9/05/2008 10:03:45 PM
The promised New Zealand revival failed to materialise as Australia defeated the Kiwis 28-12 in a one-sided Centenary Test at the SCG on Friday night.
The Kangaroos led 22-0 at half-time and cruised to victory against an improved but ultimately outclassed New Zealand in front of a better-than-expected crowd of 34,571.
With Stephen Kearney installed as coach and legendary Broncos boss Wayne Bennett in the Kiwis' corner, the visitors were expected to hit back strongly after being walloped 58-0 by Australia in their most recent encounter.
But 100 years to the day the countries first met in a Test match, there was nothing to suggest the men in black were ready to replicate their country's victory a century ago.
The signs were bad early, with Australia having to wait just six minutes to post first points - and what a try it was.
Mark Gasnier ended up with the four pointer but it was some pure Greg Inglis magic that made it possible.
Johnathan Thurston's crossfield kick landed in the New Zealand in-goal and was bouncing harmlessly over the dead-ball line before Inglis leapt from the field of play and scooped the ball back over his head in mid-air for Gasnier to touch down.
It was a try befitting such a prestigious occasion
Thurston curled his conversion attempt perfectly from out wide to put the Kangaroos ahead 6-0.
When Gasnier grabbed his double eight minutes later - the Dragons centre given a blindside passage by Paul Gallen - the writing was on the wall for the shellshocked Kiwis.
Things became worse for the visitors in the 18th minute when debutant Gallen powered through some flimsy defence close to the line to score under the posts.
Thurston's conversion made it 16-0 and even at that early stage it was clear New Zealand was facing a hiding.
Australian skipper Cameron Smith stuck the knife in further four minutes later, darting out of dummy half and crawling over the line after the Kiwi defence failed to hold him.
At 22-0 it was a matter of Australia by how far.
Iosia Soliola threatened to instigate a New Zealand fight back when he discarded two defenders and rounded Billy Slater to score the Kiwis' first try after just three minutes of the second half.
It momentarily put Australia on the back foot and for a while it appeared Kearney's men would make a game of it as they peppered the Kangaroos' line.
But after coming up empty handed, Australia put pay to any slim hope of a resurrection when Thurston created a lovely try for Israel Folau.
Thurston, passed fit just before kick-off after rolling his ankle on Thursday, guided his crossfield kick straight into Justin Hodges' hands.
The Brisbane centre drew the last line of defence to send Folau in for the third try of his two-Test career.
Sam Perrett scored a consolation try for the Kiwis in the dying seconds.
Australia 28
Tries: Gasnier (2), Gallen, Smith, Folau
Goals: Thurston 4
New Zealand 12
Tries: Solioala, Perrett
Goals: Smith, Luke