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Close comeback New Zealand hangs on for test win
Posted: Friday October 15, 1999 04:05 PM
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- New Zealand survived a second-half revival from Australia to win the first match in rugby league's tri-series, taking the first test 24-22 Friday at Ericsson Stadium. Both sides scored four tries each. New Zealand, after leading 24-4 at halftime, went to sleep as Australian captain Brad Fittler sparked a comeback. Australia must now beat Britain in Brisbane to make the final in Auckland on Nov. 5. "Our forwards laid on a great platform in the first half, they gave the backs the opportunity to finish off," New Zealand captain Richard Barnett said. "This really was a game of two halves, I thought we played a bit mundane in the second half and we tried to live off the 20-point advantage we had at halftime. "We're going to have to look at our second half and improve on that. This wasn't a great way to finish off." Australian skipper Brad Fittler had a warning for Andy Goodway's British side. "We'll be better for the run," said Fittler. "It was probably too much to claw back when you're 20 points down. But the second-half effort was great and 40 minutes in football is a long time." New Zealand 24 (Willie Talau, Jason Lowrie, Stephen Kearney, Nigel Vagana tries; Henry Paul 4 goals) defeated Australia 22 (Matthew Gidley, Mat Rogers, Brad Fittler, Russell Richardson tries; Mat Rogers 3 goals).
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