MAL Meninga’s first Test in charge wasn’t pretty. But despite holding New Zealand scoreless for the first time since 2007, Phil Gould says the Australian Test team needs a serious overhaul.
The 27,000-plus crowd in Newcastle didn’t get a whole lot of value for money in a dour 16-0 Kangaroos win at Hunter Stadium.
An undermanned Kiwi outfit failing to fire a shot in attack and Australia’s veterans were serviceable, but hardly inspiring in the three tries to nil victory.
NSW’s most successful Origin coach Gould expressed concern about the direction Meninga — who dominated the interstate arena like no other coach in history — is taking the Kangaroos ahead of the 2017 World Cup.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“Australia have been professional but unimpressive,” Gould said in commentary.
“They can’t possibly be thinking this is the side for the World Cup at the end of next year. Don’t get me wrong they have all been excellent players, but there comes a time.”
The Star: Paul Gallen. Despite Gould’s reservations Gallen returned to the green and gold he feared he’d never wear again and produced a typical gut busting effort.
Can’t argue with the official man of the match award going his way given Gallen’s 200 plus running metres, sting in defence and a lack of stand out individual showings.
Elsewhere both Michael Morgan and Semi Radradra showed they can cut it at the top level in their first outings.
The Dunce: Shaun Johnson. Hard to get a disjointed attack going but his indifferent NRL form continued in the black and white.
Couldn’t stamp himself on the game when New Zealand’s forwards had some momentum late and there was a sniff of a comeback.
Four errors and not a point from his team summed it up for Johnson.
The Moment: Semi’s sin binning. The big Fijian’s night went south mighty quick after just six minutes when he fouled Kevin Proctor as he strained for a four-pointer.
Marched for a professional foul, Radradra left the Kangaroos short a man and the Kiwis had a chance to dictate.
But they didn’t take it, the home side struck through Boyd and that was just about that.
Semi returned, turned in a fine debut performance and the Kiwis never really looked like getting across the stripe again.
Re-live all the action in our blog below!