The NZ Resident 18s rugby league team came from behind to beat the Australian Secondary Schoolboys 28-26 in Papakura today.
Esera Esera (Auckland Pride), Trent Bishop and Kurt Robinson (Wellington Orcas) scored second-half tries in quick succession following early tries to Australians Pat Mata'utia and Nene McDonald.
Jake Trbojevic scoreda late try for the Australians.
NZRL football manager Tony Kemp said: "It was one of the hardest, heart-stopping matches I've watched in a very long time. If today is anything to go by, next week's clash is going to be a show stopper for sure and given this is the first time the two teams have gone head to head, this cements our belief that our talent pool of young up and coming players in New Zealand is growing."
Both teams meet again, at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura on Saturday, October 8 at 3.15pm.
NZ Residents 18s 28 (Esera Esera, David Fusitua, Trent Bishop 2, Kurt Robinson tries; Honeti Tuha 4 cons).
Australian Secondary Schoolboys 26 (Pat Mata'utia, Nene McDonald 2, Luke Vescio, Jake Trbojevic tries; Sam Harold 3 cons).
