New Zealand Under-20s player Codemeru Vai. Photo: ISAAC LAWRENCE
A hat-trick to winger Ronan Leahy and a dominant performance at scrum time inspired the Junior Wallabies to a 34-26 victory over the New Zealand Under-20s in Wellington on Monday.
Despite being reduced to 13 men late in the contest, Australia held on with some desperate defence to draw first blood in the two-match series.
Newly-appointed Australia captain Teddy Wilson was impressive at halfback laying on two tries, while the Junior Wallabies forwards clearly won the set piece battle.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, awarded a penalty try on the back of a powerful scrum.
The home side soon drew level with a burrowing effort from flanker Malachi Wrampling-Alec and successful conversion from halfback Riley Williams.
Inside centre David Vaihu hit back for the Australians in the 30th minute, finishing off an incisive break from Wilson, with Jack Bowen's conversion giving them a 14-7 lead.
New Zealand prop Bradley Crichton was sin-binned for a high shot and the Junior Wallabies extended their lead five minutes later as slick hands put Leahy over in the corner.
Yet it was New Zealand who had the final say in the opening stanza as a cross-field kick from playmaker Finn Hurley found winger Isaac Hutchison for a 19-14 scoreline at half time.
The Junior Wallabies opened the second half in style as a set move from the back of the scrum saw Wilson grubber through for Leahy to grab his second try.
New Zealand replied shortly after as winger Codemeru Vai found himself unmarked out wide, with the conversion cutting the Aussies' lead back to five points.
Leahy dived over to complete his hat-trick in the 61st minute after loose forward Leafi Talataina earlier broke clear with some deft footwork.
New Zealand threatened a comeback as Hurley sliced through to make it 31-26 with 13 minutes left to play.
However a Mason Gordon penalty goal pushed the lead back out beyond a converted try, and despite two Junior Wallabies subsequently being shown yellow cards, the visitors held on for a memorable win.
The series continues in Wellington on Saturday.
