Trying to stop a five-match losing streak against Australia, New Zealand almost got off to a dream start when the Kangaroos knocked the ball on straight from the kick-off and Jeremy Smith was stopped centimetres short of the line. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, that was their best scoring chance of the game.

The opening quarter was dominated by the Kangaroos as their forwards effortlessly made yards up the middle while the Kiwis failed to complete their sets of six, spilling the ball regularly. Australia were able to capitalise on their early dominance with tries to Israel Falou and Steve Price.

The defining moment of the game came in the 22nd minute when Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier was knocked out by a high tackle from opposite number Steve Matai. As Gasnier was being helped from the field Matai was ordered off, leaving the Kiwis to play the remainder of the game with 12 men.

'This victory shows how big the difference between Australia and the rest of the world is and that New Zealand and Great Britain can only hope for occasional victories over the Kangaroos'


Having earlier lost Luke Covell to an arm injury, the Kiwis were rapidly running out of personnel. The Kangaroos took full advantage, running in a further three tries by Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne and a second to Falou to lead 26-0 at the break.

The second half  was all one-way traffic as the Kangaroos continued to dominate, while the fatigue set in for the Kiwis, who lost fullback Krisnan Inu to injury after 65 minutes. Inglis completed his hat-trick midway though the second half as the Australians scored regularly with tries going to Brett Stewart, Willie Mason, Cameron Smith and Greg Bird.

Stand-off Bird was a stand-out player for Australia, directing his team well and was rewarded with a late try. Dummy half Smith put in a stellar performance, distributing well from the play-the-ball and making a number of decisive runs.

The Kiwis battled hard throughout the game, but due to the personnel deficit nobody was able to shine. Despite being outclassed and hopelessly over-matched the New Zealanders never gave up and, contrary to the scoreline, defended well.

The loss of key personnel such as Reuben Wiki and Nigel Vagana to retirement has shown a lack of depth in the ranks in New Zealand as this team never stamped their authority on this match. Australia showed they will once again be the favourites for next year's Rugby League World Cup, leaving top players Jonathan Thurston and Scott Prince out of the team and still putting in such a dominant performance.

Back in 2000 the Australian media trumpeted that record 52-0 win as the death of international Rugby League. While that may be a little over-dramatic, this victory does show how big the difference between Australia and the rest of the world is and that New Zealand and Great Britain can only hope for occasional victories over the Kangaroos.

Most of the Kiwi side now head to England for the centenary All Golds match against the Northern Union team, along with some Kangaroos, most notably Price.

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