Rugby: NZ Schools lose tight match to Australia

New Zealand suffered a rare loss in a trans-Tasman secondary schools rugby match against Australia in New Plymouth today.

Their 11-15 defeat marked the first occasion New Zealand have lost to Australia in New Zealand since the countries first met at schools level in 1978.

New Zealand have won 19 of the 26 matches played, and today's setback followed a loss in Sydney last year.

Australia led 8-3 at halftime and eventually scored two tries to one, New Zealand's sole five-pointer coming from Blade Thomson, of Gisborne Boys' High School.

- NZPA