The countdown is on in earnest for Stacey Jones, with a date confirmed for his first fixture in charge of the Kiwis. 

He'll begin his tenure against the Kangaroos in Christchurch on October 27 to open the Pacific Nations Cup - they'll take on Tonga the following week in Auckland. 

The top two teams will contest a final in Sydney on November 10. 

Jones told Mike Hosking that Australia will be smarting after their last meeting. 

He said that their preparation is going to be top notch, and they’ll have to be on their guard there. 

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