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A first-half flurry combined with a resolute defensive effort has seen New Zealand beat Australia 26-12 in their first ANZAC Test win since 1998.

After taking an early lead via a Sam Thaiday try, the Australians succumbed to a rampant New Zealand side, who scored four consecutive tries to finish the first half. The Kiwi forwards were energetic, sparked by bench players Martin Taupau and Sam Moa, providing a strong platform for the backs to work from.

For their part, the Kangaroos were terrible on defence, getting out-numbered, showing little line speed and letting the Kiwi forwards gain too much easy momentum.

Indeed the second try came on the set after a kick-off, while the first came from a scrum in which the Australians were suckered in by both Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

It was with the score at 18-6 in the closing stages of the first half that New Zealand struck their killer blow. Johnson converted an easy penalty attempt to take the score to 20-6, then his team ran the ball with less than a minute to go, exploiting an Australian defence which seemed to have gone to sleep.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall went on to touch down after a kick inside from right winger Jason Nightingale and a defensive blunder from Australian fullback Greg Inglis.

New Zealand did not score again, but their 26 points proved more than enough.

The Kangaroos came out firing for the second 40 and the Kiwis were forced to tackle endlessly, trapped deep inside their own half. It was a recipe for a major comeback. But it never happened. 

Every time Australia looked to create a chance, three or four black jerseys swarmed to the space to shut it down. That was particularly the case up the Australian right wing, where numerous times the likes of Manu Vatuvei, Peta Hiku and Tuivasa-Sheck were brilliant in their desperate attempts to stop the try.

At the same time, the Australians succumbed to the defensive pressure, seemingly finding ways to butcher tries.

As the game wore on, they looked tired, but never did they stop. To tackle as much as they did in that second half and only concede one try was nothing short of outstanding. 

There was much speculation this week as to whether this Australian team was getting too old and the New Zealanders had it right picking a younger team. The way it played out, it certainly seemed that way.

Taupau and Moa provided a spark which was absent in the Australian forward pack, while Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris and Ben Matulino were energetic, too. At the same time you had hard workers in Simon Mannering and Kevin Proctor, making tackle after tackle.

It was that energy which gave Johnson the platform to wreak havoc the way he did, while Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Vatuvei in particular were dangerous running in space.

The same could not be said about Australia's stars. Greg Inglis was a non-factor on attack and was, not for the first time this year, exposed on defence. His poor efforts to stop Vatuvei and then to cover Nightingale's kick on half-time were put into vast contrast with Tuivasa-Sheck's outstanding effort to keep out Cooper Cronk on the line.

Cronk himself was quiet, while his halves partner Johnathan Thurston tried hard but struggled without a solid platform in front of him. That platform should have been set by the forwards, who looked lethargic for 40 minutes, by which time the Australians were playing catch-up football.

The win propels the Kiwis into a position where they can overtake their neighbours as the world's No. 1 ranked team, having now won their last three encounters with the Australians. 

"We are sick of losing." 

That was the catchphrase Kiwis' halves pairing of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran used en-route to beating Australia to win last year's Four Nations tournament, according to The New Zealand Herald's Michael Burgess. Despite coming against a depleted Australian outfit, the win showed what this New Zealand team are capable of and will be looking to recapture that form during Friday night's ANZAC Test.

Not since 1998 has New Zealand won the mid-year match against their rivals, often forced to put out weakened teams due to injuries and dubious suspensions. That 1998 and 2012 are the only two years the match has been played in New Zealand does not help either. 

Although all of that is of little consequence to this year's group, which looks to be the best team the Kiwis have put out for an ANZAC Test in many years, perhaps ever. There is talent all over the park, and they can take confidence from having beaten the Australians in Brisbane, the location of this year's ANZAC Test, just six months ago.

It is a strong team that opposes them, though, and has a distinctly more experienced look to it than the one that lined up at the end of last year. Talented youngsters Josh Mansour, Ben Hunt, Sione Mata'utia, David Klemmer, Josh Papalii and Josh Jackson make way for a group of men who have been there and done that, while key man Johnathan Thurston returns to the team as well. 

There is a fine line between experienced and old, though, one that New Zealand will be hoping this Australian team finds itself on the wrong side of. While the consistency and quality of this Australian forward pack over the past decade is unquestionable, they are not as young as they once were and will be where the Kiwis look to gain dominance by playing a fast-paced game.

