Australia vs New Zealand: Lindsay Collins scores double as Kangaroos beat Kiwis in Pacific Championships

Mark Molyneux

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Australia vs New Zealand: Lindsay Collins scores double as Kangaroos beat Kiwis in Pacific Championships image

Australia and New Zealand dished up a tasty appetiser for next Saturday’s inaugural Pacific Championships final with the Kangaroos recording what turned out to be a comprehensive 36-18 win in Melbourne.

The Kiwis brought the expected intensity despite the dead rubber nature of the fixture with a lengthy stand-off following the Haka pre-match, but it was Michael Maguire’s side who blinked first as they now travel back across the ditch to prepare for the decider.

Lindsay Collins scores double as Kangaroos beat Kiwis in Pacific Championships

A typically brutal opening between the trans-Tasman rivals was typified by James Fisher-Harris being left bloodied and bruised from some heavy contact.

The skipper then not only posed a problem to every set of Aussie ribs out in the middle at AAMI Park but also his own medical staff as running repairs on a cut continued for the rest of the match.

MORE: Kiwi Ferns bag first win over Jillaroos since 2016 in shock victory 

Maguire has made no secret of his game plan – utilise the incredible pack he has on hand to smash the opposition to smithereens.

Yet they found it tough going against a weakened Aussie pack that will welcome back their starting front row in Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, as well as Liam Martin for next week’s decider.

With the spotlight afforded to others in Australia’s front row, it took Lindsay Collins just one touch after coming off the bench to grab a try.

The Sydney Roosters prop was then on hand to dive over from close range following some excellent work around the ruck from Harry Grant.

The Melbourne No.9 was also injected off the pine with Ben Hunt getting through his customary opening stint. But when Grant did come on, he dictated the pace and flow of the match with the Kiwis constantly caught off guard with his trickery and speed around the play-the-balls.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was also a standout for Mal Meninga, with the Dolphins cult hero producing two individual bits of magic to set up two tries.

The Kangaroos repeatedly threatened on the left edge with Dylan Edwards grabbing his first four-pointer in an Australian jersey and Cam Murray crossing late to equal Ron Coote’s record of scoring in six successive matches for his country.

Meninga opted to hand Tom Flegler and Nicho Hynes their Test debuts, while Maguire preferred to stick with the same 17 which so ruthlessly put Samoa to the sword last week.

Although the New Zealand head coach now faces some tough decisions for the final in Hamilton with the Kiwis often left looking off the pace.

Mal Meninga press conference: Australian coach praises 'fun' side

"I thought it was an excellent performance," Meninga said post-match. 

"There were things that we wanted to get through which we did. Our completions during that second half were amazing.

"We controlled the field position and we've got some quality players in our side who can take advantage of that."

The Kangaroos completed 32 of their 37 sets during the match and made just eight errors as a newly assembled 17 pressed their claims for involvement in next week's decider. 

Hynes featured as a lock through the middle when he replaced Isaah Yeo in the second stanza, while Val Holmes returned from suspension to grab his 20th try in 20 appearances for his country.

"They're all really fun to coach, to be honest with you," Meninga said. 

"We have a pretty simple plan, but they all execute it really well. 

"Things are working really well for us at the moment but you've got to put the effort in. I think we've built ourselves up from the first game.

"Everyone played really well tonight, and everyone played really well in week one. We've got a squad of 21, so it's a good predicament to be in." 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.