<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>331309</docID> <postdate>2024-10-19 10:29:18</postdate> <headline>Meninga ponders changes to new-look Roos</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-331310" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241018162103324613-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="625" /></p> <caption>Kangaroos' hooker Harry Grant making a spectacular tackle in the win over Tonga. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Murray Wenzel</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will toss up the benefits of continuity with the temptation to tinker with his side for their New Zealand Pacific Championships rematch.</strong></p> <p>Australia beat Tonga 18-0 on Friday, the coach forgiving some rust and any NRL grand final hangovers and instead lauding their defensive attitude in a dogged Brisbane win.</p> <p>It meant Tongan dreams of back-to-back wins over the world champions evaporated, with try-scoring centres Tom Trbojevic and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow starring.</p> <p>New halves pairing Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses warmed into the roles, the former finishing with a solo try in the final seconds.</p> <p>Four others debuted, wingers Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax solid without boasting any stand-out moments while Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young helped nullify the hulking Tongan pack.</p> <p>Meninga left utility Ben Hunt out of the side, selecting Matt Burton instead as cover for Trbojevic, who defied a lingering shoulder complaint to play.</p> <p>It meant hooker Harry Grant had no obvious back-up, forward Reuben Cotter spending some time at dummy-half when a noticeably fatigued Grant was given a second-half breather.</p> <p>NSW hooker Reece Robson is also in the squad and hoping for a debut in the series.</p> <p>New Zealand flogged Australia 30-0 when the sides met last November and Meninga said he had some "tough decisions to make".</p> <p>"It's such a new team ... we'll give some serious consideration about playing again and having a bit of continuity," the coach said.</p> <p>"We'll see how everyone pulls up.</p> <p>"The guys who've missed out have been training really well and been terrific around the camp."</p> <p>Australia's defence pleased Meninga most and the coach will take confidence from that to New Zealand next Sunday.</p> <p>"We try not to get too carried away," he said of the hype behind the contest.</p> <p>"Emotion is a good thing, but it's got to be controlled.</p> <p>"Defence, that's around attitudinal things and decisions you make.</p> <p>"I'm really happy with that, so we move on and try to play better footy."</p> </body>