That was something else. Hopes were high that the opening match of this World Cup would turn heads, but few saw that coming. We just watched a super contest, with the game best players all in commanding form.

Christian Nicolussi’s match report is now live, with all the wash-up to follow.

While the outside backs stole the glory, let’s give Australia captain Isaah Yeo a moment in the sun.

Yeo turned in a brilliant 80-minute performance on this night, running for 141m and making 53 tackles. How many tackles do you think he missed? ZERO.

Not bad for a bloke who needs an operation for a pectoral muscle injury.

Australia: The brilliance of Jack Bostock and Reece Walsh saved Australia’s bacon on this night. To be honest, they weren’t the best team on this night, but that doesn’t matter now. Bostock’s mastery in the air and Walsh’s off-the-cuff brilliance proved just enough in the end.

New Zealand: This will really hurt. It really hurt Kalyn Ponga’s arm, and it really hurt their collective emotions. They’ll be awake all night wondering how this one got away. All they can now hope for is to get another crack at Australia in this tournament. To do so, both teams will need to make the final.

The second 40 minutes of this match were as good as rugby league gets. It isn’t always like that, but when it is, it’s a thing of beauty. A type of beauty that involves Kalyn Ponga scoring with his shorts down, Reece Walsh having a vomit after his wonder-try and Bostock showing a level of aerial mastery that would be at home at the adjacent SCG.

Good luck to the eight other teams in this tournament. You have plenty to live up to.

“It was everything I ever dreamed of.” It sure was Jack. Bravo, young man, for a debut performance that those who witnessed will never forget.

With Bostock in line to become a NRL free-agent on November 1, this performance will have only increased his value.

After an extended period of favouring his arm, Kalyn Ponga has eventually been forced from the field. The exact nature of his injury isn’t known yet. Let’s just hope his World Cup campaign isn’t over.

Anything Kalyn Ponga can do, Reece Walsh can do. After a great pass from Jack Bostock (yes, him again), Reece Walsh just turned in a brilliant 70m run to score. Magical stuff from the Broncos No.1. This second half has had everything. Ponga brilliance and Walsh magic. More, please. New Zealand lead 22-20 after 70 minutes