Sharks Captain Paul Gallen was at his very best as the Australian Kangaroos ran out 16-nil winners over the Kiwis in Newcastle on Friday night.
Starring in his first Test since 2014, Gallen looked every bit at home in the Green & Gold, named Man of the Match at the end of the 80 minutes having turned in a trademark performance.
Running for over 220 metres and stacking 30 plus tackles, Gallen's work in the middle of the park set the foundations for the classy Kangaroos backs, who crossed for three tries against the New Zealand outfit.
"We addressed (the Kangaroos run of losses against the Kiwis) early on in the week, we wanted to put a bit of pride and passion back in the jersey," Gallen told Channel 9.
"To keep them to zero tonight, it was a pretty good effort.
"I think we got the better of (the Kiwis forwards) tonight, that's where the game was won."
Tries to Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis and Blake Ferguson sealed the Kangaroos win, with Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith both slotting 1/2 goals on the night.
Without a host of stars, the Kiwis were gallant in their efforts, but lacking a touch of class and skill proved no match for their Australian opponents.
In news out of the match, Sharks centre Gerard Beale played strongly for the Kiwis, looking threatening at every time of asking and pulling off a number of vital stops.
Gallen and Beale will rejoin the Sharks squad on Monday, as the pair turn their attentions to the Sharks Round 10 match versus the Knights next Sunday, also at the Hunter Stadium.
