The first test of a tri-series between Australia, New Zealand, and England took place today at Telstra Stadium, with the Australians fielding a side dominated by players from the narrowly winning NSW squad.

As expected in a trans-Tasman clash, the opening of the game was full of fire and aggression- with the infamous New Zealand forwards bruising their opposites. The Kangaroos didn’t let the aggression in defence shake them however, and continually fed the ball to their wings where Timana Tahu, Mat Rogers, and Mark Gasnier were able to outmanoeuvre their larger markers.

But where Australia were quick and skilful, the Kiwis used every bit of brutality they could muster. It was ironic then, when it was a big Aussie brute who scored the game’s first points, when Gorden Tallis crashed over courtesy of a bullet pass from fellow Queenslander, Darren Lockyer. Captain, Andrew Johns, had little trouble with the conversion to put the host side up 6-0.

If Tallis’ first try was painful for the Kiwis, his second in as many minutes all but killed their hopes of a big upset. From the kick-off the big man made a clean break, storming up field with three players in tow to score a stunning, length of the field try. Johns again converted, and after twelve minutes the Aussies lead 12-0. The scoreboard definitely didn’t reflect New Zealand’s efforts however, with the Kiwis unlucky to be so far behind already.

Tallis’ efforts were rewarded with a spell shortly after the second try, and North Sydney’s Matthew Burke hit the field. Despite the injection of the classy fullback, Australia seemed to have forgotten how to break the New Zealand line. In fact, it was New Zealand who next did some damage when Central Coast star Matt Utai on the end of a desperation passing play by the visitors. When Stacey Jones couldn’t get a kick off, the ball was fed along the line, with the big winger throwing off Mat Rogers to score New Zealand’s opening try. Mehrtens made no mistake with the tough conversion, and the score looked a little more competitive at 12-6.

The next fifteen minutes showed just how close fought this year’s World Cup will be, with New Zealand putting Australia on the back foot courtesy of quick play the balls and some skilful work from Stacey Jones and in-form Andrew Mehrtens. In fact, it took a mistake from New Zealand and some good luck for the Aussies to post their next points. A poor last tackle option saw Stephen Kearney grubber on the last tackle, and Mark Gasnier made him pay with an incisive forty metre run. The set, deep in New Zealand’s danger zone, ended with Steve Menzies crashing over out wide despite the efforts of Caleb Ralph. Andrew Johns missed the conversion from touch, leaving it at 16-6 with nine to go until half time.

Matthew Burke injected himself into the game in the 37th minute, taking a quick take which caught the New Zealand players napping. With a level head and plenty of skill, he drew the defence and threw the ball the better part of thirty metres to put Timana Tahu into space. The Wellington freak took it in under the posts, and as the halftime siren went, Johns converted to make it 22-6 in favour of the Aussies.

HALFTIME: Australia 22 lead New Zealand 6

Burke came into his own from the restart, his towering kick-off getting Australia back the possession and putting them immediately on the attack. The Kangaroos showcased their abundance in talent, but were repelled by an equally powerful defensive display from the visitors. Burke continued the trend towards dominating the game when he made a sixty five metre burst minutes later, which he followed up with a grubber. The NSW fullback collected his own bouncing ball, avoided the tackle of Caleb Ralph, and sailed in under the posts. Johns converted, and it looked beyond hope at 28-6 in favour of the green and gold.

Things did not improve much for the Kiwis from here either, with the Australians scenting a bloodbath and looking to make it a reality. Whilst Burke threatened out wide, it was the Oilers’ forwards revelling in the big game atmosphere. Playing under a real coach and with real stars around them, the likes of Ryles and Hindmarsh lifted and began to dominate their opposites.

When another Burke line break put Menzies into space and under the sticks, the game became farcical, Johns’ conversion making it 34-6 and ending any hopes of a spirited New Zealand fightback. The best the all-blacks could do would be to save some face, and their hanging heads and tired walk back for the kick-off made even this seem an unlikely feat.

The 55th minute showed just how out of their league New Zealand felt, when they received a scrum on their own forty, and lost it against the feed. Matthew Burke was quick to capitalise, again skirting the touchline before chipping ahead for a flying Craig Wing. The former Central star, having ousted Danny Buderus from the #9 jersey, scored his own try and make the score 40-6 with twenty-five to go.

The Kiwis looked to be further demoralised when they finally crashed over in the 57th, Ruben Wiki powering over Matt Gidley to score out wide. However, Mat Rogers somehow got under the ball, and from the resulting scrum, the Kiwis again lost against the feed. The Australians revelled in their dominance, but over-extended themselves. A sloppy Fittler pass, left to bounce, was collected by Rube Wiki who made good this time to make it 40-12 after Mehrtens’ conversion.

This didn’t reverse the flow of points, but it did a lot to stave the Aussie attack. Coach Chris Walker-Bush pulled Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, and Craig Wing from the field though- and instead let the young guns and veteran, Brad Fittler, pilot the side around. Whilst they didn't impress, they defended well, only allowing in one late consolation try to Jonah Lomu- who stampeded over Matt Gidley to score the soft try. As the full-time siren sounded, and fans flocked from the stadium, Andrew Mehrtens hit a sweet conversion to finish the scores at 40-18.

FULLTIME
Australia 40
Timana Tahu
Craig Wing
Steve Menzies 2
Gorden Tallis 2
Matthew Burke
Johns 6/7
Def.
NEW ZEALAND 18
Jonah Lomu
Ruben Wiki
Matt Utai
Mehrtens 3/3

MAN OF THE MATCH: Matthew Burke
Two PoM: Gorden Tallis
One PoM: Craig Wing