Lockyer relieved to escape

Lockyer: Never stopped believing

I'll remember this game as the great escape once again. It was a real Test match and a lot of the boys are sore

Darren Lockyer
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Australia skipper Darren Lockyer admitted his side never gave up after producing "the great escape" to secure a point against New Zealand.

Cameron Smith's late, late try rescued a 20-20 draw and denied the Kiwis at the end of a thrilling Four Nations fixture at the Twickenham Stoop.

After the two sides had been locked together at six apiece at the break, New Zealand appeared to be on their way to victory when Lance Hohaia and Frank Pritchard touched down.

However the Kangaroos came back to level matters, making sure Lockyer didn't lose on his record 47th international appearance.

Escape

"Five minutes to go and in goal, I was thinking of all the escapes we've had over the years," he said.

"I'll remember this game as the great escape once again. It was a real Test match and a lot of the boys are sore.

"I never thought the game was lost though, we never gave up and got the draw.

"We didn't come here thinking we'd win easily, but with the boys we had out there we know we must improve."

Australia coach Tim Sheens praised the Kiwis for their battling qualities after the two teams served up a classic Test match on English soil.

"At one stage it was a point lost, but in the end it was a point gained," he said.

"We had the game and enough ball, but they just wouldn't lie down and they defended their goal-line really well to frustrate us.

"All credit to the boys, they stuck at it and ended up keeping us in the tournament.

"I was surprised at the way they kept coming back at us - I thought they'd fall off at the back end of the match. It's amazing what adrenaline and the scoreboard can do to players.

"Matches between Australia and New Zealand have been classics for a couple of years now. This was another true Test match."

Belief

Despite seeing his side pegged back in the closing stages, New Zealand skipper Benji Marshall was philosophical with the point his team picked up.

"That's footy. You can be in front for so long, but Australia are so good they can hit back from anywhere," he said.

"Although we drew right at the end this is a real base for us in the tournament. We can improve on that too.

"We have belief in this team. We want to play and win for each other."