The New Zealand pack includes plenty of energy, with the likes of Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Tohu Harris and Ben Matulino all being in-form players who can make things happen. They complement the hard workers well and give the Kiwis the ability to strike at any time, rather than having to rely on building up pressure.

If they can gain ascendancy here, there is plenty of flair in the Kiwi back line, which will look to threaten all night long and cause all sorts of problems for their opponents. 

Johnson was the key player in last year's successes, an elusive runner with speed, skill, agility and a good boot. He has not reached the heights thus far in 2015, but he will need to pull out a big performance if the Kiwis are to compete with the world's best international team.

Along with the tough and tidy Foran, he forms an outstanding halves pairing, whose battle for control of the game with Thurston and Cooper Cronk will have a large bearing on the outcome.

The back five of both sides have a distinctly youthful look to them. Australia field three newcomers, with a handful of regulars sidelined with injury. They are players New Zealand will look to exploit but will need the go-forward from the forwards and control from the halves to do this.

The Kiwis have a fairly depleted back five themselves and may find it even more depleted as it would be a surprise if Jason Nightingale does take the field, which would force Peta Hiku onto the wing and Lewis Brown into the centres.

There is no shortage of finishing ability on show though. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been arguably the most dangerous player in the NRL this year and returns to the Kiwis lineup after missing last year's Four Nations. He and Australian full-back Greg Inglis represent the two most potent attacking weapons on the field, and getting each in space will be of utmost importance to their respective teams.

So is this all enough for the Kiwis to finally come out on the right side of an ANZAC Test scoreline? 

The spark and energy the forward pack holds will be important, and if they can gain dominance and play an uptempo game, the Australian pack may struggle to keep up. This will open up space for Johnson and his back line to wreck havoc. 

But it is risky betting against the Australians. They have proven record, and it will take New Zealand to be at the top of their game to beat them.

New Zealand have named a strong 18-man squad ahead of their encounter with Australia in the 2015 ANZAC Test this Friday night, as per the New Zealand Herald.

Even without ace lock Jason Taumalolo, stalwart centre Dean Whare and hard-working back-rower Elijah Taylor, the team looks to be one of the best New Zealand have put out in the annual fixture.

Having players unavailable at this time of year is nothing new for the Kiwis, who have had terrible luck with injury and dubious suspensions since the ANZAC Test's inception in 1997. However, normally they do not have the depth to cover for the absences. This year they do.

The forward pack is stacked with talent, hard-workers and a bunch of energetic impact players who will add spark. They are led by captain Simon Mannering, a pure grafter who can be relied upon to make a truck-load of tackles, often two or three in a set. His work rate is as high as anyone's in the game today.

He will most likely form a back-row combination with Melbourne Storm duo Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor. Harris has been in top form this year, running the ball dangerously and making plenty of tackles, while Proctor is a worker who adds physicality in contact. They are backed up by another grafter, Lewis Brown, and the skillful Greg Eastwood on the interchange bench.

The front row will see explosive hooker Issac Luke join dynamic ball-carrier Jesse Bromwich, along with one of Sam Moa, Martin Taupau and Ben Matulino. Moa is perhaps the best option, as he is a player with international experience and always provides good go-forward and makes his tackles.

That gives you the chance to inject the hard-hitting impact player Taupau once the opposition has tired, along with the physical Matulino, who carries well and brings a good offloading game.

It is a very good forward pack which, while not as experienced or well known as the Australian one, provides plenty of energy and contains players with more consistency than the typical Kiwis team would.

They are backed up by dangerous halves pairing of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran. Both complement each other well, with Johnson bringing flair and playmaking ability, while Foran provides organisation, intelligence and toughness.

Should Foran be unable to play due to injury, Thomas Leuluai would be the obvious replacement. At any rate, Leuluai will find his way onto the interchange bench, given his ability to cover both half positions as well as hooker.

The centres are the most problematic position group, with Whare having no obvious replacement. Peta Hiku has been named and can play there, as can second-rowers Brown, Eastwood and Mannering. Hiku will be the likely option to pair with Shaun Kenny-Dowall, a duo that would provide flair in attack, although possibly represents a weak area in defence.

Such concerns will not be evident at full-back, as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes his return to the black jersey after a blistering start to the 2015 season. His form at the back for the Sydney Roosters has made him arguably the most dangerous player in the NRL with his speed and explosive side-step making him tough to stop.

