In a game that ebbed and flowed, New Zealand Schools beat Australian Schools 30-21 to clinch its second win in a row over the side from across the Tasman.
But it was a game that could have gone either way and clear-cut chances were in short supply.
New Zealand led 10-3 at the break and then immediately pulled ahead through a slick backline try.
But it then rather went into its shell and the Australians grabbed hold of the ball and got to within two points, 23-21 with just 10 minutes to play.
New Zealand, though, did not panic, got hold of the ball and moved back on to attack.
It won a messy scrum and through a couple of nice skip passes, replacement Bryn Hall scampered over out wide to score.
TJ Perenara added the tricky conversion to clinch the match.
Hall, normally a halfback, was forced out to the wing as injuries knocked around the New Zealand backline.
Australia tried to come back in the final stages but could not find a way through the home side's defence.
New Zealand looked lively in the backs, but played too much as individuals, especially in the first half, and lost the breakdown battle.
The New Zealanders tended to lean at the breakdown rather than push and that led to the Australians winning some ball by good counter-rucking.
The New Zealand set piece was solid, and it obviously would have benefited by playing a few more games together.
Its defence though was brutal, and it looked way more dangerous when it strung things together.
New Zealand had dominated the early stages and pinned Australia back.
Captain Perenara banged over a penalty with 11 minutes gone but it was not until the 25th minute that the first try arrived.
Jason Emery, who had come on for injured fullback Albert Nikora, scored after nice work by inside backs Matt McGahan and Ope Peleseuma.
Just after halftime, New Zealand poured back on to attack, and a nice break from Emery allowed James Lowe, who had switched to fullback from centre, to score.
But Australia came back well and scored after five minutes of the second half.
Fullback Lewis Holland made a sweet run and, after he was held up just short of the line, rugged lock Curtis Browning went over.
Ten minutes later, speedy Australian winger Chris Feauai-Sautia found himself marked by a prop, and he found the outside space to run 30m to score.
Perenara and Australian goal kicker Dion Taumata traded penalties to send the game down to the wire, before the New Zealand backline sent Hall across.
Best for the winner were Lowe, flanker Tupou Sapaoga and lock Michael Fatialofa.
Holland, halfback Tim Donlan and Browning shone for Australia.
