Brett Morris's continuing love affair with the green and gold was enough to hold off a gallant New Zealand fightback as Australia christened Melbourne's AAMI Park with a thrilling 12-8 win in Friday night's trans-Tasman rugby league Test.

Morris scored a double to take his tally to eight tries in just five Tests, as the Kangaroos shrugged off the first half loss of hooker Cameron Smith to a hyper-extended right elbow.

Smith was later confirmed to have a grade one medial ligament strain which is set to see him miss Sunday's NRL match against Brisbane.

The Kiwis stormed back from 12-0 down with two tries in the final 12 minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

When Junior Sa'u powered his way over with just two minutes remaining the Kiwis had just one more play to snatch a dramatic win, Issac Luke's two missed conversions proving costly in the final wash-up.

"It took us a while to get on top, that's why we took the shot at goal," said Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens of his side's option to take two points on offer in a low-scoring first half.

"It was hard work, it wasn't the prettiest game.

"We've been saying all along there's not much in the game. Everyone's been saying we're going to win by 50 but we know that's not the case."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney praised his side's resolve but admitted they gave the Australians too much of a head start.

"I just thought the way they hung in there and gave themselves an opportunity was very good from our point of view," Kearney said.

"Obviously it wasn't good enough.

"They worked really hard for little reward in the end."

Asked where it was that his side still lagged behind the Australians, Kiwi skipper Benji Marshall said:'

"I don't think we're that far off to tell you the truth ... at the end of the day the goalkicking put them in front. If anything we think we're equal or even better."

Much like the new stadium - whose leaky roof drenched a small section of the 29,442 spectators who had no expectations of getting wet - the New Zealand defence offered the Kangaroos too many gaps.

And even though the home side struggled to turn many of their breaks into points, they did enough to put the visitors away.

Morris simply picked up where he left off last year as the Four Nations tournament's top try-scorer in what was his first taste of wearing the green and gold.

He also had plenty of help from teammates Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday.

The Kangaroos looked like taking just a 2-0 lead to the break courtesy of the 31st minute penalty goal only for captain Lockyer to grubber behind the line for Morris to pounce with just one minute and 19 seconds remaining in the half.

Lockyer's brilliant vision came on the first tackle following a penalty to the Australians after Steve Matai had been placed on report for a late hit on Billy Slater.

While that decision appeared clear cut, several other decisions by English referee Richard Silverwood left both sides scratching their heads.

Several knock-ons were ruled play-on and one scrum feed in the second half changed from the Kiwis to the Australians and then back again to the dismay of both camps.

While Lockyer's effort was all guile, Thaiday's was all power and skill as he prevented three defenders pushing him over the sideline to keep the ball in play.

Morris the scooped up the ball to help hand the home side a 12-0 lead after 48 minutes.

New Zealand refused to give up but their execution left a lot to be desired until a Lance Hohaia cut-out pass found Jason Nightingale out wide to kick-start their late burst with 12 minutes left on the clock.

The Kiwis suddenly found life as they charged home but Sa'u's storming run proved to be too little too late as the visitors ran out of time.

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