A pair of cards against the Australia U20 in the second half has helped New Zealand to a 34-29 win in the U20 Rugby Championship opener.
The Aussies found themselves in a prime position to take down their trans-Tasman rivals after taking a 24-12 lead into the break.
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However, a red card to Cooper Watters for a dangerous cleanout and a yellow to Angus Grover for a cynical foul halted all momentum and freed the Kiwis to strike.
New Zealand scored three tries in a five-minute span to take a lead they would hold onto until the end, a desperate fight from the Aussies.
The Kiwis opened the scoring through fullback Cohen Norrie but the Australians were quick to establish their power in the first half.
Marshall Le Maitre hit straight back as the Australian forward pack dominated the physicality battle up front, constantly getting over the advantage and making big metres from their rolling mauls.
New Zealand would shortly restore their lead after completing a 14-point swing following Leo Jacques’ disallowed try due to obstruction, with prop Henry Stuart the man to cross.
But the Aussies were unfazed, and Riley Whitfeld’s smart step back inside beat two to level the scores and set up Finn Mackay to take over the game.
The Reds fly-half threw a beautiful cutout play to replacement Taione Taka for the five-pointer, before scoring his own right before the break.
He even helped stop a rolling maul as Chris Whitaker’s side took a 24-12 lead into the break.
However, the match would unravel as Watters was red-carded for a dangerous cleanout in the 53rd minute following a Kiwis try.
While the Australians negated his loss with Jaques' five-pointer, the departure of Angus Grover for slowing the ruck after a length-of-the-field break proved too hard to overcome.
Down to 13, nothing was going Australia's way as Haki Wiseman crossed instantly, which was followed by a charge down landing in Kiwi hands for a Caleb Woodley try.
Logan Williams put the Kiwis in front with 13 minutes to go, bursting away despite claims of a breakdown penalty being waived away as the Aussies eventually returned to 15.
Chris Whitaker’s side had their chances, with Louie Fenwicke crossing the line, only to be brought back for a knock-on in the build-up.
A rolling maul was denied metres out, followed by Eli Langi being held up over the line, summing up the frustrating afternoon for the team.
It allowed the Kiwis to control the final minutes and hang on for victory as they prepare for Argentina on Sunday.
The Aussies' campaign goes from bad to worse, with centre Frankie Goldsbrough in doubt for the match against South Africa after coming off early with a shoulder injury
New Zealand 34 def Australia 29 (Tries: Le Maitre, Jacques, Mackay, Taka, Whitfield; Cons: Mackay 2)
