Australia 20-10 New Zealand
Two tries in the final quarter steered Australia to a 20-10 victory over New Zealand at Skilled Park in Robina, Queensland.
A tense period after the half-time interval saw chances for both sides, but it was the Kangaroos who struck first through Billy Slater on 69 minutes.
Another try just two minutes later from Jamal Idris ensured that Australia would claim victory.
The home side opened the scoring after just two minutes, a high kick fumbled by Lance Hohaia and Slater taking control of the loose ball to touch down, Jonathon Thurston converting.
The lead was extended in the 20-minute mark, Darren Lockyer beginning a move that ended in Jharal Yow Yeh beating his marker to touch down at the corner.
The Kiwis hit back when Benji Marshall stripped the ball, Lewis Brown going on a run that ended with Matt Duffie going over the line, Marshall adding the extras and reducing the gap to four points.
Australia might have re-established their lead before the interval when Lockyer’s break set up Idris, but Simon Mannering’s tackle stopped Idris in his tracks.
Both sides had opportunities to take control after the restart, Australia coming closest through Yow Yeh but the video referee ruling “no try”.
However, the Kangaroos were able to extend their lead against the run of play when Slater latched onto a loose ball and sprinted over the line, Thurston converting.
New Zealand lost possession once again just two minutes later, the result being that Idris overpowered Hohaia to score and ensure an Australian victory.
The Kiwis did have something to cheer about when in the last minute when Kieran Foran’s kick inside was touched down by Hohaia but the Kangaroos had done enough.
T: Slater (2, 69); Yow Yeh (20); Idris (71)
G: Thurston (2, 69)
T: Duffie (35); Hohaia (80)
G: Marshall (35)
HT: 10-6
Ref: Richard Silverwood (Eng)
Att: 26,301
