Australia win Anzac Test in late blitz

Match Summary Australia have scored four second half tries to defeat New Zealand 30-6 in the Anzac Test match in Brisbane tonight.

In a tight first 40 minutes, the Kangaroos threatened several times but were only able to score once with forward Nathan Hindmarsh crashing over in the 19th minute.

At half time, Australia held a tenuous 6-0 lead.

Two tries soon after the break put the Aussies up by 18-0, winger Matt King scoring in the 45th minute and Brent Tate scoring on the opposite flank seven minutes later.

With chances going begging for both sides, the Kiwis finally got on the scoreboard in the 68th minute following a rare scrum penalty, and a kick-chase opportunity for winger Manu Vatuvei who scored out wide. The successful conversion from five eighth Benji Marshall made in 18-6 with just 10 minutes to go.

But with half back Johnathan Thurston combining with his skipper Darren Lockyer, Australia stepped up a gear to post two runaway tries late in the match.

Denied a try just minutes earlier, fullback Karmichael Hunt capped off a fine performance with a try in the 75th minute. Lockyer was then on the spot to set up and finish a 50 metre movement right on full time. Anzac Test - Full Time :: April 20th, 2007 07:30 PM Venue: Suncorp Stadium Referee: Steve Ganson (Eng)

Australia 30 Tries: Nathan Hindmarsh, Matt King, Brent Tate, Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer Goals: Johnathan Thurston (5/6) New Zealand 6 Tries: Manu Vatuvei Goals: Benji Marshall (1/1) Live Commentary Warm-ish evening in Brisbane and big crowd on hand for what promises to be a great Anzac clash. Players now coming onto the field for the 99th Rugby League Test match between these two nations. National Anthems are over. The Kiwis put together a tremendous Haka. KICKOFF!

6 min: Still 0-0 and no love lost between the two packs. Bulldogs team mates & forwards Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason get into a bit of scuffle. End-to-end play in the early stages.

15 min: Front rower Roy Asotasi for NZ is put into a gap and runs 25m only to be stopped a few metres short of the line by full back Karmichael Hunt. Follows a 30m bust from Hunt minutes earlier.

19 min: TRY Australia Nathan Hindmarsh scores for the Kangaroos just wide of the posts, Hindmarsh crashing over after breaking through from 10m out. Follows a galloping run from Mason up the middle in the previous ruck. Conversion attempt by half back Johnathan Thurston successful. Australia 6-0

22 min: Possible try to Mason for Aust. Video Ref checking. Verdict: NO TRY. Mason loses the ball over the line after he looked unstoppable moments earlier. Great effort from full back Krisnan Inu to force the error. A much needed break for the Kiwis.

28 min: NZ on the attack. Williams charges at the line only to lose possession after being met by a wall of defence. Williams claiming it was raked out. Nevertheless, a good response from the Kiwis who were under the hammer five minutes earler.

31 min: NZ five eighth Benji Marshall engineers a run around and has a huge gap to run through from 20m out. But the ball goes to ground and the try goes begging.

40 min: ATTEMPTED PENALTY GOAL Australia NZ penalised for late hit on kicker five eighth Darren Lockyer. Johnathan Thurston attempts the penalty goal on the stroke of half time. The ball hits the uprights and comes back into the field of play. Eventually there's a knock-on during the scramble for the ball. Australia 6-0

Half time: Australia 6-0 Possession favours Australia 54%. Gutsy effort from the Kiwis to hang in there in an intense contest, albeit dotted with errors from both sides. The Kangaroos should be further in front but handling errors and desperate defence is keeping New Zealand in the match.

Second half underway...

43 min: Sensational run from NZ as the ball is promoted 50m upfield and passing through numerous sets of hands. Play eventually breaks down.

45 min: TRY Australia Winger Matt King is awarded the try following video ref scrutiny. Follows a big up-and-under from 40m out which is fumbled by NZ half back Ben Roberts. Conversion attempt 15m in from touch by Johnathan Thurston successful. Australia 12-0

52 min: TRY Australia Brent Tate scores out wide on the right side after Thurston puts the defence in two minds. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston is a tremendous kick and Australia goes further ahead. Australia 18-0

59 min: NO TRY Australia Ref rules a face pass from Thurston to King is forward. A let off, the Kiwis just hanging on. Follows a 45m bust from centre Justin Hodges up the middle of the park.

61 min: Another close call. Hodges makes a big break down the right flank. A running Tate is then ruled to have been tackled and is penalised.

66 min: SCRUM PENALTY New Zealand get the penalty and on the attack.

68 min: TRY New Zealand Winger Manu Vatuvei scores out wide chasing a grubber put through by centre Simon Mannering. Benji Marshall slots the conversion in fine style and the Kiwis are finally on the board. Australia 18-6

72 min: NO TRY Australia. Hunt touches down but Mason is penalised for obstruction.

75 min: TRY Australia Hunt is not denied this time, scoring 10m wide the goal following a bust from half way with Thurston, centre Jamie Lyon and King all getting involved down the left side. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful. Australia 24-6

80 min: TRY Australia Aussie skipper Darren Lockyer gets the final try after he set up Tate on the right side at half way. Tate found himself in open space before the cover came across forcing him to kick infield. Kiwi fullback Inu got a shocker of a bounce and Locker dived on the ball in the in-goal, right next to the posts. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful. Australia 30-6

Full time: Australia comprehensive winners, taking Test match honours over a younger Kiwi outfit. New Zealand was in the match for the first half but Australia too much class in the end. LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Johnathan Thurston (Kangaroos) 2 Points: Darren Lockyer (Kangaroos) 1 Point: Karmichael Hunt (Kangaroos)