A Joey Manu-inspired New Zealand have brought Australia crashing back to earth with a 26-24 upset in their rugby league Test at Mt Smart stadium.

The Kangaroos had their 13-game winning streak broken on Saturday and tasted their first Test loss under coach Mal Meninga.

After the retirement of a golden generation of players including Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, the Australians are facing a rebuild.

Manu upstaged his Sydney Roosters teammate, superstar Latrell Mitchell, scoring one try and setting up another in a rampaging performance, while Shaun Johnson was named man of the match.

The Kiwi forwards, led by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jesse Bromwich and Martin Taupau, dominated while David Klemmer was the only Australian forward to make more than 100 metres.

The Kangaroos scored two late tries through Felise Kaufusi and James Tedesco for a tense final two minutes, but the scoreline belied the Kiwis’ dominance.

The result will go a long way to restoring the New Zealand public’s faith in the Kiwis after a slew of poor results and off-field issues.

It was the New Zealanders’ first win over Australia since the 2015 Anzac Test.

After the Kangaroos took a 12-8 lead into half-time despite the Kiwis controlling possession and territory, the home side hit the front when hooker Brandon Smith scored in the 54th minute.

When a light-stepping Johnson created an overlap, Esan Marsters put the Kiwis up 20-12.

Johnson again was allowed to run across field, with Manu popping a magical offload to send Jordan Rapana over to give his side what proved a winning lead at 26-12.

The Australians started like a freight train with Mitchell putting Valentine Holmes over in just the third minute.

Five-eighth Luke Keary’s Test debut was short-lived after he was taken off with a head knock in the 17th minute and did not return.

The Kiwis were twice denied by the video referees in the first half – with skipper Dallin Watene-Zelezniak controversially turned down after Manu was ruled to have knocked on after a spectacular pick-up and chip.

Manu did give his side an 8-6 lead when he produced a powerful fend to run over Mitchell in the 35th minute.

The Kangaroos produced something out of nothing when Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Dane Gagai combined on the stroke of half-time to make it 10-8, but the Kiwis powered home in the second half.

Earlier, in the women’s game, Isabelle Kelly fired the Australian Jillaroos to a thrilling 26-24 win over New Zealand in their Test.

The superstar centre produced two pieces of brilliance, including the 75th-minute match winner to get the world champions home against an injury-hit and gallant Kiwi Ferns.

Despite losing halfback Kimiora Nati and co-captain Laura Mariu either side of half-time, the New Zealanders refused to yield, pushing the Australians all the way in a see-sawing second-half.

Annette Brander of Australia is tackled by Nita Maynard (left) and Maitua Feterika of New Zealand. Photograph: David Rowland/AAP

The Jillaroos burst out of the blocks to be up 12-0 after 12 minutes with Ali Brigginshaw setting up Julia Robinson before doing it all herself.

The Kiwi Ferns were often their own worst enemies but managed to get on the board before the break when Raecene McGregor lofted the ball out to Langi Veainu.

Nati was helped off just before half-time with what appeared to be a serious knee problem however five-eighth McGregor stepped up to keep her side in the game.

The Australians also lost back-rower Kezie Apps to a knee problem.

But just when the Kiwis looked down and out, they crossed through Aieshaleigh Smalley and Veainu in the space of three minutes to take a 14-12 lead.

The Jillaroos hit straight back through Tazmin Gray however when a rampaging Maitua Feterija managed to get it down in the corner, the scores were locked at 18-18 to set up a grandstand finish.



Kelly then broke the game open when she ran through Nita Maynard to race 70 metres to score but, importantly, Chelsea Baker missed the conversion.

After Brigginshaw dropped the ball from the kickoff, it put the Jillaroos under pressure and Amber Kani produced some late footwork at the line to go in between the posts to go in front 24-22.

But as the New Zealanders looked like they might steal it, the Jillaroos spread it right and Kelly crossed with five minutes remaining to hoist the trans-Tasman Trophy.



