Kangaroos backrower Angus Crichton looked to have scored the opening try in the fourth minute but in a coach-killer moment he failed to ground the ball while putting it down one-handed.
The try was awarded before replays showed the howler and the Christchurch crowd went off before the Bunker got involved and disallowed it.
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But big Lindsay Collins didn’t make the same mistake in the 16th minute after broke two tackles and charged 40 metres to score.
New Zealand’s veteran halfback Shaun Johnson – who came out of retirement for this match – straightened up the defence in the 26th minute then sent it out the back door to set up a well-worked team try for Jamayne Isaako.
Kangaroos centre Tom Trbojevic made a break in the 33rd minute and then found Zac Lomax who showed incredible strength to stay in the field of play and score.
Australia leads 12-6 at halftime.
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Kangaroos will be hoping to redeem themselves on Sunday night when they take on New Zealand for the first time since that 30-0 result in the 2023 Pacific Championships final.
The Kangaroos began their Pac Champs last week with a comprehensive 18-0 win over Tonga, while Sunday’s clash will be the Kiwis’ first of their campaign.
New Zealand coach Stacey Jones, who played a record 46 Tests for his country, revealed the Kiwis’ snub from the new year representative schedule had his charges hungry and motivated.
This match gets underway at 4.05pm (AEDT — from Apollo Projects Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox League via Foxtel (Channel 502) or Kayo Sports from 3.15pm (AEDT).
