Referee Bill Harrigan got things underway in front of a sold out Telstra Stadium, as fans of both codes came to see a battle most had only ever fantasised about. With Rugby all but dead on Australian shores, the Ra-Ra fans were out in force to see if their Wallaby chargers could upset the reigning world champions of league.

The boot of Andrew Johns got the game started, and the Rugby converts played out a solid first set. The game’s dubbing as a ‘friendly’ was far from the truth, both forward packs putting plenty of sting in their early tackles. Despite all of the betting going their way, the Kangaroos struggled early in the game- with debutants Glenn Morrison and Billy Slater (a late callup for the injured Timana Tahu) dropping ball.

The pace and intensity of the game was obvious, even veterans such as Mat Rogers and Andrew Johns dropping ball under huge pressure from their opposing forward packs. Despite all of the boasting about League forwards and their fitness, the Wallabies had all of the early ascendancy as Tom Bowman and Phil Waugh pounded their more fancied opposition.

The first try came off some sloppy Kangaroos’ defence, Andrew Johns penalised after he raced off his line to pressure Stephen Larkhim’s clearing kick. Larkham found touch only ten out, and the Kangaroos had to put together their first real defensive set of the match. It was Gold Coast lock, George Smith, who proved the difference in the set- busting a feeble Gidley tackle and offloading to Marc Stcherbina, allowing the pacy Manly winger to score the opening try. Rogers showed plenty of class with his sideline conversion, and the Wallabies lead 6-0 after five minutes.

The 7th minute saw what looked to be a Kangaroos hitback, when big centre Jamie Lyon chipped ahead for himself when Matthew Burke was grossly out of position. He looked to have regathered the erratically bouncing ball, but referee Bill Harrigan called it back for a knock-on, robbing the ‘Roos of what seemed a legitimate try. Despite this, the bust seemed to lift Kangaroo spirits, with their forwards stepping up to the plate both defensively and offensively.

The crowd went up when South Melbourne hardman, Danny Nutley, came on to replace a tired Jamie Lyon- the big forward having an immediate impact when he almost knocked out Lote Tuqiri with a big hit. With Tuqiri dazed, the Kangaroos’ backs began to dominate, Matthew Gidley starting a promising movement when his trademark flick pass put Rhys Wesser into half a gap. The Surfers Paradise fullback showed his inexperience however, ignoring his support players and attempting to step North Sydney fullback, Matthew Burke.

This proved a minor setback however, a penalty for offside from the next tackle giving Andrew Johns an ideal chance to shoot for goal. The Aussie captain rejected the opportunity however, the quick tap finding an unmarked Trent Barrett who crashed over for a soft try. Johns nailed the conversion, and the ledger was square at 6 all after 13 minutes.

Danny Nutley made the run of his career minutes later, busting through some weak Wallabies’ defence and racing downfield. Despite the support of Andrew Johns, the prop decided to try his boot, his big grubber bouncing harmlessly into touch. The Kangaroos didn’t wait long for more ball, Smith dropping it cold from the scrum, and Morrison diving on the loose ball.

An exciting set of both attack and defence followed, with Matthew Gidley again threatening to overrun Marc Stcherbina, but being pulled down achingly close. Andrew Johns’ unpredictability came to the fore on the last, his banana kick confusing Matthew Burke and instead finding Rhys Wesser, who scored his first representative try. Johns was again able to convert, and the Kangaroos held a solid 12-6 lead.

The try gave the Leaguies some breathing space, as Daniel Abraham and Craig Wing came on at the expense of Shane Webcke and Danny Buderus. Things looked bad for the Wallabies soon after, Matthew Burke falling awkwardly in attempting a tackle on a runaway Craig Wing. The Newbloods’ fullback looked down and out, immediately signalling to the bench and being escorted into the dressing rooms.

The loss of their fullback meant Rogers shifted into the custodian role, and Eastwood’s Ben Tune jogged on to take his centre spot. The Kangaroos showed no mercy in their next set, harrowing the Wallabies’ line to no avail- with the Wallaby threequarter line doing some incredible defensive work.

Rogers and his Manly team-mate, David Lyons, combined to turn things around only seconds later. A short pass from Rogers put Lyons into a half-gap, before backing up on the inside to score the try he started. He converted his own try, and the game was again locked up at 12 apiece.

