There was so much to like about the effort and endeavour, if not always the execution.
The Kiwis forwards were immense. Adam Blair rolled back the years to his 2010 vintage, Jason Taumalolo justified the hype and the Storm trio of Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris and Jesse Bromwich were superb.
The Kiwis had warmed up in the dark - as former Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss played some 1980s tunes for the crowd - and still looked like they were fumbling around as the game kicked off.
They made the worst possible start. Gerard Beale dropped a bomb cold and Beau Scott strode through a gaping hole off a Cooper Cronk pass. There was just three minutes on the clock and the omens were not good. In the past, heads may have dropped but this Kiwis team is made of sterner stuff.
A Shaun Johnson 40/20 sparked a revival and, after Jason Nightingale inexplicably bombed a try, Proctor showed great strength to wrestle through three defenders and score.
The Kiwis dominated the rest of the first spell and should have had more to show for their efforts. After Greg Inglis powered over from dummy-half to restore Australia's lead in the 21st minute - somewhat against the run of play - New Zealand had numerous chances of their own.
They took one, with Lewis Brown slipping over from close range. Brown spent three years in the international wilderness and scored a try with his first run.
Lewis Brown celebrates scoring a try. Photo / Getty Images
The Kiwis were steamrolling through the ruck and some of their play on the edges was superb. But, with Australia were on the ropes - they completed only four of their last 10 first-half sets - New Zealand couldn't make them pay, continually taking the wrong fifth tackle option.
Things began to click in the second half. After several opportunities, Shaun Johnson took the Kiwis into the lead for the first time shortly after a bullocking 50m run by Greg Eastwood.
Johnson evoked memories of Allan Langer's deeds on this ground, as he chipped and regathered, before stepping Dylan Walker to score. Four minutes later there was more. Dean Whare leaped superbly AFL style to take a precise Foran kick.
The Kiwis were in dreamland - 12 points ahead with 30 minutes remaining.
They didn't let up and had many more chances to kill the Australians - only a lack of composure and some poor options prevented further chances - though it was unfortunate that a Gerard Beale try was ruled out after a Jason Taumalolo shoulder charge on Cooper Cronk.
Finally - to ease the nerves of long-suffering Kiwis fans still biting their nails - Jason Nightingale scored to seal the result with 12 minutes to play.
Kiwi standoff Kieran Foran was delighted with win, his first against Australia.
"I've dreamt at this moment since I was a kid," he said. "I don't know what to say ... great effort by the boys. It's only a stepping stone, we know we've got a lot of work to do yet. I'm over the moon.
"We knew that they were blooding five rookies, and we said let's try to keep the pressure on them. I thought we did that in our line speed.
"It's only one game down, we've got a lot of work to do yet," he said.
Kangaroos 12 (B. Scott, G. Inglis try; C. Smith 2 gls) Kiwis 30 (K. Proctor, L. Brown, S. Johnson, D. Whare, J. Nightingale tries; S. Johnson 5 gls). Halftime: 12-12
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