Australia beat New Zealand 36-18 at AAMI Park in a match that lights the fuse on the arch-rival’s rematch in next week’s Pacific Championship final
With Australia and New Zealand already locked-in to face-off in next weekend’s Pacific Championship final, last night’s international between the TransTasman rivals risked being little more than the lighting of a fizzing fuse for the “Big Bang” to follow. But when New Zealand’s Black Ferns upset the Jillaroos’, snapping their 15-game winning streak in the curtainraiser, all signs pointed to another Trans-Tasman classic.
Then, in a sign of things to come, New Zealand’s passion fizzled into farce as Jamayne Isaako’s kickoff went out on the full. Daly Cherry Evans, at 34-and-eight-months the oldest halfback in Kangaroos history, reefed it another 30 metres downfield to put Australia on the attack from the get-go. The Kiwis survived that attacking charge but nervous errors and swirling winds conspired to make a mess of their early minutes.
Kangaroos hooker Harry Grant was named Man of the Match in the 36-18 victory over New Zealand Kiwis at AAMI Park.The Kiwis hit back ten minutes later when Jahrome Hughes towed through for Briton Nikora to cross under the posts untouched. But Australia remained ascendent and the level scores didn’t last long as Dylan Edwards’ spectacular leap found Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who shrugged off two tacklers to hook it back for Lindsay Collins to score.
Having missed training all week with a mystery illness, Cameron Munster looked rusty, shanking several kicks and overplaying his hand. But the Storm maverick soon sparked a flurry of fast hands that found Tabuai-Fidow and “The Hammer” floated around Joseph Manu to gift fullback Dylan Edwards his first try in green and gold.With Australia beaten just twice in their last 24 Tests, the 12-point margin meant Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga could experiment with his debutantes.
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