Australia’s Pacific Championship marketing campaign received off to a strong begin towards Tonga however the Kangaroos know they will must kick into excessive gear in the event that they’re to avenge the heaviest defeat within the 116-year historical past of the inexperienced and gold jersey.
This Sunday’s conflict with New Zealand in Christchurch will likely be their first assembly with the Kiwis because the 30-0 loss in final yr’s last that broke all method of information.
Not solely was it the largest defeat in Australian historical past, it was the primary time the aspect had been held scoreless in nearly twenty years because the New Zealanders ran riot to say the Pacific Championship in livid fashion.
Simply seven Australian gamers from the shock defeat backed as much as play towards the Tongans final Friday and there is been little discuss of revenge as a result of, in response to prop Lindsay Collins, no one wants reminding of what occurred that fateful day in Hamilton.
“We’ve not actually touched on it however we do not actually need to, everybody who performed in that sport has that feeling,” stated Collins.
“Each time you set this jersey on you wish to depart it in a great place and we did not depart it in a great place, shedding 30-nil. It is disappointing, however we get an opportunity to rectify it.”
New Zealand will likely be with out a few of their largest names for the rematch — Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown, Joseph Manu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Kieran Foran have been all unavailable for choice.
However Shaun Johnson’s return from worldwide retirement and the imposing center trio of Joseph Tapine, Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris will all be there, guaranteeing the Kiwis nonetheless have a powerful basis as they give the impression of being to safe their first back-to-back wins over Australia in a decade.
Collins and his fellow forwards could not have requested for a greater preparation for the ahead energy of the Kiwis after seeing off Tonga, who boast a fantastic ahead pack of their very own.
The Tongans confirmed their energy, with Haumole Olakau’atu sending Collins airborne after a brutal shot within the first half, however the Roosters prop and his teammates weathered the storm to grind out an 18-0 victory.
“They saved telling me to stand up after that huge shot however I could not, I used to be that winded. However that is a part of the sport, that is my job, you see a gap and it’s a must to run into it even when there’s an opportunity you get smoked,” stated Collins.
“That is what it is all about, that is Check footy, the most effective of the most effective, it creates nice contests and nice competitors and that is what I really like.
“It was a tricky win and that was good, that is what we would have liked. It was a great contest and that is what Check footy is all about.
“Check footy in all probability is not the place it has been within the final couple of years however good groups like Tonga and good video games like which might be going to construct up that following once more.”
There’s nonetheless loads of enchancment in Australia, particularly in assault, however holding Tonga scoreless shapes as a great omen for Meninga’s aspect.
“Defence wins video games and retaining zero on the board in a bodily Check match is a extremely good factor,” stated Collins.
“There’s stuff we have now to determine, our completion charge was actually low, however we have now one other week collectively to get extra related earlier than Christchurch.”
A win will safe Australia’s place on this yr’s last earlier than New Zealand tackle Tonga subsequent weekend.
