Australia (16) 38
Tries: Thurston 2, Hodges 2, Folau, Slater, Boyd Goals: Thurston 5

New Zealand (6) 10
Tries: Perrett, Vatuvei Goals: Marshall

Thurston scored 18 points for the Kangaroos in Queensland

Australia ran in seven tries to avenge last year's World Cup final defeat with a comfortable win over New Zealand.

Johnathan Thurston led the way with two tries - the first coming after a great dummy - and Justin Hodges scored from dummy half to open a 16-6 lead.

Any thoughts of a Kiwi comeback were ended by a Billy Slater try out wide midway through the second half.

Winger Manu Vatuvei's try proved a mere consolation as Darius Boyd and Hodges took advantage of a tired Kiwi side.

Israel Folau went over in the corner to give the Australians an early lead, but Benji Marshall converted Sam Perrett's try to put New Zealand in front.

It was the only time they would lead though as Iosia Soliola and Adam Blair bought Thurston's dummy and the Queenslander raced clear.

Hodges broke three tackles to establish a 10-point lead for the Kangaroos at the break and that soon became 22 as Thurston swan-dived next to the posts and Slater finished off a slick move.

The Kiwis wasted several good opportunities before Vatuvei clambered over to reduce the deficit.

But Boyd scored his first international try and Hodges went over from close range as the Kangaroos threatened to run riot.

Australia: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Israel Folau(Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra Dragons), Darren Lockyer (captain - Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Qld Cowboys), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Steve Price (NZ Warriors) Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast Titans), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Glenn Stewart (Manly Sea Eagles)
Replacements: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Luke Bailey (Gold Coast Titans), Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles)

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia (New Zealand Warriors); Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Iosia Soliola (Roosters), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors); Nathan Fien (Warriors), Benji Marshall (captain - Wests Tigers); Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm); David Fa'alogo (Souths), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders); Simon Mannering (Warriors).
Replacements: Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Jeff Lima (Storm), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Sika Manu (Storm).

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