Meninga ponders changes to new-look Roos against Kiwis
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will toss up the benefits of continuity with the temptation to tinker with his side for their New Zealand Pacific Championships rematch.
Australia beat Tonga 18-0 on Friday, the coach forgiving some rust and any NRL grand final hangovers and instead lauding their defensive attitude in a dogged Brisbane win.
It meant Tongan dreams of back-to-back wins over the world champions evaporated, with try-scoring centres Tom Trbojevic and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow starring.
New halves pairing Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses warmed into the roles, the former finishing with a solo try in the final seconds.
Four others debuted, wingers Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax solid without boasting any stand-out moments while Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young helped nullify the hulking Tongan pack.
Meninga left utility Ben Hunt out of the side, selecting Matt Burton instead as cover for Trbojevic, who defied a lingering shoulder complaint to play.
It meant hooker Harry Grant had no obvious back-up, forward Reuben Cotter spending some time at dummy-half when a noticeably fatigued Grant was given a second-half breather.
NSW hooker Reece Robson is also in the squad and hoping for a debut in the series.
New Zealand flogged Australia 30-0 when the sides met last November and Meninga said he had some “tough decisions to make”.
“It’s such a new team … we’ll give some serious consideration about playing again and having a bit of continuity,” the coach said.
“We’ll see how everyone pulls up.
“The guys who’ve missed out have been training really well and been terrific around the camp.”
Australia’s defence pleased Meninga most and the coach will take confidence from that to New Zealand next Sunday.
“We try not to get too carried away,” he said of the hype behind the contest.
“Emotion is a good thing, but it’s got to be controlled.
“Defence, that’s around attitudinal things and decisions you make.
“I’m really happy with that, so we move on and try to play better footy.”
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