New Zealand closed their Pacific Cup campaign with a decisive 54-12 victory over Papua New Guinea at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, avoiding relegation to the tournament’s second-tier.
Teenage debutant Casey McLean stole the show, scoring four tries and setting up another, equaling a record for debutants.
The game started tightly, with PNG challenging the Kiwis early on, but New Zealand pulled ahead just before halftime and dominated from there.
Veteran Shaun Johnson, in his final Test, delivered five try assists, while young players like Keano Kini also impressed. The victory salvaged a disappointing campaign for the Kiwis, securing their spot in the 2025 Cup.
