Jan 14 (Reuters) - Australia"s benchmark ASX 200 index is expected to fall at open on Friday, taking cues from its U.S. peers which ended lower amid a tech-led sell-off, with domestic materials-related stocks likely to lose on weaker commodity prices. The local share price index futures fell 0.5%, a 146.4-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) close. The benchmark rose 0.5% on Thursday. New Zealand"s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (.NZ50) fell 0.1% to 12,816.48 points in early trade.