Valentine Holmes had an international debut to remember, scoring a try and setting one up for Greg Inglis as Australia scored a 26-6 win over New Zealand on Saturday night.
It was an impressive warm up for the Kangaroos ahead of the Four Nations tournament which starts in the UK at the end of the month.
The 21-year-old Cronulla winger, who celebrated winning the Sharks’ historic first premiership just over a fortnight ago, helped extend Australia’s 4-0 lead in the 14th minute when he made a break down the left touch line before attempting to chip kick over Kiwis fullback Jordan Kahu.
The ball hit Kahu in the head and fell to Inglis who scored his 29th try in the green and gold.
Holmes then brought most of the 20,283 fans at NIB Stadium in Perth to their feet as he benefited from a Shaun Kenny-Dowall error to streak away and score in the corner three minutes into the second half.
Darius Boyd, Boyd Cordner and Inglis added further tries for Australia.
Holmes’ performance will give Australia coach Mal Meninga a selection headache for Australia’s Four Nations opener against Scotland in Hull on October 29 (AEDT). England and New Zealand are the other two sides in the tournament.
Holmes had an outstanding season for Cronulla, developing a lethal right side combination with Jack Bird that helped him score 19 tries in 26 appearances for the premiers and average more than 130 run metres.
The final will be played at Anfield in Liverpool on November 21 (AEDT).