New Zealand Kiwis

Clinical Kiwis stun Kangaroos in historic upset

A 12-0 scoreline had the New Zealand faithful daring to dream at halftime and the fairytale final continued as the Kiwis ran in another 18 unanswered points to hand the Kangaroos their heaviest ever defeat.

Seven days after going down to their Tasman rivals 36-18 in Melbourne, Michael Maguire's side were all class with halves Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown steering the ship and wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jamayne Isaako dazzling on the edges.

Collins at the double as Kangaroos down Kiwis

Australia never trailed in the contest and after an opening 21 minutes in which the match ebbed and flowed, they always enjoyed a lead on the scoreboard, with a double from front-rower Lindsay Collins and the accurate boot of returning winger Valentine Holmes doing much of the damage at AAMI Park. 

While Australia were already 12-6 up when he entered the field in the 27th minute, Harry Grant was the man who kicked the Kangaroos up a notch when the game sat in the balance, while fellow Queenslander Patrick Carrigan was big off the bench too, carrying 16 times for 145 metres. 

Jamayne man for New Zealand as Kiwis deliver statement win

Named the Ken Irvine Medallist following his 24 tries during the Telstra Premiership season, Isaako's 25th and 26th tries of 2023 gave Michael Maguire's side a commanding early lead that they wouldn't look back from, running away with the contest to secure their first shut-out win on home soil in over two decades.

Manu mammoth as Kiwis get the better of Tonga

Carrying on the form that has made him a standout for the Roosters in 2022, Manu ran for 404 metres and had seven tackle breaks as New Zealand made a strong statement ahead of this year's World Cup. 

The emotion of the pre-game Haka and Sipi Tau had barely subsided when Kiwi playmaker Jahrome Hughes stepped ojn the gas from 10 metres out and carried three defenders over with him for the game's opening try.

New Zealand v Mate Ma'a Tonga: Emotional return to Mt Smart

The Warriors' last home game before the COVID-19 panedemic on August 30, 2019, and the last Test match played at the ground was five weeks before that on June 22 when New Zealand beat Tonga 34-14.

On that occasion it was Shaun Johnson stealing the show with a hat-trick but the veteran playmaker has made way for Melbourne's Jahrome Hughes, who debuted off the bench in that Test and has gone on to establish himself as one of the game's premier No.7s.

Brown set for Kiwis debut as Johnson misses squad

New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has named a 25-man wider squad to travel home to Aotearoa to face their Pacific rivals at Mt Smart Stadium on June 25 and there was no place for Johnston or Kodi Nikorima among the playmakers.

Brown is set to partner Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes at the scrum base, with Manly veteran Kieran Foran also in the squad.

Eight of the squad are potential Kiwi debutants, including Ellerslie Eagles junior Ronaldo Mulitalo, who leads the NRL with 20 linebreaks for the Sharks this season, and Eels playmaker Dylan Brown.

Kiwis blindsided by Taumalolo omission

In a stunning decision Taumalolo, who was the joint-winner of the Dally M Award last year, this week pledged his allegiance to Tonga for the end-of-year campaign, with the Kiwis unaware of his intentions right up unti

Former England coach to help Kiwis

McNamara is currently one of the Warriors assistant coaches.

Johnson key for Kiwis in Coventry: Smith

Johnson proved to the be the difference in the Kiwis' 17-16 win over England last week, scoring a try and kicking the winning field goal in a fine all-round display.

The mercurial Warriors playmaker was poor in the recent loss to the Kangaroos in Perth, criticised heavily for his fifth tackle options as David Kidwell's side lost 20-6.

However, he rediscovered his mojo against the hosts at Huddersfield and Smith said making his life difficult on the pitch will be a vital part of his team's gameplan.

"It will be everybody's job to stop him," Smith said.

Rookies to bring new edge to Kangaroos

Holmes, Boyd and Frizell on Friday were named to make their Australian debuts in Saturday's international against New Zealand at Perth's nib Stadium.

The selections continue a transformation of the Australian team under Meninga after his choice of four debutants in May for his first Test in charge of the Kangaroos.

"Shannon, Tyson and Valentine have all added a new dimension to our team with their enthusiasm and excitement," Meninga said on Friday.

"We have a big Kiwis pack, we will be out to match that and big Boydy is a big part of that.