Australia pull off stunning win over New Zealand in World Cup opener
Australia started the Rugby League World Cup with a stunning 24-22 victory over New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Key points
- Australia beat New Zealand 24-22 in Sydney to open their Rugby League World Cup defence.
- Jack Bostock scored a hat-trick on his Australia debut, including the 76th-minute winner.
- The match drew the biggest crowd for a Test match in 50 years.
Australia opened their Rugby League World Cup defence with a 24-22 win over New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The match drew the biggest crowd for a Test match in 50 years, surpassing the previous benchmark set in 1974.
The result sends the defending champions to the top of Pool A. The teams were level at 10-10 at half-time.
How the game unfolded
New Zealand took an early 6-0 lead when Casey McLean finished in the corner from a Ronaldo Mulitalo pass, with Jamayne Isaako converting. Australia replied in the 20th minute when debutant Jack Bostock intercepted a Jerome Hughes pass and ran the length of the field to score.
Isaako added a penalty before Tom Trbojevic raced the length of the field for a converted try that put Australia ahead. Kotoni Staggs was sent to the sin bin for impeding Kodi Nikorima as he chased a kick, and Isaako levelled the scores at 10-10 with the boot.
Early in the second half Kalyn Ponga scored his first try as New Zealand led 16-10. Bostock then scored his second, converted by Reece Walsh, to level the scores again, before Ponga sliced through for a 22-16 lead.
Walsh raced away for a try, though he could not convert after being sick on the sideline and Latrell Mitchell sent the attempt wide. With Ponga forced off with an arm injury, Bostock climbed highest in the 76th minute to complete his hat-trick and give Australia the lead.
That's Test footy. For the full 80 we were battling. Much respect to Australia - a few moments went their way.
— James Fisher-Harris
What the captains said
Australia debutant Jack Bostock, who scored the hat-trick, said: "I can't put it into words. That was everything I've ever dreamed of putting this green and gold jersey on."
New Zealand captain James Fisher-Harris said: "That's Test footy. For the full 80 we were battling. Much respect to Australia - a few moments went their way."
