Kiwis 20 Kangaroos 20
LONDON - Cameron Smith's last-gasp try ensured Australia grabbed a 20-20 draw with World Cup holders New Zealand in the opening round of the Four Nations this morning (NZT).
The Kiwis looked set to repeat last year's exploits thanks to late tries from Lance Hohaia and Frank Pritchard.
But 26-year-old Melbourne Storm hooker Smith collected Greg Inglis' pass in the 78th minute to allow Johnathan Thurston the chance to tie up the scores.
Frank-Paul Nuuausala, who made his Kiwi debut against Tonga last week, collected Adam Blair's superb pass to power the world champions ahead in the fifth minute.
The Sydney Roosters prop then watched on as Bryson Goodwin slotted over the extra two points to rock Australia back on their heels.
The Kangaroos regrouped and New Zealand needed all hands to the pump to deny first Ryan Hoffman and then Trent Waterhouse.
With Billy Slater marshalling the Aussie attacks, the Kiwis found themselves pinned back inside their own 22 and conceded six consecutive penalties in a desperate attempt to regain possession.
Yet for all their pressure the Kangaroos emerged pointless from the opening 20 minutes.
Brett Morris should have marked his debut with Australia's first try of the game in the 22nd minute only to lose his footing.
Isaac Luke's surging run earned New Zealand a penalty ten metres short of the Australian line.
But after Slater forced a knock-on Cameron Smith unleashed Melbourne Storm teammate Inglis out the back of his hand, who in turn allowed Morris in to make amends for his earlier slip.
Thurston threaded the ball between the posts to level the game in the 31st minute.
Paul Gallen escaped the sin-bin after launching a swinging arm on Isaac Luke that sparked a 26-man shoving match five minutes later.
Darren Lockyer, now Australia's most capped player, unsuccessfully probed the New Zealand line to leave the sides deadlocked 6-6 at the break.
But within five minutes of the re-start all the Kiwis defensive efforts were undone as Thurston picked the ball from the hands of Lance Hohaia to scamper over before slotting the extras himself.
New Zealand should have hit back instantly but Fuifui Moimoi knocked the ball on under the posts.
Hohaia compounded his horror start to the second-half by conceding a penalty from which Thurston extended the Australian advantage by another two points to 14-6.
The Kiwis were desperate for inspiration and they found it in the form of Newcastle Knights centre Junior Sa'u who powered through three men to drag his side back into the game.
Despite spurning the conversion, New Zealand maintained the pressure and after Inglis knocked on, Hohaia bagged a converted try and take the lead.
Frank Pritchard bulldozed through to seemingly seal the Kiwi comeback but after Goodwin missed the extras Smith picked up Inglis' pass to cross and allow Thurston to tie up the scores at the end.
Australia 20 (Josh Morris, Jonathon Thurston, Cameron Smith tries; Thurston 4 goals) drew with New Zealand 20 (Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Junior Sau, Lance Hohaia, Frank Pritchard tries; Bryson Goodwin 2 goals). Halftime: 6-6.
- AFP
