Tries from Cooper Cronk, Brett Morris and Brent Tate have helped Australia establish an 18-10 lead over New Zealand at halftime in Saturday's Four Nations clash at Eden Park.

The Kangaroos raced out of the blocks with Cronk finishing off a superb run with a try after eight minutes, with a Benji Marshall penalty closing the gap to four points before Morris and Tate pounced with four-pointers in the right corner.

The Kiwis finished the opening stanza the stronger, with prop Adam Blair delighting the home crowd, estimated to be over 40,000, 12 minutes before the interval.

Tim Sheens' side were defending their line desperately as the Kiwis piled on the pressure and David Shillington was lucky to stay on the field after punching Issac Luke, just in front of the posts on the stroke of halftime.

Marshall converted the penalty with the last play of the half to close the gap to eight points.

Stand-in Australia skipper Cameron Smith kicked three goals for the visitors.

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