The Pacific Championships conclude Australia and New Zealand face off in a blockbuster decider in Hamilton. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEDT).
After dusting up the Kiwis by 36-18 on the 28th of October and doing a similar job on Samoa a fortnight earlier, Australia has qualified for the final of this unique tournament, where the old foe New Zealand waits with a home advantage and a chance to upset the applecart.
It has been a mighty long season for most of the players involved, with two months of additional matches and training having taken place for many of the combatants. Whilst an interesting event, the football has not been of a high standard in terms of the opposition posed to the Aussies, yet the Kangaroos have looked very polished and as professional as always, with neither the Kiwis nor Samoa mounting a serious threat to them across the full 80 minutes.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has stuck with the same team that lost to the Australians just a week ago, showing faith in a group that he believes in and can see holding the trophy aloft come Sunday evening. Much has been made around a potential move for Joseph Manu to full-back, yet Maguire has stuck solid in the hope that a home field and crowd will lift his team to something special in the final.
The side they will face looks ominous, with Nicho Hynes, Jake Trbojevic and Tom Flegler now on the reserves list and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas and Liam Martin brought back into the 17.
Despite the change of seasons and a multitude of sports taking place right around the globe, rugby league eyes will be fixed on the Kangaroos, attempting to reassert their dominance on international play. Recent years have presented some evidence of a potential changing of the guard, yet Australia looks likely to claim another title and remain the dominant side in world rugby league.
Prediction
It simply looks a bridge too far for the Kiwis in this one, although a quick start and an early lead could well change the narrative.
The Kangaroos will power home late and barring a sloppy first 40 minutes, will be cruising downwind late in the match and stride to a confident 20-point win.
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 3pm (AEDT)
TV: Nine Network, Fox League
Streaming: 9Now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Australia $1.24, New Zealand $4.10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Dylan Edwards 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Payne Haas 9. Ben Hunt 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Cameron Murray 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Harry Grant 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Reuben Cotter
New Zealand
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Matt Timoko 4. Joey Manu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Kieran Foran 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joe Tapine
Interchange: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Griffin Neame 17. Leo Thompson
Sci
Roar Rookie
It’s a dif game requiring did skill sets ffs
Thing Me
Roar Rookie
The perfect set-up alright in an attempt to manufacture interest in an otherwise non-event.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
On the bright side of it. Panthers props still looked alright . Plus Cleary didn’t play .
Tom G
Roar Rookie
At least he always plays like he wants to be there
Stormy
Roar Rookie
No Mate; I watch every game & can see the variations, in his game, week to week. I agree that he has the potential to be a true champion, but he needs to be consistently brilliant, before he reaches those heights. Maybe, if he gives up the grog again, he'll achieve his potential. He, certainly plays better when he is off it.
MUCK
Roar Rookie
With Hunt , Grant , Munster , Cherry Evans Hynes all trying to dictate at one point and Tedesco relegating our centres and wingers to decoy runners its no wonder our attack was disjointed and suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Its a Test. Pick a hooker and stick with him for 80mins. Tell the fullback to organise from the back not impose himself on every second play, three or four times a half at most. You have some of the best centres and wingers or should have in the country , give them the ball for a change, thats why they are there . If your going to have a utility on your bench pick one that can tackle, especially if youve picked two hookers. Hynes , wtf.
bungeye
Roar Rookie
How is that possible? I mean their best players play for the All Blacks, don't they?
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Australia lacked motivation, looked flat. Deserved win kiwis. Australia thinking they could rock up, go through the motions and win got their pants pulled down.
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Jeez.. I'd have him at my club at the drop of a hat Stormy. I think maybe you've just been spoiled for quality ball players for 2 decades.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
One of those days for the Aussies – looked flat, uninspired – in complete contrast to the Kiwis who were fired up and determined to win. The much vaunted forward pairing of Tino and Haas were virtually unsighted – Harry Grant provided no spark – over 50 missed tackles. Just a horrible day for them. Kiwis deserved winners. Joe Tapine was enormous but the whole team played well. Big Mal likes to talk about pride in the Australian jersey. But that was sadly absent today. You wonder about the point of having a final for this series given the Aussies had already knocked over the Kiwis the week before. You could sense that the Kiwis were the only ones who had something to gain today. But credit to them they were by far the better side on the day.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Well that was a dull, manufactured tournament. Well done to the Kiwis. I’m sure this makes up for last week
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Pretty dismal Roos performance that. Soundly beaten by the Kiwis who didn't actually need to go through the gears. NZ just showed some desire and ticker. And sadly, that was enough to get all the chocolates.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Only plays really well about 4 times per season, imo. The rest of the time he is fairly average. Loses his cool very easily, which costs his team, so often. He could be great, but needs to control his temper & learn to focus on his footy.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
It’s free on 9now. I watch it in Japan via their app
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
International retirements beckon; Tedesco, DCE.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
That’ll do lads. Wowzers, enjoyed that. In some ways it’s almost a pity that wasn’t a better contest. But I’ll take it.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being with me for the contest and be sure to stick around for all the remaining sporting action on the roar this evening. Today was a day to remember for New Zealand and one for the Australians to bury and never think of again. Australia………………..…………………..0 New Zealand………………………………30
MUCK
Roar Rookie
Why was he even in the team , marketing??
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Could be a good day, Black Caps hopefully win too. Good performance by the Kiwis, never seen an Aussie side look so flat and unmotivated. Good commentary by Voss, unbiased/complimentary. Good to see a ref not being the dominant personality like union.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Blimey! Looks like being a good day for the Kiwis - Nix have just hit the front in Wellington.