AUSTRALIAN shearers have dominated the machine shearing and wool handling to win the coveted Trans Tasman test match.
South Australian shearer Shannon Warnest won the open machine shearing final with a total score of 59.141 points.
The Trans Tasman challenge was held last week at Christchurch, New Zealand, using Corriedale sheep.
It was the third win in a row for Australia with an overall score of 318.523 points compared to New Zealand on 329.134.
Manager Len Simmons oversaw a team of shearers consisting of Shannon Warnest, Nathan Meaney and Mark Buscombe.
These three competitors defeated the New Zealand team of Tony Coster, Colin O’Neil and John Kirkpatrick in the teams machine shearing.
New Zealand dominated the open blades final, with Australian champion John Dalla, of South Australia, placing sixth.
John Dalla combined with Peter Artridge, of Albury, to be runners-up to New Zealand in the teams blade shearing.
Australia won the open wool handling test match on a point score of 440.464, showing superior preparation of oddments and fleeces.
This was the first time Australia had taken out the title since 2005.
Wool handlers were Rachel Hutchison and Aroha Garvin, while woolhandling judge was Georgie Rangihaeata.
Australian shearing judge was Winston Flood.
