Lindsay Collins of Australia breaks clear against the Kiwis. Photo: photosport
The clinical Kangaroos have scored four tries to beat the Kiwis 22-10 in Christchurch and book a place in the Pacific Championship final.
The world champion Australians had the better of a physical contest to gain some revenge for their last meeting with New Zealand - the 30-0 drubbing in Hamilton 12 months ago which was the biggest defeat in their history.
They played with more intent than a New Zealand side who were missing a number of key players, including standout Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes, prompting veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson to come out of a short-lived retirement to wear the number seven jersey.
Shaun Johnson of New Zealand. New Zealand Kiwis v Australia Kangaroos 2024 Pacific Championships rugby league test match at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand on Sunday 27 October 2024. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Photo: photosport
Debuts were handed to Keano Kini, Will Warbrick, Phoenix Crossland, Naufahu Whyte and Jordan Riki.
They will need to quickly recover for a test against Tonga in Auckland on Saturday, with the winners to face Australia in the Pacific Championship final in Sydney a week later.
Tonga lost their opening match of the tournament 18-0 to the Kangaroos in Brisbane last week.
Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris was disappointed his side couldn't notch victory in Christchurch, where they haven't played Australia since 1989.
"Oz were too good tonight but I thought it was a step in the right direction," he said.
"We've got a bit of a younger team this year but I thought everyone attacked it and there were some good signs.
"I'm gutted we couldn't get the job done but we get another chance next week."
Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris (R) leads a haka before the test against Australia. Photo: photosport
The Kiwis - guided for the first time by head coach Stacey Jones - were bright at times on attack, they couldn't stay with the determined visitors who led 12-6 at halfftime on the back of hard-working pack and the kicking game of halfback Mitchell Moses.
It could have been more if second-rower Angus Crichton had grounded the ball correctly after crossing in the opening minutes.
Prop Lindsay Collins busted through soon afterwards to score a spectacular Australian opening try but winger Jamayne Isaako levelled the scores 6-6 after quick hands from team-mates.
Impressive winger Zac Lomax darted across to give the visitors a halftime lead and he bagged his second after the break to put daylight between the teams.
The Kangaroos celebrate a try for Zac Lomax (C) against the Kiwis. Photo: photosport
Will Warbrick cleverly eluded Lomax to score a try and bring the Kiwis back within six points but Moses raced clear to seal the outcome with seven minutes remaining.
Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo told Sky Sport he was happy with his team's "resilience".
"Our discipline probably put us on the back foot there a little bit but I thought we showed a lot of resilience and scored some good tries at the back end," Yeo said, also praising some desperate defence.
"We'll get a lot of confidence at turning them away. They've got a lot of world class players all through there so the long we held, the more confidence we got."