He will spearhead a back three which will also contain the big Warriors winger, Manu Vatuvei and teenage sensation Dallin Watene-Zeleniak.

Certainly they will have to be at their best to win. But they have the players to do it and despite being depleted, New Zealand look to have their best chance to win an ANZAC Test in many years.

Kiwis squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Dallin Watene-Zeleniak, Peta Hiku, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Sam Moa, Ben Matulino, Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Simon Mannering, Greg Eastwood, Lewis Brown.

Australia are set to debut four players at test level ahead of their ANZAC Test clash with New Zealand on Friday night, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. The wing combination of Josh Dugan and Alex Johnston will wear the green jersey for the first time, while the in-form Will Chambers will be inside them in the centres. Trent Merrin, too, makes his debut off the interchange bench.

The starting trio on debut all bring plenty of flair and pose attacking threats. Johnston is fast and reasonably agile, as is Chambers, who is also adept at running into holes.

Dugan on the other hand brings more of the big, fast and strong-type game. He was dogged with issues earlier in his career but has been one of the most dangerous players in the game playing at either fullback or centre for the Dragons in the NRL. Despite having not played on the wing before, he has the skill-set to be dangerous there. In any case, it is not uncommon for Australia to use fullbacks on the wing.

Aside from that, it is a fairly experienced and predictable team that will line up to avenge their Four Nations loss to the Kiwis at the end of last year. While there are a handful of newcomers, the key positions are all held by players with a wealth of experience.

Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk form a deadly halves pairing, equally capable of controlling a game as they are of tearing it to pieces. Both have good kicking games but are among the best play-makers going around, meaning the newcomers will merely have to fit in with these two geniuses.

Alongside them you have the tough and ever-reliable Cameron Smith captaining the team from hooker, while Billy Slater has been named despite having not played in recent weeks due to injury. 

In that you have one of the best spines to ever play the game. They control the flow, providing the spark and the composure for the men outside.

Their forward pack, which lays the platform for these men to do their work, remains fairly solid too. Aside from Sharks lock Paul Gallen, it is a pack which includes all the usual suspects. Greg Bird and Sam Thaiday form an experienced and hard-working second-row, while Corey Parker backs them up at lock. 

Thaiday's form was in question earlier in the year, but it comes as no surprise to see coach Tim Sheens go with the tried and true, particularly after last year's end-of-season loss, in which many of the team's most experienced players were unavailable. Bird was caught up in the highly controversial Gold Coast Titans drug scandal but has been solid since returning, while Parker has been one of the best in the table topping Brisbane Broncos team.

The reliable and consistent Matt Scott takes one prop position, while Aaron Woods fills the other. Woods, a strong-running youngster, has catapulted himself to become one of the game's best in recent years and has been in a rich vein of form in 2015. 

It is a strong pack, made even stronger by the decision to name four forwards on the interchange bench. Along with Merrin, you have the big-game player Nate Myles, as well as the strong and versatile Luke Lewis to be injected. All are good options. Perhaps the only questionable selection would be James Tamou, who is an athletic prop capable of making surging runs but who has struggled for form thus far this year.

They will lay the foundation for the likes of Thurston and Cronk to create for the men out wide. Greg Inglis, perhaps the form fullback in the NRL, pairs with Chambers in the centres, although Inglis may yet end up in the No. 1 jersey if Slater is declared unfit to take the field, with the speedy Michael Jennings providing cover at centre.

Either way, you have an attacking threat at fullback. There is no doubt that Inglis is more dangerous with the space he gets at fullback, but it is hard to drop Slater, possibly the best all-round fullback to ever play the game. Not only a strong attacking player, his positional play is of the top drawer and his ability under the high ball is, for the most part, very good. The most ideal situation, from an Australian perspective, would be to have both on the field.

On the outsides Johnston and Dugan will be under plenty of scrutiny; the key for them will be to try to not do too much and focus on doing the basics, while taking the chances they get.

Manly No. 7 Daly Cherry-Evans has been named as the team's 18th man, while Raiders forward Josh Papalii has been named in an extended squad, as well as Jennings.

There is no doubt it is a strong team and they should enter the game as favourites. Australia has not lost the ANZAC Test since 1998, but New Zealand looks to have the most talented pool of players they have had to choose from in many years. They will have to be at their best to win this year, but they are a group that has done it time and time again, making them still the top team in world rugby league.

