The Junior Wallabies have gone down 19-18 to the New Zealand U20s in Wellington.
It levels the two-Test series at 1-all after the Junior Wallabies' win on Monday
Nathan Grey's side dominated possession but the hosts found a way to hold on for victory.
Sevens star Caleb Tangitau proved the difference with a double in the final hitout before the U20 World Championships in South Africa.
The Junior Wallabies replicated their start from the opening Test as they controlled territory and possession in the first quarter with little success.
The injection of Reds centre Taj Annan caused the Kiwis troubles in defence but all they could produce was a Jack Bowen penalty in the 15th minute.
On the contrary, New Zealand’s first entry into the 22 delivered points as Harry Godfrey’s cross-field kick found Sevens star Tangitau in the corner for a 7-3 lead.
The visitors once again dominated at scrum-time as Bowen kicked the Junior Wallabies within a point, however the Kiwis were quick to respond via Crusaders rising star Macca Springer.
Tangitau added his second with a great piece of individual brilliance to give the NZ U20s a 19-6 lead heading into the sheds.
The Aussies started the second half as they did the first, trapping the Kiwis in their 22 off the back of a brutal scrummaging performance.
This time, Nathan Grey’s side was able to add their first try of the match as Massimo De Lutiis burrowed his way over from a metre out.
As they continued to build pressure, Jack Bowen produced a magic kick to find the impressive Henry O’Donnell to reduce the margin to a point.
Both teams looked for the killer blow but handling let both sides down towards the end.
The Junior Wallabies made a promising break with three minutes to go, only for the Kiwis to rally and force the error.
It allowed the hosts to control the final minutes and secure the hard-fought win.
"Our set piece is great and that gives us that front-foot ball. We need to be better off the back of that," Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson said. "Both games have been very physical so I've been very proud of the boys' defence. They've fronted up in both games. That was a big thing for us."
