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Mal Meninga happy to have “real test match” as James Tedesco says Kiwi clash was like “origin” but not as fast

A lot has been made about the number of blowout scores in the Rugby League World Cup, especially from Australia’s point of view who played in their first close game of the tournament last night against New Zealand.

Mal Meninga’s side just edged it 16-14 thanks to a Cameron Murray try in the second half and after the game Meninga described it as a “real test match.”

He said: “Really happy for the game: real test match. We haven’t had a real test match for a number of years so that was good for us.”

He also went on to suggest that it was a different game in comparison to other internationals: “That’s test match footy, I’ve been involved in a long long time, it’s a different game. Sometimes you don’t get what you want. You need to just keep hanging in there, it’s been one of the best test matches I’ve been involved in.”

In the end the former St Helens centre said, “We needed that” believing it was ideal preparation for the final in which they will meet either England or Samoa at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Australian skipper compared the game to State of Origin but said it wasn’t as fast: “It sort of had an Origin feel to it but not as fast. We’ve had comfortable wins to this point but that was a test match.”

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