Australian coach, Mal Meninga, has praised Greg Inglis for his performance in last night’s 16-0 Test Match victory over New Zealand in Newcastle, proclaiming him ‘back to his best’.
Playing in his 35th Test Match, the Rabbitohs fullback was heavily involved at centre, making 183 metres with the ball in hand, 10 tackles, seven tackle busts, and two line-breaks while also scoring one of his team’s three tries.
With the Kangaroos on the attack early in the game, a short-side play saw Inglis dummy, before powering over the line, leaving Kiwi defenders in his wake.
Meninga, was proud of the effort.
“It was fantastic to see him back to his best,” said the first time Kangaroos mentor post-game.
“Sometimes games like this rebuild their confidence – we’re expecting Greg to go back to his Club now and do similar things.
“It’s been a great week – limited preparation, attitude is fantastic, passion for the green and gold from everybody including Greg.
“I couldn’t be happier to be honest with you.”
Not that Inglis needed a confidence-booster to begin with though.
The Rabbitohs fullback has produced a high work-load in the Red and Green jumper. In his most recent outing for South Sydney, Inglis ran for just under 300 metres, made six tackle busts and four offloads.
Inglis’ cool head under pressure was also on display in last night’s clash, with his fullback skills coming to the fore in the diffusing of a number of Kiwi opportunities in his own in-goal.
Defensively, GI was also on song, coming up with some brilliant tackles, particularly during the early stages of the game when the Kangaroos were reduced to 12 men owing to the sin-binning of Semi Radradra.
“This team defended with 12 men, on their line against a pretty committed Kiwis side, and won that ten minutes of footy,” said a proud Meninga.
“Then Semi came back on and it didn’t even affect him.
“I couldn’t fault anyone in their performance tonight.”
