New Zealand outlasted the Aussies in an entertaining Waitangi international game at Mount Isa Rugby Grounds on Saturday.
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Billed as the Bledisloe shield clash of nations, the game brought together the best New Zealand and Australian players in the Mount Isa Rugby Union competition.
A good crowd came through the door, boosted by free ladies entry and the threatening storm never eventuated leading to a dry game.
What fireworks there were came on the pitch, with the Aussies unintimidated by the Haka, starting strongly and landing the first try inside two minutes.
They added a second after 15 minutes but failed to convert either leaving the score at 10-0.
Stung into action, the Kiwis side gradually stamped their authority on the game and they dominated possession for the remainder of the half.
The Aussies found it difficult to rein in the fast Kiwi running players and within 20 minutes they were on the board, a try and conversion narrowing the score to 10-7.
Further tries on 27 and 31 minutes – both converted blew the score out to 21-10 in the Kiwis favour and although the Aussies finished the half strongly could not push over for the try that would have given them a chance of victory.
The third quarter of the game was all New Zealand.
They landed three tries as gaps opened up all over the park.
It was 36-10 and threatening a complete blow-out, though the Australians kept their heads up to pull two tries back.
With five minutes remaining the Aussies scored again to make it 36-27 but their failure to convert left it looking too late for a remarkable but unlikely comeback.
Instead it was the Kiwis who broke away for the last try of a highly entertaining game.
The final score was New Zealand 41, Australia 27 and Australia’s Bledisloe Cup losing run was mirrored in the local competition.
This weekend normal MIRU fixtures resume with two games scheduled at the rugby ground.
Warrigals take on Keas at 6pm.
That is followed by Cloncurry versus Euros at 7.30pm.