Tri-Nations Match 2
Australian Kangaroos 20 d. New Zealand Kiwis 15

2006 Tri-Nations Test Series Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: International > Nations > First Grade Competition: Tri-Nations Test Series

No time wondering what might have been
Mon October 23, 2006
The Kiwis aren't dwelling on their latest loss in the Gillette Tri-Nations series.

The Brian McClennan coach side had victory snatched from their grasp by the Kangaroos in the dying minutes of Saturday night's clash in Melbourne.

With their next game against the Great Britain Lions only five days away they can't afford to spend too much time wondering about what might have been.

"We've got the Pommies next week and we're looking forward to getting back to New Zealand and giving them a run for their money," rookie Kiwi Nathan Fien said. Fien made his debut for New Zealand in the Melbourne test. And he admitted it was a great moment after a week of intense media scrutiny over his eligibility.

"It was a special moment running out there with the black jersey on," he said. "I'm very proud to pull the jersey on and play with the boys. There's been a lot of media coverage but I'm a Kiwi through and through."

The Kiwis looked set to bag their first points of the series in Melbourne after a stunning second half performance had them 15-8 ahead with 10 minutes to go on the clock. But two quick tries to Greg Inglis and Mark Gasnier sunk their hopes.

"It's disappointing," Fien said. "We had them there with five minutes to go. We just let our guard down a bit. We improved from last week but it just goes to show we've still got a bit more work to do."

The Kiwis' defence was brutal throughout the game and they made the Kangaroos battle for every opportunity.

"We worked hard on it all week," he said. "Bluey really wanted us to focus on that throughout the week and we put it into practice for most of the game."

Fien said the Kiwis would be back into the hard work in Christchurch as they prepare for their first battle with the Lions at Jade Stadium on Saturday.

"You've got to play for the full 80 minutes and we played really well but we've still got a lot of improvement in us. We'll work hard and knuckle down again."

Issued on behalf of New Zealand Rugby League


League will lose Inglis unless Salary Cap changes
Sun October 22, 2006
Greg Inglis is worth all the hype plus more and is the player who'll carry League into the next generation with the same domination that Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns had in their era's.

Last night's performance from Inglis in Australian colours at the tender age of 19 confirms his superstar status and the scary part of it all is that Inglis will only get better and better.

However, under the current NRL earning structure, the earning power of Inglis will be majorly restricted and the ARU has indicated in the past that Inglis is their No.1 target and will pay whatever amount of money it has for him.

The salary cap under the David Gallop regime restricts players from earning money from outside sponsorships, which has a two-fold damaging effect on Rugby League. Firstly it compromises a players earning potential and makes it difficult for companies to use Rugby League as the face of their company due to the restrictions in place.

Rugby League can't afford to lose Inglis and Melbourne certainly should be given every opportunity to retain Inglis as they spotted him and developed him through their development squads at Norths Devils in Brisbane. The NRL has to ensure Melbourne retains Inglis.

Now is the time to admit the salary cap is wrong and make changes to ensure players like Inglis remain at the Storm and that clubs are made to develop players rather than the strong clubs lose players to those with the inability to develop and produce talent.

The longer Gallop sits on his hands with his head firmly entrenced in the sand and says that the salary cap is working will be badly mistaken when Inglis comes off contract.

Next year will be interesting with Sonny Bill Williams coming off contract but that is only the entree to the circus that Inglis will create.

What will the NRL do or will they risk the game losing Williams and Inglis?

In a sport that is facing a rocky future ahead the NRL has to scrap the salary cap for one club players but have a salary cap in place for imported players from rival clubs. That way Melbourne could generate forms of sponsorship and advertising for Inglis and Rugby League remains the winner with the codes new genuine superstar remaining in Rugby League and most importanly at the Storm.

Anyone who had doubts about Inglis being over-hyped and over-rated only has to watch the two Tri Nations games to date where his class is just beyond any limits. Critics say he was poor in the Grand Final, he was very well contained and marked heavily by the Broncos, which is a quick sign of the respect and fear he has in the game at such a young age. He never went missing and he was the one player who was always capable of pulling the match out of the fire as New Zealand found out last night.

Sun October 22, 2006
• Australia's class and winning culture shines through
  
Fri October 20, 2006
• Mason out of Tri Nations clash, Thaiday to make Test debut
  
Fri October 20, 2006
• Kiwis can improve in Melbourne says Vagana
  
Fri October 20, 2006
• Tri-Nations "Special Victorian" Preview
  
Fri October 20, 2006
• Kidwell calls on Melbourne Kiwis fans
  
Thu October 19, 2006
• Fien farce further fuels fire
  
Tue October 17, 2006
• Kangaroos name line up: Anthony Tupou in for Maitua
  
Tue October 17, 2006
• Kiwis make two changes for second test
  

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