Australia thrash NZ in try-fest

A hat-trick from Greg Inglis and two tries from winger Israel Folau saw Australia trounce New Zealand 58-0 in the centenary Test in Wellington.

Folau, who at 18 became the youngest player to feature for the Kangeroos, was one of eight players to score as Australia ran in a total of 11 tries.

New Zealand were reduced to 12 men on 23 minutes when Steve Matai was sent off for a high tackle on Mark Gasnier.

Skipper Cameron Smith kicked six goals, with Kurt Gidley adding the extras.

Veteran New Zealand Warriors prop Steve Price made a scoring return in his first international for two years while Jarryd Hayne, Brett Stewart, Greg Bird, Willie Mason and stand-in captain Smith each added a try.

The comprehensive victory was fully appreciated by Kangeroos coach Ricky Stuart, who fielded eight new caps in the one-off Test at the Westpac Stadium.

"It was a pretty clinical display," said Stuart. "It could have gone either way at half-time and we talked about staying professional and we really kept our professionalism. It was a very strong performance."

"I didn't expect any of this and I can't believe how it's gone," said teenager Folau, one of seven players in the Kangeroos side from NRL champions Melbourne Storm.

Kiwi coach Gary Kemble will be without Matai for the Kiwis' forthcoming three-Test series against Great Britain after the centre was banned for two matches for his high tackle on Gasnier.

Meanwhile injuries have forced full-back Krisnan Inu (dislocated elbow) and winger Luke Covell (shoulder) out of the tour.

Kemble has named 19-year-old Sydney Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall as Matai's replacement but will not name the others two until after the match against the Northern Union in Warrington next Saturday.

"The size of the defeat and the nature of it was extremely disappointing for all of us," said Kemble.

"And there has also been a heavy price to pay in terms of the injuries suffered by Luke and Krisnan, our two frontline goal-kickers."

Source: BBC Sport