Injuries forced changes to both line ups for the third test in Brisbane, while Australia had two more players on debut, 1994 Kangaroo hooker Jim Serdaris (Western Suburbs) and replacement outside back Jamie Ainscough (Newcastle).
New Zealand did well to hold Australia and only be down 6-10 at half time after losing fullback Matthew Ridge who was concussed trying to tackle powerful Australian winger Rod Wishart.