Australia Kangaroos vice-captain Harry Grant has bristled at solutions he was on the cusp of an extended stint as a starter as he and his teammates head to Christchurch to face New Zealand.
Coach Mal Meninga named an unchanged line-up to face the Kiwis on Sunday, trying to guide their spot within the Pacific Championships remaining.
It’s the first assembly between the 2 nations since New Zealand triumphed in final yr’s remaining 30-0.
Grant began for the primary time for Australia within the 18-0 win over Tonga in Brisbane on Friday night time, and was a star performer.
Nevertheless, Grant stated cementing himself because the everlasting quantity 9 for Australia was not on his thoughts forward of this weekend’s Check.
“I can not actually look too far forward,” Grant stated forward of Sunday’s conflict in Christchurch.
“I believe I’ve acquired to construct on final week’s recreation and carry out this week.
“I simply assume should you begin trying too far forward, that is when the complacency is available in.
“You need to make your teammates and training employees proud, and you do not try this trying too far forward, you try this by what’s in entrance of you and what you may management this week.”
The Kangaroos had been humiliated by the Kiwis final time they met, however Grant stated dwelling on the previous was counter-productive.
Their defensive resolve was missing in 2023, however it’s an space the new-look outfit has addressed.
“It was clearly disappointing (what occurred) final yr, however we won’t change that. We won’t dwell on that. It’s a new staff and we will simply be taught from it,” Grant stated.
“I believe we’re placing issues in place to be taught from that and go once more this week. Defence is a large one. You win video games on defence.
“Lots of guys are recent to the staff and to the Check match area and they’re bringing their strengths and thriving in camp.
“We’ve got addressed final yr, however I do not assume this sequence needs to be based mostly on final yr, or that we needs to be specializing in that an excessive amount of.”
In the meantime, Ali Brigginshaw has been named at five-eighth for the Jillaroos after being a late withdrawal for Australia’s 84-0 win over Papua New Guinea final Friday.
Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani returns to the centres for Australia after transferring into five-eighth final weekend.
Jessica Sergis, who stepped into the aspect after Brigginshaw’s late withdrawal, has been named as 18th girl.
Olivia Higgins will begin as quantity 9 after Quincy Dodd sustained a minor quad damage in final week’s win.
Australia Kangaroos squad
- Dylan Edwards
- Xavier Coates
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Tom Trbojevic
- Zac Lomax
- Tom Dearden
- Mitch Moses
- Patrick Carrigan
- Harry Grant (vc)
- Lindsay Collins
- Angus Crichton
- Cameron Murray
- Isaah Yeo (c)
- Matt Burton
- Mitch Barnett
- Reuben Cotter
- Hudson Younger
- Ben Hunt
- Lindsay Smith
Australia Jillaroos squad
- Tamika Upton
- Julia Robinson
- Isabelle Kelly
- Tiana Penitani
- Jakiya Whitfeld
- Ali Brigginshaw (c)
- Tarryn Aiken
- Millie Elliott
- Olivia Higgins
- Shannon Mato
- Kezie Apps (c)
- Yasmin Clydsdale
- Simaima Taufa
- Jessika Elliston
- Sarah Togatuki
- Keilee Joseph
- Mahalia Murphy
- Jessica Sergis
- Abbi Church
- Keeley Davis
ABC/AAP
