Twist in Kangaroos’ huge Kevvie call; fresh team changes loom for finale: Talking Pts

Australia have retained the Ashes yet again with a gritty 14-4 win over an England side who once again failed to ask any questions in attack, with a UK great blasting his former team.

Watch every game of the 2025 Pacific Championships LIVE on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Will the Kangaroos’ successful voyage be enough for coach Kevin Walters to keep the gig for next year’s World Cup?

Meanwhile closer to home, PNG continued their dominance in the Pacific Bowl in a strong sign ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2028.

Read on for all of the Ashes and Pacific Championships talking points from the weekend’s rugby league action!

DOES KEVVIE STAY ON AS COACH FOR THE WORLD CUP?

Sunday morning’s 14-4 win continued Kevin Walters’ perfect two for two start at the helm of the Kangaroos.

Following so much speculation and confusion over who would land the gig after Mal Meninga’s exit to lead up the expansion Perth Bears, the ARL Commission landed on Walters’ to be the next Australian coach.

It was an odd agreement though. Walters only won a contract for the Ashes Tour in sort of a ‘prove it’ deal with no guarantee he’d stay on beyond this three-match series.

With the World Cup the next port of call after the Ashes, the ARL Commission are understandably keen to find the right candidate for that assignment and beyond.

According to one former great, they’ve already found their man.

“I reckon it would (secure him the job for the World Cup) if he wants it. Who else are we picking? He’s just won an Ashes series,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League’s Ashes AM.

Braith Anasta agreed with Alexander, but theorised that perhaps Walters didn’t want to commit to the World Cup as to not affect his chances of earning an NRL gig.

The rule as it stands is that the Kangaroos cannot be coached by an NRL coach at the same time, which is why Meninga had to step down and why Walters was ultimately hired over Souths mentor Wayne Bennett.

“I’ve heard this question asked and a lot of the journos talk to V’landys and the NRL and no one can guarantee that he’s safe. He deserves it,” Anasta said.

“Kevvie wants to coach an NRL team so he probably doesn’t want to rule himself out of that but I’m sure they’ll give him the opportunity to do that.”

Given all 17 NRL teams will more than likely head into the 2026 season with the head coaches they have right now, Walters will happily put any NRL plans on the backburner in order to try and lead the Kangaroos to another World Cup title.

He’ll just be hoping the ARL Commission see it the same way.

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WHY ‘WAKE-UP CALL’ COULD BE A ‘BLESSING IN DISGUISE’ FOR ENGLAND

While England were able to tighten the screws defensively in an improved overall showing in the second Test, it’s clear they are still a little bit of Australia’s pace one year out from the 2026 World Cup.

For former England star Josh Hodgson, this Ashes series could prove to be a ‘wake up call’ for the home side.

“Me being an optimist, I think this could be a blessing in disguise for the World Cup next year,” Hodgson said on Ashes AM.

“It gives us a bit of a gauge on where we are at as a side internationally. We see sides like Tonga and Samoa all looking like good footy sides.

“It gives us a little bit of a wake up call as to the standard we want to get to if we want to beat these top sides.”

Australia are the best in the world for a reason, so a 14-4 scoreline doesn’t scream out as being a massive cause for concern.

However, Hodgson was disappointed in the team’s showings in the first two games.

Skipper George Williams and coach Shaun Wane weren’t happy either.

“We’re not making excuses. We’ve had enough sessions to get it right on the field, and I don’t think we’ve quite done that,” Williams told BBC Sport.

“Credit to Australia. They were good defensively. But we’ve got loads to work on. We’re probably not as good as we thought we were going into this series.

“So it’s a good reality check for us, and [there is] loads to improve on.”

Wane said he and the players were “devastated” after full time.

“Proud for the majority of the game. I thought for 70 minutes we were good,” Wane said.

“The switch off for 10 minutes after half-time hurt us immensely. Munster’s first try was soft and should not be scored in a Test match.

“We’re devastated. So proud the players had a dig but so disappointed with that after half-time, which cost us dearly.

“The players had a dig, but I’m so disappointed with that period after half-time which cost us dearly. I’m just really hurt at the moment.

“We need to defend better and I don’t feel like those tries should have been scored in a Test match. Fair play to Australia, it’s no detriment to them, they turn up and they’re ruthless and we weren’t, but defensively, we can and should do better.”

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‘HARD TO WATCH’: ENGLAND’S PEDESTRIAN ATTACK CALLED OUT

The stats make for grim reading.

Two games. Ten points. One try.

England have just not been able to threaten or get anything going in attack across the first two games of the Ashes series.

It’s been the glaring weakness and the reason why they’ve already lost the Ashes with one Test remaining.

Coach Shaun Wane said post-match that he wanted his side to “throw more” at the Australians.

While the effort was there, the home side couldn’t once penetrate the try line, with their four points coming from two first half penalty goals.

