Wellington: Tim McIntosh notched a valuable 83 runs during New Zealand's desperate attempt to breathe some life back into their Test match against Australia but a big defeat was looming at the end of day three.

McIntosh withstood the pressure and handled the responsibility placed on him well until he was caught in close by Simon Katich off Nathan Hauritz with seven overs remaining in the day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

New Zealand had earlier been forced to follow-on after its disappointing first innings total of 157 to carry his side through to 187-5 at the end of day three with skipper Daniel Vettori holding his wicket on 18runs with Brendon McCullum down the other end on four.

Once again it was Australian seamer Doug Bollinger (2-30), who took a five-wicket bag in the first innings, that ripped through New Zealand's top-order to have them staring down the barrel of another poor innings with the bat.

BJ Watling (33) and McIntosh forged a 70-run partnership and got the ball rolling for their side after a major tail-order collapse earlier in the day forced the home side to follow-on.

However Bollinger soon removed Watling lbw for the second time in the Test before claiming Peter Ingram's (1) wicket two overs later to leave New Zealand struggling on 87-2 at tea.

Ross Taylor was next to go when he was given out lbw off Hauritz's bowling, his first Test wicket for Australia, before Martin Guptill was caught off Ryan Harris' for six runs.

Earlier, Australia came out firing during the morning and bowled the Kiwis out in their first innings for 157 runs before lunch and forced the follow-on.

New Zealand was always going to be hard-pressed to chase the 459-5 first innings total set by Australia but should have done a lot better given the nature of the pitch.

McCullum then attempted to revive New Zealand's innings from its fragile state at 112-5 and did well to make a start before seamer Bollinger struck to extinguish any hopes of a late stand.

The final three New Zealand wickets fell cheaply as the fiery Australian bowlers intimidated and then pounced to force the follow-on.

Australia had all but guaranteed itself a big chance of claiming a win thanks to a record fifth-wicket partnership between Michael Clarke (168) and Marcus North (112 not out).

The partnership, after Katich's brilliant knock of 79, helped Australia to a dominant total of 459 before captain Ricky Ponting declared and sent New Zealand into bat.

Brief scores
Australia: 459 for 5 dec by 115 runs
New Zealand: 157 (Vettori 46, Bollinger 5-28) & 187 for 5 (McIntosh 83)
Status: New Zealand trail by 115 runs