Australia humiliated as they suffer heaviest ever loss against New Zealand

New Zealand have shocked Australia and handed them their largest ever defeat as they ran riot and humiliated their rivals in a 30-0 win in the Pacific Cup final.

It marked a major turnaround from last week in which Australia defeated the Kiwis 36-18, however in this morning’s final of the Pacific Cup it was New Zealand who turned up and they turned up in style.

The victory didn’t just see New Zealand crowned as victors of the end of season tournament but it was one that embarrassed Australia, the 30-0 score line being the largest ever margin of defeat that the Kangaroos had ever suffered.

A record breaking defeat and to your closest rivals is a tough pill to swallow for the World Champions with the defeat marking the first loss for Australia since 2019, and their first defeat to New Zealand since 2018 when they fell 26-24.

The scoring was opened by Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo who after quarter of an hour created and finished a brilliant try. Having made a line break in his own half the winger was there to receive a smart cut-out pass from full-back Dylan Brown.

Jamayne Isaako kicked the extras and then found himself scoring the second try of the game five minutes from half time over in the corner, sending the Kiwis in 12-0 up at the break.

Many might have expected a comeback or a resurgence from the Aussies but New Zealand kept their foot on the throat with Isaako crossing for his second in the 47th minute, before the onslaught truly came on the hour mark.

Matt Timoko dived in under the posts on the hour mark to stretch the lead to 22-0 and effectively kill off the game, but at  that point the record score was within reach and the Kiwis took their chance with forward Griffin Neame forcing his way through to bring up 30 points late on.

It was a bruising defeat for the Australians and one that head coach Mal Meninga didn’t take too well. The Kangaroos head coach said post game: “Everyone loves to see us lose and we’ve done that.

“We’ve made everyone happy. Obviously (the result) will shock the rugby league world in the manner we lost and the scoreline, but we will come back with redemption at the end of next year.

“We made heaps of errors. That is a reflection of how New Zealand played. They were the better side and deserved their victory.”