LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Warriors.kiwi have hailed Mitchell Barnett's stellar performance in his Test debut for the Kangaroos, with the forward making a big impact in their 18-0 victory over Tonga in the Pacific Championships opener on Friday night in Brisbane.
The Australians were locked in a tight battle with Tonga, clinging to a narrow 6-0 lead, when Barnett was called off the bench after 25 minutes, replacing starting prop Lindsay Collins.
With Barnett on the field, the Kangaroos surged to a 14-0 lead by the time he was substituted in the 60th minute.
During his 35 minutes of play, Barnett ran the ball 13 times for an impressive 123 metres, putting in a performance only surpassed by Angus Crichton's 19 runs for 127 metres among the Australian forwards.
In addition, Barnett put in solid defensive work, making 17 tackles without any misses and only two ineffective tackles.
Barnett's debut was a testament to his skill and determination, showcasing his ability to make a mark on the international stage with the Kangaroos.