Match Preview: Kangaroos v Kiwis Pacific Cup Final
The Kangaroos have the momentum and the Kiwis have the home ground advantage heading into Saturday's Pacific Cup Final in Hamilton.
With Val Holmes contributing 16 points and Lindsay Collins grabbing the first try double of his career, the Kangaroos proved far too strong for the Kiwis in a 36-18 triumph in Melbourne last weekend.
The Kangaroos have now won all 12 Test matches played in Australia since Mal Meninga took the helm but they will face a hostile reception from the fans at Waikato's FMG Stadium and also from a fired up Kiwi forward pack seeking redemption.
Both sides are set to be at full strength for the decider and nothing will be left in the tank in the final match of another long and testing season for the game's superstars.
The Kiwis have proven countless times during the past 20 years that lead-up form goes out the window when the silverware is on the line and the likes of James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine are sure to bring the heat to the early exchanges.
Match: Kangaroos v Kiwis
Final -
home Team
Kangaroos
1st Position
away Team
Kiwis
2nd Position
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Team News
Kangaroos: Forward Cameron Murray has been ruled out (tendonitis) on game day with last week's debutant Nicho Hynes joining the starting squad after being named as 18th man. Props Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui return to the side after being rested last weekend so Jake Trbojevic and Tom Flegler make way. Liam Martin is also back in the starting side with Reuben Cotter reverting to the bench. Broncos star Pat Carrigan sat out training on Wednesday due to a cork but coach Mal Meninga confirmed he was a certain starter on Saturday.
Kiwis: Coach Michael Maguire sticks with the same 17-man squad that went down to the Kangaroos in Melbourne with Joey Manu remaining in the centres and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad staying at fullback. Roosters youngster Naufahu Whyte is 18th Man once again.
Match: Kangaroos v Kiwis
Final -
home Team
Kangaroos
away Team
Kiwis
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Kiwis is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Dylan EdwardsWinger for Kiwis is number 2 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowCentre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Kiwis is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Valentine HolmesWinger for Kiwis is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
-
Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Dylan Brown
-
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Kiwis is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Payne HaasProp for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Ben HuntHooker for Kiwis is number 9 Kieran Foran
-
Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiProp for Kiwis is number 10 Moses Leota
-
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 17 Reuben Cotter2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Briton Nikora
-
Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Kiwis is number 13 Joseph Tapine
Interchange
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Kiwis is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Kiwis is number 15 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Patrick CarriganInterchange for Kiwis is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 18 Nicholas HynesInterchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo Thompson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Kangaroos is number 19 Thomas FleglerReplacement for Kiwis is number 18 Naufahu Whyte
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The last time the Kiwis played a Test at FMG Stadium they were beaten 28-22 by Tonga at the 2017 World Cup.
- Australia have won seven of their past eight Tests against New Zealand.
- Adam Blair and Ruben Wiki hold the record for most appearances for NZ against Australia with 24.
- Australia's biggest win over New Zealand is 58-0 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington in 2007.
- Valentine Holmes has scored 20 tries in 20 Tests for Australia.
- Both sides completed at 82 per cent in their clash in Melbourne last weekend. The Kangaroos completed 32 of 39 sets and the Kiwis completed 28 of 34.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
