Peter Jessup: Kiwis find Aussie Everest just too tough to conquer

The theme the Kiwis used in their psychological build-up to last night's test was "Everest" but after captain Ruben Wiki withdrew late with a hamstring strain they lost the leadership and confidence necessary to climb the mountain.

Early errors and a string of first-half penalties gave the Australians an excess of possession that allowed them to push the Kiwis to the brink and their superior kicking game and the advantage in field position that gave them sent the New Zealanders down a slippery slope.

New Zealand played tough and smart, they varied their attack and tried the unconventional like the lock running through the breaking scrum and using dummy-half decoys. They played up the middle, the Aussies went for width.

New Zealand was beaten by a superior kicking game and speed out wide.

It was the most anticipated test between the countries in years and though the intensity was there from both teams, the skills contest was well won by the Aussies.

They also had a mountain of motivation - revenge for the 24-0 Tri-Nations loss, the retirement of Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy, the sledging of Karmichael Hunt for choosing them over his country of birth.

This was, yet again, short of the best side New Zealand could field.

Aside from the unavailability of Wiki and first-choice halfback Stacey Jones through injury and the loss of Thomas Leuluai mid-game, there was the passport debacle that eliminated David Solomona.

And other English-based players Motu Tony, Willie Talau, Shontayne Hape and Lesley Vainikolo might have made the side if their clubs had released them in time to be in Australia for the full week-long build-up instead of three days out.

It's something the New Zealand Rugby League needs to address with the International Federation, especially after agreement to play a Northern Hemisphere Kiwis side against Great Britain on June 27.

The combined Kiwis team that contests the Tri-Nations series at the end of this year will be stronger than that beaten last night.

But the loss was catastrophic, as has been the case in years gone by.

It leaves the Kiwis with much rebuilding to do.