Australia triumphant in Anzac Test
battle

Fulltime score: Anzac Test 2005 Australia Kangaroos 32 v New Zealand Kiwis 16

Match summary: The Australian Kangaroos have once again proved too classy for a young Kiwis team, taking the honours in the 2005 Anzac Test at Suncorp Stadium by 32-16.

The Kiwis were under the pump right from the start, their defence holding firm until the 10th minute when Matt Sing crossed for the first try of the match. A Kiwis error six minutes later lead to a Shaun Berrigan try, and suddenly the Kiwis were down by 10 points and had hardly ventured out of their own half.

Kiwi debutant Benji Marshall produced some magic to set up a Matt Utai try in the 22nd minute, but Australia kept their foot on the throttle with further tries to Tonie Carroll and Darren Lockyer before Jerome Ropati barged over for the Kiwis right on the stroke of half-time to leave a first-half score of 22-10 in favour of the Kangaroos.

The second half featured some strong Kangaroo defence as the Kiwis came out firing, however the fatigue began to set in for the visitors as Willie Tonga and Anthony Minichiello crossed within six minutes to effectively end the match at 32-10.

With the match won, Australia eased off the pedal as the clock wound down and the Kiwis had their share of scoring opportunities but could only convert one of them into points as Jerome Ropati scored his second try for the night with an 80 metre dash to the line.

Scorers: AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS 32 Tries: Sing, Berrigan, Carroll, Lockyer, Tonga, Minichiello Goals: Fitzgibbon 4/6 NEW ZEALAND KIWIS 16 Tries: Ropati 2, Utai Goals: Lolesi 2/3

By the clock: Both sides will start as per programme tonight. Weather in Brisbane is a bit drizzly, ball control will be vital.

Ruben Wiki has led the Haka and we're all set to go ...

0 min: Australia kicks off and we're underway!

4 min: NEWS - Luke Rooney (Kangaroos) is bundled into touch just inches from the tryline following a Lockyer mid-field bomb.

7 min: NEWS - The Kiwis have not ventured out of their own half yet, and are holding the Kangaroos out with some tough defence.

10 min: TRY - Kangaroos Matt Sing scores after a swift back-line movement started by Darren Lockyer. Craig Fitzgibbon converts.

13 min: NO TRY Paul Rauhihi falls just short of the line after the Kiwis gained good field position by finding touch from the re-start.

16 min: TRY - Kangaroos The Kiwis drop the ball 20 metres out from their tryline, and Shaun Berrigan chips ahead for the try. Craig Fitzgibbon misses with the conversion. Australia 10-0

22 min: TRY - Kiwis Matt Utai just scrapes in out wide following a magic Benji Marshall chip & chase 20 metres from the line. Jamaal Lolesi misses with the conversion attempt from the touchline. Australia 10-4

26 min: NEWS - Petero Civoniceva has left the field and headed straight up the tunnel.

28 min: TRY - Kangaroos Tonie Carroll strolls over under the posts from a Luke Priddis pass. Try converted by Fitzgibbon. Australia 16-4

31 min: NEWS - Penalty count is currently 5-2 in the Kangaroos favour. Poor discipline is costing the Kiwis valuable field position.

36 min: TRY - Kangaroos Poor ball control from the Kiwis hands excellent field position to the Kangaroos, and Darren Lockyer takes advantage by zipping through a gap to score. Fitzgibbon nails another two points with the conversion. Australia 22-4

40 min: The video ref is checking out a possible Kiwi try ...

40 min: TRY - Kiwis Once again the Kiwis are able to gain possession from their own kick-off, and Jerome Ropati barges over after a great Jason Cayless run. Lolesi is successful with the conversion. Australia 22-10

HALF TIME: Australia 22, New Zealand 10. Penalties - Australia 5, New Zealand 4 Possission - Australia 55%, New Zealand 45% Missed Tackles - Australia 11, New Zealand 14 A very physical first half, with the Kiwis putting up a good fight against an opposition that gives the impression it has plenty of extra gears available - if they choose to use them.

The second half is underway ...

45 min: NEWS - The Kangaroos survive three consecutive attacking sets from the Kiwis as Nigel Vagana kicks the ball dead.

52 min: NEWS - Still no change in the half-time score as both sides show strong defence.

56 min: TRY - Kangaroos Steve Price delivers a great off-load in traffic to Willie Tonga who crosses the line. Fitzgibbon's conversion attempt hits the uprights. Australia 26-10

59 min: NEWS - Tonie Carroll has left the field with a rib injury, he'll be unlikely to return.

63 min: TRY - Kangaroos Anthony Minichiello scores off a Darren Lockyer grubber kick. Fitzgibbon's conversion is successful. Australia 32-10

65 min: NEWS - The Kangaroos are dominating possession and field position, the Kiwis are trying hard but lack the attacking options of their opponents.

67 min: The video ref is checking a possible Kiwi try to Frank Pritchard ...

67 min: NO TRY - Pritchard is deemed to have dropped the ball over the line as the Kiwis show some spark after a Kangaroos mistake. Steve Price looks to have a hamstring problem in the changing rooms.

73 min: TRY - Kiwis Jerome Ropati sprints 80 metres to score after a Minichiello fumble. Lolesi's conversion is successful. Australia 32-16

77 min: The video ref is called upon again to check a possible Kiwis try ...

77 min: NO TRY - but Anthony Minichiello is sent to the sin-bin for tackling Nigel Vagana without the ball.

FULL TIME: Australia 32, New Zealand 16. Australia have once again proved too classy for a young Kiwis team, taking out the 2005 Anzac Test 32-16.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - Darren Lockyer (Kangaroos) 2 - Craig Fitzgibbon (Kangaroos) 1 - Anthony Minichiello (Kangaroos) -----------------------------------------