The Australian men's team has denied New Zealand their first series win against the men's team in over 40 years, scoring three second half goals to tie up the match and the series after three consecutive draws.
Once again the Kookaburras were very active in front of goals during the first half, however despite their best efforts failed to register on the scoreboard after missing several penalty corners.
Much like the first two matches of the series, the Kookaburras found themselves on the back foot after New Zealand youngster Nick WIlson scored the first goal of the match at the 23 minute mark.
Things went from bad to worse for the Kookaburras when only minutes later Andrew Hayward converted from a penalty corner to give the Black Sticks a two goal advantage and a real shot of winning their first series against Australia since 1967.
Sticking to their game plan, the Kookaburras didn't relent and continued to attack the goals, almost getting one past the goal keeper with only seconds left in the first half due to a strong play from Travis Brooks.
However the ball traveled left of the goals, with the Kookaburras going into the half time break two goals down with New Zealand having all the momentum.
Coming together as a group with a sense of self belief after half time, the Kookaburras continued to move the ball at pace in an attempt to catch the New Zealand defenders off guard, finally converting from a penalty corner at the 42 minute mark thanks to Aaron Hopkins.
New Zealand answered right back and seemingly had the game, and the series, wrapped up after Phillip Burrows scored a field goal in the 57th minute to once again give the Black Sticks a two goal advantage late in the second half.
Once again the Kookaburras responded in the face of defeat, with experienced campaigner Jamie Dwyer finding a way past the goal keeper only to be followed a minute later by Dean Butler.
Now with the momentum well and truly on their side, the Kookaburras continued to attack the goals. They appeared to have snatched victory over New Zealand after scoring in the dying seconds, only to have the referee already call a penalty corner to the Kookaburras prior to the goal being scored.
The penalty corner was not converted which resulted in a three all draw.
Kookaburras coach Barry Dancer said he was once again disappointed with his teams work deep in defense, while also noting some of the decision making up forward also needed to be looked at.
'I think we responded well in the second half which was obviously a positive. However we still need to look at our work deep in defense, particularly leading up to the Champions Trophy next week,' said Dancer.
The Kookaburras will now head over to Malaysia and play their first match of the Champions Trophy on Thursday 29th November.
Kookaburras 3 New Zealand 3 (0-2 half time)
NZL Nick Wilson 23 min FG, NZL Andrew Hayward 26 min PC, AUS Aaron Hopkins 42 min PC, NZL Phillip Burrows 57 min FG, AUS Jamie Dwyer 62 min FG, AUS Dean Butler 62 min FG
Source: Hockey Australia
