22-10 triumph against their Trans-Tasman opponents in Christchurch on Sunday, the Kangaroos took the first step towards overcoming the ghosts of their humiliating Pacific Championships loss from the previous year.
Australia had its first in New Zealand since 2012 thanks to a double from winger Zac Lomax and a cool performance from Mitch Moses. They will face either the Kiwis or Tonga in the final on November 10.
The Kangaroos crossed the line via Angus Crichton after an escort penalty on Matt Timoko in the fourth minute, but replays revealed the back-rower had lost possession of the ball during the grounding, and the try was smashed.
The Kangaroos gained the lead in the 16th minute when Lindsay Collins scored his fourth try in his eighth Test match after receiving an inside ball from Moses and crashing between Keano Kini and Phoenix Crossland.
When Shaun Johnson ran right and found Isaiah Papalii, who offloaded to Kini, the Kiwis rediscovered their rhythm. The fullback then got a fantastic ball away to Peta Hiku, who put Jamayne Isaako over in the corner. To seal the victory at 6-6, the Dolphins’ shooter made the convert from touch.
The Kangaroos had a long-range special coming up as halftime drew near when Tom Trbojevic burst into the air and found Zac Lomax, who displayed incredible power to ride a bump from Kini and get the ball down just inches inside the sideline.
The Kangaroos took a 12–6 lead to the sheds when Scott Sorensen was penalised for crowding in the play, which gave Lomax an open chance at goal. News for The Daily Rugby
When Xavier Coates and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow combined to deny Isaako, the green and gold held firm. The Kiwis had a strong field position to begin the second half, and Johnson’s accurate short kicking game had the Kangaroos stranded on their own line.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Kangaroos increased their advantage to 16-6 thanks to a flip ball from the cunning No. 9 to Lomax, who then charged into the corner to finish his double. Harry Grant was taking charge around the ruck.
They scored a try through rookie Will Warbrick, who turned Lomax inside out to score his maiden Test try after collecting a crossfield kick from Johnson, just as the home team was about to lose. With 13 minutes remaining, the Kangaroos had a 16–10 lead after Isaako’s conversion attempt went wide.
After Moses sent Dylan Edwards into space and backed up on the inside to collect a return ball and cross under the sticks, the Kangaroos put the game out of reach. The Kangaroos lead 22–10 after Lomax’s conversion, and that was how it ended.
While the Kiwis must reassemble for a crucial matchup with Tonga in Auckland next weekend, Mal Meninga’s team now has two weeks to recover and get ready for the final.
When Isaah Yeo was pinged for ruck interference in the 13th minute, the Kangaroos lost their captain’s challenge, and Ashley Klein’s conclusion that Yeo contributed to Will Warbrick losing the ball was backed by the bunker.
The game began with a strong 32-minute performance from debutant Naufahu Whyte, who scored 11 runs for 114 meters.
In an outstanding Test debut, Kiwis fullback Keano Kini sprinted 220 meters and had five tackle breaks.
The Kiwis finished with 33 of 38 sets at 86 percent after completing 17 of 18 sets at 94 percent in the first half.
After retiring at the end of the Warriors’ NRL season, Shaun Johnson returned to the Test team and had an incredible kicking performance, racking up 683 meters from 24 kicks.
Player of the match went to Harry Grant, a hooker for the Kangaroos. Zac Lomax racked up 200 meters, while Tom Trbojevic, the centre for the Kangaroos, raced 167 metres. James Fisher-Harris scored 12 runs and had 25 tackles in the Kiwis’ first 48 minutes of play.
Together, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, and Harry Grant recorded 159 tackles for Australia. Five-eighth Kiwis In the 69th minute, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was reported for tripping.
Pat Carrigan, a kangaroo prop, ran 15 runs for 158 meters.
