Australia have endured a rare ice hockey loss to New Zealand, going down 4-1 in the opening game of the Trans-Tasman series in Queenstown.
Despite losing just once in the last 15 matches to the Ice Blacks, the Mighty Roos could not reign in their hosts who had a 3-0 lead in the second period on Thursday.
Australian coach Brad Vigon said his world No.33 side was punished for their mistakes.
"We knew they were going to come out hard," he said.
"This is their home and they made us pay for a few errors. I was happy with our pace and intensity, but we will focus on a few things for tomorrow's game."
Game two of the three-match series will be played on Friday night.
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