That’s all from the Guardian’s live coverage of the Pacific Championship double-header here in Christchurch. Australia walks away with the chocolates from both fixtures, the Jillaroos winning 14-0 in the first match and the Kangaroos bounding to victory 22-10 in the second. We’ll be back with coverage of the final in the days to come. On behalf of the G-forces, thanks for your company and we’ll leave you with the full report:
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Full-time: New Zealand 10-22 Australia
Australia have their revenge! They were beaten 30-blot the last time they played New Zealand in the Pacific Championship – the biggest defeat in their 116-year history. But they overcame an enemy with 53% of possession to score four tries and kick away to a 12-point victory.
New Zealand were disciplined but rusty with Shaun Johnson’s return from retirement leaving their backline moves a little rusty. Despite dominating the middle – both Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and debutant Keano Kini ran for more than 200 metres – the ability of Australia’s back three to reel in Johnson’s bombs and return them with interest proved crucial. The Kiwis will need to find more continuity and creativity from more of their backline if they’re to overwhelm Tonga next week.
Kangaroos winger Zac Lomax had a day to remember with a clutch of spectacular leaps and robust finishes earning him two tries and three goals for a 14-point haul that outscored New Zealand on his own. It books the Kangaroos a berth in the Pacific Championship final and sends New Zealand to sudden death football, with a win against Tonga next week their only chance of defending their 2023 title against the old enemy in Parramatta next Sunday.
Ultimately, Mal Meninga’s men defended their way to victory, making more tackles and defending for long stretches before launching blistering counter-attacks through Lomax, Dylan Edwards and Turbo Tom.
TOO STRONG 🇦🇺 #PacificChamps pic.twitter.com/PzXNbITiHx
— NRL (@NRL) October 27, 2024
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