Pacific Cup Final Match Preview: Kangaroos v Kiwis

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 4 Nov 2023, 01:55 PM

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.

Final - Final - Saturday 4 Nov

Full Time

Kangaroos

Kiwis

Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Highlights Latest

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.

Final - Final - Saturday 4 Nov

Full Time

Kangaroos

Kiwis

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Kiwis is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Dylan Edwards

Winger for Kiwis is number 2 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Centre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Kiwis is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Valentine Holmes

Winger for Kiwis is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Kiwis is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Payne Haas

Prop for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Ben Hunt

Hooker for Kiwis is number 9 Kieran Foran
Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Kiwis is number 10 Moses Leota
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 17 Reuben Cotter

2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Briton Nikora
Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Kiwis is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Interchange

Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Kiwis is number 14 Fa'amanu Brown
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Lindsay Collins

Interchange for Kiwis is number 15 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange for Kiwis is number 16 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 18 Nicholas Hynes

Interchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo Thompson

Reserves

Replacement for Kangaroos is number 19 Thomas Flegler

Replacement 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: 11/4/2023 1:20:21 PM

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.