Australia celebrate their Tri-Nations Series victory

Australia 16 (10):
Tries: Tate, Lockyer
Goals: Thurston 4

New Zealand 12 (6):
Tries: Pritchard, Soliola
Goals: Jones 2

Skipper Darren Lockyer's golden point extra-time try gave Australia victory over New Zealand in a pulsating Tri-Nations final at Aussie Stadium.

The Kangaroos half-back crossed in the second period of added time after the game had ended 12-12 after 80 minutes.

The win gave the Aussies revenge for last year's 24-0 mauling by the Kiwis.

Brent Tate's try helped Australia into a 10-2 lead before scores from Frank Pritchard and Iosia Soliola pulled the 2005 champions back into it in Sydney.

Interview: Australia captain Darren Lockyer

Interview: NZ's Brian McClennan & Ruben Wiki

606: DEBATE Congratulations to the Aussies. Looks like Lockyer was the man again WS 606: Have your say

"It's a dream come true," said Lockyer, who was named the world's best player for the second time in his career at the start of the week.

"I couldn't have written the script any better.

"It's great to finish with a win. It was a long game, very intense and both teams were hanging in there waiting for the opportunity - but the legs need a good rest now."

Lockyer, 29, also guided Brisbane Broncos and Queensland to victory in the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin Series respectively.

The Kangaroos took the initiative with a ninth-minute try from Tate and three kicks from scrum-half Johnathan Thurston.

But the Kiwis cut the gap with a 28th-minute try from replacement Pritchard and levelled after a break from Soliola.

Thurston's goal put Australia back in the driving seat but Stacey Jones levelled to set up a tense finish.

Both sides had numerous drop-goal attempts in a bid to snatch the win.

But the match was only decided when Lockyer went over after Thurston made the break.

Australia: Hunt, Tate, Gasnier, Hodges, Inglis, Lockyer, Thurston, Kite, Smith, Civoniceva, Ryan, Hindmarsh, O'Donnell.
Replacements: Mason, Berrigan, O'Meley, Tupou.

New Zealand: Webb, Hape, Soliola, Matai, Vatuvei, Vagana, Jones, Wiki, Halatau, Asotasi, Kidwell, Mannering, Faalogo.
Replacements: Tony, Cayless, Blair, Pritchard.