Wins against Wales and a strong-looking England over the next fortnight would mean (unless Australia lose to England) another Kangaroos-Kiwis Four Nations final.
Under coach Stephen Kearney, New Zealand thrives in tournament football; a side capable of building the spirit to win when together over a few weeks. The evidence is measured in silverware - the World Cup in 2008 and the Four Nations last year.
Key areas to work on appear to be speed at the ruck, error rates and retaining the energy to create enough forward metres to allow space for their slippery backs.
The Australians exhibited the sleight-of-hand skill and expertise to slow down the play-of-the-ball without detection.
Sam Thaiday, Anthony Watmough and Paul Gallen are masters at keeping tackled players occupied just long enough to disrupt momentum without rousing referee suspicion.
New Zealand have to work on this, be it wrestling themselves free or avoiding being scrunched into positions from which they can't spring forth to keep a tackle set rolling.
Errors at crucial times were dispiriting. Too many passes went forward or were knocked on in strong field positions; too many tackles were missed or high which gave Australia's runners and kickers prime chances to seize strong field position.
The Kiwis' 68 per cent completion rate compared to the Kangaroos' 79 per cent was telling, as were the first half missed tackles (16 v 5) which gifted Australia a 16-0 halftime lead.
The New Zealand forwards showed some promising signs. Significant hit-ups from Ben Matulino and Sam McKendry were backed by the usual fine defence of Simon Mannering and Jeremy Smith who split 73 tackles between them.
However, energy levels dipped in patches, resulting in limited damage across the gain line.
That in turn meant playmakers Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran were restricted; a couple of Foran bombs found their mark but Marshall was exposed a couple of times on defence.
Next week's return of prop Adam Blair from suspension will be welcome.
Australia produced a couple of trump cards to gain the upper hand. The first was inside two minutes. Mannering conceded a penalty at the ruck for holding on, Australia marched down field and Matthew Scott bullocked across, one off the ruck, bowling Issac Luke to one side.
That was precious momentum, with New Zealand yet to touch the ball. Tony Williams then lived up to his 'T-Rex' moniker in the 29th minute, traipsing five metres to the line with four Kiwis trying to drag him down at various stages. Tackling that 118kg hulk remains a problem.
Outside backs like try scorers Jason Nightingale and Kalifa Faifai Loa as well as Gerard Beale and Kevin Locke showed glimpses of skill and athleticism. There seemed to be an edict to play expansively, even in greasy conditions, but they will need an improved forward platform for the rest of the tournament if they're to succeed.
Australia 26 (M. Scott, T. Williams, J. Thurston, D. Boyd, A. Uate tries; Thurston 3 goals) New Zealand 12 (J. Nightingale, K. Faifai Loa tries; B. Marshall 2 goals). Halftime: Australia 16-0.
