The Kangaroos prevailed with a 22-10 win over the Kiwis, getting their revenge after a 30-0 demolition in last year’s Pacific Championships final.
For Australia, hooker Harry Grant led the way and consistently schemed from behind the ruck, being supported by a host of big-name stars.
Meanwhile, for New Zealand, fullback Keano Kini shone bright on debut with veteran Shaun Johnson showing he’s still got it two months after he played his final NRL game.
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AUSTRALIA
1. DYLAN EDWARDS — 8
After his first Pacific Championships game was filled with errors, Edwards returned to the consistent figure he’s been at the Panthers all season. He delivered a crucial try-saving tackle to stop Matt Timoko and assisted an impressive Mitchell Moses four pointer to seal the win.
2. XAVIER COATES — 7.5
Carried the ball strongly from the backfield, running over veteran halfback Shaun Johnson with a rampaging run in the first half. Made a crucial defensive effort in the 49th minute, denying Jamayne Isaako a try. He ran for 137 metres and broke four tackles.
3. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW — 6
Didn’t see much of the ball in the first half but defended well when the Kiwis swung the ball to the right side of the field. Combined with Coates to deny a Jamayne Isaako try but was unusually quiet overall, recording only 51 running metres.
4. TOM TRBOJEVIC — 8.5
A strong Trbojevic run to slice through the Kiwis’ defensive line set up Zac Lomax’s try on the stroke of halftime, proving to be tough to put down in the centres. Already had 115 running metres at the break and finished with 167 to go with four tackle breaks.
5. ZAC LOMAX — 9
An impressive effort to sail high and keep the ball alive from a Mitchell Moses kick in the seventh minute. Later got a reward for his efforts, scoring after a Tom Trbojevic break on the stroke of halftime before adding a second to go with his 161 running metres.
Is the AUS bench in need of reshuffle? | 01:03
6. TOM DEARDEN — 6.5
Laid on what looked to be a try assist to start the game, putting Angus Crichton through a hole before he put the ball down. Outside of that Dearden defended well, but was quiet on the attacking end.
7. MITCHELL MOSES — 8
Kicked out on the full in the opening stages of the clash, then later came up with an off error, throwing the ball into teammate Cameron Murray. After a nervy first half, Moses bounced back in the second and scored a smart support try to ice the game for the Kangaroos.
8. PAT CARRIGAN — 8
Ran the ball hard to start the contest and did a mountain of work in the first half, making 22 tackles and racking up 72 running metres. He ended the contest with 140 running metres and 50 post-contact metres.
9. HARRY GRANT — 9
Was at his usual best, plotting and scheming from in behind the ruck. Grant made 39 tackles and assisted a try, being a consistent threat to the New Zealand defensive line.
10. LINDSAY COLLINS — 7.5
A staggering effort to score in the 16th minute, slicing through New Zealand’s defence to streak away for a 40-metre try. Collins finished the game with 96 running metres, three tackles breaks and 17 tackles.
11. ANGUS CRICHTON — 7
Looked dangerous on the left edge to start the clash, slicing through a hole before dropping what looked to be a certain try. Crichton threatened the line throughout the clash and broke five tackles, making 32 of his own.
12. CAMERON MURRAY — 7
Contributed to a strange error, crossing paths with Mitchell Moses as he attempted to pass the ball and was largely quiet in the first half. Overall it was a quiet game for Murray, who only carried the ball five times. However, he made 40 tackles on the defensive end.
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13. ISAAH YEO — 8.5
As usual the Panthers skipper was a machine in the middle of the park, making 22 first half tackles and ending on 39, without a single miss. Yeo also broke two tackles and ran for 78 metres in an overall solid display.
14. MATT BURTON — 5
Came onto the field very late into the contest, limiting his impact. Burton carried the ball twice whilst also making two tackles.
15. MITCHELL BARNETT — 6.5
Came on late in the first half and went about his business before he was steamrolled by Marata Niukore in the opening stages of the second half. Barnett tallied 71 running metres to go with 17 tackles in a solid middle shift.
