It's fair to say that the Kangaroos weren't quite as sharp as they usually are in this year's Four Nations. Their forward pack wasn't scary, their backs weren't as clinical and the aura, well the aura of the Kangaroos simply didn't exist. They were outplayed by the Kiwis twice because the Kiwis sniffed a bit of blood lurking in the waters, the perfect opportunity to strike and strike they did.

I could sit here and say that fatigue and the players who weren't involved didn't influence the Kangaroos, but it did. As a Kiwi, I'm obviously not going to take it as far as some of the Australian media did, but it definitely played its part. Youngsters were thrown in to the cauldron of international rugby league and their very best players could be forgiven for being a wee bit tired. You could argue that it's the fault of the Kangaroos however as the Kiwis benefited from their youngsters getting some game time in the mid year test, while the Roos rolled out their best side. All these factors form an argument that can be made for both sides, but the Aussies only see it through one eye so they don't quite get it.

The Kangaroos were still very good. Cameron Smith did what he does, while Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans were impressive in the halves. They have it sorted as they can offer a threat running the ball as well being in total control of their kicking game. Despite a massive season for Greg Inglis, he was still impressive. He popped up where he needed to and took most of his chances. It's unreasonable to expect the same level of greatness from G.I. that we see with the Rabbitohs as the Kangaroos don't require it. Inglis did do his job for the team very well however.

This was one of the first times where I've seen such a fresh look to the Kangaroos. They usually sprinkle new faces through the side, think back to how DCE made his debut ... or didn't as he sat on the bench the whole game. All of a sudden, a bunch of new guys were put in a position where they needed to perform like Inglis did - do you job very well and add a sprinkle of your own flavour on top. You got the feeling that they were eager to make their mark, that they had been selected for a reason and they wanted to impress. On the whole they did, but this cost them as individuals started to take matters in to their own hands.

That resulted in very, very minor mistakes. A drop ball here, a penalty there but that was enough to loose the game such is international rugby league. Sione Mata'utia and Josh Mansour were good, as was David Klemmer who was the only big boy to really do any damage. Dylan Walker didn't do a whole lot, but that's all good as I think he earned the right to be targeted and shut down by the Kiwis, such is his danger.

The most disappointing thing for the Kangaroos was the performances of those who had already played a few games. Boyd Cordner and Josh Papalii weren't too flash and didn't rise to another level when required. Granted Papalii was playing prop which is a bit of a change, but the Roos needed both these two to be close to their best, which they weren't. This is highlighted by the lameness of their forward pack, which is extremely tough but couldn't match the Kiwis for power, skill and footwork. Greg Bird, Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday are all great players but they have a niche, let's call it the Origin niche. They couldn't switch their style up to match the Kiwis, which in the end cost them.

The Kangaroos will get their top tier back and will be the favourites again the next time they play, don't doubt that. Maybe their tough, clinical and classy style will work when Jonathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Matt Scott are there (I'm leaning towards it definitely working) as they all know that style inside out. But at some stage there will need to be a change, who knows when, but it's coming. A lot will depend on the Kiwis - was it a flash in the pan or can they rise up a level to match a Kangaroos side eager for revenge? But hey, at least the doors for change are slightly open and hopefully international rugby league will continue down this path of greater competition in the future.