Darren Lockyer stars as Kangaroos crush Kiwis

Darren Lockyer dominated in his final match for the Kangaroos as they defeated the Kiwis 42-6 in front of a 32,890 crowd at Augrid Stadium this afternoon.

The Australians absolutely dominated the Kiwis all over the field as the visitors struggled to communicate effectively in attack and defense. 

The Aussies made their intentions clear early, taking complete control of the match in the opening minutes and absolutely dominating the Kiwis in the first 40.

On the other hand, the visitors fumbled their way through the first halfs, with disjonted attack and poor communication in defence.

It was debutant Akuilla Uate who crossed the try line first, scoring for the Kangaroos in the third minute courtesy of some skillful playmaking from Darren Lockyer and a break by Willie Tonga.

Uate went over for his double only four minutes later and once again it was courtesy of a clever little cutout pass from Lockyer.

The Australians were over again in the 13th minute, this time it was Darius Boyd crossing the line courtesy of another Lockyer cutout pass.

Uate almost had his hat-trick two minutes later but shot his own feet, dropping the ball only ten meters out with the tryline wide open.

Chris Lawrence made sure he held onto the ball in the 20th minute when he scored under the crossbar after a 40 meter run from Darius Boyd.

Lawrence had his double six minutes out from half-time following a well executed set-play from Australia. Thurston added the extras to give the Kangaroos a 26-0 lead going in the break.

The Kiwis started off the second half with a lot more coordination in attack and defense but continued to  struggle to hold onto the ball.

Kevin Locke finally got the Kiwis on the board in the 56th minute when he made a 15 meter run from dummy half following after a strong hit up from Kiwi forward Russell Packer.

However, any hopes of a comeback from the visitors were, as the Kiwis struggled to hold onto the ball long enough to create a try. 

The Kangaroos had no problem scoring when the opportunities were given them with Keith Galloway muscling his way over the try line in the 63rd minute on the back of a Kiwi error.

The Aussies were over again five minutes later, this time it was Willie Tonga scoring after Billy Slater drew in two defenders to open the up the line for his center. 

Boyd capped off the scoring for the Kangaroos when he crossed for his double in the 70th minute after making a break down the eastern touch line. 

The final ten minutes of the match saw both sides struggle to hang onto the ball long enough to threaten the try line.

Match Details
Australia 42 defeated New Zealand 6
International - Test Match - Sunday October 16, 2011 4:00pm
Venue: Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Phil Bentham
Video Referee: Russell Smith & Dave Pakieto
Touch Judges: Paul Holland & Henry Perenara
Crowd: 32,890
Halftime: Australia 26 New Zealand 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Darren Lockyer
2 Points - Cameron Smith
1 Point - Willie Tonga (1 Try)

AUSTRALIA (42)
Tries: Keith Galloway, Akuila Uate (2), Willie Tonga, Darius Boyd (2), Chris Lawrence (2)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (5/8)

