THE LEDGER: Who Won the ANZAC Edition of AU vs NZ?

Previously:
Monday 18 April

We love to hate each other. We revert back to cliché jokes and caricatures to do it, and, then, on the sporting field, reserve our toughest, grittiest performances for each other.

But this week, more than others, it's good to remember that Australians and New Zealanders are dead-set brothers, with a mate-ship formed in battle and reinforced by a mutual love of sausage rolls, Phar Lap and punching well above our weight at sport.

Like every week, this Anzac week VICE Sports AUNZ's celebrates the world's greatest sporting rivalry with another edition of the world's greatest rivalry analyzer: THE LEDGER.

CRICKET

The IPL cash grab continued in India, though Kiwis and Aussies weren't among the top performers this week.

Glen Maxwell scored a tidy 56 for the Kings Punjab XI, while David Warner scored a typically brutal 59 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kiwi batsmen stole a few runs and wickets here and there, but nothing to write home about. Hand this to Australia.

WINNER: Australia

FOOTBALL

The EPL title is so close to Leicester City, they can nearly taste it. When that happens, veteran Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer will get his mitts on the silverware.

They've qualified for next year's Champions League, which is epic in its own right, and will miss suspended striker Jamie Vardy – but the Foxes should take the title with at least one win in their last three matches.

In the A-League, Adelaide United will play the Western Sydney Warriors. Another win for the Aussies, then.

WINNER: Australia

RUGBY UNION

There are sports, which, before you even know the results, you can hand the victor's jersey to one nation ahead of any others. Rugby is the case for New Zealand.

The Crusaders absolutely humiliated the Brumbies in Canberra 40-14 in the only trans-Tasman clash of the round, while the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 28-27 in the game's best match. The Highlanders were upset by the Sharks in Dunedin, while the Rebels smashed the Cheetahs in Melbourne.

So some wins for Kiwi teams, and some losses, but they really are the cream of the crop in Super Rugby.

WINNER: New Zealand

RUGBY LEAGUE

It's like the Warriors never even got out of the trenches on Anzac Monday, as the Storm embarrassed them 42-0 in Melbourne.

The performance was one of the most pathetic by the Warriors in the NRL in years, and came with serious injuries to replacement fullback Tui Lolohea and back rower Simon Mannering.

The head of Warriors coach Andrew McFadden is now on the chopping block. With half the team in the injury ward, don't expect his cattle to save him.

WINNER: Australia

NETBALL

The weekend's four ANZ Championship games featured two Australian local derbies and two Kiwi ones, meaning you could argue, regardless of results, honours should be evenly shared.

But they shouldn't. The Firebirds recorded their 17th straight win, while the New South Wales Swifts looked like the Queenslanders only real rival for the title.

The Kiwis are in the dust. Chalk up another one for the Ockers.

WINNER: Australia

MOTORSPORT

It's been the Hayden Paddon Show in Anzac motorsport this week, as the Christchurch driver became the first Kiwi to win a World Rally Championship round in Argentina.

Paddon outdrove three-time world champion Frenchman Sebastian Ogier to score the victory, which he'll be hoping breaks the dam for himself, and other Kiwis, in rallying.

Meanwhile, Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo was caught on video losing a go-carting race to Felipe Massa's son. It was all a good laugh, but means that the Kiwis definitely claim the spoils this week.

WINNER: New Zealand

BASKETBALL

The NBA playoffs are in full flight, and the Aussies and Kiwis are right in the mix. Andrew Bogut's Golden State Warriors should ease past the Houston Rockets this week, despite losing Steph Curry to injury.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Kiwi centre Steven Adams remains one of the toughest big men in the league, and is likely to lock horns with Aussie Patty Mills, of the San Antonio Spurs, in the next round of the Western Conference finals.

Hard to say who is in a better spot – so best give the honours to Adams, and his epic facial furniture.

WINNER: New Zealand

OLYMPIC SPORTS: TRAMPOLINING

For the first time in Olympic history, New Zealand will have a trampolinist at the Rio Games. Auckland's Dylan Schmidt – whose love for the sport grew from jumping on the tramp as a kid - effectively secured qualification with silver at the Olympic test event in Rio last week.

Australia has also qualified a trampolinist for Rio, but since it's New Zealand's first time in this event, we're giving the nod to the Kiwis.

WINNER: New Zealand

WILDCARD SPORT: ICE HOCKEY

An Australian or Kiwi has never played in the NHL, but Sydney's Nathan Walker probably has the best chance ever – and may even secure a late playoff call-up this year.

Walker – who is contracted by the Washington Capitals - has started for the team's 'minor league' affiliate Hershey Bears this season in their push to the Calder Cup finals.

If he keeps the performances up – and an injury occurs on the main roster, Walker – who was inspired to play ice hockey because of the Mighty Ducks movies – could make history.

WINNER: Australia

OVERALL

AUSTRALIA 5 NEW ZEALAND 4

Fitting for Anzac week, the Aussies and Kiwis pushed each other across the sporting board. Okay, I admit it, trampolining was a bit of a stretch to keep the Kiwis in the mix, but chalk another up for the 'West Islanders'.

BONUS: CLASSIC MOMENT IN AUSSIE-NZ RIVALRY

Christian Cullen try for All Blacks against Australia, Wellington 2000.

The All Blacks would end up losing thanks to a last-second penalty by legendary Wallabies skipper John Eales, but this try by Christian Cullen will undeniably be the best set-piece five-pointer you will see in your life. "Set the world alight, why don't you?," Kiwi commentator Murray Mexted gasped upon its completion.