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The Kangaroos defeated England 46-16 in the Four Nations final to ease the pain of their World Cup final loss last year.
http://sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=21266
Roos storm home in Four Nations final
Sportal
16 November 2009
Australia's Four Nations triumph has eased the pain of its shock World Cup final defeat to the Kiwis, according to vice-captain Cameron Smith.
Scars from the 34-20 defeat by New Zealand in Brisbane last November remain but Smith says the Kangaroos used them as extra motivation to overcome England at Elland Road.
"It was a big match for us given what happened in the World Cup," said Smith, who scored one of his side's eight tries in the 46-16 win.
"It was a long off season. People back home were asking questions and I know the boys didn't want that feeling again."
"I don't think it makes up for it but it certainly eases the pain. It was a really tough effort out there. The boys really rolled their sleeves up."
Australia was staring at a second successive final defeat when tries from Sam Burgess and Peter Fox gave England a 10-6 lead after the first quarter.
Tries from Brett Morris and Greg Inglis, plus three goals from man of the match Johnathan Thurston, had the Kangaroos 14-10 ahead by the break but another Burgess try tilted the advantage England's way before the tourists cut loose in the final quarter.
Fullback Billy Slater set up Smith with a miraculous tap back from the dead-ball line and then grabbed a second-half hat-trick as the Aussies ran riot in the final quarter.
"When Sam Burgess went over it was pretty dark for us," added Smith. "We were on the back foot then, like we were in the whole of the first half."
"It was a similar match to when we played New Zealand in London, it was set for set and they were really coming at us."
"But we managed to hang in there and in the end were strong enough to put some points on the board."
Slater, who also scored a hat-trick against England in Melbourne last November, said his side was inspired by the memory of its World Cup final defeat to produce its best performance of the series.
"We all know what happened last year and we certainly didn't want to fall over
at the last hurdle again," he said.
"When we came out after half-time and they scored that first try, I thought 'Here we go again'."
"But we really dug in and played some good football. That was probably our best performance of the whole tournament."
"It was great to finish off the game like we did and show some pride in the green and gold jersey."
Slater had words of encouragement for England, whose coach Tony Smith stepped down for personal reasons after the match.
"I think they're a great side," he said. "Their strengths are their big guys. They've a big pack who are very mobile, their wide runners are basically front rowers with footwork and a bit of pace."
"Sam Burgess showed what he can do and, with some young halves, they are certainly going to improve in years to come."
"They've got young halves and young outside backs. They've got a pretty good squad and I'm sure they're going to learn a lot from this tournament."
"They've certainly come a long way in 12 months and I'm sure they're going to improve on that."
Australia's victory was especially sweet for skipper Darren Lockyer, whose 50th appearance was his last for his country on English soil.
The Queensland five-eighth, who is considering bringing to an end his representative career, marked his seventh tour of the United Kingdom by breaking the Kangaroos' appearance and captaincy records and also equalled Ken Irvine's tryscoring record.
"If he decided to go out on that note, there is no better way," said Slater. "It would have been nice to get him a try and break that record."
http://sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=21266
Roos storm home in Four Nations final
Sportal
16 November 2009
Australia's Four Nations triumph has eased the pain of its shock World Cup final defeat to the Kiwis, according to vice-captain Cameron Smith.
Scars from the 34-20 defeat by New Zealand in Brisbane last November remain but Smith says the Kangaroos used them as extra motivation to overcome England at Elland Road.
"It was a big match for us given what happened in the World Cup," said Smith, who scored one of his side's eight tries in the 46-16 win.
"It was a long off season. People back home were asking questions and I know the boys didn't want that feeling again."
"I don't think it makes up for it but it certainly eases the pain. It was a really tough effort out there. The boys really rolled their sleeves up."
Australia was staring at a second successive final defeat when tries from Sam Burgess and Peter Fox gave England a 10-6 lead after the first quarter.
Tries from Brett Morris and Greg Inglis, plus three goals from man of the match Johnathan Thurston, had the Kangaroos 14-10 ahead by the break but another Burgess try tilted the advantage England's way before the tourists cut loose in the final quarter.
Fullback Billy Slater set up Smith with a miraculous tap back from the dead-ball line and then grabbed a second-half hat-trick as the Aussies ran riot in the final quarter.
"When Sam Burgess went over it was pretty dark for us," added Smith. "We were on the back foot then, like we were in the whole of the first half."
"It was a similar match to when we played New Zealand in London, it was set for set and they were really coming at us."
"But we managed to hang in there and in the end were strong enough to put some points on the board."
Slater, who also scored a hat-trick against England in Melbourne last November, said his side was inspired by the memory of its World Cup final defeat to produce its best performance of the series.
"We all know what happened last year and we certainly didn't want to fall over
at the last hurdle again," he said.
"When we came out after half-time and they scored that first try, I thought 'Here we go again'."
"But we really dug in and played some good football. That was probably our best performance of the whole tournament."
"It was great to finish off the game like we did and show some pride in the green and gold jersey."
Slater had words of encouragement for England, whose coach Tony Smith stepped down for personal reasons after the match.
"I think they're a great side," he said. "Their strengths are their big guys. They've a big pack who are very mobile, their wide runners are basically front rowers with footwork and a bit of pace."
"Sam Burgess showed what he can do and, with some young halves, they are certainly going to improve in years to come."
"They've got young halves and young outside backs. They've got a pretty good squad and I'm sure they're going to learn a lot from this tournament."
"They've certainly come a long way in 12 months and I'm sure they're going to improve on that."
Australia's victory was especially sweet for skipper Darren Lockyer, whose 50th appearance was his last for his country on English soil.
The Queensland five-eighth, who is considering bringing to an end his representative career, marked his seventh tour of the United Kingdom by breaking the Kangaroos' appearance and captaincy records and also equalled Ken Irvine's tryscoring record.
"If he decided to go out on that note, there is no better way," said Slater. "It would have been nice to get him a try and break that record."
