Grant unfazed by workload as Kangaroos seek revenge against NZ

Kangaroos hooker Harry Grant insists there is no issue with his workload ahead of Australia’s Pacific Cup clash with New Zealand this Sunday.

Coach Mal Meninga has named Grant to start in Christchurch, despite the Storm captain having played in this year’s NRL grand final, all three State of Origin games and the first Test against Tonga.

The Kangaroos vice-captain defended Meninga’s decision, emphasising his readiness to play.

“Body is holding up good,” Grant said.

“You want to be playing footy during the finals, the grand final, that’s when you want to be playing footy.

“I think probably 80 minutes is what I’ve been used to this year at clubland, so going off that, that’s what I’m used to.

“Rep footy in the past, have played off the bench and played a bit of that tandem role with ‘Dozer’ (Ben Hunt).

“Every time you put on the green and gold it is a challenge and you know who you are playing for and the opposition know too.

“So, we’ll just see how things go over the next couple of weeks.”

Australia are seeking revenge this Sunday against the Kiwis, who defeated them 30-0 in the Pacific Championships when they last met in November 2023.

Top online bookmakers have the visitors as strong favourites at $1.28 for the win, compared to $3.75 for New Zealand to prevail.

Grant emphasised how eager his side is to improve on its first performance of this year’s competition, where the Aussies defeated Tonga 18-0 in a hard-fought clash last weekend.

“The performance, we probably would have liked our execution to be a lot better,” he said.

“But we defended well, we scrambled well and we just need to grow.

“We just need to build on that performance last week.

“That was the game we needed together to get things rolling and then make sure we take that up a level this week.

“It is going to be a challenge.

“We knew we had a shorter turnaround last week, the group was coming together, we only had six days to prepare, so it was really maximising every training session, every day together.

“It is a big game.”

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