16. REUBEN COTTER — 6
Entered the field coming into the break and was solid, making 18 tackles without a miss. However, Cotter only ran the ball four times for a total of 30 metres.
17. HUDSON YOUNG — 5
Came onto the field in the second half but didn’t have long to contribute, carrying the ball four times and making four tackles.
NEW ZEALAND
1. KEANO KINI — 9
Was electric throughout the contest and consistently threatened the line from the backfield, showcasing his pace and elusiveness. The Titans gun was one of New Zealand’s best in their loss and ran for 225 metres to go with five tackle breaks,
Centre switch? Lomax stars on wing AGAIN | 01:05
2. JAMAYNE ISAAKO — 7
Carried the ball well from the back, hitting it up 15 times for a total of 106 running metres. He also scored one try, whilst coming desperately close to crossing for a second after a floated Shaun Johnson pass landed him in space.
3. MATT TIMOKO — 6.5
The Raiders gun charged into the line in typical fashion, very nearly scoring what could have been a crucial try, being stopped in his tracks by Dylan Edwards. Tallied 124 running metres to go with 46 post-contact metres.
4. PETA HIKU — 5.5
Hiku was largely quiet in this contest, carrying the ball nine times for a total of 77 running metres. He also missed four tackles in the centres.
5. WILL WARBRICK — 8
“The old shake and bake,” Warren Smith said as the Kiwis winger left his opposite man for dead with an impressive sidestep to score in the 66th minute. Warbrick, in his New Zealand debut, was impressive and finished the afternoon with an impressive 171 running metres.
6. CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD — 6
Nicoll-Klokstad failed to stamp his mark on this clash, whilst also missing five tackles in the five-eighth role. With Kodi Nikorima on the bench, the Warriors gun could find himself shifted into the backline in New Zealand’s next clash.
7. SHAUN JOHNSON — 8
He’s still got it. After not taking the field for close to two months, Johnson showed why Stacey Jones was happy to pick up the phone. ‘SJ’ provided spark and creativity in the middle of the park, recording a try assist in a solid display.
8. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS — 7.5
A big shift in the middle of the park for Fisher-Harris, who played long minutes at prop. He finished the game with 97 running metres to go with 24 tackles and was an ever-present force for the Kiwis.
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9. PHOENIX CROSSLAND — 6
Crossland lacked attacking spark out of dummy half, however he was able to contribute in defence, making an impressive and team-high 36 tackles.
15. NAUFAHU WHYTE — 7
A decent shift in the middle of the park for Whyte, who was injected into the starting side before kick off. The Roosters gun ran for 118 metres, broke three tackles and offloaded the ball twice.
11. ISAIAH PAPALI’I — 6.5
Papali’i put in a solid performance on the edge for the Kiwis, making 24 tackles but also missing three. He assisted one of the two tries New Zealamd scored, but was tested in defence.
12. SCOTT SORENSEN — 7.5
Sorensen impressive effort to spark a line break for Will Warbrick in the 65th minute and overall was tenacious in defence and with the ball in hand. He recorded 35 tackles and consistently roughed up his opponents during the ruck.
13. JOSEPH TAPINE — 7.5
A monster in the middle of the field, Tapine put in a huge shift. The Raiders gun made 29 tackles, to go with 137 running metres, carrying the ball 16 times.
10. GRIFFIN NEAME — 6.5
After being relegated to the bench to start the contest, the Cowboys enforcer was impressive off the pine. He tallied 132 running metres to go with 20 tackles.
Cook Islands’ heartfelt war cry | 00:53
14. KODI NIKORIMA — N/A
Nikorima took the field in the dying stages off the clash, touching the ball once and making four tackles.
16. MARATA NIUKORE — 6
Came on and made some powerful runs off the bench, namely steamrolling Mitch Barnett in a big collision. Tallied 61 running metres to go with eight tackles and one miss.
17. JORDAN RIKI — 5
Riki’s minutes were limited on Sunday evening, coming on to close out the game. He carried the ball three times and made 12 tackles without a miss.