The Kangaroos have ended their three-game losing run by keeping New Zealand scoreless in their 16-0 win at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
First half tries to Darius Boyd and Greg Inglis proved enough to secure a Kangaroos win against an otherwise rudderless New Zealand outfit.
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It was always going to be the case that a Kiwis win was going to come off the back of a brilliant Shaun Johnson performance.
The halfback's efforts however were thwarted without a recognised five-eighth by his side – Johnson's three errors a burden for the Kiwis come game's end.
Misguided plays and missed opportunities were the order of the day for New Zealand, though their defence – namely in the second half – was admirable as they constantly found themselves constantly peppered by an eager Kangaroos outfit in the final 40 minutes.
Blake Ferguson's four-pointer in the dying seconds was the only try-scoring instance in the second half.
At the opposite end of the game, Ferguson's wing partner Semi Radradra's first involvement as a Kangaroo ended in unfortaunate circumstances when the winger was sin-binned in the seventh minute for denying Kiwis' Kevin Proctor the game's first try.
Proctor looked likely to pounce on a Johnson grubber in-goal until Radradra pushed the back-rower off his likely try-scoring path.
It would have no ill-effects on the Kangaroos who managed to post first points seven minutes later when Darius Boyd opted to go himself on a backline shift.
Australia extended their lead to six midway through the first half when Johnathan Thurston kicked a penalty goal from 10 metres out in front.
In 32nd minute Australia centre Greg Inglis found himself enough space in the Kiwi defence to cross for his 28th try as a Kangaroo.
Inglis was denied his second of the match three minutes from half-time when a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak error in the lead-up was caused by a high shot from Thurston.
A late shot from Sam Moa on Thurston was the impetus behind the Kangaroos' next point-scoring play, a penalty goal from Cameron Smith in the 44th minute, which pushed the lead out to 12.
Ferguson's try then sealed proceedings for a Kangaroos victory.
While his four Broncos teammates will be happy for the Kangaroos win, New Zealand's Adam Blair being placed on a report for a chicken wing tackle midway through the second half could cause plenty of angst among the quartet.
Kangaroos 16 (Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Blake Ferguson tries; Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith goals) defeated Kiwis 0 at Hunter Stadium. Crowd: 27,724. Half-time: Kangaroos 10-0. On report: Adam Blair (Broncos) – chicken wing tackle.
This article orginally appeared on NRL.com.
The views expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club.
