Australia secured a vital 32-12 victory over New Zealand in the Tri Nations game at Loftus Road on Saturday night, but suffered a potentially costly blow with an injury to skipper Darren Lockyer.

Man-of-the-match Lockyer, who scored a crucial try to help give Australia the advantage after the New Zealanders had led 12-8 at halftime, left the field midway through the second half with a suspected re-occurrence of a rib injury.

In front of a near-capacity crowd at a drenched Loftus Road, the depleted Kiwis had taken a surprise third-minute lead with a try through their Cairns-born fullback Brent Webb.

But Webb's conversion attempt hit the post and crucially he failed to add to either of their other two first-half tries.

Australia briefly led when winger Luke Rooney scored from a penalty and Craig Fitzgibbon converted, then added a penalty for a high shot.

But the resilient New Zealanders levelled at 8-8 on the half-hour with a try from Lesley Vainikolo, and they were ahead 12-8 at the break when Vinnie Anderson scored from Logan Swann's inside ball.

The Kangaroos nosed back in front just a minute into the second half when Lockyer shot through the line and Fitzgibbon again converted, and they definitely held the upper hand when Willie Tonga crashed on to Lockyer's delayed pass after 56 minutes.

Shaun Berrigan then touched down Craig Gower's sliding kick and replacement Petero Civoniceva scored the final try when he too grounded a Gower grubber.

The Roos back up next Saturday against Great Britain at the City of Manchester stadium.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP