Aussie rules: NZ team make international final

The New Zealand Falcons will play Papua New Guinea in the final of the Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne on Saturday.

The Falcons beat the United States 64-32 at Port Melbourne today, while PNG beat cup holders Ireland in their semifinal.

The two finalists are both unbeaten in the 10-nation tournament and will play their final as the curtain-raiser to the Carlton-Collingwood AFL match at the code's spiritual home, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"It's a lifetime opportunity for them to play on the MCG and it's actually a ground which will suit our play because we prefer the bigger grounds," said Falcons technical director Rob Malone.

Craig Ashton led the way for the Falcons today, kicking four of their 10 goals. Other goalscorers were Richard Bradley (2), Geoffrey Thomas, Todd Danks, Andrew Congalton and Marcus Jones.

- NZPA