The Pacific Championships continue with qualified finalists Australia and New Zealand facing off in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm (AEDT).
The Kangaroos had a thumping victory over Samoa in their last match, and were never in danger of losing. Despite already qualifying for the final, Mal Meninga will want his playing group to be anything but complacent against their Trans-Tasman rivals this week.
While Valentine Holmes is a big in for the Aussies following his off-field ‘white powder’ incident, Nicho Hynes is the headline inclusion, as the Sharks halfback is set to make his Australia debut off the bench.
Just like the Aussies, New Zealand had a huge win against Samoa; more importantly, they kept the 2021 World Cup runners-up to nil, showing Michael Maguire is prioritising defence even in big victories.
With an unchanged line-up, the Kiwis seem to be valuing match fitness in this short tournament leading up to the final instead of resting players.
Prediction
New Zealand will still be hurting after a tight loss to Australia in the World Cup semi-final last year.
While the result won’t matter as much as next week’s contest, the Kiwis would want to get one over the Kangaroos before the final. And that’s why I’m backing the Kiwis to get the job done.
New Zealand by 8+
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8:10pm (AEDT)
TV: Nine Network, Fox League
Streaming: 9Now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Australia $1.39, New Zealand $3 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Dylan Edwards 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Val Holmes 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Ben Hunt 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Cameron Murray 12. Reuben Cotter 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Harry Grant 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Nicho Hynes
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
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yes they are, yes they are, yes I do, and maybe not, but it certainly doesn't preclude the possibility either.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
"Victorians are very odd" - your words & they are a sweeping generalisation. Because you find your relatives strange, it doesn't follow that all Victorians are that way.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah thanks Nat.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Magnificent effort by the Aussies - one thing you can rely on is the players selected by big Mal put in for the jumper. Val Holmes put all the drama behind to play well and his kicking was spot on. Good to see Nicho Hynes make a contribution. The left edge looked dangerous all night with the Hammer coming up with some great touches. Carrigan and Lindsay were excellent off the bench. Hopefully they keep their spots when big Tino and Payne Haas return.
Redcap
Roar Guru
What an extraordinarily rude and classless comment. I've seen the replay and don't resile from my assessment of it. I have no interest in your opinion of it.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Oh dear. Watch the replay tomorrow when you're sober. Collins is in the number 15 jersey. 51min34sec... lovely high wide shot. He's 2 metres behind the kick.
watty
Roar Rookie
Well done Kangaroos, commiserations Kiwis
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Class from the Kangaroos. Hopefully the Kiwis improve next week
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AUS 36 NZ 18 Holmes conversion is unsuccessful as that's full time! Australia with an 18 point win! Overall, New Zealand were competitive in patches, but nowhere near good enough. What makes it more worrying for them is the fact that Australia rested key players and still won emphatically. I think Australia go into the final next week as overwhelming favourites, but you never know in a final. Thank you all for joining the live blog. This is Arnab Bhattacharya signing out. Goodnight
Stormy
Roar Rookie
calling it, Arnab. Hope we are all back, again, next week.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Was fun to watch, but both team have a lot of improvement left in them. Well done Kangaroos. Thanks for call
Nat
Roar Guru
Nice to see Nicho get his rep moment.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
80' TRY KANGAROOS Lovely shift left from the Kangaroos as Murray scores! AUS 36 NZ 18
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
79' CONVERSION KANGAROOS Holmes continues the flawless night with the boot with another conversion done successfully AUS 32 NZ 18
Redcap
Roar Guru
Well played Kangas. Evening all.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
78' TRY KANGAROOS Hunt with a run from dummy half and he scores! And that should be game over AUS 30 NZ 18
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
77' Kiwis let the ball bounce. Holmes offloads after picking it up. Staggs kicks in goal area before winning a dropout. AUS 26 NZ 18
Stormy
Roar Rookie
That was hardly precision play!
Nat
Roar Guru
With the NRL going to Vegas, if we see another Fish v Tapine incident and they stay on the field the lawyers will be the ones with the most interest.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Into the final five mins of play. Kiwis not getting the greatest of field position as they chase an unlikely victory AUS 26 NZ 18