Hodgson said changes have to be made for the third Test.

“You’re putting your x-factor players in the side. We’ve struggled for points so let’s put someone in the side that has points in them and who will open the game up,” he said.

“England will be really disappointed in their attack It was only one dive over late in the first Test and now in this second Test, we didn’t score a try. They’re not clinical enough with the ball

“It’s hard to watch. You can see their trying but they just look like a team that is very disjointed which is hard to see.

“When you’re trying to chase a game and you’re not used to playing alongside each other, it makes it difficult.”

Moreover, it wasn’t as if England didn’t have their chance.

They won the possession battle (53% - 47%) and the territory battle (59% - 41 %).

They also had more run metres and penalties.

Greg Alexander noted what he thought England’s main issue was in attack.

“Their inside players just haven’t squared up the defence to create space,” Alexander said

“They’ve had enough ball and field position to be much better or to cause more problems for the Australian defence than what they have done.”

WILL CHANGES BE MADE FOR GAME 3?

The series might be clinched but don’t be totally surprised if Kevin Walters picks the same 17 for the dead rubber at Leeds next week.

Remember, Walters is coaching for a World Cup gig after all. He’d love nothing more than a dominant 3-0 series whitewash to bolster his chances of winning the Kangaroos job beyond this series.

With that said, Walters did admit he’ll consider blooding some of the other members of the Kangaroos squad who have yet to see the field.

Blayke Brailey, Mitch Moses, Ethan Strange, Bradman Best, Dylan Edwards and Jacob Preston have yet to play a minute, with the only change Walters making for the second Test a forced one due to Isaah Yeo’s category one HIA.

“I’m not sure on that just yet,” Walters said when asked at the press conference whether he’ll consider changes.

“We’ll get through tonight first and then tomorrow we’ll start thinking about next week’s game at Headingley.

“It would be nice to reward some guys. It’s been a great connection amongst the whole group – particularly with our training and preparation.

“Part of that is the (squad) guys we’ve been training against have been very, very good.”

One change that Walters might have to make is at fullback. Reece Walsh could face a ban after being yellow carded for a tackle on Dom Young.

That would mean Edwards earns a call up.

If Walsh is suspended, Edwards won’t be the only new face according to Fox League’s Braith Anasta.

“I reckon they may just give Mitch Moses and maybe even Brailey and those guys a go which will give the other guys a bit of a rest for game three,” Anasta said.

“I don’t know why they wouldn’t.”

BROWN’S HOT FORM HAS KNIGHTS DREAMING OF BETTER DAYS

Dylan Brown has never let New Zealand down, but his sparkling international form is giving Newcastle hope they may get a return on their record $13 million 10 year investment.

Brown may never be a chief playmaker, but Sandon Smith’s four year deal means he can be the No.7 and allow Brown to do what he does best at five-eighth.

“And don’t forget Newcastle still have Kalyn Ponga for another two years at least and they can convince him to stay with a big season in 2026.

Brown was at his brilliant best against Tonga, playing instinctive football that has been his hallmark during the best stretches of his NRL career with the Eels.

Michael Ennis marvelled at Brown’s ability to seize the moments and inject himself after he scored a try and set one up with a pinpoint kick for Casey McLean.

“Dylan Brown has been brilliant,” Ennis said on Fox League.

“Brown had some significant moments. He scored one himself and set up one for McLean down the left with a kick.”

Ennis noted Brown is relishing playing alongside Kieran Foran at halfback and encouraged the Knights to follow a similar blueprint.

“He was best on ground in game one, but Brown has got great feel for the game,” Ennis said. “He is not there at the moment in that halfback position where he is having to think and try and steer the side around.

“The minute he got a whiff of fatigue form the Tonga middle forwards, his running game is so dangerous and he started to straighten off his left foot.

“And then moments like his kick assist, the instinct parts of the game just naturally come beautifully to him and boy he had some great moments.”

Andrew Voss noted the Knights will be hoping Brown sticks to his running game next season after his brilliant solo try.

“Brown goes himself and he is over, everyone wants to see more of that, in particular Newcastle next season,” Voss said.

“Dylan Brown pinned the ears back, backed himself and scored.”

Cooper Cronk marvelled at Brown’s form spike for New Zealand after a tough couple of seasons for the Eels.

“His form has been sparkling representing New Zealand so far in his two games,” Cronk said.

“For Brown running the ball is his greatest strength and when you are passive on the defensive line and giving space to the big body and speed of someone like Brown, when you give him time and space he will accelerate and go straight through the heart of the Tongan defence.”

’UNDERDONE’ TONGA’S HUGE 12 MONTHS AHEAD

On the back of an appearance in last year’s Pacific Cup final and due to the strength of their squad this year, expectations around Tonga were high.

Unfortunately, Kristian Woolf’s men failed to deliver, handing in two disappointing performances against Samoa and New Zealand.

