Damien Cook was explosive, Payne Haas simply awesome and Shaun Johnson savaged as international football finally received some much-needed October love from the locals.

In front of a healthy 18,104 fans at WIN Stadium, Australia and their five debutants were just too good for New Zealand on Friday night, running away with a dominant 26-4 victory.

Cook pounced on a Kiwis' error early in the second half and raced 80m to score, only to turn provider a few minutes later when he darted out of dummy-half and found James Tedesco on his inside.

Johnson was quickly criticised by the TV commentators fr putting the ball dead and making his forwards defend yet another vital seven-tackle set.

The Sharks playmaker did it a couple of times as the Kiwis struggled to camp down the Kangaroos' end of the field.

Phil Gould said after Cook and Tedesco combined at the other end of the field: "Shaun Johnson creates the problem there with that fifth-tackle option.''

Andrew Johns added: "That was just giving Australia such a big advantage.''

Johnson was often in the spotlight for a mixed first year at Cronulla and would have been disappointed after the game with some of his kicking options against the world champions.

Haas was injected off the bench and ran for more than 150m to remind everybody why he will be a permanent fixture in the green and gold for at least the next decade.

It is frightening to think just how good this teenager who also made his NSW Origin debut this season can be.

Haas' energy and big engine would have made life easier for Josh Papalii who went into the game with a rib injury.

Roos coach Mal Meninga would have been delighted with the hitout before Australia cross the ditch and prepare to play against the Tongans next Saturday.

Meninga would have also been pleased with the packed eastern hill, especially after the disastrous numbers at last weekend's World Cup 9s.

For the sake of the global game, Tonga and Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo will be desperate to put up a better fight than New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

Nothing could split the teams early before Latrell Mitchell slotted a penalty goal.

Mitchell then plucked a Johnson cut-out pass out of the air, charged down field before quickly finding a flying Josh Addo-Carr on his inside. As soon as Mitchell's pass hit the 'Fox' on the chest, he punched the air in celebration.

Haas came into the game wearing the No. 15 and thumped Brisbane teammate Jamayne Isaako with his first tackle.

When Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was penalised - again - for collecting Roosters teammate Mitchell high as he stepped back in-field, Australia pushed for the try and scored through hometown hero Tyson Frizell.

Initial replays suggested Kiwis skipper Benji Marshall may have forced Frizell to bobble the ball, but he did well to keep possession and score.

Wighton appeared to swallow a bug and then have issues with his eye as the trainer stayed with him for a brief period. Five-eighth Cameron Munster also clutched at the same left neck problem that impacted on him late in the season with the Storm.

New Zealand kicked the ball dead to start the second half but Australia could not punish them.

Frizell fell just short trying to dive on a Daly Cherry-Evans kick.

Brandon Smith produced what looked an ugly cannonball tackle on Cordner, just as he did in the preliminary final against the Roosters and winger Brett Morris.

The Kiwis were prepared to keep the ball alive and offloaded and flick-passed the ball through about eight sets of hands before Adam Blair popped the ball up for Cook to run the length of the field - and virtually run away with the game.

AT A GLANCE

AUSTRALIA 26 (Josh Addo-Carr, Tyson Frizell, Damien Cook, James Tedesco tries; Latrell Mitchell 4, Daly Cherry-Evans goals) bt NEW ZEALAND 4 (Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad try) at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Crowd: 18,104. Referee: Gerard Sutton.