New Zealand shocked Australia in Brisbane today, cruising to a 30-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium in their opening game of this season’s Four Nations tournament in front of 47,813 spectators.
Although the Australians took an early lead through a try from Beau Scott, converted by Cameraon Smith, the Kiwis pulled level after 17 minutes with a try by Kevin Proctor, with Shaun Johnson adding the first of five conversions.
Everything seemed to be going well for Australia when Greg Inglis replied soon afterwards, with Smith again converting.
But the Kiwis pulled level before the interval with a converted try by Lewis Brown, who had come off the bench to have a great game at acting halfback.
The Kangaroos suffered a blow when Daly Cherry-Evans had to leave the field with a hip problem, and superstar Greg Inglis would also not return after the break, after the former Golden Boot winner complained of dizziness and the effects of a virus.
The second half belonged almost entirely to the Kiwis, who scored three more converted tries with no reply from the Australians.
The first came from man of the match Johnson, who followed up his own grubber to touch down.
And Johnson played a key role in providing kicks for the Kiwis’ other two tries, which Dean Whare jumping spectacularly for the first.
The Kiwi supporters in the stadium were ecstatic by the final whistle, while the Australians will now have to beat England in Melbourne next Sunday to keep their Four Nations chances alive.
A full report, photographs and analysis of this game and England’s victory over New Zealand will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express, which will be available in the shops and digitally from Sunday evening at 11.00pm.
