Australia v New Zealand: Where the historic Perth test will be won and lost

AUSTRALIA collide with New Zealand in a historic Test in Perth tonight. Nick Campton breaks down the key match-ups that will go a long way to deciding the result.

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Or are you just after an honest to God preview of the historic Australian-New Zealand Test in Perth?

We’ve got you covered — here’s three match ups that will determine Saturday night’s Four Nations prelude.

Matt Scott, Shannon Boyd and Trent Merrin vs. Jesse Bromwich, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jason Taumalolo

Australia are a little light on middle forwards for this one. Scott has a wealth of experience in the green and gold but Merrin is playing just his second Test and Boyd is on debut.

New Zealand boast the best pack in the world, there’s no other way to look at it. Jason Taumalolo could headbutt a moving train and live to tell the tale.

Jesse Bromwich is the best prop in the world and has been for some time. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is back after three years in the wilderness and is certifiably insane.

Jesse Bromwich is a gun prop that few if any can come close to matching.

For Australia to win they have to hold New Zealand in the middle. Even if they manage to muzzle this trio they still have to deal with Adam Blair and Martin Taupau off the bench. Win or lose, you can bet there will be some sore bodies on Sunday morning.

Cooper Cronk vs. Shaun Johnson

Cronk had perhaps the best season of his career in 2016 and captured the Dally M medal alongside Jason Taumalolo but in the grand final it all went horribly wrong. The Melbourne halfback never looked his usual composed self and had a match to forget.

Shaun Johnson rose and fell with the Warriors, as he tends to do, but he will shoulder an enormous load for the Kiwis in this match.

Cooper Cronk has played some of the best football of his life this year.

With the solid but unspectacular Thomas Leuluai at five-eighth, Johnson will have to be New Zealand’s creative fulcrum.

Johnson has a habit of producing greatness for New Zealand — in the 2013 World Cup and 2014 Four Nations he was the best player in the side — and his clash with Cronk will go a long way to determining the outcome of this Test.

Josh Dugan vs. Solomone Kata

The Josh Dugan Experiment will continue with Mal Meninga selecting the St George Illawarra man at centre.

Dugan has played just four matches at centre this year — two for the Dragons, one for NSW and one for Australia. He will carry the ball well, as he always does, but has precious little experience in the nuances of defensive play required by the position.

Josh Dugan is still something of an unknown quantity at centre.

Kata is on debut for New Zealand and if they can create some doubt in Dugan’s mind it could be an area of real promise for them. He has the speed and strength to dominate a game if given the right opportunity.

Having said that, Kata’s own defence is not one of his strengths and the Kangaroos could fancy their own chances down their right hand side.

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND

Saturday, October 15

Venue: nib Stadium, Perth

Kick-off time: 4:50pm (local time), 7:50pm (AEDT)

TV details: The match will be shown live on Channel Nine.

Betting: Australia $1.40, New Zealand $3

Originally published as Australia v New Zealand: Where the historic Perth test will be won and lost