Kiwi lives up to $13m hype in Pac Champs thriller; ‘unbelievable’ Haas stuns on debut — Big Hits

New Zealand have defeated Samoa 24-18 in a thrilling Pacific Championships contest, with a Dylan Brown try proving the difference in a tight affair.

Payne Haas’ first Samoa appearance since defecting from the Kangaroos sparked a monumental battle in the middle of the field – but he was ultimately unable to inspire his side to a victory despite a late surge.

The first 10 minutes of the clash was filled with brutal hits, with powerhouse forwards Joseph Tapine and Haas doing their best to leave dents in the opposition.

MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand v Samoa, scores, stats, live blog

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New Zealand centre Matt Timoko had the first chance to score, but was denied by a strong effort spearheaded by Junior Paulo.

But the Kiwis still were able to tally the first points of the clash through young gun Casey McLean, who was able to steam past Panthers teammate Izack Tago.

“Five tries in a New Zealand jersey, you can count his Test career in minutes. He is only 90 minutes old in his Test career,” Andrew Voss said.

McLean wasn’t finished there though, scoring the second four-pointer from a play that looked like it would amount to nothing.

The rising star barged through the tackle of Paulo and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score “out of nothing” according to Voss.

Samoa responded through Deine Mariner to bring the score back to a six-point deficit, but were largely unable to threaten the Kiwis in the first half outside of another moment of madness.

From dummy-half, Chanel Harris-Tavita kicked what looked to be a certain 40/20 and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad acrobatically kept the ball in play, but punched it so far he was unable to retrieve it.

“His work was too good… he can’t believe his luck,” Michael Ennis said.

That left Simi Sasagi to score the easiest try of his career, levelling the scores before a late Timoko try gave New Zealand a 16-12 lead going into the break.

In the second half, Murray Taulagi came desperately close to scoring on the right wing, but was denied with his opposite man Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Again, it was Taulagi with another opportunity that went begging, stepping out before he was able to ground the ball as Samoa struggled to break their opponent’s defence.

But it was third time lucky, with Taulagi scoring the try which handed Samoa a crucial conversion to level the score.

Blaize Talagi stepped up after he played a crucial role in the try and slotted it from the sideline in what shaped as a crucial moment.

“Hasn’t kicked a goal in the NRL, he’s just banged one over from the sideline,” Voss said.

Jarome Luai almost set up a stunning try from the next set, but Mariner was unable to reel in a pass which struck his chest and bounced off.

In response, New Zealand hit back with five minutes on the clock.

Kieran Foran put a bomb up which was snatched up by Brown, who rotated and grounded the ball pressed against the post.

While it was feared he was initially short and progressed it to get it over the line, the try was instead confirmed and the Kiwis took a six-point lead which proved to be the match-winning points.

In a crushing late blow, Brian To’o also had an opportunity to score but was unable to catch a wayward Mariner pass with clear air ahead of him.

Samoa forwards Ata Mariota, who featured off the bench, and Jaydn Su’A also suffered an ugly head knocks and were assisted by medical staff with the game being delayed for a short period twice.

MCLEAN’S TEST RUN CONTINUES

International football looks easy for Casey McLean.

The young gun centre, in his second Test, scored a first-half double after a monumental performance in his debut for New Zealand in 2024.

In that game he scored four tries, bringing his tally to six to help the Kiwis best Samoa on Sunday afternoon.

“Casey McLean, what a start to the game he had… just showed what a danger and what a season he has had,” Greg Alexander said.

As aforementioned, McLean enjoyed his best season to date at NRL level, and his form has carried over into the Test arena.

It’s staggering to think McLean is still only 19, but already has 30 first grade appearances to his name, with 23 of those coming in 2025 along with 16 tries.

BROWN STANDS TALL

Dylan Brown has been front and centre in the headlines this year after signing a mammoth 10-year, $13 million deal with the Knights.

All eyes were on his performance in the halves on Sunday afternoon, and he showed up in a big way.

The 25-year-old scored the match winning try and also assisted two more four-pointers, earning lofty praise from both Greg Alexander and Michael Ennis.

“We said he was probably the best player in the first half, his running game was at the fore. Kieran Foran did a good job to steer the Kiwis around,” Alexanders aid.

“Then Dylan Brown came up with a match winning play to seal the victory. It was all the Kiwis to start the game.

“Brown, in scoring that match winner, he was probably the best player on the field.”

Ennis added: “He was, he was the best player”.

HAAS’ DEFECTION DEBUT

In typical Payne Haas fashion, his debut for Samoa was a big one.

The Broncos powerhouse spent only one minute on the sidelines, with his rest cut short after a raft of injuries.

Haas set the platform for Samoa and was a monster in defence, tallying 186 running metres and making 55 tackles – but unfortunately it wasn’t enough on Sunday afternoon.

Regardless, his first appearance for Samoa was labelled as “unbelievable” after he made the call to represent his heritage instead of the Kangaroos.

“Payne Haas over 50 tackles and almost 200 metres carrying the ball, I don’t think he did (get a rest). I think he probably expected to give him a rest,” Ennis said.

“But the injuries to Jazz (Tevaga), Jaydn Su’A, Ata Mariota, all of a sudden Payne Haas says ‘I will do it on my own’. It’s unbelievable.”

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