$13m man delivers Kiwis masterclass

Dylan Brown gave halves partner Kieran Foran the ideal farewell gift, powering New Zealand to a stirring comeback victory over Samoa in the Pacific Championships final and reinforcing his Golden Boot credentials.

Samoa opened the match with two early tries before a vibrant crowd at CommBank Stadium, but Brown’s precision and the Kiwis’ strong bench shifted momentum decisively. New Zealand surged from behind to secure a 36–14 triumph.

Controlling 67% of possession in the second half, the Kiwis dominated play while Samoa faded in the final contest of the 2025 season. Brown capitalized on weary defenders, racking up 169 running metres, three try assists, nine tackle breaks, and five offloads.

His explosive pace created a break that set up former teammate Isaiah Papali’i soon after halftime, and later he linked with prolific finisher Casey McLean to extend the lead beyond reach. Supporters of the Newcastle Knights now eagerly await Brown’s move in 2026, expected to be a record-setting deal.

“Brown feeds on tired defenders,” said one commentator, highlighting his relentless second-half dominance.

Match Summary

Final score: New Zealand 36 – Samoa 14
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Key player: Dylan Brown – 169m, 3 assists, 9 tackle breaks
Notable moments: Brown’s setup for Papali’i and link with McLean

Author’s Summary

Dylan Brown’s commanding performance sealed a comeback win for New Zealand, marking a fitting send-off for Foran and a glimpse of his potential ahead of his Knights move.

news.com.au — 2025-11-09