Lockyer Leads Kangaroo Blitz
by Chris Cox
Saturday April 24, 2004

Australian captain Darren Lockyer played a true captain's knock as the Kangaroos belted New Zealand 37-10 in the ANZAC Test at Newcastle tonight. Lockyer, in his first Test as captain on home soil, and his first Test at five-eighth after playing his previous 20 matches at fullback, was absolutely dynamic and led his team to perfection from the outset.

It didn't all go Lockyer's way however, with a nasty collision with a goal post late in the game sending palpitations through the Brisbane Broncos camp ahead of their clash with premiers Penrith on Sunday.  However, Lockyer regained his composure quickly, setting up Michael Crocker with a try on debut just a minute later.

Lockyer's heroics all had a major impact on the game, from his under pressure 40-20 kick in the first half, his 40-metre field goal in the shadows of half time, his opportunistic try midway through the second half and his involvement in most of Australia's 7 tries stamped his class on the contest and earnt him a deserved Man of the Match award.

New Zealand, despite going down by 27 points, showed enough in the first half to suggest that if they could find adequate solutions to their fullback and five-eighth problems they will be competitive in the Tri-Series come October. With Stacey Jones declaring himself unavailable, Thomas Leuluai stepped into the halfback role and did an admirable job, setting up the first try of the match in just the sixth minute.

Australian hooker Danny Buderus rushed out of the defensive line opening a channel for Leuluai to dart through. He then found David Kidwell storming through in support to score.

A brilliant Shane Webcke offload set the platform for Anthony Minichiello's try shortly after before Lesley Vainikolo scored a powerhouse try in the corner.  Timana Tahu made up for his defensive lapse in Vainikolo's try to swoop on a brilliant Matt Gidley kick ahead to level the scores shortly before half time.  Lockyer's magnificent 40-metre field goal on half time gave Australia a narrow edge.

The second half belonged to Australia, with classy centre/winger Brent Tate dominating the opening exchanges before Lockyer and Craig Gower warmed into their combination to devastate the Kiwis with a potent mixture of kicking, running and passing games.  The Kiwis defence had little answer, particularly fullback Nigel Vagana.

Normally a centre, Vagana was completely caught out at fullback, making numerous errors from kicks and proving completely ineffective.  Even more pressure will be applied by the New Zealand Rugby League on young Bronco Karmichael Hunt to declare allegiance to the Kiwis on that performance.

The good news for the Broncos is that all five representatives came through the match unscathed, and provided they recover reasonably in the next day should take their place in the line up to play Penrith on Sunday. Penrith may have some doubt over back rower Joe Galuvao who went down hard late in the second half. All others should be available.