The Kangaroos recorded a convincing win in the golden west, securing a 20-point victory over New Zealand.
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Final score
Australia Kangaroos 26
New Zealand Kiwis 6
International rugby league is back as the Kangaroos and Kiwis visit Perth for the annual Trans-Tasman Test. Can Australia edge closer to regaining their No.1 ranking or will New Zealand defeat their neighbours for the fourth time in their last five outings? Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has named three debutants with Shannon Boyd, Valentine Holmes and Tyson Frizell representing their country for the first time.
It comes as Meninga looks to the next generation with a number of stars set to retire in the coming years.
Nine players named in Meninga’s side have less than five caps while three have made over 30 appearances in the green and gold.
The Queensland spine of Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith will provide the core of the team with 123 games between them.
Meninga will be looking for his forward pack to perform off the back of the experienced spine with Shannon Boyd named to partner Matthew Scott up front in a bid to provide new life and plenty of firepower to the Kangaroos side while he is sure to get plenty of minutes out of a young back row consisting of Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett and Trent Merrin.
Meninga has already worked with a host of players over the off-season with six players having featured in the PM’s XIII’s thrashing of Papua New Guinea 58-0 in Port Moresby.
Ranked No.1 in the world, New Zealand have signalled a number of large changes to continue their dominance.
David Kidwell will coach his first game having represented his nation on 25 occasions between 1999 and 2008.
Kidwell has also named a number of young stars to make their debuts with Jordan Rapana, Solomone Kata and Joseph Tapine slated for their first test caps.
The Kiwis will be with veteran of 41 appearances Simon Mannering who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
It leaves Kidwell with three players at his disposal having played over 30 games – Issac Luke, Adam Blair and Thomas Leuluai. The trio will be joined by Jason Nightingale after the full-time siren, the Dragons winger currently sitting on 29.
Leuluai and Shaun Johnson will have a big task in the halves, being asked to steer the ship for New Zealand while Jesse Bromwich and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are required to lead up front, the duo needing to make big metres up the middle and capitalise on the Kangaroos’ comparatively slow forwards.
131 meetings have become the two bitter rivals since the All Golds first toured Australia in 1908.
Since then, Australia have dominated encounters with 96 wins to the Kiwis’ 32 while three matches have been drawn.
Until this year’s Anzac Test when the Kangaroos triumphed 16-0 in Newcastle, the Kiwis have dominated proceedings winning three matches in a row including the 2014 Four Nations final.
The Trans-Tasman Test has never been played in Perth before, making it uncharted territory for both outfits.
Prediction
The Kangaroos will retain bragging rights over New Zealand with a hard-fought win.
Australia by 4.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
Republican
Guest
.....no the team is better than the coach. They will take out the 4 nations v England me thinks. Australia aways play poorly on heavier pitches because they rely on the dash of their backs similar to the Wallabies in Union. Forwards win games in England, mark my words.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Morgan will likely keep his spot though his performance was not fantastic. He didn't really have the opportunity to play the second receiver role and was doing a lot of defensive work in the middle. I don't know that Maloney should get the 14 jersey if his role will be a middle player. If the 14 was to be an "impact" player Morgan and Maloney are on equal ground with their ability to identify and run at tired defenders, Morgan probably gets an incumbency nod.
maximillian
Roar Rookie
Well that was a disappointing game. I wasn't surprised the Kangaroos won as they are always strong but I am surprised the Kiwis much vaunted pack was dominated so easily. SKD was poor so I think Beale may come in at right centre. Id also put Te Maire Martin on the bench for Lewis Brown. The 5th tackle options were poor & I think Martin can add some creativity from the bench. Meninga did a great job & inspired his team & I thought he outcoached Kidwell easily. Im still looking forward to the 4 Nations but as a Kiwi fan, I think we are the 3rd best team based on what we have seen so far.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
"I maintain that NZ shouldn’t be able to get close to us in League..." Played two lost two. In fact the Kiwis have scored only 6 points in 160 minutes of football against the Kangaroos. Less than a year ago they toured England and lost the series 2 - 1. Not an auspicious start for a period of world domination. (Kudos for fronting up after the Kiwi loss.)
Kiwijack
Guest
I thought Kahu had a good game and was one of the Kiwis best. Time to give the young guys a go TMM, Docker Clay, DWZ, etc. They will have more passion. NZ have a heap of young talent now is the time to use them before the RL World Cup.
Kiwijack
Guest
Totally agree get rid of SKD and JWH also Brown. Zac :Docker-Clay should have been brought in to back up Luke. Agree with Martin super prospect and needs game time. I like Kidwell and think that he could be ok. Don,t like Justin Morgan as assistant useless at warriors and will be useless with kiwis. Should have Stacey coaching halves and backs. Time will tell.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Only if Thurston got hit by a bus.
