Roos withstand plucky Kiwi surge

In a win equalling a world-record, the Kangaroos held off a strong New Zealand side to claim victory and their 16th straight international win against any team.

New Zealand started the game with an unlikely try to Jesse Bromwich in the 6th minute to give the Kiwis an early lead. Greg Bird flew over at the line in the 12th minute after a quick pass from Jonathan Thurston to equal the scoreline.

Full advantage was taken off a Peta Hiku touch that bobbled. Brett Morris went over in the corner off a scrum win to give Australia their first lead in the match at 12-6. In the 22nd minute, Tohu Harris charged over the line but Brett Morris refused to let him to get the ball down. Harris seemingly bobbled the ball, but after a checking with the video referee, a try was awarded and the score was back at level pegging.

After going off the field for a concussion test earlier in the match, Sam Moa returned to the field with intensity and barged through the Australian defence to score under the posts. Australia finished the half with multiple opportunities to equal the score, but failed to do so. The score at half time was a well earned 18-12 in favour of New Zealand.

The second half started sloppy with several dropped balls and penalties. Brett Morris sparked an Australian comeback with his second try in the 51st minute. Soon after, a fantastic team try involving Paul Gallen, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk put Greg Inglis over the try line and Australia back in front. After a good conversion (from about the closest Jonathan Thurston got to the sideline all night), Australia pushed the score out to 22-18 with 20 minutes to remaining.

New Zealand had a great opportunity to get back into the game at the 70th minute with possession on the Australian goal line, but their defence would not allow these opportunities to be converted into points. A Cooper Cronk try in the 72nd minute sealed the game for Australia. Thurston's performance on the night was outstanding, converting all 5 tries and creating a lot of opportunities for Australia. The Morris twins, as well as Greg Inglis were damaging in attack and remarkable in defence. Some Kiwi stars shone despite the loss. Shaun Johnson's flair was on display, as well as Sam Moa's effort in attack. Dean Whare was excellent in defence, and composed in attack. 

AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS (30)
Tries: Greg Bird, Brett Morris (2), Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk
Field Goals:
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (5/5)
Penalty Goals:

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS (18)
Tries: Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Sam Moa
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (3/3)
Penalty Goals:

Welcome to Allianz Stadium for the ANZAC Test between Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis. Kick off is scheduled for 8.00pm.

LATE MAIL: Only positional changes. Tamou switches to the bench with Myles starting for Australia. Harris comes into the starting side for New Zealand.

Teams are on the field. Anthems and Haka to follow.

KICK OFF!

2: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Looks like Slater knocked on but Australia get the first penalty of the night.

3: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Boyd Cordner makes an unforced error.
Knock on

4: Slater has to bat the ball dead. Goal line drop out to Kiwis.

5: Six more to Kiwis! On their goal line.

6: TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Kick to come.
Bromwich charges through the Roos line after the 6 again!

8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Right over the black dot for Johnson with no trouble kicking just beside the posts.

9: Kiwis will a powerful set after their try. Boyd brings it back for the Roos.

11: Slater jumps onto Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's last tackle kick to power up to the 40m line.

12: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Greg Bird. Kick to come.
JT pass to a fast flying Bird puts him over the line!

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT levels it up!

13: INJURY: Sam Moa seen walking up the tunnel.

14: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Strip of the ball against Adam Blair.

15: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Paul Gallen makes an unforced error.
Gallen knocks on near the goal line. Kiwi scrum.

17: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Peta Hiku makes an unforced error.
An awful bounce forces Hiku to knock on. Roos scrum 15m out from the goal line.

18: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Brett Morris. Kick to come.
From the scrum break, Brett Morris bounces over in the corner.

20: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
From the sideline JT converts!

21: PENALTY NEW ZEALAND: Corey Parker inside the 10m

22: VIDEO REFEREE: Tohu Harris has gone over! Referee says TRY. Checking grounding!

24: TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Tohu Harris. Kick to come.
Green light given!

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Easy conversion!

27: Fantastic kick by Johnson to force a scrum close to the goal line! And then Bird drops the ball!! Kiwis with 6 tackles 20m out

28: TRY NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Scored by Sam Moa. Kick to come.
After returning from injury, Moa smashes over under the posts!

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Straight over the black dot

31: Dean Whare SMASHES Inglis into touch to earn the ball back

34: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Proctor penalised for a high shot on Slater

36: Australia can't ground the ball after a Cronk kick. Kiwi 20m restart.

36: INJURY: Nightingale is down with a knee injury

36: Nightingale is up and playing the ball!

38: Morris twins chase down the last tackle kick by Cronk and force Hiku into touch. Australia get one last shot this set 20m out from the goal line.

39: KIWI DROP OUT with seconds left on the clock.

40: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Mannering high tackle.

40: HALF TIME: New Zealand are leading Australia 18-12 at half time.

40: Both teams are back on the field as we start the second half.

41: Whare finishes the first set of the first half with a kick over the sideline.

42: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Taupau high shot on Bird.

43: Smith's kick for the corner has too much on it and Boyd can't get to it in time. Kiwi 20m restart.

44: PENALTY NEW ZEALAND: Strip by Australia

45: Bit different here - Johnson has kicked the ball DEAD in goal. They still get the ball back with a 20m drop kick from Australia

45: Cronk and the Morris twins dragged Beale into touch.

47: Hiku makes 25m on the kick return!

48: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Peta Hiku makes an unforced error.
Hiku breaks the line but can't control the ball

49: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Nate Myles makes an unforced error.
Nate Myles loses his load.

50: John kicks straight to GI in goal who charges back to the 20m line

50: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Kiwis holding down

51: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Brett Morris. Kick to come.
Bmoz is in for his second try of the night

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT equals it up!

53: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
James Tamou makes an unforced error.
Can't control the ball after the restart

55: Whare ends up with the ball on the last tackle. Brett Morris jumps and manages to steal the ball away.

56: Australia with an opportunity to extend their lead with a scrum on half way.

56: CROWD: 25,459

58: PENALTY AUSTRALIA: Full set right on the goal line

60: KIWI DROP OUT: Johnson almost escaped into the field of play but Myles and Tamou push him back

61: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.
Fantastic team work to put GI over!

62: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Another successful kick by JT to extend the lead

64: PENALTY NEW ZEALAND - The kick gets the Kiwis out of their half

65: Hiku forced to kick the ball on the last tackle. The ball almost bounces back in field but it's a 20m restart to Australia

68: PENALTY NEW ZEALAND: Looked like Whare tried to pass but referee Hayne rules a strip.

69: The big Kiwi boys are trying to smash through the Australian line!

70: UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Darius Boyd makes an unforced error.
A scrum feed to New Zealand - they must score soon to be in this game for real

72: Poor end to the Kiwi set with an Australian 20m restart

72: TRY AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Scored by Cooper Cronk. Kick to come.
A break through the line by Brett Morris who gives the ball to Cronk to score next to the posts

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT yet again extends the lead

74: Daly Cherry-Evans enters the game for the first time tonight!

77: Australia are in sight of their world record equaling 16th straight win with not much left on the clock

79: Last minute and the Kiwis will have the last set of the match

80: FULL TIME: The Australia Kangaroos have defeated a courageous New Zealand Kiwis 30-18 at Allianz Stadium