Lindsay Collins an unlikely try-scoring hero as Australia down New Zealand 36-18 in Melbourne

Lindsay Collins has proved an unlikely hero for the Kangaroos, scoring two tries to assist the Australians to a rousing 36-18 win over New Zealand of their Pacific Nations Championships league conflict in Melbourne.

Coming off the bench Collins scored along with his first contact of the ball within the twenty first minute and secured his first-ever profession double quickly after because of a fast play-the-ball by Harry Grant, who fired a cross to the Sydney Roosters prop.

In a high-quality taster for the match closing in Hamilton subsequent Saturday which is able to once more function the trans-Tasman rivals, the Kangaroos led 18-12 at half-time at AAMI Park.

Taking part in his first match in nearly three months resulting from two suspensions, Valentine Holmes, who was a controversial choice by Australia coach Mal Meninga after being issued a breach discover by the NRL for a social media submit in September, opened the scoring within the eighth minute.

The winger was the beneficiary of pin-point grubber into the in-goal by Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco which bounced up into his arms.

The Kiwis answered again by means of second-rower Briton Nikora after which had the ultimate say of the half when winger Ronaldo Mulitalo out-leapt his rivals to take a Jahrome Hughes bomb.

The house facet prolonged the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, lining up on the wing, was on the spot after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow bought round reverse centre Joseph Manu.

Holmes then added a penalty strike to push the lead out to 26-12.

Alternative New Zealand hooker Fa’amanu Brown made it briefly attention-grabbing when he burrowed over the road from dummy-half within the 69th minute.

However Ben Hunt wrapped the end result when he matched Brown’s effort with three minutes remaining.

Cameron Murray then capped the evening, busting over for Australia’s sixth attempt within the closing minute.

The Kangaroos have received eight of their previous 9 towards the Kiwis, who final tasted victory in Australia in 2015.

AAP