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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2742994, member: 1899"] First Test AUSTRALIA 26; NEW ZEALAND 6 at Christchurch Discipline in the face of intense provocation won the first Test for Australia at Christchurch’s Commonwealth Games venue, QEII Stadium. Faced with a barrage of high tackles and cheap shots, the Australians turned the other cheek and overpowered the Kiwis with football class to storm home 26-6. New Zealand lock Brendon Tuuta was involved in the rough stuff early on and earned instant infamy in the eyes of the Australians with his heavy handed tactics. The match undoubtedly would have exploded had the Australians allowed themselves to be intimidated, but they remained cool in trying circumstances. The normally irascible Steve Roach showed his maturity by leading the up-front charge, taking on the defence on the sixth tackle and offloading to Greg Alexander who linked with Tony Currie for the first try and an 8-2 lead. Then it was skipper Wally Lewis’ turn to score after centre Tony Currie had significantly stepped through a Tuuta tackle and when Kerrod Walters sprinted 30 metres for a try on the stroke of halftime, the Australians had the Test well in the grasp at 20-2. The second half was a more settled, grafting period, with both sides, exhibiting skills to an appreciative crowd of around 17,000. Aussie second-rower Paul Sironen was rewarded for a fine display when he crashed over for a second half try, while the Kiwis’ only joy came via a Mark Elia intercept after 51 minutes. Roach and Sam Backo paved the way for victory with their barging forays up centre-field and the massive frame of Sironen proved almost unstoppable on the fringes of the rucks. Debutants Greg Alexander, Michael Hancock, Kerrod Walters and Bradley Clyde faired well, with Clyde picking up the official man of the match award. Alexander showed some hesitancy outside Wally Lewis and appeared reluctant to take the initiative, but was at other times brilliant. The duel between centres Mal Meninga and Kevin Iro was one of the game’s few genuine contests. But Meninga showed his young lookalike who was boss with a crashing tackle midway through the first half. Kiwi fullback Darrell Williams prevented a landslide with some bruising front-on defence in the last line, while Sam Stewart and Brent Toddd were tireless workers. Australia 26 (Currie, Lewis, Kerrod Walters, Sironen tries; Meninga 5 goals) defeated New Zealand 6 (Elia try, Iro goal) Australia Gary Belcher, Dale Shearer, Mal Meninga, Tony Currie, Michael Hancock Wally Lewis, Greg Alexander Sam Backo, Kerrod Walters, Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, Bradley Clyde, Paul Vautin Reserves: Michael O’Connor, Bruce McGuire New Zealand Darrell Williams, Tony Iro, Kevin Iro, Tony Kemp, Mark Elia Shayne Cooper, Clayton Friend Brent Todd, Barry Harvey, James Goulding, Hugh McGahan, Sam Stewart, Brendon Tuuta Reserves: Gary Freeman [/QUOTE]

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