Australia’s Pacific Championship campaign got off to a solid start against Tonga but the Kangaroos know they’ll have to kick into high gear if they’re to avenge the heaviest defeat in the 116-year history of the green and gold jersey.
This Sunday’s clash with New Zealand in Christchurch will be their first meeting with the Kiwis since the 30-0 loss in last year’s final that broke all manner of records.
Not only was it the biggest defeat in Australian history, it was the first time the side had been held scoreless in almost two decades as the New Zealanders ran riot to claim the Pacific Championship in furious style.
Just seven Australian players from the shock defeat backed up to play against the Tongans last Friday and there’s been little talk of revenge because, according to prop Lindsay Collins, nobody needs reminding of what happened that fateful day in Hamilton.
“We haven’t really touched on it but we don’t really need to, everyone who played in that game has that feeling,” said Collins.
“Every time you put this jersey on you want to leave it in a good place and we didn’t leave it in a good place, losing 30-nil. It’s disappointing, but we get a chance to rectify it.”
New Zealand will be without some of their biggest names for the rematch — Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown, Joseph Manu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Kieran Foran were all unavailable for selection.
But Shaun Johnson’s return from international retirement and the imposing middle trio of Joseph Tapine, Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris will all be there, ensuring the Kiwis still have a strong foundation as they look to secure their first back-to-back wins over Australia in a decade.
Collins and his fellow forwards couldn’t have asked for a better preparation for the forward power of the Kiwis after seeing off Tonga, who boast a fine forward pack of their own.
The Tongans showed their power, with Haumole Olakau’atu sending Collins airborne after a brutal shot in the first half, but the Roosters prop and his teammates weathered the storm to grind out an 18-0 victory.
“They kept telling me to get up after that big shot but I couldn’t, I was that winded. But that’s part of the game, that’s my job, you see a hole and you have to run into it even if there’s a chance you get smoked,” said Collins.
“That’s what it’s all about, that’s Test footy, the best of the best, it creates great contests and great competition and that’s what I love.
“It was a tough win and that was good, that’s what we needed. It was a good contest and that’s what Test footy is all about.
“Test footy probably isn’t where it’s been in the last couple of years but good teams like Tonga and good games like that are going to build up that following again.”
There’s still plenty of improvement in Australia, especially in attack, but holding Tonga scoreless shapes as a good omen for Meninga’s side.
“Defence wins games and keeping zero on the board in a physical Test match is a really good thing,” said Collins.
“There’s stuff we have to figure out, our completion rate was really low, but we have another week together to get more connected before Christchurch.”
A win will secure Australia’s place in this year’s final before New Zealand take on Tonga next weekend.
