NZ Schools bounce back to beat Australia
October 8, 2005

The New Zealand secondary schools rugby side maintained their dominance over their Australian counterparts with a narrow 22-19 victory in their one-off international in Canberra today.

The New Zealanders bounced back from a shock 13-14 loss to the Australian Schools A team in Sydney on Tuesday to register their fourth consecutive win over the full Australian schools side in blustery conditions.

The teams were locked 12-all at halftime at Viking Park but the New Zealanders made good use of the wind after halftime and scored two tries through Tua Sevene and Ken Pisi 10 minutes into the spell to build a match-winning buffer.

Australia fought back with a quarter of the match remaining when Lachlan Turner toed ahead a loose ball and won the race to the line.

The conversion by Nathan Sievert bridged the gap to three but unlike the Australia A game where New Zealand failed to close down the contest when they hit the front late in the match, the visitors held on.

First five-eighth Trent Renata and replacement loose forward Zarhn Commerer scored for the New Zealanders in the first half, though a double by Australian wing Brett Stapleton ensured parity at the break with a double.

New Zealand had problems with goalkicking though Renata's cause was not helped when no kicking tee was available for an unsuccessful first half penalty attempt despite a frantic search on the sideline.

New Zealand Schools 22 (Trent Renata, Zarhn Commerer, Tua Sevene, Ken Pisi tries; Trent Renata con) Australian Schools 19 (Brett Stapleton 2, Lachlan Turner tries; Nathan Sievert 2 con).

Halftime 12-12.

NZPA

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