Pacific Championships 2023 as it happened: Kangaroos dominate Kiwis after Murray makes history and Collins bags double, Jillaroos lose to Kiwi Ferns for first time since 2016

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Key posts

  • Goodbye
  • Cameron Murray makes history as Australia win 36-18
  • Ben Hunt scores on cusp of full-time
  • Fa’amanu Brown scores for Kiwis
  • More points for Australia after penalty kick
  • Nicho Hynes enters the game
  • Dylan Edwards scores his first try as a Kangaroo
  • Second half under way in Melbourne

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Goodbye

Well, that’s all from me tonight.

Another great victory for the Kangaroos, but a bitter defeat for the Jillaroos who until tonight held a seven-year winning streak over New Zealand.

Lindsay Collins double would have been enough for Australia to celebrate tonight, but pair that with a try for Ben Hunt and a record-equalling try for Cameron Murray, and I’d say tonight is one for the history books.

You can catch all the live action from us again next week, but until then, enjoy your night.

Lindsay Collins celebrates a try.Credit: Getty

Watch: Cameron Murray’s record-equalling try

Kangaroos celebrate victory

Teammates congratulate Cameron Murray for scoring in a sixth consecutive Test.Credit: Getty

The Kangaroos celebrate victory at full time.Credit: Getty

The statistics after 80 minutes

Australia keep record over New Zealand

The Kiwis haven’t beaten the Kangaroos on Australian soil since 2015, and that record will continue after Australia’s victory tonight.

New Zealand were the favourites heading into this Test, after Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga changed up his team for this match, but Australia were too strong in the second half, and in the end errors were costly for the Kiwis.

The two teams will face off again next week in Hamilton where the Kiwis will be hoping to get a win.

Dylan Edwards and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidwo celebrate.Credit: Getty

Cameron Murray makes history as Australia win 36-18

Cameron Murray splits the Kiwi defence in the final minute of the game, and he sprints to the try line to score in a sixth consecutive Test and equal the record of fellow South Sydney favourite son Ron Coote.

Coote was the only Kangaroos forward to score tries in six Tests in a row, but now Murray is in the history books.

Valentine Holmes misses his first kick of the night on the full-time siren, but it doesn’t matter, Australia have a comprehensive 36-18 victory in Melbourne.

Full time: Australia 36, New Zealand 18

Cameron Murray celebrates after making history for the Kangaroos.Credit: Getty

Ben Hunt scores on cusp of full-time

Cameron Murray wanted to score in asixth-consecutive Test, but he’s pulled up just short of the try line.

The next best thing is to help his teammate to a try, and with a quick play-the-ball, Ben Hunt takes the run from dummy-half and burrows over the line.

Valentine Holmes keeps his 100 per cent kicking rate for the night, and Australia all but seal the victory.

Australia 32, New Zealand 18 with one minute to go

Hynes moves into the halves

Cameron Munster comes from the field for the final eight minutes, and Nicho Hynes moves into the halves.

Isaah Yeo is back on the field, but Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is now limping in back field.

The intensity of the match is starting to take its toll, but Australia can see the finish line.

Australia 26, New Zealand 18 with six minutes to go

Fa’amanu Brown scores for Kiwis

The Kiwis had set-after-set on the Kangaroos line, and finally they’ve found a crack.

Fa’amanu Brown takes the ball from dummy-half and burrows over to score, despite Nicho Hynes and Jake Trbojevic there in defence.

Jamayne Isaako nails the conversion, and the difference is just eight points with just as many minutes left in the match.

Australia 26, New Zealand 18 with 8 minutes to go

Cherry-Evans error hands Kiwis the ball

Daly Cherry-Evans lets the kick-off bounce and tries to trap it with his foot, but it slips right past him, and Jake Trbojevic can’t salvage the ball for the Kangaroos.

Australia decides to go with the short goal line dropout, but New Zealand get the ball back and are in their best position to score points this half.

Australia 26, New Zealand 12 after 13 minutes

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