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THE LEDGER: The Kiwis get hot, the Aussies go cold – and the trans-Tasman rivalry gets slightly warmer

Thank god the All Blacks are back, aye Kiwis?

While the world turns its sporting attention to Euro 2016, Copa America and the long, sad march to the Rio Olympics, Australia and New Zealand continued to take pot shots across the Tasman over the last week.

The All Blacks played their first game since last year's World Cup final, the Wallabies lost to the much-hated English – and the Aussie cricket team were in action in the Windies.

As per usual, The Ledger ran the rule over who was best out of the two nations. To be honest: New Zealand largely needs to get it's A into G if it wants to reinvigorate the rivalry these days, with only one win over the also eight weeks. Can they make it two?

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CRICKET

While New Zealand named its first test squad captained by Kane Williamson, for the upcoming Zimbabwean tour, Australia continued its tri-series in the Windies against the hosts and South Africa.

The Australians played two matches against South Africa last week, and came away with a win and a loss. They lost the first game by 47 runs, before a David Warner century, and firey Mitchell Starc bowling display, earned them a 36-run victory in St Kitts.

Two out two would have been needed to prove they were heading in a better direction than the Kiwis, so honours are even in this category.

WINNER: Draw

FOOTBALL

There are only two real shows in the football world at the moment: Euro 2016, and Copa America.

But while Australia did play a couple of pre-Euros friendlies, it was the All Whites that earned something of value this last week.

New Zealand booked their place in next year's Confederations Cup when they defeated Papua New Guinea on penalties in the OFC Nations Cup final in Port Moresby.

The game had finished 0-0, but the Kiwis would be the better of the two teams from the spot going 4-2 on penalties. New Zealand keeper Stefan Marinovic was the hero with two saves.

This could be a key early moment in New Zealand's hopes for qualifying for the next World Cup – and enough to win the spoils in The Ledger this week.

WINNER: New Zealand

The OFC Nations Cup final penalty shoot-out in Port Moresby

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RUGBY UNION

The first of annual mid-year rugby tests took place over the weekend, and it was New Zealand that was flying the flag for the Southern Hemisphere.

The All Blacks beat Wales 39-21 to keep a 22-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park going. Winger Waiseke Naholo was the star in the highly entertaining encounter, scoring two tries.

The Wallabies meanwhile were upset by England, losing 39-28. It's Australia's first ever loss to England in Brisbane; which is certainly a bitter pill to swallow.

The South Africans were knocked over by the Irish, but, really, this week belongs to the ever-powerful Abs.

WINNER: New Zealand

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Warriors incredible NRL bounce-back continued in Newcastle this weekend, with a 50-14 blowout victory over their hosts, the woeful Knights.

Winger David Fusitua was the star of the show, becoming just the seventh player in Warriors history to score four tries in a match.

Injury clouds hovered with Manu Vatuvei and Shaun Johnson picking up knocks, but the revolution is undeniable from the much-maligned Kiwi NRL team.

Props to the club's front office for giving Konrad Hurrell the boot, and getting the season back on track.

WINNER: New Zealand

Highlights of the Warriors vs Knights NRL match

NETBALL

There were trans-Tasman match-ups galore in the ANZ Championship over the weekend, with the Kiwis making a bright start on Saturday.

The Southern Steel tipped up the competition-leading Queensland Firebirds at home, before the Melbourne Vixens claimed some Australasian pride back with their win over the Northern Mystics.

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The loss of the Central Pulse to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, means Australia take out the netball this week. It was a pretty close-run thing, though.

WINNER: Australia

MOTORSPORT

The biggest match-up between Aussies and Kiwis in motorsport came in Detroit over the last week.

Kiwi Indycar hero Scott Dixon finished second in the Motor City round of the competition, with Aussie Will Power was down the rankings a fair bit. The two headed to the next Indycar leg in Texas, which was canned after 71 laps due to torrential rain.

Meanwhile, Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo finished seventh in the Canadian Grand Prix and Hayden Paddon crashed out of Rally Italia, but that won't change the result this week; another win for the Kiwis.

WINNER: New Zealand

BASKETBALL

The NBA Finals are in full swing, and Aussies find themselves at the forefront of the action.

Warriors centre Andrew Bogut has been having a strong series for the defending champions, while scrappy Victorian Matthew Dellavedova has been trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to get under Steph Curry's skin.

All told though: an Aussie will walk away with an NBA ring this year.

Another nation turns its lonely eyes to your magnificent facial hair, Steven Adams.

WINNER: Australia

Andrew Bogut talking about the NBA Finals with a star-studded broadcast panel

OLYMPIC SPORTS: WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Australia should be leaps and bounds ahead of New Zealand in terms of Olympic medal hopes in women's football, but last week's friendly in Melbourne proved that isn't the case right now.

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The two nations battled to a 1-1 draw. New Zealand haven't beaten Australia in 27 matches, but looked the better of the two teams for the majority of the encounter.

The two teams are in different pools in Rio, but this result should give the Kiwis mega-confidence they can emerge out of theirs.

"It's a draw, but it feels like a loss," Aussie goal-scorer Lisa De Vanna said. The Kiwis will take that.

WINNER: New Zealand

WILDCARD SPORT: ICE HOCKEY

On the week where Canadian ice hockey legend Gordie Howe died, and the Stanley Cup finals rage on, it's a nice time to look at Kiwis and Aussies in the sport.

There's no Kiwis really making an impact, but Aussie Nathan Walker has been firing up over the last month.

The Washington Capitals prospect plays for the Hershey Bears in the NHL's top 'minor league' and has starred as they reached the finals of the Calder Cup.

Capitals coaches have been talking about the Sydney-sider in American media, meaning a historic, first-ever Australian call-up to the NHL, could be on the cards next season.

On ya, Nate.

WINNER: Australia

OVERALL

NEW ZEALAND 5.5 AUSTRALIA 3.5

New Zealand claims a famous second victory in The Ledger, with a crushing two-point advantage this week.

Hats go off to the All Blacks, New Zealand women's football team and resurgent Warriors in particular. Is this the start of a trend?

Unlikely, but, hey, a win's a win.

BONUS: CLASSIC MOMENT IN AUSSIE-NZ RIVALRY

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Australia vs New Zealand – Netball World Championship Final in Singapore, 2011

Let's admit it, international netball is largely a joke beyond Australia and New Zealand. Luckily for trans-Tasman netball fans, the rivalry between the two is as tight as any in world sport.

There have been some classic encounters through the years, but few match the Final of the 2011 Netball World Championship in Singapore.

Australia and New Zealand couldn't be separated after two over-times, with Australian goal-shoot Caitlin Bassett the only difference as she scored the winning goal with only one second left.

Netball at its very best.