ANZAC victory comes at a price
by Chris Cox
Friday April 22, 2005

Australia has scored a convincing 32-16 win over New Zealand in the ANZAC Test at a packed Suncorp Stadium, however the news wasn't all good for the Broncos with Tonie Carroll and Shaun Berrigan in doubt for tomorrow night's top of the table NRL clash with the Sharks.

Carroll sustained a rib injury while Berrigan suffered a nasty head cut after an accidental knee in a tackle during a scrappy second half.  Skipper Darren Lockyer also rolled an ankle but ran out the pain and should be fit for the Sharks game.

However it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Broncos contingent, with the three wounded also scoring first half tries as the Kangaroos charged to a 22-4 lead going into half time.

New Zealand hit back right on the break when Jerome Ropati crashed over, reducing the margin to just 12 points, reviving hope of a second half thriller.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be, with a string of errors from both sides and a steady stream of penalties stifling the contest. It took 16 minutes of the second half before the score changed, with New Zealand Warriors prop Steve Price fending through club teammates before offloading to former clubmate Willie Tonga to score.

Shortly after fullback Anthony Minichiello dived on a pinpoint grubber kick to extend the lead to 32-10 with 18 minutes remaining.

Panthers tyro Frank Pritchard looked to have hit back when he charged over the line, only for the video referee to rule he lost the ball over the line. Ropati then picked up a loose ball and ran 80 metres with 8 minutes to go to reduce the margin to 16  points. It looked certain to be reduced to 10 when Nigel Vagana found space and chipped ahead, but Minichiello took the dangerous centre out without the ball, earning the Kiwis a penalty.

However, a mistake on the first tackle turned the ball over to Australia, and that typified the ebb of the second half.

It was a solid if unspectacular performance from the Australians, with back rower Nathan Hindmarsh, props Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva, hooker Luke Priddis and skipper Lockyer the most impressive. 

The Kiwis can take heart from the performance of their many exciting youngsters, most notably Benji Marshall who was not the least bit overawed by the occasion and presented plenty of opportunities in attack. 

Earlier the match was looking like a classic end to end battle, with the Australians dominating the early exchanges only to be denied by stinging Kiwi defence. It took 10 minutes to open the scoring when Lockyer found space with a precise second man pass, winger Matt Sing finishing off in the corner.

Shortly after a loose ball was toed ahead by Berrigan to score for a 10-0 lead. The Kiwis hit back soon after when Marshall set the ground alight with a chip and chase, and then amazing footwork to send Matt Utai over in the corner.

Australia answered almost immediately, however when Tonie Carroll stormed onto an inside ball to score under the posts and push the margin out to 12 points.  Lockyer then used all his guile to slide his way over from close range with 5 minutes to go before half time for a commanding 22-4 lead.