Republican
Guest
.....hypothetically, would Foran get into the Kangaroos run on side? Surely he should be playing in the green and gold having grown up here from age 7 or 8?
Republican
Guest
........peeko boo. I hold to that. The game was much closer than the result indicates. There is still sometime until the WC, I believe for the KIWIS to peak, while I maintain that the 4 nations will be between England and NZ on pitches far more suited to their style of play. I was surprised how well Inglis performed as I have felt for some time that he is past his used by date - as great a player as he has been. The Kangaroos performed better than I would have thought especially considering the new look line up but really, it was anyones game up until early into the second half and NZ could have been in front at half time with an extra 5 or 10 minutes as the momentum was favouring them. I maintain that NZ shouldn't be able to get close to us in League given the status of the code here and our population but well done to the Green and Gold and big Mal - perhaps I am completely out of order.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
"....and place Te Maire Martin at 5/8". Martin is a great prospect, but he has only played a handfull of NRL games. I watched him play for the junior Kiwis last year and a number of NYC games. He is classy with ball in hand, but his defence is not strong at this stage. The Kangaroos back rowers would run at him all night. In any event, he needs front foot ball to prosper, and the Kiwi pack were unable to provide that last night. I'd give him more time to develop.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Fittler and Lockyer are useless. Prior to the match, Yvonne asked Lockyer about the Cronulla victory in the grand final and I gritted my teeth in anticipation of what was to come. Low and behold, his magic analysis was to say that Cronulla dominated the first half, Melbourne came back and then Cronulla won. Stunning analysis.
Realist 1975
Guest
What a disappointing game from a massive personal high Cronulla and the Shire gave me 2 weeks ago in Sydney. Where to start? The people who selected Kidwell have assisted in the kiwis going back to their bad old days. First port of call - sack Kidwell before it gets worse. Massive call but it was quite evident he needs training at a lower standard. How can you smile on live TV when your national team is getting beaten badly - reminds me of Gary Kemble back in 2007 when Australia won 58-0. Can't learn on the job at international level. Wasn't the biggest fan of Kearney but even he knew never to select JWH. Personally he should have been sent off. Can't believe they went with this guy over a proven performer in test matches against the Aussies in Sam Moa. Bromwich is not a captain and made a huge fumble mistake - apparently sleeping- when they were looking dangerous. Couldn't believe the lack of enthusiasm at times. Where were the offloads? Why was Taumalolo having such a big rest? Why was Brown ever selected? Let's face it the Aussies weren't that much better and some of their try's had luck involved and they still smashed the Kiwis. Dumb mistakes at the wrong time and lack of cohesion. SKD and JWH were Australia's best players. Inglis and Gillet were great for the Aussies I thought and Holmes played well on debut. Morgan might have played his last test along with Dugan. As for the referee - geez I liked some of his calls which went both ways especially players getting pinged for not playing the ball properly ala SKD and Morgan. As for the touch judges missing constant forward passes and knock on's etc they get a massive fail. The return of RTS, Foran, Mannering, Moa, and Matalino are needed to return to more recent Kiwis team. I would even drop Luke, place Leuluia at Hooker and place Te Maire Martin at 5/8. Tapau and Blair and Kata played very well in my opinion but in saying that what was Kata thinking being offside and trying to score a try from a kick - don't players understand there are cameras everywhere. Back three couldn't do much more and tried hard but were not really threatening. Get rid of Kidwell and JWH before it gets any worse and people start turning off international footy. Don't really hate losing, but last night I thought they were flogged in practically all aspects of the game.
Phill L
Guest
I got to hand it to the roos. You kicked our butts. Everything about consistency and we only had glimpses. Anyhoo bring on the 4 nations!!
TC123
Guest
He is clueless. He will be a disaster and won't win a test again the Kangaroos while he's the coach in my opinion.
TC123
Guest
Why? It was your backs that dominated the Kiwis
TC123
Guest
Kidwell will take the Kiwis back to the second rate side they were for 20 years. Average player in his day and will be the same as a coach.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ha...don't think he will front up. If he does it will be to blame the refs or something.
peeeko
Guest
waiting for republican, he has quoted about 20 times about how the kiwis will dominate from now on
Wolly
Roar Guru
Agree about Dugan, I don't see the reasoning in picking him at centre. As well as the other centres named in the comments below I think Hayne would have done a better job, who's actually had some success in the position. Can't agree regarding Fergo, he wasn't spectacular but did enough to retain his place. Where do you stand on Morgan?
Sylvester
Guest
The ref was OK, the touchies were at SKD level....