Parramatta’s new star pairing secured it, but it was 24 straight, desperate tryline tackles that truly delivered green-and-gold retribution for the Kangaroos after Shaun Johnson threatened to inspire another New Zealand upset.
Zac Lomax finished with an impressive double from the wing before a Mitchell Moses match-winner, after Johnson’s return from rugby league retirement had a sold-out 17,000-strong Christchurch crowd in full voice.
New Zealand threatened to repeat the 30-0 boilover of last year’s Pacific Championships more than once, with Storm star Will Warbrick casting back to his rugby sevens pedigree with a stunning 64th-minute try that set up a grandstand finish.
Warbrick latched onto a Johnson cross-field kick before stepping one way and pivoting the other to beat Lomax all ends up in an entertaining, one-on-one wing battle.
Not until Moses streaked away from a Dylan Edwards break in the 71st minute could Australia bank the win and progress to the tournament final on November 10.
It was immediately after halftime, clinging to a 12-6 advantage, that Mal Meninga’s side truly earned it. After Harry Grant fumbled shortly after the break, New Zealand set up camp on Australia’s line for several minutes and Johnson wound back the clock with some virtuoso short kicking.
Zac Lomax scores a critical try in Christchurch.Credit: Getty Images
Twice the Kiwis crossed the tryline only to be held up or denied by the video referee, while the Kangaroos scrambled for what felt like an age before Johnson eventually looped a ball for Jamayne Isaako to make a beeline for the corner.
Again, it took impressive desperate defensive efforts from Xavier Coates and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to slide him into touch and keep the Kiwis at bay.
