Karmichael Hunt was playing in his first Tri-Nations match

New Zealand (6) 18
Tries: Vagana, Ropati, Vatuvei
Goals: S Jones 2

Australia (20) 30
Tries: Hunt 2, Gasnier, O'Meley, Inglis
Goals: Thurston 5

New Zealand's defence of their Tri-Nations title got off to a disappointing start as they crashed to defeat against Australia in Auckland.

The Kiwis began the game aggressively and Nigel Vagana touched down to put his side ahead after six minutes.

But the Kangaroos took charge after two scores from Karmichael Hunt and one from Mark Gasnier before half-time.

Jerome Ropati gave the Kiwis hope with a try on 59 minutes but tries from Mark O'Meley and Greg Inglis sealed victory.

Reaction: New Zealand 18-30 Australia

The result gave Australia some revenge for the 24-0 defeat in the Tri-Nations final last year.

It was a tough match, we always expected that Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer

It had all started so well for the Kiwis though when Vagana managed to get the slightest touch of the ball to the ground when it looked as if he had been held up.

But New Zealand made too many mistakes in a brutal first half and Australia took advantage when skipper Darren Lockyer played in Hunt on 14 minutes.

Hunt added his second five minutes later as he burst through the New Zealand defence.

Australia's momentum was stopped after a melee which started after Matt King and Kiwi Tame Tupou came to blows, but the Kangaroos continued to dominate.

Half-back Jonathan Thurston, who kicked five from six goals in an impressive debut, added a penalty before centre Mark Gasnier ran in from 80m after an interception just before the break.

Australian newcomer Greg Inglis was denied a try on 49 minutes and as the Kangaroos seemed to lose a bit of intensity, Ropati slipped through for New Zealand.

We coughed up the ball too much New Zealand stand-off Nigel Vagana

However, the gap was too much for New Zealand and O'Meley and Inglis both touched down to wrap up the win.

New Zealand refused to stop fighting and wing Manu Vatuvei touched down in the corner in final minute for a late consolation.

"It was a tough match, we always expected that," said Lockyer. "The boys hung in well in the first half and at 20-6 at half-time we were pretty confident.

"We ground it out pretty well after that. Thurston and Hunt played very well at the back, in fact all of the new guys went well which was very pleasing."

And Vagana admitted his side were second best at the Mt Smart Stadium.

"We coughed up the ball too much," he said. "We were always going to struggle when we had to make as many tackles as we did.

"There are a lot of areas we can improve on and the fact they scored three tries on the back of three intercepts tells its own story."

The teams meet again in Melbourne next Saturday while Great Britain kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Christchurch on 28 October.

New Zealand: Webb, Tupou, Soliola, Matai, Vatuvei, Vagana, Jones, Wiki (captain), Halatau, Asotasi, Kidwell, Puletua, Mannering.
Interchange: Ropati, Cayless, Blair, Pritchard.

Australia: Hunt, King, Gasnier, Hodges, Inglis, Lockyer (captain), Thurston, Mason, Smith, Civoniceva, O'Donnell, Hindmarsh, Maitua.
Interchange: O'Meley, Berrigan, Ryan, Kite.