Summary

  • For Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary, click 'listen live' (UK only)

  • Australia's men begin bid to win fourth successive Men's Rugby League World Cup

  • New Zealand won the tournament in 2008

  • Coming up on Saturday: England v Wales (women, 07:35 BST) and England v Tonga (men, 10:05 BST)

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  1. SIN-BIN - Kotoni Staggspublished at 38 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Oh, it's all happening and of course, a Jahrome Hughes kick is at the heart of it.

    Kotoni Staggs is pinged for interfering with New Zealand's Kodi Nikorima as he chases it down.

    Australia are reduced to 12. Are they lucky not to concede the penalty try?

  2. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Reece Walsh is brought back to reality with a bump, knocking on.

    New Zealand's Dane Gagai - a World Cup winner with Australia in 2017 - roars.

  3. 'Walsh says: I am the king'published at 10:50 BST 15 October

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Andrew Henderson
    Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    We spoke about these two players pre-game. Ponga has individual brilliance. He's created something out of nothing, makes the line break. He was looking for support and it wasn't there. That's a missed opportunity. Reece Walsh says: "Take me on, son." He comes with a wonderful try saver, pumps the chest and says: "I am the king."

    Reece WalshImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 36 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    OH WOW! Kalyn Ponga hands off a couple of players down the left wing but Australia full-back Reece Walsh comes up with a huge try-saving tackle, bouncing up and down and revving up the crowd in the aftermath.

    This match has exploded into life and it's brilliant.

  5. Postpublished at 35 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Nope. He's knocked on. Carry on.

  6. TRY REVIEWpublished at 34 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Another try for Australia? Surely not?!

    Kotoni Staggs thinks he's got on the end of Cameron Munster's kick. The referee doesn't agree.

  7. Postpublished at 33 mins

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Indeed, Andrew. "Don't try and play out wide" might be the central theme of Stacey Jones' half-time talk.

    Australia win a penalty and move up into New Zealand's half. Momentum is swinging the way of the Kangaroos.

  8. 'New Zealand have had their pocket picked twice'published at 10:45 BST 15 October

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Andrew Henderson
    Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It's incredibly frustrating for Stacey Jones to see that. Because Australia do not deserve to be in front. It's the second try they've scored through an intercept. The two occasions New Zealand have gone wide to create space for their wing men, they've had their pocket picked.

  9. Postpublished at 10:44 BST 15 October

    Australia 10-8 New Zealand

    Steve Sutcliffe
    BBC Sport

    New Zealand have been dominating up front. They are making so much ground in each set that they can then contest the bombs that Jahrome Hughes is putting up.

    But Australia have now picked off two passes and remarkably could lead at the break. Talk about smash and grab.

  10. converted try

    CONVERTED TRY - Australia 10-8 New Zealandpublished at 30 mins

    Tom Trbojevic (con Reece Walsh)

    Another intercept try for Australia!

    Tom Trbojevic picks off Casey McLean's pass for Ronaldo Mulitalo and sets off down the right, easily outstripping Kodi Nikorima to cross over.

    This time, Reece Walsh adds the extras. Australia, somehow, lead.

    Tom TrbojevicImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'New Zealand deserve four-point buffer'published at 10:42 BST 15 October

    Australia 4-8 New Zealand

    Andrew Henderson
    Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I think the scoreline reflects the game. Stacey Jones will be pleased New Zealand have that four-point buffer. They deserve it. The Australians have a bit of work to do for me. New Zealand are putting them under relentless defensive pressure. I'm loving the fact that every time the ball goes up, New Zealand are competing for it.

  12. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Australia 4-8 New Zealand

    Another New Zealand set incoming after a kick bounces off the post and is booted behind by full-back Reece Walsh.

  13. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Australia 4-8 New Zealand

    Boom! My word! Ronaldo Mulitalo is PUMPED after flattening Australia centre Kotoni Staggs. Huge hit.

    New Zealand will start their set inside Australia's half.

  14. Postpublished at 27 mins

    Australia 4-8 New Zealand

    New Zealand's forwards are something else. James Fisher-Harris and co makes 10 metres each with every carry.

    A good kick on the last is contested once again and Australia will have to build from their 10-metre line.

  15. PENALTY - Australia 4-8 New Zealandpublished at 26 mins

    Jamayne Isaako

    No mistake from the boot of Jamayne Isaako.

  16. Postpublished at 25 mins

    Australia 4-6 New Zealand

    Australia are looking so vulnerable under the high ball. Reece Walsh makes a hash of it under pressure from Kodi Nikorima and concedes the drop-out.

    It goes out on the full. Bad to worse.

    New Zealand will go for the two points.

  17. Postpublished at 24 mins

    Australia 4-6 New Zealand

    Will that try spark Australia into life?

    A couple of changes. Big Naufahu Whyte is on for New Zealand, replacing Joseph Tapine, while Cameron Murray enters the fray for Australia. There are a few concerns for the hosts about Mitchell Moses, who received treatment following the try.

  18. 'Australia well and truly back in the contest'published at 10:32 BST 15 October

    Australia 4-6 New Zealand

    Andrew Henderson
    Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Well that's disappointing for New Zealand who, for me, have had the better of the contest so far. They've asked a lot of questions. New Zealand have been playing it nice and tight and direct in the middle third. The first occasion they go wide, Bostock puts himself in the passing lane between centre and winger, reaches his arms up, collects and runs 85 metres to get Australia well and truly back into this contest.

  19. try

    TRY - Australia 4-6 New Zealandpublished at 20 mins

    Jack Bostock (con missed)

    Jack BostockImage source, Getty Images

    Australia debutant Jack Bostock takes a chance and is rewarded!

    He picks off Jahrome Hughes' pass with New Zealand shirts queuing up on the wing and storms clear for a length of the field try.

    Totally against the run of play but Australia are on the board.

    Reece Walsh's conversion clips the outside of the post.

  20. Postpublished at 19 mins

    Australia 0-6 New Zealand

    Another set restart for New Zealand, this one on Australia's 30-metre line. They are relentless.