League: Slick Aussies beat undercooked Kiwis

Brent Webb in a tackle. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

When Brian McClennan was prodded to offer some words to fire up the build-up to last night's test, the Kiwis coach didn't budge. Instead, he said it was the calm before the storm.

The storm unleashed all its fury last night in a bruising opening Tri Nations test that was a throwback to games of yesteryear when the likes of Greg Dowling and Kevin Tamati went toe-to-toe for the hell of it.

The hits were huge, the runs explosive and it all kicked off when Matt King and Manu Vatuvei traded blows in the corner after Vatuvei dumped him into the advertising hoardings. That ignited a brawl, with little thought given to a cowering TV cameraman.

David Kidwell followed it up with a huge hit on loudmouth Australian prop Willie Mason, who didn't exactly show the utmost respect to the Kiwis when they were performing the haka and it set the tone for the night.

In many respects, the game had the potential to explode considering the judiciary records of each player was wiped before the match but there was little indication it would erupt the way it did.

While it was great entertainment for the crowd, ultimately, however, the Kiwis might have landed a few heavy hits but lost the war.

They made too many mistakes to claim first points in the 2006 Tri Nations and found it too hard to live with the pace at which the Australians played the game. An old head, Darren Lockyer, set one of the most talented and youthful Australia backlines loose and a powerful forward pack met fire with fire.

The Kiwis tried to play the game up the middle but found little space to operate by an Australian side waiting for them. McClennan's men were also guilty of pushing a few too many passes - and Australia scored two first-half tries off loose passes - as well as conceding needless penalties late in the tackle count. The penalty count was as much as two-to-one in Australia's favour.

The Kiwis coach said his side will get better as the series goes on and it's hard to believe they won't, especially as most of the side haven't played since the end of the regular NRL season.

There was plenty of passion and enthusiasm but they often lacked structure and combinations and these will surely come with time. The only problem is the Aussies can also be expected to improve and they will be tough to beat at home at the back end of the series.

After posting the first try of the night, when Nigel Vagana scooted out of dummy half and was given the benefit of the doubt by the video referee in the sixth minute, Karmichael Hunt crossed for a double to claim the momentum for the visitors.

The first came from a mistake from the Kiwis inside the Australian half when a Ruben Wiki offload fell into the hands of Johnathan Thurston, who scampered down the other end of the park. Three plays later, Hunt ran in unopposed.

The Australian fullback, who's not a favourite among Kiwi players and fans after his decision to wear green and gold instead of black and white, then popped up on Thurston's shoulder and waltzed over.

After the biff, which brought the game to life, each side probed away until Australia struck a sickening blow to the Kiwis.

Gasnier pounced on a loose Stacey Jones pass and outraced a covering Simon Mannering 80m for the corner to give his side a 20-6 halftime lead.

Greg Inglis was denied by the video referee before the Kiwis narrowed the gap through Dene Halatau. But when Mark O'Meley powered over from close range with 13 minutes to play, the war had been won.

It will be now a case of McClennan regathering his troops for another charge over the trenches in Melbourne next Saturday night.

New Zealand 18 (N. Vagana, D. Halatau, M. Vatuvei tries, S. Jones 3 gls) Australia 30 (K. Hunt 2, M. Gasnier, M. O'Meley, G. Inglis tries, J. Thurston 5 gls). HT: 6-20.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY