Revenge came at a price for Australia as it thrashed its Tri Nations tormentors New Zealand and momentarily regained the world No.1 tag with a 50-12 Test win at Brisbane.

The curtain was brought down on star halfback Andrew Johns' representative rugby league career in fitting style - but it was curtains for Australian debutant Karmichael Hunt who was taken off on a medi-cab after a 50th minute Frank Pritchard shoulder charge.

New Zealand-born Hunt was looking for a game to remember after copping plenty of barbs all week for his Australian selection, but the 19-year-old will struggle to remember any of his Test debut after Pritchard collected him high in a nasty knock.

The reserve Kiwi forward was placed on report after his shoulder heavily collected a sliding Hunt in the head, leaving the concussed debutant lying prone on the turf.

He was able to regain his feet and take a seat on the medi-cab as he was taken off the field.

It proved a turning point as Australia broke the Kiwis' spirit with two tries in three minutes down the left sideline through backrower Nathan Hindmarsh (52nd minute) and Timana Tahu (55th), kicking out a 20-12 lead to 32-12 and didn't look back.

The carnage was completed by tries to Darren Lockyer (71st and 80th minutes) and inspirational hooker Danny Buderus (77th).

The eight tries to two shellacking somewhat eased the pain of last November's shock 24-0 Tri Nations final loss to the Kiwis which marked the first time in almost 30 years that Australia had lost a series.

Kiwi coach Brian McClennan said Australia deserved to be called world champions.

"That (Tri Nations final win) was last year. Australia are the best in the world now," he said.

"They just broke away from us. Australia was very good and all we can do is take out hats off to them.

"We have to lick our wounds and come back strongly."

On the Pritchard tackle, McClennan said: "When I first saw the tackle I thought contact was around the shoulder...(but) it's up to the judiciary."

Still seething over Australia's biggest losing margin since 1952, new Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart implored his team to show "pride, passion and sacrifice" - and they delivered in spades.

Boos and "grandmas giving me the finger" were usually what welcomed NSW halfback Johns at Queensland-mad Suncorp Stadium during his Origin heyday.

But the 44,191-strong crowd - the biggest trans-Tasman Test crowd in Australia since 1963 - rose as one to send off Johns and fellow representative retiree Ben Kennedy when referee Ashley Klein mercifully called an end to the match.

"They really touched us up last time and there was a bit of mouthing off in the papers, so it's good to win," Kennedy told Macquarie Radio.

"It's just fantastic to win these big games.

"Every game (for Australia) you cherish and it is absolutely a dream come true."

Johns, 31, was his influential best in his 21st and final Test, having a hand in several tries and landing four sideline conversions in his eight goals.

And Kennedy even got on the board when he was gifted a conversion right in front in the dying minutes.

Australia led 14-6 at halftime after the Kiwis endured a nightmare start when skipper Ruben Wiki pulled out with a hamstring injury, replaced by Parramatta's Nathan Cayless.

Benji Marshall - in his first game in a month nursing a shoulder injury - started on the bench as expected with Thomas Leuluai at halfback while David Fa'alogo came off the bench and started at hooker for David Faiumu.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP