$13m man delivers Kiwis masterclass
Dylan Brown gave his halves partner Kieran Foran the ideal retirement gift by leading New Zealand to a thrilling comeback win over Samoa in the Pacific Championships final. Brown showcased another dominant performance, strengthening his bid for the Golden Boot.
Samoa started strong, scoring the first two tries before a lively crowd at CommBank Stadium. However, Brown and New Zealand’s impact players off the bench shifted momentum, driving the Kiwis to a 36-14 victory.
Second-half dominance
The Kiwis controlled possession with 67% of the ball in the second half, overpowering a fatigued Samoan side in their final 2025 match. Brown exploited tired defenders, finishing with 169 metres, three assists, nine tackle busts, and five offloads.
Knights fans are excited about Brown’s potential for 2026, when he joins on a record-breaking contract.
Key moments from Brown
- Early in the second half, Brown broke through to set up former teammate Isaiah Papali’i.
- He later combined with try-scorer Casey McLean to extend the lead beyond two scores.
"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."
Brown’s performance highlights his growing influence and promises an exciting future with the Knights.
Author’s summary: Dylan Brown’s commanding display not only secured a memorable win for New Zealand but also signaled his rising star ahead of a high-profile 2026 season.