Kiwis suffer last-gasp heartbreak as the Kangaroos snatch World Cup opener

The Kiwis fought to the final whistle but fell 24-22 to Australia in a Rugby League World Cup opener that swung on a dramatic late comeback.

New Zealand had led for much of the contest and looked set to take a major scalp before the Kangaroos struck twice in the final 12 minutes at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday night.

The men’s draw was structured around the latest International Rugby League world rankings - 10 teams split into three pools: one of four teams and two of three.

The top two from Pool A qualify for the semi-finals while the top two teams from a combined table of Pools B and C also advance.

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris says the narrow defeat was painful but the effort from his team gave him reasons to be proud.

“It was a close game like the full 80 were battling much respect to Australia,” he told 7Sport after the match.

New Zealand Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris cuts a dejected figure after his side’s heartbreaking 24-22 defeat to Australia. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

“Yeah, just a few moments went their way and but we fought to the death, which I'm really proud of.”

The result leaves New Zealand looking to respond in their next match with Fisher-Harris backing the side to build from the opening performance.

“Obviously we would like to win but I thought it's a good start but yeah, only improvement from here.”

Casey McLean scores the opening try against Australia, finishing off an attacking move sparked by Jahrome Hughes’ high kick. Photo/Photosport/James Gourley

He also thanked the Kiwi supporters who turned out in Sydney. “Big shout out to all our fans from New Zealand, showing their love. I appreciate you and hope this is used for the rest of the campaign.”

Late Walsh magic turns the game

The Kiwis got off to a perfect start when Casey McLean scored in the fourth minute, finishing a clever attacking move after Ronaldo Mulitalo tapped back a high kick for Isaiah Papali’i to keep alive.

Australia hit back through two long-range intercept tries. Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic punished New Zealand passes to help level the scores at 10-10 at half-time.

The Kiwis continued to threaten after the break. Fulback Kalyn Ponga, on debut, produced a brilliant step to beat Reece Walsh and race away for a 50-metre try, putting New Zealand back in front.

The New Zealand Kiwis set the tone for a fiercely contested trans-Tasman clash with the haka. Photo/AAP/Mark Evans/Photosport

Jamayne Isaako’s conversion pushed the lead to 22-16 and the Kiwis appeared to have the match under control.

But Walsh had other ideas. In the 69th minute, he collected a pass from Bostock and raced about 80 metres to score, cutting the margin to two.

Ponga left the field with an arm issue in the 71st minute with Keano Kini coming on for the closing stages. The fullback’s condition was not confirmed after the match.

Five minutes later, Bostock rose to claim the ball in an aerial contest with Isaako and scored his third try of the night to put Australia ahead. Walsh missed the conversion, leaving the Kangaroos two points clear.

New Zealand had one final chance but a last-ditch grubber kick was collected by Trbojevic, who was tackled into touch as time expired.

McLean and Ponga scored for the Kiwis with Ponga crossing twice while Australia’s tries came from Bostock, who scored a hat-trick, and Trbojevic and Walsh. Isaako kicked three conversions and two penalty goals for New Zealand while Walsh added two conversions for Australia.

Both sides finished the opener with injury concerns. The Kiwis face an anxious wait over Ponga’s suspected broken arm while Australia halfback Mitchell Moses suffered a calf injury that forced him off early in the second half.

Both players will undergo further assessment to determine their availability for the rest of the World Cup.

An injured Kalyn Ponga looks dejected after the Kiwis’ 24-22 defeat to Australia. The debutant Kiwi left the field late in the match which could put his Rugby League World Cup campaign in doubt. Photo/Photosport/James Gourley

Australia praise the Sydney crowd

Australia captain Isaah Yeo said his side had found a way to grind out the win in the second half.

“We were able to grind our way back into it in that second half,” he said post-match on 7Sport.

Yeo also thanked the crowd for creating the atmosphere the international game needs.

“Thanks for coming out. It's what we want on this international stage. You want arenas and atmospheres like this.”

Erin Clark takes on the Australian defence. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

For the Kiwis, the immediate focus will be on recovering from the narrow loss, assessing Ponga’s injury, and turning a performance full of promise into a result in their next outing.

New Zealand’s next match is against the Cook Islands in Christchurch on Sunday, 25 October, with kick-off at 6.05pm NZ time. But before that, the Kiwi Ferns face France at 4pm NZT.

The men's tournament continues on Friday 16 October, with Toa Sāmoa facing France in the men’s competition at 7.45pm NZ time, followed by the Jillaroos’ women’s World Cup opener against Sāmoa at CommBank Stadium in Sydney from10.05pm NZ time.

On Saturday 17 October, Tonga take on England at HBF Park in Perth at 9.05pm NZT while the Fiji Bati face off with Cook Islands on Sunday 18 October at 5.05pm NZT.

TEAMS

New Zealand Kiwis: Kalyn Ponga, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris (captain), Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine. Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison. Reserves: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Keano Kini, Scott Sorensen.

Australia Kangaroos: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Latrell Mitchell, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo. Interchange: Tom Dearden, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi. Reserves: David Fifita, Bradman Best, Blayke Brailey.

Interchange rules: The World Cup will be played under NRL rules, with six players named on the interchange bench. Teams can use a maximum of four interchange players during a match.

Match officials: Referee Adam Gee, touch judges Matt Noyen and Tyson Brough, and senior review official Chris Butler.