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Cook and Gagai give 110% as the Kiwis beat Australia

South Sydney Rabbitohs stars Dane Gagai and Damien Cook put in huge efforts for the Kangaroos as New Zealand toppled Australia in an epic Test match in Auckland.

Both Gagai and Cook put in big shifts for the Green Gold in one of the most even test matches in recent history, which saw the men from across the ditch produce a big effort to hold off the Australians to win 26-24.

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Off a strong first year with the mighty Red and Green, Gagai was called in late to line up for the Kangaroos but the versatile outside back didn't let himself or anyone else down with a decent performance out on the wing.

Setting up a new centre and wing combination with Manly Warringah Sea Eagles' flyer Tom Trbojevic, Gagai got on the scoresheet in the first half when he received the final pass of a short side blitz from the Kangaroos.

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It was Gagai's fourth try for Australia after he scored three during the Green Gold's Rugby League World Cup triumph.

The try capped off what was committed performance, whilst also sending his side to the sheds 12-8 in front.

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs' 2018 George Piggins Medallist Damien Cook was right in the thick of the action on his international debut.

The Dally M hooker of the year didn't get to show off a lot during the game, as he played a steady hand role out of dummy half.

However, the speedster's workload was impressive as ever, making a whopping 55 tackles, whilst also playing his part in Gagai's late first half try.

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Despite trailing at half-time the Kiwis came back roaring in the second, scoring three unanswered tries through hooker Brandon Smith, centre Esan Marsters and winger Jordan Rapana.

A quick-fire Australian double set up an exciting finish to the match but the men in Green and Gold couldn't produce the great escape, falling to New Zealand for the first time since 2015.

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