Winger Luke Rooney scored two tries on debut as Australia drew 16-16 with New Zealand in yesterday's series-opening Tri Nations rugby league test.
Australia led 16-6 when Rooney crossed for his second in the 21st minute but the Kiwis rallied and dominated the second half on a rain-soaked North Harbour Stadium to share honors with the world champions.
PHOTO: AFP
Brothers Vinnie and Louis Anderson scored tries for the New Zealanders, who tied the scores with Francis Meli's final try 25 minutes from fulltime.
Neither team was able to break a long and tense deadlock. Craig Gower and Darren Lockyer drifted fieldgoal attempts wide of the posts while New Zealand missed two chances.
Australia started as firm favorites but New Zealand battled well.
Wet conditions made handling difficult and New Zealand adapted best to conditions.
"With the weather there was a lot of dropped ball. We enjoyed it and the crowd got us home again," said Kiwis captain Reuben Wiki.
New Zealand five-eighth Vinnie Anderson scored the first try of the match after only five minutes.
Rooney replied in the 14th minute, slicing through the Kiwi defense after Gower and Lockyer had combined to create space.
Australia scored twice more via fullback Anthony Minichiello and Rooney in a seven-minute spell which gave them a 10-point buffer.
New Zealand narrowed the margin to 16-12 at halftime with a 36th minute try to hooker Louis Anderson.
Canterbury Bulldogs pair Matt Utai and Sonny Bill Williams -- playing his first international -- were outstanding for New Zealand.
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