The boss of the New Zealand Rugby League wants to ensure the Kiwis and Australia – the world’s top-ranked nations – play each other every year.

And based on the Pacific Championships and Ashes form of the past month, NZRL chief executive Greg Peters is confident his nation would get the job done against the Australians if the teams met this weekend.

New Zealand came from behind to thump Samoa 36-14 at a heaving CommBank Stadium on Sunday, seven days after they put 40 points on Tonga at Eden Park.

Peters said it was a shame New Zealand had not played the Kangaroos this year, and while they are likely to clash at next year’s World Cup, including the potential tournament opener in Sydney, they are also not scheduled to meet in 2027.

New Zealand forwards James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, J

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