‘Some great players have missed out’: Kiwis name same side as Kangaroos bring back key men for Pacific Championships final

The Kangaroos have rung the changes for the Pacific Championships final but the Kiwis haven’t reacted to last week’s fadeout in Melbourne.

Nicho Hynes is the unlucky man to drop out of the 17 as the Kangaroos look to win the Pacific Championships final in New Zealand. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has brought back hisa big guns for the Pacific Championships final dropping Nicho Hynes from the side for Saturday’s showdown with the Kiwis in Hamilton.

The 2022 Dally M Medal winner had some classy touches and laid on the final try in a solid cameo off the bench in his international debut, but Hynes drops back to 18th man with Meninga recalling three key forwards who were rested for last week’s match in Melbourne.

Props Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui return to the starting side after they dominated Samoa in the tournament opener, while Penrith’s premiership star Liam Martin slots into the back row with Reuben Cotter dropping to the bench.

Broncos star Payne Haas returns to the starting side after he was rested for last week’s win over New Zealand. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Jake Trbojevic and Thomas Flegler also drop back to the reserves after starting in the front row at AAMI Park in Australia’s dominant 36-18 win over New Zealand.

“We’ve adopted a squad mentality right from the start of the championships, and every player and support staff member has played a part in getting us to where we currently are,” Meninga said.

“Unfortunately some great players have missed out, but that’s the nature of the beast at international level when you’ve got such a high-calibre playing group all putting their hands up, and all buying into the culture of what this Australian team is about.

“We’ve settled on a really strong team and combinations that have worked well for us in the past. Ultimately it is now about continuing the momentum we’ve built and delivering a performance that Australian supporters can be proud of this Saturday.”

The Kiwis have resisted the urge to make any changes from the side that went down in Melbourne, with Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu again picked at right centre despite being kept quiet by the Kangaroos.

Trans-Tasman showdowns across the ditch have been few and far between in recent years, with New Zealand winning the most recent clash over there back in 2018 when they stunned the Kangaroos 26-24.

The Kiwis have lost their previous three meetings with Australia but traditionally lift for the big games.

Joseph Manu won’t shift to fullback despite being kept very quiet by the Kangaroos. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“The players are excited about playing in such an important Test and doing so in front of a passionate home crowd,” New Zealand coach Michael Maguire said.

“We’ve got great belief in our side and I’ve got a lot on confidence in where we’re going.

“We’ve had a good look at where we need to be better from last week and the boys will take those lessons into Saturday’s match in Hamilton.”

Originally published as ‘Some great players have missed out’: Kiwis name same side as Kangaroos bring back key men for Pacific Championships final