There was no fitting farewell for Darren Lockyer as New Zealand stormed home to claim a stunning 16-12 win in the Four Nations final in Brisbane on Saturday night.

While the Kiwis have a lousy record against Australia, they certainly know how to rise to an occasion.

And unfortunately for Lockyer, the occasion at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night was the Australian skipper's final Test on home soil.

His teammates appeared hell bent on giving their captain a happy ending, overcoming serious injuries to Brent Tate (knee) and Luke Lewis (ankle) to lead 12-6 in the 58th minute.

But Lockyer's opposite number Benji Marshall played the ultimate party pooper, conjuring two tries in the final nine minutes.

His grubber was pounced on by Jason Nightingale in the 71st minute to make it 12-10 - after Marshall's conversion attempt hit the right upright.

And in the 79th minute, Marshall capitalised on a sideline bust by Nightingale before throwing an overhead pass cleaned up by Nathan Fien.

Adding further salt into Lockyer's wounds, the match-winner was scored by Fien - a fellow Queenslander who only qualifies for the Kiwi team via a three-year residency.

Arriving in Brisbane, New Zealand had won just 28 of 118 Tests against Australia - and just four in 21 in Brisbane.

But those wins do include the 2005 Tri-Nations final and the 2008 World Cup decider - the latter at the same venue Suncorp Stadium.

History repeated again, largely to the disappointment of the 36,299-strong crowd - and of course Lockyer in his 54th Test, just one short of Kiwi Ruben Wiki's record.

Australia broke the 6-6 halftime deadlock in the 58th minute when Paul Gallen and Greg Bird linked up to set up a flying Slater, before Cameron Smith slotted home a second sideline conversion for the night.

The halftime scoreline was locked up at 6-6 but fortune was initially smiling on Australia.

First English touch judge James Child incredibly failed to spot Brett Morris step into touch right in front of him in the opening minutes.

Moments later lady luck was again on Australia's side when Kiwi No.1 Lance Hohaia inexplicably bungled a Darren Lockyer grubber and Tate pounced to score an easy try in just the third minute.

After that Australia couldn't take a trick - Luke Lewis (ankle) went down in the 22nd minute and Tate suffered a serious knee injury but somehow battled on to halftime.

He even looked to feature in a wild brawl after the halftime buzzer which warranted a caution from referee Tony Archer to Australia's David Shillington and Kiwi hard man Adam Blair when the dust settled.

New Zealand went into the changerooms on an even footing with Australia after breaking through in the 36th minute - again with a touch of controversy.

Marshall's flat pass to Shaun Kenny-Dowall appeared to float forward before the centre bustled his way over for a four-pointer.

New Zealand's Issac Luke placed on report in 30th minute for a twisting tackle on Lote Tuqiri.

"We had our chances, but we made a couple of simple errors as well," Australian coach Tim Sheens said.

"It came down to the last play for them and they came up with a great play.

"We've now got 12 months before we get another shot at them."

Lockyer said the sight of Tate crying at halftime was "heartbreaking".

But Sheens said: "We will not use that as an excuse but it (injuries) put our interchange under pressure."

Sheens believed the Kangaroos were gallant in defeat.

"Given our circumstances I was very proud of them.

"We had quite a few issues and they stuck together, they did their jumper proud.

"We have to work hard to rise to the occasion, but we have a higher respect for them (New Zealand)."

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