A flurry of interchanges followed this try, Jamie Lyon returning and Toutai Kefu running on as both sides sought to gain an advantage before half time. Lyons looked certain to score from the kick-off when he ran clean over Darren Lockyer, but a desperation tackle by debutant Billy Slater saved a certain try when the Gold Coast winger knocked the big forward into touch. Slater and Wesser combined immediately, Wesser dancing the touch-line and making an easy sixty metres on the first tackle before being caught dangerously high by Mat Rogers. With the game in the balance, Andrew Johns opted for the goal, and hit it sweetly to give the Kangaroos a slender 14-12 lead only ten from halftime.

Matt Giteau’s injection and Owen Finnegan’s return failed to turn things around for a tiring Wallabies’ pack, Matthew Gidley again upstaging Marc Stcherbina when he made a promising thirty metre run. The Wallabies’ tiring defence soon conceded a penalty as Gregan tried to slow down the play, Johns this time opting for a tap. A long pass out wide found Billy Slater, who palmed off Tuqiri and raced down the sideline before tossing a speculator in field to Daniel Abraham. The two Gold Coast debutants celebrated beneath the posts as Andrew Johns converted, and it was 20-12 in favour of the ‘home’ side.

One mistake gave the Wallabies the glimmer of hope they needed, when Glenn Morrison lost the ball in a heavy Bowman tackle. The resultant set in Kangaroo territory proved all the Wallabies needed, David Lyons crashing over and Rogers converting to bring it back to 20-18 as the half-time hooter went.

HALFTIME: Kangaroos 20 lead Wallabies 18

The opening of the second half was perfect for the Kangaroos, Danny Nutley asserting himself defensively to force another Wallabies’ mistake. Billy Slater’s brilliant game continued from the scrum, the QLD hopeful stepping Mat Rogers to score untouched. Johns hit the conversion sweetly to give the Kangaroos a 26-18 lead after two minutes of play.

George Smith’s return seemed to spark a revival for the Wallabies, as their defence lifted a notch and their attack began to gain an extra dimension. The quiet games from Gregan and Larkhim didn’t aid the Wallaby cause, with Mat Rogers again stepping up to take on a playmaker role. His mid-field bomb, fumbled by Gidley, almost gave the Wallabies another try when Tuqiri swooped on it. Only a desperation Slater tackle saved a possible try.

The controversy ledger was levelled in the 55th, the Wallabies denied what seemed to be a legitimate try. George Smith appeared to have burrowed over from dummy half, and under the benefit of the doubt ruling the try should have been allowed, but video referee Adam Mills ruled the Kangaroos had held Smith up successfully.

Kangaroo coach Chris Walker-Bush sought to put the game beyond doubt in the 60th when he brought on Hindmarsh, Ryles, Webcke, and Timmins to create the strongest forward setup of the match. The big men, having had a rest period, began to dominate their more tired opposition- casting doubts over Andrew Young and Jonathan Marskell’s back oriented bench.

Despite all of their ascendancy, the Kangaroos couldn’t find the try to seal the game. Andrew Johns’ normally deadly kicking game was continually thwarted by Mat Rogers’ solid fullback performance- whilst the formerly dominant backs were effectively shut down after Finnegan and Kefu began to defend in the backs.

Wallaby frustration spilled over in the 72nd, when Shane Webcke and Tom Bowman threw a flurry of punches after a messy play the ball by the Darwin prop. It was soon ‘on’ in the best sense of the word, as forwards from both packs rushed in to stifle the fight. George Smith and Buderus got it on in style, whilst big Gorden Tallis ran onto the field to break things up. Officials soon had to be involved, prompting fans from both camps to start a bit of action in the stands. After ten bitter minutes, probably best left forgotten by the ASRL, the game was settled and started afresh with a Kangaroos’ penalty.

A flurry of Wallabies’ possession towards the game’s end threatened to cause a boil-over, but the Kangaroos’ defence continued to be rock solid under pressure. In particularly Billy Slater and Rhys Wesser, constantly called up to tackle bigger men, made their intentions for QLD jumpers clear with their solid defence. The fulltime sounded with the Kangaroos on the attack, Johns hefting a bomb on the last in search of Rhys Wesser. The ball was slapped dead by Rogers, and the game ended with both sides shaking hands. In a show of sportsmanship on both parts, Bowman and Webcke exchanged shorts. Still, the Perth vs. Darwin clash later this year has definitely gained some flavour as a result of their antics.

FULLTIME

KANGAROOS 26
Billy Slater
Rhys Wesser
Daniel Abraham
Trent Barrett
Johns 5/6

Defeated

WALLABIES 18
Marc Stcherbina
Mat Rogers
David Lyons
Rogers 2/2
Burke 1/1

MAN OF THE MATCH: Billy Slater
Jason Ryles- Two Player of the Match Points
Rhys Wesser- One Played of the Match Point