Australia have been counting down the days for a rematch with New Zealand after their ignominious 24-0 wipeout in last November’s Tri-Nations rugby league final.
The chance to atone for their worst international defeat to the Kiwis comes at Brisbane’s Lang Park Friday in the annual Anzac Test match between rugby league’s two top teams.
On November 27 last year at Elland Road, New Zealand, inspired by the coaching of Brian McClennan, registered their first Test series win over the hotly-fancied Australians for more than 50 years.
It was the first time Australia had failed to win an international series or tournament since 1978.
The Kangaroos, with halves Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns calling the shots, are favoured by bookies to win their 66th Test in 95 meetings with the Kiwis, but New Zealand have significantly narrowed the gap with Australia in recent years.
The Kiwis have won three and drawn one of their last eight Test encounters and in scrumhalf Benji Marshall and loose forward Sonny Bill Williams have two of the biggest stars of Australia’s National Rugby League.
Johns and loose forward Ben Kennedy are playing their last Tests for Australia and it will be a highly-motivated team under new national coach Ricky Stuart to avenge their humiliating Tri-Nations belting.
”It’s pretty important considering last year’s [Tri Nations final] overseas result,” Johns said on Thursday.
”There’ll be a big crowd and the public see it as a big game. It’s important the players see it that way too so I suppose there’s a fair bit of pressure.”
Lockyer said: ”I haven’t seen the interest that this game has generated since I’ve been playing for Australia. It’s great for the game.
”The final last year was disappointing. There’s a lot of players in this team that played in that game who’ll obviously want to prove something to themselves and to the Australian public.”
Interest will also centre on the debut of New Zealand-born fullback Karmichael Hunt (19) opting to play for Australia and set to become one of the youngest players to wear the green and gold.
Players from both camps have exchanged words over Hunt’s contentious decision to play for Australia, adding further spice to a Test already bubbling with emotions following last year’s Tri-Nations final.
”There won’t be any dirty shots on Karmichael,” said McClennan. ”We’re very conscious of giving away penalties when we earn ourselves some good field position.
”Dirty play costs you a penalty and we want to win this game.” – AFP
