Australia too strong for Kiwis once more

Match Summary A fast start has proved to be the crucial difference in the 2008 Centenary Test with Australia emerging 28-12 victors over New Zealand at the SCG.

The Kiwis had plenty to prove following the disasters of 2007, but they began in the worst possible fashion by handing over possession and allowing the Kangaroos to get onto the front foot. Mark Gasnier scored the opening try of the match after a piece of individual brilliance from Storm superstar Greg Inglis, who could have had a cape stitched to his jersey as he leapt from the field of play to retrieve a ball and throw it back infield.

It then went from bad to worse for the visitors as Australia scored a further three tries in quick time - Mark Gasnier (again), Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith all twisted the knife a little deeper and exposed some soft Kiwi defence around the rucks.

Ironically it took an injury to Kiwi skipper Roy Asotasi to fire up the Kiwis, and while they were finally able to control possession they couldn