Kiwis and Jillaroos triumph at Pacific Championships

New Zealand’s men came from behind to beat Samoa in the Pacific Championships final – while Australia retained the women’s title in dominant fashion.

The Kiwis scored 30 unanswered points in the second half to triumph 36-14 in Parramatta, Australia – and provide a fitting send-off for Kieran Foran in his final match as a professional.

Veteran half-back Foran, 35, was playing his 34th and final Test match as he brought a 16-year international career to an end.

And he played a key role as New Zealand won the men’s title for the second time in three years.

Julia Robinson starred with two of Australia’s seven tries as they beat New Zealand 40-8 in the women’s final at Parramatta’s Western Sydney Stadium.

The Jillaroos – who started their year with a 90-4 victory over England in Las Vegas in March – underlined their status as world number ones.

World champions Australia were not involved in the men’s Pacific Championships because of their commitment to touring England.

And Samoa – beaten by the Kangaroos in the World Cup final at Old Trafford three years ago – were hopeful of a first international trophy when they led New Zealand 12-0 thanks to tries from Brian To’o and Simi Sasagi.

But the Kiwis responded through Naufahu Whyte to trail 14-6 at the break, and then produced five unanswered tries in the second half.

Interchange forwards Whyte and Erin Clark were key to the comeback, along with Foran and man of the match Dylan Brown.

Foran and stand-off Brown combined to send over Isaiah Papali’i for the first of his two tries shortly after half-time.

After a Jamayne Isaako penalty levelled the scores, New Zealand stepped up the pace and Clark, Casey McLean, Papali’i and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ran in tries against the tiring Samoans, to the delight of the retiring Foran.

“I wanted it so badly for New Zealand,” Foran said. “It has meant so much to me playing for my country.”

Australia’s women conceded only four points on the way to winning last year’s Pacific Championship title – and no-one has been able to shake their dominance this time.

New Zealand did test them in the group stage, only losing 10-4 in a tight match in Auckland.

But the Jillaroos, who began the tournament with a 60-0 over Samoa, were comfortable 40-8 winners in the final.

They led 24-0 after 33 minutes, and were never seriously troubled even when Shanice Parker and Tysha Ikenasio pulled two tries back for New Zealand after half-time.

Olivia Kernick’s third-minute try set Australia on their way, with Robinson leaping spectacularly to pull a Jesse Southwell crossfield kick out of the air to go over for the first of her two scores.