League: Excitement grows despite Kiwis' poor finishing

Adam Blair.

Northlanders should be excited ahead of this weekend's Kiwis versus Samoa clash at Toll Stadium if New Zealand's 30-12 win over Australia is anything to go by.

The Kiwis will kick off against Samoa at 4pm on Saturday fresh off the back of their first win over the Kangaroos in four years, in which Northland's Adam Blair was a contributing factor.

Blair is likely to back up his performance at Toll Stadium too - which will be the first time he, and his Kiwis team, has played an international at Toll Stadium. Saturday night's 30-12 win over the Kangaroos was the biggest in almost a decade, and could have been even greater with only poor finishing denying them a bigger win.

The New Zealand forwards terrorised their opposites and, with about 20 minutes to go, it felt like the Kangaroos had submitted. Blair rolled back the years to his 2010 vintage, Jason Taumalolo justified the hype and the Storm trio of Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris and Jesse Bromwich were superb.

However, the Kiwis made the worst possible start as winger Gerard Beale dropped a bomb cold and Australia's Beau Scott strode through a gaping hole off a Cooper Cronk pass with just three minutes on the clock.

A Shaun Johnson 40/20 sparked a revival and, after Jason Nightingale inexplicably bombed a try, Proctor showed great strength to wrestle through three defenders and score. The Kiwis dominated the rest of the first spell and should have had more to show for their efforts. After Greg Inglis powered over from dummy-half to restore Australia's lead in the 21st minute - somewhat against the run of play - New Zealand had numerous chances of their own.

They took one, with Lewis Brown slipping over from close range. Brown spent three years in the international wilderness and scored a try with his first run.

After several opportunities, Johnson took the Kiwis into the lead for the first time shortly after a bullocking 50m run by Greg Eastwood.

Johnson evoked memories of Allan Langer's deeds on this ground, as he chipped and regathered, before stepping Dylan Walker to score.

Four minutes later there was more. Dean Whare leaped superbly to take a Foran kick.

Finally - to ease the nerves of long-suffering Kiwis fans still biting their nails - Jason Nightingale scored to seal the result with 12 minutes to play.

Kangaroos: 12; Kiwis: 30 (K. Proctor, L. Brown, S. Johnson, D. Whare, J. Nightingale tries; S. Johnson 5 goals). HT: 12-12

Kiwis vs Samoa
Toll Stadium, Saturday
Kick off, 4pm
Tickets from Ticketek or online.
Tickets range from $10-$50.