Aussies overcome Kiwis in Country of Origin try-fest thriller

THE Annual Country of Origin match between Team Australia and Team New Zealand proved to be a try fest with an entertaining exhibition of running rugby played at Land Rover Rugby Park last night.

Team Australia went backto-back with a 37-29 victory and hold a 2-1 advantage since the 2015 reintroduction of the event.

After a stirring haka by the Men in Black, the match was played at pace and despite the Kiwis enjoying some line breaks the Aussies made the most of their first opportunity when quick hands along the backline enabled Bryce Condon to score after 12 minutes.

Ryan McMurray toed through a loose ball from a scrum and pounced on it ingoal for the Aussies’ second.

Zac Phillips slotted the conversion and the Men in Gold led 12-0.

The Kiwis found some momentum and with a string of penalties scored two tries in the space of four minutes to level the score.

Tani Fakaalofa crashed through the defence for the first while the fleet footed Abele Atunaisa stepped around several for his try.

Closing on half-time Bryce Condon slipped through a gap and well-structured support found Drew Tobin who then threw the final pass for Bryan Booth’s try. Tobin had earlier thrown the final pass for Condon to cross for a try.

Zac Phillips landed a penalty goal from halfway after the siren to give the Aussies a 22-12 lead at the break.

Trailing by ten it was important for Team New Zealand to score first in the second half.

And they did so when some fancy footwork by Anthony Heal sent Captain Nick Barlow over for a try which Heal converted.

Phillips landed another penalty and the score was 25-19.

Team Australia’s game plan to play with width paid dividends a few minutes later when Jimi Fitzgerald scored wide out.

Tani Fakaalofa scored his second try after some individual brilliance by Abele Atunaisa and a few minutes later the Kiwis trailed by one when Dylan Lewers scored in the corner. The Aussies got the margin back out to eight when Clancy Court scored and Phillips converted from the sideline.

Phillips had an outstanding game at fly-half and his combination with McMurray at the scrum base was instrumental in the victory.