Kiwis Win Four Nations Title in Wellington

New Zealand secured their second Four Nations title as Shaun Johnson shone in a thrilling 22-18 win over Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

New Zealand have proven that they are worthy of calling themselves rugby league’s best international side after this victory.

The Kiwis dominated the physical battle in the first half to go into half time with a deserving 14-6 lead.

It was closely fought in the second half Australia’s Ben Hunt cut the gap to four points, and Mata’utia fumbled a chance to win it.

With time almost up, the 18-year-old might have snatched victory for the defending champions but knocked on close to the try-line in Wellington.

It was half-back Johnson, who scored a last-gasp try against England in last year’s World Cup semi-final, who was the catalyst for the hosts with his skill and pace, aided by the brutal running of the forward pack.

“We’d waited quite a while for this and I’m just so proud of the boys,” Shaun Johnson said. “It’s a dream come true.

“We worked so hard this tour. It’s been such an awesome tournament for the boys and to finish it off like that has just been unreal.”

Full Time New Zealand 22 – 18 Australia

Original Story by Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport, 15 November 2014

Image from NZAUTV Rugby League YouTube and SkySport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFVQwo9mmfs