The Four Nations final takes place at Anfield on Sunday. It will be between the top two nations in the game at the present time as New Zealand face Australia for the title. New Zealand will be looking to defend the title while Australia will be looking to lay a marker down ahead of the World Cup next year.
Australia
You could argue it hasn’t been completely ruthless from Australia in this tournament at times. But they have won their three pool matches very comfortably. Now their task will be to deliver their best performance of the tournament in the final. I’m sure they are confident that if they can produce that it will be enough to win this match.
Defensively the Australians have been exposed a couple of times which would be a concern for Mal Maninga. They have given away a few penalties which could yet cost them if they give them away here. Australia have a number of players playing in England for the final time and they will want to bow out on a high.
New Zealand
The Kiwis head into this final off the back of a hard fought and in the end embarrassing draw against Scotland last week. It goes without saying they will have to be a lot better than that here if they are to land a blow on this Australian outfit. Whether it was conditions which caused the result last week or New Zealand’s complacency I’m not sure but it clearly wasn’t good enough.
New Zealand did perform much better the last time they faced Australia. This will give them some confidence. The extra two days they have had to prepare for the final isn’t something that should be underestimated either but they are going to need a tournament bet here.
Team News
Australia are almost at full strength for this match. Their only major injury being to Sam Thaiday who came out worse off in a battle with James Graham’s head in London last week. Josh Dugan has been given the other centre role.
New Zealand haven’t confirmed their side for the final yet but we do know they will be without Thomas Leuluai which could be a significant blow. It might be that Isaac Luke partners Shaun Johnson in the halves.
Betting
In terms of the match betting I’m already on New Zealand to win this match having taken them outright. Everything I signaled in that preview remains intact here. This will be a hard game for New Zealand but they will be the fresher of the two so I stand by my original thought.
I think the early stages of this final will be quite tight as they try to lay a marker down. I expect there to be lots of carrying the ball up the middle and playing for territory and things. Both have shown they are hard to break down so I just wonder if it will be a try that opens the scoring.
This is a final so playing the scoreboard pressure card could be significant. If there is a penalty in kicking range I fancy both might well take up the opportunity. The prospect of a penalty beginning the scoring is too much of one to ignore. At the prices I’ll back both to open up with a penalty.
Four Nations Final Tips
Back First Scoring Play – Australia Penalty for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with 888sport
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Back First Scoring Play – New Zealand Penalty for a 2/10 stake at 6.50 with Ladbrokes
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