NEW ZEALAND (6)
Tries: Kevin Locke
Conversions: Isaac Luke (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good afternoon folks and welcome to Ausgrid Stadium where the Kangaroos take on the Kiwis.
We have wonderful conditions in Newcastle at the moment for what should be an excellent test match.
Both sides will go into the match with the same squad that was named earlier in the week.
1 min: Benji Marshall kicks off to bring the test match underway.
1 min: Solid opening set for the Australians, Lockyer drills the ball down field a few meters out from halfway and Lockyer is pummeled in a tackle.
2 min: Kiwis get past halfway on the last before Benji boots it down field, and he is smashed to by the defense.
4 min: TRY
TRY! Uate scores with his first touch in test footy. Lockyer throws a cut out pass to Tonga ten out from halfway, and Tonga streaks down the right touch line before passing back in field to Lockyer, who find Uate on the fly. Thurston misses the conversion.
Australia 4-0
5 min: Kiwis almost come away with ball 30 out from the Kangaroos line after a pass from Thurston goes loose, but the Kiwis got a hand to it and the Kangaroos get a scrum 30 out from their own line.
8 min: TRY
TRY! Uate scores in the right corner after Lockyer goes to the line ten out and throws another inside pass to Tonga, who offloads to Uate. Thustan's conversion attempt is successful.
Australia 10-0
10 min: Kiwis get six again, ten into Australian territory.
11 min: Marshall loses the ball 30 out from the Kangaroo line as his side is looking dangerous.
12 min: Foran loses the ball 20 meters out from his own line.
13 min: Australia may have another try here.
14 min: TRY
TRY! Darius Boyd scores in the left corner after Lockyer throws a long pass to Slater, who offloads to Boyd. Thurston nails the conversion.
Australia 16-0
15 min: Uate almost scores his trifecta but loses the ball ten out with the line wide open.
16 min: Australia is doing really well to restrict the Kiwi meters, Foran is forced to kick it 35 out from his own line.
16 min: Australia is doing really well to restrict the Kiwi meters, Foran is forced to kick it 35 out from his own line.
18 min: Kiwis get a penalty 30 out from their own line.
19 min: Kiwis butcher another opportunity as Uate pounces on a loose pass.
21 min: TRY
The Aussies run 60 meters in one play after Boyd makes a 40 meter break before passing to Lewis who passes to Lawrence who scores under the crossbar. Thurston adds the extras again.
Australia 22-0
23 min: Kiwis get a penalty on halfway and will get another chance to go on the attack.
23 min: Kiwis get a penalty on halfway and will get another chance to go on the attack.
24 min: Mannering loses the ball 5 meters out on the third tackle.
28 min: The Aussies will go on the attack again after the Kiwis lose it 30 out from their own line.
29 min: Glenn pounces on the loose ball 15 out from his own line and the Kiwis are off the hook for now.
31 min: Australia will get six again ten out from the Kiwis line.
32 min: Lockyer loses the ball 15 out from the Kiwis' line.
32 min: Moimoi loses the ball 40 out from his own line. The Kiwis are really struggling here.
34 min: TRY
Lawrence scores his double after the Aussies spread the ball quickly. Thurston fails to add the extras.
Australia 26-0
36 min: Thurston tries to intercept a New Zealand pass 30 out from the Kiwi line but knocks it forward.
39 min: Lockyer loses the ball on the 40 but it goes backwards, Lewis Brown picks it up for the Kiwis but knocks it on.
40 min: The half-time hooter sounds and that's the half.
41 min: Cameron Smith kicks off to bring the second half underway.
43 min: The Kiwis will get a penalty 40 out from the Aussie line after Shillington is pinned for a strip.
44 min: Marshall loses the ball five meters out from the Australian line after a terrible offload from Sika Manu.
46 min: Moi Moi loses the ball 30 out from his own line.
48 min: Australia get a penalty 10 out on the last.
49 min: Foran picks up a loose pass from Slater and the Kiwis are off the hook.
50 min: Australia lose the ball on halfway and the Kiwis will get a loose head and feed.
51 min: Kiwis lose the ball 35 out.
53 min: Australia will get a penalty 20 out from the New Zealand line after Uate is tackled in the air.
54 min: Australia loses the ball.
57 min: TRY
Kevin Locke makes a brilliant run from dummy half 15 meters out and scores to the left of the upright. Luke adds the extras.
Australia 26-6
62 min: Australia will get a scrum 40 out from the Kiwi line.
64 min: TRY
TRY! Galloway muscles his way over the try line and scores under the posts. Thurston adds the extras.
Australia 32-6
67 min: Australia will get a scrum 20 out and should go right on the attack.
69 min: TRY
TRY! Slater goes to the line and draws in three defenders before passing to Tonga who scores. Thurston fails to adds the extras.
Australia 36-6
71 min: TRY
TRY! Darius Boyd streaks down the right touchline and scores for the Kangaroos. Thurston adds the extras.
Australia 42-6
76 min: Nightingale loses the ball 30 out from the Kangaroo line.
77 min: Cronk is pinned for a forward pass 30 out from the Kiwi line.
78 min: The Kiwis are penalised in attack for an accidental offside.
79 min: The Kiwis get a penalty 40 out from their own line.
80 min: Kevin Locke just misses out on scoring his double, as he is unable to catch the ball clearly over the tryline.