Kangaroos assistant Holbrook dissects Australia's convincing win over Tonga

The 2024 Pacific Championship kicked off on Friday the 18th October with the Kangaroos defeating Tonga 18-0.

Kangaroos assistant coach, Justin Holbrook told SEN he was happy with the result but sees room for improvement as the Australian team prepare to face the New Zealand side.

“It was a great night, to come away 18-0, we were definitely happy with that,” Holbrook said on *SEN 1170 Afternoons. *

“We can improve with the ball but that was always going to be difficult with a six day preparation.”

Holbrook discussed the key decision to pair Mitch Mosses and Tom Trbojevic in the halves, explaining they both played a great game and worked well together.

“I went with the halves that way (and) I was really excited. It was good just to get a game under their belt together and we’ll need them to be better again this week against a tough New Zealand side,” he added.

Holbrook spoke to the decision to position Trbojevic and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away from fullback, testing the waters with halves and centres.

The assistant coach explained that the side was overloaded with fullbacks so had to juggle to fit them all in, impressed with the players ability to adapt.

“To have those boys play in the centres that they don't play a lot and have them play so well was excellent.”

“Trbojevic had the freedom to come around and link up with Tabuai-Fidow.”

“It's trying to fit the best players into the one side and even if it's not their preferred position, they still had big impacts in the game last week.”

Holbrook looks ahead to Sunday’s game against the New Zealand Kiwis, expecting to see a tight game as he reflects on Australia’s 30-0 loss to the Kiwis in the 2023 Pacific Championship final.

“We are expecting a similar style of opposition for us next week with New Zealand.”

“I am expecting an extremely tough game.”

Holbrook explains coach Mal Meninga and the entire Australia side is hungry for a Championship victory, excited to face off in a rematch against New Zealand on Sunday 27th October in Christchurch.