MATCH SUMMARY New Zealand: (16) 26 Tries: Webster (2), Vagana, Tony, Faiumu Pens: Jones Cons: Jones (2) Australia: (8) 28 Tries: Lockyer (2), Cooper (2), Gasnier, Minichello Cons: Fitzgibbon (2) All the action as it happened

The Kangaroos were struggling at 16-8 at half-time but a stunning turnaround saw them edge past the Kiwis with four second-half tries in all.

Australia conceded three tries to two in the first half but hit back to avenge defeat by New Zealand last week.

New Zealand scored a fifth try late on to set up a nerve-wracking finish.

For Australia, Darren Lockyer and Matt Cooper went over in the first half at a rain-lashed Ericsson Stadium before Mark Gasnier, Lockyer, Cooper and Anthony Minichello added further tries in the second half.

New Zealand romped into the lead with scores from Jake Webster, Nigel Vagana and Motu Tony, while David Faiumu scored at the death as veteran Stacey Jones slotted a penalty and two conversions.

New Zealand won the opening Tri Nations series match 38-28 last week, their first win in Sydney since 1959.

Nigel Vagana touches down

Australia, the defending champions, took the lead against the run of play when skipper Lockyer opened the try-count on 12 minutes after debutant Cooper had caught Andrew Johns' high kick.

But the Kangaroos were forced to defend for long periods and twice conceded drop-outs after Craig Fitzgibbon and Matt King were driven back behind their own line.

The Kiwis, inspired by scrum-half Jones, hit back with tries from winger Webster and Vagana to go 8-4 in front.

Fitzgibbon and Jones were both off target with conversion attempts but Jones stretched New Zealand's lead on 30 minutes with a penalty.

Australia kept coming, though, and Cooper scored a try on debut after half-backs Johns and Lockyer worked the ball out wide to create an overlap.

But the Kiwis had the final say of the first half in stoppage time when a break out from full-back Brent Webb set up Hull utility player Tony to take David Kidwell's pass and cross for a third try.

Jones' first successful conversion gave his side an eight-point lead at the break.

But the second half saw a rejuvenated Australian side hit New Zealand with three tries in about eight minutes.

Brent Tate goes on the attack

First, a searing touchline burst and clever footwork put Gasnier over in the corner before Minichiello's reverse pass sent Lockyer through the New Zealand defence to score under the posts.

Lockyer was again at the centre of the action for the third, scored by Cooper, and Fitzgibbon's conversion secured Australia an eight-point lead.

The shell-shocked Kiwis managed to steady their ship and on 65 minutes New Zealand narrowed the gap to four points as a flowing move to the right sent Webster in for his second try in the corner.

New Zealand were pressing again but a knock-on supplied Australia with the ball and Minichello launched a stunning break, weaving his way past Kiwi defenders to score at the other end.

Minichello thought he had scored again on 72 minutes but the video official surprisingly rejected the score.

But the Kiwis were not done and substitute Faiumu added New Zealand's fifth try within the last two minutes, converted by Jones, to set up the tense finale.

New Zealand: Brent Webb, Jake Webster, Paul Whatuira, Shontayne Hape, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Paul Rauhihi, Motu Tony, Ruben Wiki, David Kidwell, David Solomona, Louis Anderson
Replacements: David Faiumu, Roy Asotasi, Iafeta Palea'aesina, Tony Puletua.

Australia: Anthony Minichiello, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer, Andrew Johns, Petero Civoniceva, Danny Buderus, Steve Price, Luke O'Donnell, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ben Kennedy.
Replacements: Trent Barrett, Jason Ryles, Mark O'Meley, Trent Waterhouse.

Referee: Steve Ganson (England).