Tonga were beaten by a combined score of 74-20 across their two Pacific Championships fixtures.

As time winded down in the game against the Kiwis, Fox League commentator Andrew Voss revealed a worrying stat.

“I suppose it’s hard to avoid but it becomes a disappointing campaign for Tonga given the strength of their squad.

“Since the last World Cup, they’ve won only one of their last nine tests so it’s gone a bit south.”

That one win came against New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championship.

The 2024 form would be good enough to make some noise in a World Cup in 2026, but it’s clear that for whatever reason, they regressed this year.

If they’re to be any chance in next year’s major, something needs to change.

Their defence was a major concern this campaign.

Against Samoa, Tonga missed 54 tackles.

That figure increased to an eye-watering 64 against the Kiwis this past weekend.

Fox League’s Michael Ennis believed

“Fatigue really was an issue for the Tongan side,” Ennis said.

“They put themselves under huge pressure with eight errors in the first half alone. That is nowhere near good enough and you saw that in how many tackles they fell off.”

”They started well... then they just started to make errors inside their own half and as they continued to turn over cheap possession and the amount of footy that New Zealand had, the fatigue really started to set in.

“They look underdone Tonga, they really do. They were disappointing last week and they looked extremely fatigued again. I’m really concerned for them.”

NZ’S NO BRAINER FOR FINAL

Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has no choice but to pick young gun Keano Kini at fullback for next weekend’s final against Samoa following the 21-year-old’s outstanding performance against Tonga.

Kini wasn’t even named in the 17 during the week, but was a late inclusion.

Jones decided to shift Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the centres to accomodate Kini.

It proved to be a masterstroke. Kini ran for 180 metres, scored a try and had four offloads.

It was so pleasing to see the exciting Kini in full flight again as it’s been a tough 2025 for him.

The Titans star suffered a neck injury which kept him out for most of the season. Doctors considered him lucky it wasn’t more serious.

“Kini has been absolutely brilliant,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

“It’s a great comeback story, he had a significant neck injury and came back late in the year for the Titans, and he steps up in front of a full house at Eden Park. He’s been absolutely superb the little fullback.”

Injured Sharks and Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo also sung Kini’s praises.

“He’s an X-factor player and that’s what you want in your fullback,” Mulitalo said.

“You want guys that can create opportunities around them and finish them off as well. “Seeing him in the back-field he has got that toughness about him as well. He can carry out of the back-field, hold himself and catch the high balls. He just did everything right today and it is a good opportunity for him and he took it with both hands.”

Barring any setbacks, Kini will be short odds to start 2026 in the Titans’ No. 1 jersey.

That’s despite being on the same roster as AJ Brimson.

Brimson’s preference is fullback, but he can play centres or in the halves. As good as he is though, the Titans’ best chance of climbing up the ladder is with Kini at the back according to Cooper Cronk.

“You ask about whether it is AJ Brimson or Keano Kini if you are the new coach of the Titans Josh Hannay,” Cronk said.

“Keano Kini I think the way he has played whether it is for the Titans or New Zealand he is the prototype fullback at the moment and AJ Brimson needs to find another position in my opinion.”

PNG THRASH FIJI TO WIN BOWL IN OMEN FOR CHIEFS NRL BOW

Papua New Guinea thrashed Fiji Bati 50-18 to win the Pacific Championships Bowl competition in a sign the PNG Chiefs’ entry to the NRL could be a masterstroke.

There are plenty of doubts and critics around the Chiefs’ introduction to the NRL in 2028, but PNG showed in front of a raucous home crowd in Port Moresby that they not only deserve to be the NRL’s 19th team, but they can be a successful team as well.

After beating the Cook Islands in their first game, PNG dominate Fiji eight tries to four and showed just how much potential they have not only as an NRL side, but as an international outfit heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Granted, all the players that turned out in their national side won’t be in their NRL squad, but a large number could be and the Chiefs will want as many home grown heroes as they can in their inaugural squad.

The likes of current and former NRL stars Alex Johnston, Nene MacDonald, Jack de Belin and Lachlan Lam could all find themselves playing for the Chiefs in a couple of years.

And try-scorers against Fiji, Morea Morea, Dudley Dotoi, Edwin Ipape, Rhyse Martin and Nixon Putt are all potential NRL stars and could join the Chiefs in 2028 for their inaugural campaign.

More importantly, PNG’s win showed they have the immense support of a whole nation to help make the Chiefs a success and they have a breeding ground for future stars in the junior ranks of the rugby league mad country.

If the Chiefs can recruit a couple of marquee NRL stars and continue to develop their homegrown talent, the NRL’s 19th team could not only thrive in the coming seasons, but be a premiership contender and potential NRL powerhouse in the years to come.

And with an NRL team producing the next wave of international stars, PNG could join the likes of Samoa and Tonga in being genuine contenders at the World Cup in the future.

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