SYDNEY, Aug 7: Australia beat New Zealand 23-18 at the Olympic stadium on Saturday to join the All Blacks at the top of the Tri-nations and leave the series wide open with the final two matches in South Africa to play.

The Wallabies clawed their way back from a 9-0 deficit and avenged their 16-7 loss in Wellington three weeks ago.

Both teams kicked six penalties but a try by wing Lote Tuqiri swung the match Australia's way.

Australia produced a much better display than in Wellington when they struggled for possession and territory and could have won by a bigger margin on Saturday with Tuqiri twice held up over the line and Stirling Mortlock once.

New Zealand had made a flying start, racing to a 9-0 lead in the first 16 minutes with three goals from inside centre Daniel Carter, before Australia settled into the game.

Tuqiri almost scored a try when he charged on to a short pass from scrumhalf George Gregan only to be held up by New Zealand loosehead prop Kees Meeuws.

Centre Mortlock was also held up after lunging at the line as the Wallabies began to chip away at New Zealand's lead.

Replacement Matthew Burke, playing his last test in Australia, opened their scoring in the 22nd minute but Carter restored New Zealand's nine-point lead with his fourth penalty.

Giteau slotted two penalties after New Zealand were caught offside, prompting South African referee Jonathan Kaplan to warn the All Blacks about repeated infringements.

Kaplan's patience ran out when he sin-binned Auckland lock Ali Williams just before the break and Giteau landed his third penalty to level the scores at 12-12 at halftime.

Australia took the lead when Giteau kicked a fourth penalty shortly after the re-start but Carlos Spencer equalised for New Zealand.

Tuqiri then settled the match in the 48th minute when New Zealand lost possession inside their own half and Australia spun the ball across the field and back again for Tuqiri to dive over in the left corner.

A penalty to replacement flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens pulled New Zealand to within two points but another penalty from Burke restored Australia's five point advantage and forced the All Blacks to chase a try in the final minutes.-Reuters