New Zealand have never had a better pool of players to choose from for an ANZAC Test. While teams of other years have had their share of stars, none can claim to possess the depth of the 2015 edition.

Fresh off the back of victory in the Four Nations tournament at the end of last year, this Kiwis team will be out to prove that their win last year was not a fluke. Many Australians pointed to the fact that a handful of their best players were unavailable for the tournament. While that is true, this is a good Kiwis team who should not be underestimated, even against a full-strength Kangaroos line-up.

There is depth everywhere.

Starting up front you have five world-class props. Jesse Bromwich is an automatic selection to start, an explosive runner who works hard and really came into his own last year. Along with him, you have the Sydney Roosters pairing of Sam Moa and Jared Warea-Hargreaves, Wests Tigers sensation Martin Taupau and Warriors hard man Ben Matulino.

It would be a surprise if all four of those men joined Bromwich in the side, although there is probably room for three. Martin Taupau impressed with the team in last year's Four Nations and has been one of the form players in this year's NRL. He throws himself around and makes an impact every time he goes into contact. You could argue he deserves to start, but he would be even more effective coming off the bench to make an impact. Either way, he has to be there.

Sam Moa has to be there too. A strong runner who always makes metres and provides go-forward, he is reliable and has been an underrated member of a strong Roosters team over the past couple of years. Give him the other starting position.

That leaves Warea-Hargreaves and Matulino. Warea-Hargreaves hits hard and makes a huge impact, but discipline is an issue with him. Matulino, meanwhile, is in good form, carrying the ball strongly, making his tackles and possessing better ball skills. He should get the final bench spot, as Warea-Hargreaves' form has not translated to the test arena in the past.

Isaac Luke will be the hooker, defensively a hard worker and an explosive runner on attack, while Thomas Leuluai provides handy back-up for both Luke and the two halves on the bench.

The second row and lock positions are full of talent, too, perhaps even more so than at prop. Simon Mannering is another automatic selection, a relentless worker who makes tackle after tackle and is unerringly consistent. Jason Taumalolo should get a start, too; his speed, footwork and flair provide contrast.

Elijah Taylor, Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris will fight out for the final starting spot, while the two unsuccessful men will fight for the final bench spot. Proctor has to find his way in somewhere, a physical player who was outstanding for the Kiwis last year. Harris and Taylor are both in top form, though, and whichever combination they choose, you can bet it will match the Australians. Greg Eastwood deserves a mention, too, although he will find it tough breaking back into the team with Taylor back in the picture, as will Alex Glenn.

The backline is looking for more solidity than it has had in past years, too.

Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran will be the halves. Johnson lit up the Four Nations last year, with his speed, side-step and elusiveness proving too much for everyone. He has been out of sorts for most of 2015, but there were signs last weekend that he is getting back to his best.

In Foran, he is partnered by arguably the world's best specialist No. 6, a physical five-eighth whose organizational and kicking skills are up there with the best.

They hold off a resurgent Benji Marshall, who has rediscovered some form, although he no longer holds quite the same spark that made him a must-have throughout the late 2000s. Leuluai will get the bench spot ahead of Marshall, as he has the ability to cover hooker as well.

Dean Whare is a near-certainty to be one centre. Probably the most underrated player in his position in the NRL, Whare poses a threat by running good lines off the ball, is solid on defence and makes few mistakes.

His partner will likely be the strong-running Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who provides a further attacking weapon, although has also been exposed with poor technique on defence in recent times.

Jason Nightingale is a lock for one wing; his consistency, skill level and reliable finishing ability make him the best option there. The other wing is perhaps a weakness, but going by past selections, it seems likely it will be formed by Warriors big man Manu Vatuvei. Vatuvei on his day is a match-winner, a big, strong finisher who also comes in and does work early in the set. However, he is error-prone and can get lost on defence, so from that perspective, he can also lose you a match.

The fullback without question will be Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who will return to the side after being injured for last year's Four Nations. Arguably the form outside back in the NRL, Tuivasa-Sheck provides a genuine threat on attack with his searing pace and seamless side-step. He beats out Peta Hiku and Josh Hoffman for the spot with relative ease.

That is a strong team, with quality players all over the park. Indeed, there will be quality players not on the park too, something of a rarity over the past 15 years for New Zealand teams.

This year's ANZAC Test will be a big one, with 2015 marking 100 years since the Gallipoli massacre, the focal point when New Zealand and Australia remember their war victims on ANZAC Day every year. The two nations have met for an annual game of rugby league around the time of ANZAC Day since 1997, with a three-year hiatus from 2001 till 2003.

