’s going to go for scans,” Jones said.
The injury could have wider implications for New Zealand, with the tournament’s final less than a month away and a potential rematch against Australia looming.
The second half was more evenly balanced, but New Zealand were left to regret missed opportunities as Australia found a way back into the contest. Bostock played a role in the build up to another crucial score, flicking a pass to Walsh, whose sweeping run brought Australia within two points and set up the late finish.
For New Zealand captain James Fisher Harris, the defeat came down to the fine margins that separate the two traditional rivals. “Much respect to Australia. Just a few moments went their way, and we fought to the death,” he said.
Those moments ultimately belonged to Bostock. Australia leave the opening match with two valuable points and a warning about the challenge ahead, while New Zealand can take confidence from a performance that exposed the champions’ vulnerabilities.
New Zealand’s formidable pack served up a mauling to Australia’s forwards for the majority of this opening match but the defending champions did what champions do and somehow chiselled out a victory.
The tournament has begun with a classic rivalry, a debut hat trick and a finish that underlined how little separates the two sides. This was scintillating international rugby league match, with more than 40,000 fans, the biggest Test match crowd in Sydney for 50 years , witnessing the ultimate smash-and-grab victory by Kevin Walters’ side
For Australia, the result was precious. For New Zealand, the narrow defeat will sting, but their opening performance suggests they will remain a serious threat as the World Cup unfolds.
Australia (10) 24
Tries: Bostock 3, Trbojevic, Walsh Goals: Walsh 2
New Zealand (10) 22
Tries: McLean, Ponga 2 Goals: Isaako 3 Penalties: Isaako 2.