The people of Perth were treated to their first dose of international rugby league with 20,283 turning out to watch Australia defeat New Zealand by 20 points.
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
The Haka sent shivers through the spine of the capacity crowd, however, the Kangaroos responded well, racing out of the blocks and claiming an early try just eight minutes in with Darius Boyd finding space to score from a Johnathan Thurston pass.
Australia continued their charge just six minutes later with Scott offloading to Thurston, shifting it right for Inglis who put Holmes in space, the falcon helping Inglis to score.
New Zealand hit back soon after to claim their first points of the game with Shaun Johnson servicing Kevin Proctor with a short ball, putting the Kiwis within two after Thurston missed both conversions earlier on.
There were no more points scored in the first half after what was a hard-fought battle with neither side giving an inch.
The hosts opened the first half on a high with poor ball security seeing Shaun Kenny-Dowall lose possession. Johnathan Thurston cleared it for Greg Inglis to help Valentine Holmes over on debut.
Greg Inglis grabbed another in the 68th minute, scoring off a Cameron Smith grubber to secure the win for Australia.
Solomone Kata looked to grab a consolation try as the clock wound down, however, the Warriors centre was ruled offside, New Zealand’s last glimpse of hope crushed.
Boyd Cordner gave Australia a 20-point win off a Thurston short ball to put the Kangaroos in good stead ahead of the Four Nations.
New Zealand will need to improve on their kicking game and handling as they prepare to take on England in Huddersfield.
Meanwhile Australia will arrive in Hull on a high ahead of their Four Nations opener against Scotland.
In Brief
Guest
I didn't know there were 80,000 kiwis living in Chicago???
In Brief
Guest
Dream on brother
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Strangely enough, he does the aaa+ stuff quite often... The guy is far from overrated. The great players like Thurston, Cronk and so on also happen to have some great players around them to pick up the slack when necessary. Roadrunner, alas, hasn't really had that luxury with the Warriors.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Agreed, and Thaiday should get a bench spot ahead of Klemmer.
maximillian
Roar Rookie
I agree Jacko. He definitely cant carry a team & we have seen that for a while now with the Warriors. Id like to see Leuluai take more of the last tackle options as going to Johnson all the time is predictable & easy to defend. If he can pick & choose his moments he can be more effective IMO.
Pete
Guest
Yes agree would love to see a All Blacks Wallabies game in Perth in saying that good to see the leaguies get a good crowd always going to be comfortable win for the aussies, by the way all tickets sold out 80,000 per day for the big Twin test match weekend in Chicago US next month All Blacks/Ireland and Maori All Blacks/US at least got that one dialled in should be a cracker!
Jacko
Guest
Johnson is a b grade footballer who can do the odd aaa+ individual play and look the hero. His general play is not great and he certainly cant run a game as a good halfback can.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's always annoying when you find yourself agreeing with something Gus has laboured over again and again but the kiwis 5th tackle options were poor. Johnson kept doing these rinky dink finesse kicks. Giving it a good roost would have been a better option. But no, I have no idea what's happened to his bomb. It certainly wasn't on display last night.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Serious question, where has Shaun Johnson's floating bomb gone? I've heard he couldn't do it during the season due to his leg injuries, so if he's still hurt and unable to do it after 6 weeks off that's a real worry.
MAX
Guest
The pitiful performances delivered by the hyphens JW-H and SK-D must be cause for alarm at Roosters HQ. SK-D especially is playing as though his mind is elsewhere.
Republican
Guest
......any fixture where Kiwis are involved will pull the punters. There are over 600k of them throughout this country so is it any wonder over half the gates at these sorts of games are patronised by NZers. They inflate the actual status of both rugby codes here - truth be told.
Don
Roar Rookie
Papa should get a bench spot ahead of Thaiday.
Stu
Guest
Hargraves showed why he has been left out of past teams and I think that was SKD's last test. Kiwis should improve, but not enough to beat the Aussies.
Scrumpoacher
Guest
Aus V Arg was never going to sell out. An All Blacks game would sell out for sure.
Mack
Guest
With the exception of Suncorp - Rugby league tests are played in small provincial stadiums and even then there are empty seats. By the way Crusaders v force in 2011 had a crowd of 22,000 http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=92
Sambo
Guest
Mostly enjoyed the young debutants in the match, Holmes & Boyd should play Origin next year. Rapana had a solid debut where he didn't get much ball. Bit disappointed big Papa couldn't play but Cordner was fantastic. Interesting to see who out of those two gets a bench spot when he returns. Morgan was average but I don't think Mal has a better bench utility option. No idea how Dugan & Fergo made the squad & team...Surely Mansour in for one of them next game.
Maroon Blood
Guest
I did read one "expert" who said that if the Perth test wasn't a sell out it would be deemed to be a failure. That box was well and truly ticked tonight, well done people of Perth!
Katipo
Guest
@DJW Yeah I think rugby league has sent a signal. In Australasia at least it can fill stadiums for test matches - something that rugby union struggles to do these days. Rugby league tests - demand exceeds supply. Rugby union tests - supply exceeds demand.
DJW
Guest
Record crowd tonight at NIB stadium for any sporting event there.
Footy 101
Guest
Dugan...seriously. How does he keep making rep teams?