$13m Man Delivers Masterclass for Kiwis
Dylan Brown gave his halves partner Kieran Foran a perfect retirement gift by leading New Zealand to a remarkable comeback victory in the Pacific Championships final against Samoa.
Match Overview
Samoa started strong, scoring the first two tries in front of a loud crowd at CommBank Stadium. However, Brown and New Zealand’s powerful bench players shifted momentum, enabling the Kiwis to finish with a decisive 36-14 win.
Kiwis' Second Half Domination
New Zealand controlled 67% of the ball possession in the second half, overpowering Samoa who tired out towards the end of the match. This dominance was critical in sealing their victory in the final rugby league game of 2025.
Dylan Brown’s Impact
- Ran for 169 metres
- Provided three assists
- Achieved nine tackle busts
- Completed five offloads
Brown’s relentless effort exploited the tired Samoan defenders, exciting fans about his upcoming 2026 season with the Newcastle Knights under a record-breaking contract.
Key Plays
Early in the second half, Brown made a break to set up former teammate Isaiah Papali’i. Later, he put the Kiwis ahead by more than two scores through a connection with try-scorer Casey McLean.
“Dylan Brown delivered halves partner Kieran Foran the perfect retirement gift with another dominant display to lead his side to an epic comeback win over Samoa.”
Author’s summary: Dylan Brown’s outstanding performance powered New Zealand’s epic comeback against Samoa, marking a memorable finale and hinting at a promising future with the Knights.