In a remarkable match, the Kiwis clinched a last-minute try, securing victory for New Zealand against their fierce rivals Australia in the Four Nations final held in Brisbane.
Although the Kiwis found themselves trailing for much of the match, they were always in contention, being down 12-6 with only 10 minutes remaining. It was then that tries from Jason Nightingale and Fien led to an exhilarating triumph for the All Blacks.
An early lead was established by Brent Tate’s try for Australia, but Shaun Kenny-Dowall equalized late in the first half, despite a clear forward pass in the build-up to that try.
New Zealand kept fighting; injuries left Australia with only two substitutes for the entire second half, which ultimately contributed to their defeat.
After losing second rower Luke Lewis to an ankle injury midway through the first half and Brent Tate unable to return for the second due to a knee issue, it seemed Australia was set to claim the title.
An error from full-back Lance Hohaia allowed Australia to gain the lead again, resulting in Tate crossing over and Cameron Smith successfully converting.
Controversy surrounded that score, as English touch-judge James Child overlooked Brett Morris’ foot on the sideline during the build-up.
However, justice seemed to prevail when centre Kenny-Dowall scored an equalizing try five minutes before half-time, taking a delayed yet suspiciously forward pass from captain Benji Marshall.
During the second half, former Catalans Dragons captain Greg Bird worked with Cooper Cronk, facilitating a try for full-back Slater in the 57th minute, with Smith again converting to seemingly give his team control.
With nine minutes left, New Zealand winger Nightingale seized a perfectly placed kick from Rugby League maestro Benji Marshall, scoring despite Marshall hitting the post during his conversion attempt, which left New Zealand trailing by two points but gaining momentum.
In the final minute, Nightingale burst down the right flank; his speculative pass found Marshall, setting up Fien to finish a spectacular move.
Marshall capped off the historic win with a successful conversion.
Despite the victory, Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney acknowledged that Australia remains the team to beat.
Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer, likely playing his final match for Australia on home soil, was gracious in defeat.
He remarked, “Obviously we’re very disappointed with the result, but the effort that the New Zealand boys put in can’t be overshadowed; they earned their victory.”
Australia: Slater, Morris, Tate, Tonga, Tuqiri, Lockyer, Cronk, Scott, Smith, Shillington, Lewis, Thaiday, Gallen. Replacements: Learoyd-Lahrs, Bird, Gidley, Myles.
New Zealand: Hohaia, Nightingale, Kenny-Dowall, Mannering, Perrett, Marshall, Fien, McKendry, Leuluai, Blair, Harrison, Matulino, Smith.
Replacements: Eastwood, Luke, Nuuausala, Manu.
