The test series was broadcast throughout Australia by the Seven Network with commentary provided by Pat Welsh, Roy Masters and Jon Harker.
Also making his Australian debut in Sydney was Eastern Suburbs front row forward Craig Salvatori, who played his only two career tests during the series.
The series would be the last appearance in an Australian jumper of veteran test players Wally Lewis and Des Hasler as well as Penrith forward Mark Geyer.
The Kiwis squad was: Gary Freeman (Balmain), Richie Blackmore (Castleford), Frano Botica (Wigan) Peter Brown (Halifax), Clayton Friend (Carlisle), Kevin Iro (Manly-Warringah), Tony Kemp (Newcastle), Emosi Koloto (Widnes), Dean Lonergan (Auckland), Duane Mann (Warrington), George Mann (St. Helens), Jarrod McCracken (Canterbury-Bankstown), Gary Mercer (Warrington), Tawera Nikau (Castleford), Mike Patton (Glenora), Brent Todd (Canberra), Dave Watson (Halifax) and Jason Williams (South Sydney).
Several ex-rugby union players playing in the Winfield Cup, including former All Blacks John Schuster (Newcastle), Matthew Ridge (Manly-Warringah) and Kurt Sherlock (Eastern Suburbs), as well as Daryl Halligan (North Sydney), were unavailable due to a dispute between their respective clubs and the NZRL over compensation, though Manly, Newcastle and the NZRL did manage to come to an agreement over Kevin Iro (who had only joined the Sea Eagles a month before the series) and Tony Kemp respectively.
[1] Despite the unavailability of Winfield Cup 'superboots' Ridge and Halligan, the Kiwis lost nothing in goal kicking due to the selection of Wigan 'superboot' Frano Botica.
Neither English referee John Holdsworth, nor the touch judges, saw Kiwi front rower Peter Brown deliberately knock the ball from Lindner's hands as he was lying on the ground in pain.
Despite Lindner lying on the ground crying out in pain, Holdsworth ruled play-on believing the Australian second rower had simply lost the ball.
Champion pivot Wally Lewis played the last of his 34 tests for Australia as age and injuries were finally catching up with the 31-year-old 1986 Kangaroos captain, though he went close to scoring in the second half but was held up over the line by a desperate Gary Freeman.
The Kiwis' game plan was to avoid using the bomb as Hauff and wingers Dale Shearer and Andrew Ettingshausen (also noted fullbacks) were considered safe under the high ball, and it worked to perfection.
Shearer had also bombed a try early in the first half: after receiving a pass from Meninga and making a break down the left wing he chip kicked but dropped over Frano Botica but the ball was over the line as he attempted to catch it.
The Australians, with a new-look side including six new faces following the first test loss (three of them on debut), ran in eight tries to nil to level the series at one all with a resounding 44-0 win.
The other player on debut was Eastern Suburbs front row forward Craig Salvatori who replaced Balmain's Steve Roach.