Kiwis upset Aussies in Tri-Series Opener

New Zealand have scored a massive upset defeating Australia 38-28 in a high scoring affair a Telstra Stadium in Sydney tonight.

The Kiwis got off to the perfect start to open up an 18-0 lead in as many minutes before holding off an inspirational fight back from a spirited Kangaroos outfit.

With the scores locked at 18 a piece it was New Zealand who took it upon themselves to put the game away scoring three of the next five tries to seal the victory.

The Kangaroos appeared to be shell-shocked 18 minutes into time after Clinton Toopi crossed the line twice along with full-back Brent Webb to run out to a 18-0 lead.

The Aussies refused to lie down with the next four tries through Andrew Johns, Mark Gasnier, before half time including a Brent Tate special in which he scored two tries and in one case ran 80 metres to cross the line.

After half-time the Kangaroos continued their dominance with Kiwi winger Manu Vatuvei dropping a high ball on the goal line allowing Matt King to pounce on the loose ball to give Australia the lead for the first time, 22-18.

The Kiwis kept coming though with Nathan Cayless crashing over the line courtesy of some brilliant work from Nigel Vagana to take the lead.

Australia made error after error and this came back to haunt them when Vagana caught the Kangaroos napping in the 68th minute to bring the lead out to eight points.

With the Kangaroos trailing the Kiwis an undisciplined act from the Bulldogs’ Andrew Ryan cost Australia two points to stretch New Zealand’s lead to 10 points.

Five minutes from full-time Australia made an attempt to snaffle a victory with Gasnier showing great acceleration to beat three Kiwis and go over in the corner to cut the margin back to four points.

Man-of-the-match Toopi crossed the line in the 78th minute for his hat-trick to end all Australian hopes of a victory and to run out 10 points winners, 38-28.

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