"Our boys showed up and they didn't," Willie Mason, Kangaroo second-rower said, after Australia posted their biggest ever winning margin over New Zealand and extended their current winning streak over the Kiwis to six.
The Kangaroos, who blooded eight new Test caps, were never in danger apart from finding themselves trapped on their own line after fumbling the opening kick-off.
Greg Inglis, one of the Melbourne Storm's NRL Grand Final heros, led the try-scoring bonanza with three, while 18-year-old sensation Israel Folau celebrated making his Test debut as the youngest rugby league player to represent Australia, by scoring a double.
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"Our boys showed up and they didn't."
Willie Mason,
Australian second-rower |
New Zealand, with six debutants in their line up, missed far too many tackles, made numerous handling errors and never looked comfortable.
Their cause was not helped when Matai was sent off after a late and high hit on Mark Gasnier saw the Australian centre also leave the field, with the Kiwis having to play 60 minutes with only 12 men.
After a brief 0-0 deadlock it became one-way traffic as Australia punished New Zealand for hanging off tackles.
Folau marked his debut by opening the scoring with a blockbusting run in the 15th minute when he burst through five defenders to touch down.
Captain Cameron Smith added the extra points and the flood gates opened.
Try fest
Steve Price cashed in on his return to the Australian side with a try in the 21st minute before Inglis scored his first followed by Folau with his second, and when Jarryd Hayne found the line with two more goals by Smith Australia were ahead 26-0 at halftime.
Inglis opened second half scoring when he finished off a 60 metre move to go over in the corner, and he had his hat-trick in the 66th minute after also capping a move which began inside the Kangaroos own half.
The remaining tries in the second half went to Brett Stewart, Greg Bird, Mason and Smith.
Smith also landed a further three goals before handing the ball to Kurt Girdley who finished the game converting his captain's try.