Thus far, the Australians have dominated the fixture, dropping just one game and handing their rivals a few drubbings. The Kiwis are often hampered by injuries and seemingly unfair suspensions around this time of year, though, which means they are so often nowhere near full strength.

A few weeks out from game day, this team is not experiencing these problems and looks set to give the Kangaroos their toughest ANZAC Test for many, many years.

Sam Tomkins has been granted an early release from his three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors and will return home to England at the conclusion of the 2015 season, according to David Skipwith of the New Zealand Herald.

It is a move that seemed inevitable after rumours of the English fullback suffering from homesickness, as well as the inking of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's signature for the 2016 season.

Tomkins arrived in New Zealand with plenty of hype at the beginning of 2014. Reports of his exploits in the UK's Super League had trickled their way down to the southern hemisphere, and by all accounts, the Warriors had penned a superstar to their books.

He started off pretty well, too, showing off his dangerous running game at the Auckland Nines, proving a key player for the hosts alongside Shaun Johnson. With four players fewer on the park, he made use of the extra space available, and his ability to saunter through holes in the defence was evident.

Once the real thing started, it was a tougher transition. He took a while adjusting to the more physical nature of the NRL, at times being run through far too easily on defence, struggling to make any physical impact on attack, while also faltering under the high ball.

As the season wore on, he began to look more polished. The fast-paced, open game the Warriors are known for suited him, and he began to threaten coming into the line.

His best attribute has been having arguably the fastest pair of hands in the Premiership, timing his run into the line and almost hitting the ball to his outside man with unerring accuracy. It is this speed that has created space for his wingers, as the defence all of a sudden finds itself not having drifted far enough.

Despite his undeniable danger on attack, he never quite worked his way into the category of the NRL's elite fullbacks.

Never in the class of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater or Jarryd Hayne, he would perhaps find himself somewhere in the mix with the next tier of No. 1's. Had he stayed longer, he may have found the form to work his way into the top five fullbacks in the Premiership, but he has not done that just yet.

With three quarters of a season left until his departure, there is still time for Tomkins to make a statement in the south. Whether he does or not, he has shown enough flashes of brilliance to give Warriors fans some fond memories of his stint with their team.

The New Zealand Warriors are expected to sign Kiwi outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, as was reported by Michael Carayannis of the Sydney Morning Herald. The Warriors have reportedly offered the 21-year-old a deal worth $800,000 per year, almost double what he was being offered to stay at the Sydney Roosters.

It is a huge coup for the Warriors to land the signature of a genuine superstar, who failed in their bids for the Kiwi pairing of Jason Taumalolo and Kieran Foran, while also being passed over by Trent Merrin, according to Carayannis.

An electric runner possessing speed, agility, an explosive side-step and dazzling footwork, there are few players in the NRL more dangerous than Tuivasa-Sheck. Having played on the wing for the Sydney Roosters over the past two years, he has been touted as a player of tremendous potential. In 2013, he was named Dally M Winger of the Year, before proceeding to star for New Zealand at that year's Rugby League World Cup.

It has been widely thought that he would be the man to fill the boots of Anthony Minichiello at fullback when the stalwart retired, and that has come into fruition this year. At the back Tuivasa-Sheck has been nothing short of brilliant. On both the counter and coming into the line, his speed and explosive step have seen him cut opposition defences to pieces.

In fact he has been possibly the best outside back in the Premiership thus far. That is a good sign as far as the Warriors are concerned, although they will not be seeing him in their own jersey until next year.

Undoubtedly he will be the intended replacement for their current fullback, Englishman Sam Tompkins. Tompkins has had a mixed time with the Warriors, arriving from the Super League with plenty of hype but taking a while to find his feet in the more physical NRL. His deft touches out wide will be missed, but in Tuivasa-Sheck, the Warriors have a more potent attacking weapon and a player who will only get better.

The move is a return home for Tuivasa-Sheck, having grown up in Auckland and making his name as one of the top prospects in both rugby league and rugby union at Otahuhu College. He was then snatched from his homeland at the age of 18 by the Sydney Roosters. 

The elite of the rugby league world collided on Sunday as Super League champions St. Helens were crushed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 2015 World Club Challenge.

The Aussies won the match 39-0, with the English side unable to make an impact in the match against superior opposition. 

