Australia 16-14 Kiwis
The Kangaroos were favourites but the Kiwis had an edge in the forwards. In the first half the stats slightly favoured the NZ side but the Kangaroos took their few chances well and looked to go into the break ahead but a nicely executed move by NZ had them in front 14-10.
They would have to kept outperforming the Roos in the second period to win because even parity in that department would hand the tie to Australia.
So it proved to be. The Kiwis spent too much time in their half and while possibly unlucky with a very nice try disallowed, they couldn't control the game like they did in the first half. The only try of the second half was too soft with the Kiwis momentarily clocking off defensively.
Samoa 27-26 England (picture above)
The massive win in round one counted for nothing and within minutes Samoa was ahead 4-0. A sin bin didn't seem to hurt them although England was not icing the chances it created. Eventually, England got ahead after 25 minutes but continued to miss opportunities and looked clunky.
After 30 minutes Samoa got another chance and finished that to lead 10-6. Samoa looked sharper than the hosts. England hadn't had a poor game in the tournament but this was looking their least fluid.
Within minutes of the resumption, England was back in front 12-10 taking full advantage of a defensive mistake. Immediately Samoa came back with a spectacular adlib try, then another one to be ahead 20-12. With 15 minutes to go England only trailed 18-20 so the atmosphere was electric. A penalty had it tied. Samoa got an intercept try, then England went the length of the field to have it 26-26 at full time.
Extra time was quickly decided after an England mistake, handing Samoa territorial opportunity. A drop goal to Samoa and it was over. England had chances to win this but it wasn't a good performance by them and they got what they deserved.
Grand Final: Australia 30-10 Samoa
Within two minutes Australia got a touchline call in their favour. Who would have thought? Anyway, early attacks for Samoa were ended by poor kicking and when Australia got at the other end, they showed how it is done with small in goals. They led 4-0 after 15 minutes.
By the quarter mark it was 10-0 to the kangaroos and threatening to get ugly. Samoa was fighting but its attacks wer easily dealt with and Australia was clinical when chances came their way. 14-0 was the margin at the break.
Early in the second period, a Kangaroo got sin binned for a headshot after play had stopped. Samoa couldn't take advantage of the brief numerical advantage and it was 20-0 with a quarter to go. Play maker Jarome Luai was having no real impact but suddenly set up a try for Samoa. Could they dream?
With ten to go, it was 26-6 and game over. It finished 30-10 and another Kangaroo title. They were not a great side but very well drilled, especially defensively. Samoa didn't play their best game but they weren't allowed to with the smothering defence they faced.
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