Roos race to ANZAC triumph
Australia gained a measure of revenge for their World Cup final defeat with a 38-10 victory over New Zealand in Brisbane.
Last Updated: 09/05/09 2:13pm
Australia gained a measure of revenge for their World Cup final defeat with a 38-10 victory over New Zealand in the ANZAC Test in Brisbane.
The Kangaroos, playing under new coach Tim Sheens for the first time, ran out comfortable winners after a competitive opening quarter.
Johnathan Thurston slotted five conversions and crossed twice, including a brilliant effort in the second half where he vaulted over a pack of players, while Justin Hodges also scored a brace.
The visitors trailed 16-6 at half-time but any thoughts of a Kiwi comeback were soon snuffed out by 'Roos full-back Billy Slater.
A timely offload from Glenn Stewart put through Slater, who was only declared fit on the morning of the game, for a memorable try that triggered jubilant celebrations from the man that found himself in the firing line after an errant pass in last year's final.
Battle
Kiwi winger Manu Vatuvei, whose personal battle with opening try-scorer Israel Folau was one of the most intriguing in the match, clambered his way to the line in the 62nd minute for a consolation try.
The visitors were within striking distance again, as they had been for a lot of the contest, but poor decision-making proved costly.
The Kiwis turned the ball over when approaching the try line on a number of occasions and also continued to put up bombs to Folau's wing, apparently impervious to the Brisbane star's impressive leap.
The floodgates were left ajar by a tired Kiwis side in the final stages and the Kangaroos took full advantage.
Slater and Kurt Gidley had tries disallowed due to obstruction, before Darius Boyd and Hodges made it a seven tries to two stroll.
