Set up a new world order
final against Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
Fiji were expected to struggle against supposed top opposition, despite having averaged 56 points in three big pool victories over minnows the United States, Wales and Italy. But it was the Kiwis who lacked composure and intensity despite the importance of the occasion.
Questions now hang over under fire coach David Kidwell’s future, with the Kiwis suffering seven defeats in 10 starts since he was appointed last September and the New Zealand Rugby League set to review his position once his contract ends in January.
Kidwell’s selections will also come under scrutiny, with recalled fiveeighth Te Maire Martin looking uncertain alongside halfback Shaun Johnson. The pair kicked poorly and were unable to assert themselves behind a pack that struggled to gain ground.
Fiji enjoyed a strong start, with hard running and a willingness to offload troubling the Kiwis defence, and a string of errors and penalties allowing the visitors to dominate territory and possession.
The Kiwis looked vulnerable early on with Fijian back rower Brayden Wiliame losing the ball over the tryline before Koroisau kicked his side in front after 13 minutes.
New Zealand were unable to get any momentum with the ball and racked up 106 tackles in the first quarter alone, but scrambling defence allowed them to hang on, with Fijian wing Marcelo Montoya pushed into touch close to the line.
The Kiwis suffered a blow with hard-working back rower Joseph Tapine departing with a knee injury in the 23rd minute, although he returned in the second half.
Fiji continued to threaten, with centre Akuila Uate tackled short and captain Kevin Naiqama called back for a forward pass.
The Kiwis continued to hurt themselves in the second half, with more unforced errors and poor optiontaking stifling their attack, while they were forced to cling on when wing Jordan Rapana spent 10 minutes in the sinbin for a professional foul.
Fiji’s attack lacked polish and they failed to find a way through the Kiwis defence but Milne put them ahead on the scoreboard and desperate defence prevented New Zealand from snatching a win at the death.
New Zealand 2 (S. Johnson pen) Fiji 4 (A. Koroisau, T. Milne pens). Halftime: Fiji 2-0.