The final that we all expected is among us, with Australia and New Zealand facing off in the Four Nations final, after the Kangaroos proved too strong for an error-prone English side.

The English just couldn’t hold onto the ball when it mattered and it cost them with Australia winning the game 34-14.

Luke Lewis has perhaps one of his best games in an Australian jersey scoring two tries. He limped off with an expected corked calf, but is expected to be fit to play against the Kiwis on November 6.

Whilst the final is only set to take place on November 13, the Kiwis and Kangaroos face off before that on November 6, in a game that is being seen as anti-climactic.

England are also playing for pride, as they play a spirited PNG side on the same night, as both teams will be looking to end the tournament on a high.

A combination of English ineptitude and Aussie spark quelled any upset from the English, as the Aussies took a 26-8 heading into the break.

The game was not without its controversy however, after several forward passes were thrown by the Australians, but were not called by the referees.

Despite the win, Tim Sheens sees plenty of room for improvement.

“There will be some changes in respect there’s a couple of injuries but also I don’t think a couple of guys played well enough,” Sheens said.

“I said to them before the game – the 17 guys who started all had experience … a lot of the guys not playing were the rookies and that’s why the senior guys got the chance.

“I played them game one from a point of view of getting them condition, game two was a critical game, we went out with an experienced side, but there’s no doubt there were some fundamental errors in and around the ruck.

“I am concerned about how easy they walked through us in the middle … New Zealand would be licking their lips with the thought of some of the defence in the middle tonight so we’re going to have to be a lot better than that.”

England coach Steve MacNamara admits that his side were their own worst enemy tonight, as they just couldn’t hold onto the ball.

“We made too many errors, simple as that,” England coach Steve McNamara said.

“We were by long way in the game, we were physically very dominant at the start of the game … but we hurt ourselves with some errors which was pretty clear to see and Australia seized on those opportunities at the right period of time.”

By ricky

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