League: Kiwis outplayed in Anzac test

Toni Carroll dives over the line to score for Australia. Picture / Fotopress

BRISBANE - Australia convincingly underlined their world dominance of international rugby league with an efficient 32-16 disposal of the Kiwis in a predictable Anzac test clash at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Kangaroos ruthlessly pounced on a spate of Kiwis' handling errors to build a 22-10 lead at halftime in a contest the Australians dominated throughout to retain the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.

An injury-depleted New Zealand, still seeking their first victory in Australia since 1991, had their moments and at least avoided a rout before a crowd of 40,317 -- the biggest crowd for a trans-Tasman clash in Australia since 1963.

However, they paid the ultimate price for slack handling and panic offloads as the Australian juggernaut cruised to their 10th straight victory.

The Australians were too classy in all facets with a superior kicking game by halfback Brett Kimmorley in particular giving the Kiwis little latitude to counter attack from deep.

Matt Sing opened the Australian's six tries to three in the ninth minute when a pinpoint Anthony Minichiello pass enabled the wing to outflank marker Matt Utai and stroll to the corner.

Prop Paul Rauhihi was culpable with captain Ruben Wiki when the Kangaroos reached double figures in the 17th minute after centre Shaun Berrigan kicked ahead a loose pass to the in goal and touched down.

Despite being denied quality possession and territory in the opening quarter, the Kiwis struck back when Utai atoned for his defensive frailties by bumping off Sing and Darren Lockyer to slam the ball down in the left hand corner after Marshall brilliantly regathered his own chip kick before finding Pritchard who released the chunky Bulldogs' winger Utai.

Yet Australia soon restored their buffer after back-to-back ruck penalties advanced the Kangaroos 60m into the danger zone on the half hour.

New Zealand-born lock Tonie Carroll capitalised when waltzing through some weak defence by David Kidwell and Pritchard to score behind the posts.

Craig Fitzgibbon added the extras to give push the hosts out to 16-4 before Lockyer, in a set of six following a turnover, ghosted through two defenders to put the Kangaroos out of range at 22-4.

With a capitulation threatening, impressive debutant Jerome Ropati at least gave the Kiwis some relief on the stroke of halftime when he squeezed over from close range after grabbing a Jason Cayless offload.

New Zealand had a strong start to the second spell but the Kangaroos defence held after conceding two close range penalties.

The Kiwis inability to score proved demoralising as the Kangaroos, after absorbing the pressure, retained their territorial dominance and added tries to Willie Tonga -- after a bullocking run from New Zealand Warriors captain Steve Price -- and Minichiello, courtesy of a teasing grubber from Lockyer to extinguish the Kiwi challenge.

Luck continued to elude the Kiwis when Pritchard lost the ball over the line in the 66th but Ropati managed a deserved consolation score nine minutes from the hooter when he snaffled a rare dropped ball by Lockyer to streak 85m to the line.

The Kangaroos ended the contest a man down when English referee Russell Smith sinbinned Minichiello in the 76th minute for tackling Nigel Vagana as he attempted to catch a chip kick over the line.

The rivals next meet in the opening round of the Tri Nations at Melbourne in October.

Australia 32 (Matt Sing, Shaun Berrigan, Tonie Carroll, Darren Lockyer, Willie Tonga, Anthony Minichiello tries; Craig Fitzgibbon 4 goals) New Zealand 16 (Jerome Ropati 2, Matt Utai tries; Jamaal Lolesi 2 goals) Halftime: 22-10.

Referee: Russell Smith (England) Crowd: 40,317.

- NZPA