In a new format of the competition, St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos also made their way to England, triumphing over Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors, respectively.

Here are the results and reactions from all of the matches:

St Helens 0-39 South Sydney Ribbitohs

South Sydney made it a hat-trick of wins for Australia as they destroyed St Helens and claimed the title of the world's best rugby league team.

The club are owned by Russell Crowe, and the actor gave up a night at the Oscars to watch his side play some incredible rugby in England.

The Aussies dominated proceedings from start to finish, and deservedly rampaged over a helpless St Helens.

The visitors ran over seven tries with Glenn Stewart, Dylan Walker, Greg Inglis, Luke Keary and Chris McQueen touching down and Joel Reddy scoring twice.

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham was gracious in defeat, and conceded the gulf in class between the two sides was too large, per Aaron Bower of The Guardian:

We just got schooled by the best club side in the world. Sometimes you’ve got to lose in a big fashion to learn big lessons, and this will be a good education for my players, particularly the younger ones who were out there.

South Sydney were commended for their overall conduct and brilliance from all quarters, with Sky Sports' Stephen Owen and celebrity St Helens supporter Johnny Vegas leading the praise:

Thought @russellcrowe & the whole @SSFCRABBITOHS players & staff were brilliant yesterday having pics with fans long after the game.

— Stephen Owen (@StephenOwen1895) February 23, 2015

@russellcrowe @adamhillscomedy @alex_brooker We stayed and applauded your @SSFCRABBITOHS fella. Worthy champions, there's no denying that

— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) February 23, 2015

It was a tough day for the Super League champions and proved the current dominance of the Australian code.

St Helens had no tangible reply despite home advantage, and Crowe's team always looked likely of racking up a huge score.

Wigan Warriors 12-14 Brisbane Broncos

The DW Stadium was treated to a golden-point victory for the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday as the visitors struck first in extra time to clinch a high-octane win over Wigan Warriors.

The 2013 Super League champions forced extra time but came out second-best as Corey Parker slotted a penalty at the second attempt following Anthony Gelling's illegal charge-down to win the tie. Brisbane Broncos highlighted the win via Twitter:

Broncos win a great game 14-12 in golden point!!! Full match report to come on http://t.co/Zol81uku9r #bronxnation #WorldClubSeries

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) February 21, 2015

Andrew McCullough and Lachlan Maranta crossed for tries either side of half-time to give Brisbane Broncos a 12-6 lead over the Warriors until Joe Burgess' length-of-the-field, last-minute score pulled the teams level at 12-12.

The two teams ran it close throughout the fixture and went at the break tied at 6-6 after Liam Farrell scored his first try of the season to cancel out McCullough's score, per Wide World of Sports:

LIVE 6-6 | Liam Farrell gets his first TRY of the season for the @WiganWarriorsRL! #WorldClubSeries #WWOS pic.twitter.com/vWGCxuyE3T

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 21, 2015

However, Brisbane turned out to be the superior outfit when it came to quelling the threat of their opponent, with Warriors star Josh Charnley among those to get barely a sniff of scoring.

Even the stars of rugby union had no choice but to take notice as ex-England centre Will Greenwood tweeted his appreciation of the Broncos' stellar defence:

Brisbane Broncos haven't missed a tackle in 20 minutes.. #epicdefence @skysports Rugby League lads proper tough.

— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) February 21, 2015

That stinginess out of possession came to play a huge role in the Australians' triumph as Wigan simply couldn't carve out a significant selection of chances in the second half.

Warrington Wolves 12-18 St. George Illawarra Dragons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DheLkB3UIA

The English hosts got off to an unsavoury start on Friday evening as Warrington Wolves were the first to fall against their Australian guests, succumbing 18-12 to St. George Illawarra Dragons.

The Super League outfit trailed by just two points at the interval after tries from Gareth O'Brien and Ryan Atkins were enough to keep them within touching distance of the Dragons.

However, Josh Dugan crossed over in the second period to build on the first-half scores of Tyson Frizell and Joel Thompson after O'Brien had levelled the scoring with a penalty in the second period.

Dugan was named man of the match for his game-changing efforts and spoke to Heath Lestrange of the Dragons' official website following the result, hailing it a fantastic win:

"Yeah, it was a pretty tough game; Warrington's always going to be tough, and we came out, did well and completed out sets. It took a a little bit of getting used for our boys, but we came out on put a show on tonight."