SYDNEY, 26 July 2003 — Australia crushed New Zealand 48-6 yesterday to hand the Kiwis one of their heaviest defeats in almost a century of international rugby league.

The Australians ran in nine tries to one to register their second biggest total over the Kiwis since the sides first locked horns in 1908.

They were just four short of the all-time record 52, set three years ago, and the 42-point winning margin was their third biggest in their 95-year rivalry.

“This is a quality side, in any code of football. Once we get on a roll, we’re very hard to stop,” Australia coach Chris Anderson told a news conference.

Brilliantly marshaled by captain Andrew Johns, the Kangaroos scored five tries in the first half to lead 30-0 at the break, then added another four touchdowns after the interval.

Matt Sing, Jamie Lyon and Brent Tate scored two tries each while Willie Mason, Shannon Hegarty and Craig Wing collected one apiece. Johns kicked six conversions.

New Zealand’s points came from their Brisbane hooker Richard Swain who scored a try against the run of play early in the second half and converted it himself.

North Queensland winger Sing scored the opening try in the 15th minute when he crossed in the right corner and the floodgates immediately opened up.

Tate scored five minutes later when he won the race to a perfectly-timed chip-kick from Johns then Parramatta centre Lyon scored the first of his two first-half tries when he sprinted 55 meters in a spectacular weaving run.

Replacement Mason made it four tries in 18 minutes when he charged on to a short pass from Petero Civoniceva to dive over then Lyon grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time when he finished off a sweeping backline move to stroll over near the posts.

Johns converted for the fifth time to give Australia a 30-0 half-time lead.

Parramatta center Tate ran the length of the field to score his second before Swain scored New Zealand’s consolation try, charging on to a pass from Warriors replacement Monty Betham.

Sing grabbed a second try when he skirted the defense to score in the right corner then Hegarty capped his first test appearance with a try on the left side. Craig Wing finished the rout with a try four minutes from full-time.