IT may not have been one of the highest scoring games but it certainly was one of the most entertaining with the Redfern All Blacks No.1 toppling the Original Boomerangs 18-6 in Sunday's NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout quarter-final action at Caltex Park.
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The star-studded All Blacks were forced to do it the hard way, coming from behind to topple the Original Boomerangs by 12 points, scoring all 18 of their points in the second half.
After a torrid opening that saw both teams dish out some brutal defence, the Original Boomerangs, who come from the Moree area, opened the scoring with fullback Brenton Cochrane creating something from nothing to streak through the All Blacks defence to score in the ninth minute, with halfback Jade Porter converting to make it 6-0.
That was the only score in the first half despite both teams creating several chances, in particular former South Sydney star Nathan Merritt was able to regularly break tackles and create space for his teammates.
After another tough opening to the second half, an enterprising play that began well in their own half resulted in a try for the All Blacks when Parramatta flyer Reece Robinson was first to a kick that saw him race 30 metres to score untouched.
That got the All Blacks on a roll, and eight minutes later they were in again when Eli Roberts scored one of the individual tries of the Knockout, beating a handful of defenders and running 70 metres to score under the posts.
All Blacks back rower Dean Widders, who played for Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and South Sydney in a distinguished NRL career, was not surprised with how tough a game it was.
"For both teams you are representing where you came from and are playing for your communities so it was very tough out there," he said.
"Having already played two games today it was always going to be a battle but we hung in there and we came home strong.
"If you ask any of the current or former NRL players they'll tell you the Knockout is the toughest footy you can play."
Another couple of NRL players in Travis Robinson and Johnathan Wright combined to score out wide late in the game to seal the victory for the All Blacks, with Reegan Carr making it three from three with the boot.
REDFERN ALL BLACKS 18 (R Robinson, E Roberts, J Wright tries; R Carr 3 goals) defeated MOREE ORIGINAL BOOMERANGS 6 (B Cochrane try; J Porter goal)