The Japan Times - Holders Australia edge New Zealand 24-22 to open Rugby league World Cup

The 12-time champion Kangaroos were strong favourites going into the opening match at a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium but they were put through the ringer and only just hung on.

They crossed twice in the first-half but were always on the back foot and lucky to reach the break at 10-10.

With a man in the sin-bin, Australia conceded an early second-half try and looked beaten before Bostock pounced with four minutes left to keep them on track for a fourth consecutive title.

It stretched Australia's record over New Zealand to 19 wins and just two defeats.

New Zealand applied the early pressure and opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after four minutes through Casey McLean.

The young centre capitalised on a high kick from Jahrome Hughes to somehow dot down in the corner with his body in the air and outside the field of play.

It was a sensational try and Jamayne Isaako curled over a touchline conversion to put them 6-0 ahead.

But the hosts clung on and against the run of play hit back when Dolphins winger Bostock intercepted a stray Hughes pass and sprinted almost the length of the field to haul them into the contest.

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh missed a difficult conversion and then sent a sloppy line drop-out into touch on the full, handing New Zealand a penalty and Isaako made no mistake.

Despite New Zealand applying all the pressure Australia again stunned them with another intercept try, this time from Tom Trbojevic who like Bostock streaked 90 metres to the line and this time Walsh made no mistake.

With the clock ticking to half-time New Zealand drew level when Isaako nailed a penalty that saw the Kangaroos' Kotoni Staggs sent to the bin for a professional foul.

With Staggs on the sidelines, New Zealand piled on the pressure in the second-half and Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga dotted down after a line break, his first try for New Zealand after switching allegiance from Australia.

It fired up the hosts and Bostock claimed his second after plucking the ball out of the air at full stretch and riding a collision with Walsh, converting to level the match 16-16.

But Ponga then produced some magic, slicing through the defence with his shorts falling down for a converted try to restore New Zealand's lead with 20 minutes left.

Not to be undone, Walsh went one better, collecting a flick pass from Bostock and seeing off four defenders for a stunning try in the corner.

He vomited afterwards and was unable to take the kick, with Latrell Mitchell stepping up and missing to leave New Zealand 22-20 ahead with 10 minutes left.

Australia kept coming and Bostock outjumped Isaako at the death to cross for his third to seal the win.

H.Nakamura--JT