Lindsay Collins talks about the Australian Kangaroos’ motivations for the Pacific Championships, New Zealand’s game and team lists

The lingering humiliation of his last encounter with the New Zealanders left Lindsay Collins feeling he had failed to do his jersey justice.

But when the prop returns to the field on Sunday afternoon, he has only one thing on his mind: revenge.

The clash marks the first time the Australians will face the New Zealanders since they were thrashed 30-0 in the Pacific Championship final last year – the heaviest Test defeat recorded in the country’s history.

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Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga swung the ax at several Test stars after losing to the likes of Dylan Edwards, Harry Grant and Zac Lomax being called up to the squad.

A total of seven players will return from the team Meninga fielded in 2023.

With a huge talent out for revenge, Collins remains confident his teammates have what it takes to right the wrongs of the past.

“Every time you wear these colors, you want to be proud of that jersey,” the prop said.

“I wasn’t proud of the jersey last year. It was not good to be part of this spanking. We have an opportunity to fix that this weekend.”

“It’s in the past… we can’t dwell on the past for too long, no matter how cliché it may be.

“We have a new team here and we are moving forward.”

Watch the 2024 Pacific Championships on Nine and 9Now.

Collins said the team had a confidence boost from their 18-0 win over Tonga on Friday.

“This game gave us a lot of confidence. Especially when you boil them down, they’re a big, powerful team,” Collins said.

While he need not fear the power of suspended Kiwi star Nelson Asofa-Solomona coming at him in the series, Collins did face a brutal blow from Haumole Olakau’atu.

The impact left Collins breathless on the floor as Kangaroos staff ordered the star to either return to his feet or leave the field for further assessment.

“Our physical therapist came out and told me I needed to get up or they would take me away,” he said.

“So (with) some revelations, I told them, ‘How about you come here, go back to Haumola and see how things are going?’

“It’s futuristic, it’s my job, I’ll get smashed, it’s inevitable.”