Kiwis pull off scorpion kick
Junior Kiwis Junior Kangaroos There’s a beauty in sports that in every game you watch, there’s the possibility you’ll witness something you’ve never seen before.
On a related note, if you see kids at your local park today trying to flick a rugby ball behind them, then kick it forward with their heel, you can thank Junior Kiwis halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita.
The young No 7’s 16th-minute scorpion kick, which led to a try for second rower Isaiah Papali’i, left spectators flummoxed in his side’s 40-24 loss to the Junior Kangaroos in Auckland yesterday.
The try by Papali’i put the Junior Kiwis up 12-6 after an entertaining opening 20 minutes, though it would be their only lead of the game.
The New Zealanders looked convincing on attack led by Harris-Tavita, who showed glimpses of why some people are comparing him to Shaun Johnson.
However, it was a soft defensive display that defined the game for the hosts.
The tone was set in just the second minute when Australian second rower Louis Geraghty fell over the tryline near the line.
It wasn’t the only try the visitors scored from close range as they