Greg Bird (C): Scored a try early in the first half for Australia
Australia celebrated their 16th straight victory in the Anzac Test
Australia clinched a record-equalling 16th straight victory after beating New Zealand 30-18 in the Anzac Test in Sydney.
The Kiwis led 18-12 at half-time but a flurry of second-half tries allowed the world champions to run away with the win at Allianz Stadium.
Brett Morris grabbed a double for the Kangaroos while Greg Bird, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk also ran in tries. Johnathan Thurston added the extras to all five scores.
But it was New Zealand who had enjoyed the better start as prop Jesse Bromwich, one of just five survivors from the Kiwis’ World Cup final defeat to Australia last year, barged his way over for a sixth-minute try, with Shaun Johnson kicking the first of his three goals.
The Kangaroos did respond and looked to be getting on top when two tries in eight minutes saw them open up a 12-6 lead.
Level
Second-rower Bird forced his way over in the 11th minute to level the scores and Australia then pounced on a handling error by full-back Peta Hiku – one of five debutants – to put winger Morris in for his 22nd Test try.
However, New Zealand were in no mood to roll over and got right back into it when Kevin Proctor’s determined run for the line created a try for his Melbourne team-mate Tohu Harris.
Former Hull prop Sam Moa then took centre stage as his crunching tackle on Bird enabled the Kiwis to gain possession 20 metres out. Soon after Moa was doing the damage with ball in hand as he charged in for his side’s third try.
An upset remained on the cards when New Zealand made a bright start to the second half, but when the Kangaroos went up a gear the home side soon started to take control.
Full-back Billy Slater, who had endured a shaky start, provided back-to-back assists as Morris went in unopposed for his second try before Inglis powered his way over on the hour to restore his side’s lead.
Australia made sure of the win eight minutes from the end when centre Josh Morris got scrum-half Cronk over the line. The run of 16 wins matches that of the so-called ‘Invincibles’ from 1979-83.
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Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23278085
Anzac Test: Australia fight back to defeat New Zealand
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